What have we done?! Purchased Chausson Sport Line V597 this morning

[banbury]

Exciting Update! We finally picked up "James The Campervan" (ask about the name story over a beer ).

Spent the weekend cleaning and polishing. Then this happened - check out the photo!

Luckily, the dealer showed us how to empty the grey waste and water tank.

After defrosting the van, we explored it further. So much to learn as newbies!

James is in temporary storage while we get telescopic bollards installed.

Currently going through the "must-haves" list from the kind folks on the forum, and planning our trips.
Starting with an overnight in the Cotswolds before braving longer adventures!

 

[Nanniemate]

Exciting Update! We finally picked up "James The Campervan" (ask about the name story over a beer ).

Spent the weekend cleaning and polishing. Then this happened - check out the photo!

Luckily, the dealer showed us how to empty the grey waste and water tank.

After defrosting the van, we explored it further. So much to learn as newbies!

James is in temporary storage while we get telescopic bollards installed.

Currently going through the "must-haves" list from the kind folks on the forum, and planning our trips.
Starting with an overnight in the Cotswolds before braving longer adventures!

View attachment 999133

Must haves ....
Don't buy anything raid your home cupboards
Your not there to use it
Then when you know what you really need buy it.
Mugs and glasses from home bedding,towels Don't forget a corkscrew and tin opener ..if you use them
Dint be tempted to buy all the useful goodies you'll never use

Remember you Don't have a lot of space
Have fun

 

[steve69]

We’re yet to pick up our van and already feeling overwhelmed by the warm welcome from the MHF community!

We initially wanted a motorhome, not a campervan, and spent ages considering all the options.
We had to think long and hard about how and what we’d be using it for

It looks gorgeous. What you have there is hybrid. A motorvan or camperhome.
Either Way I think you have made a sensible choice.

 

[Brains]

Exciting Update! We finally picked up "James The Campervan" (ask about the name story over a beer ).

Spent the weekend cleaning and polishing. Then this happened - check out the photo!

Luckily, the dealer showed us how to empty the grey waste and water tank.

After defrosting the van, we explored it further. So much to learn as newbies!

James is in temporary storage while we get telescopic bollards installed.

Currently going through the "must-haves" list from the kind folks on the forum, and planning our trips.
Starting with an overnight in the Cotswolds before braving longer adventures!

View attachment 999133

'Must Haves'

First trip to VanBitz in Taunton
There is a campsite next door, whilst they fit:
An alarm
an Immobiliser
A Tracker
GasLow refillable gas
a solar panel
a battery master
WiFi

Then get onto SnugLux and order two sets of fitted sheets and matrass toppers
Rest of the bedding from home.

Kitchen kit, get from home for now until you figure exactly what you need
But order a pair of firestick extinguishers.

The rest of the kit can be ordered as and when you need it

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

There is a campsite next door, whilst they fit:

So do you sit on the pitch while the van is in the worksop?

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[Brains]

So do you sit on the pitch while the van is in the worksop?

No, you walk into Taunton (20 mins) and spend the day

• shopping
• in the pub
• at the cinema
• watching TV
• walking in the park
• having a long lunch

We found VanBitz incredibly fast and efficient.
We arrived at the campsite next door.
Dropped of the van at the workshop at 08.00
Walked into Taunton for breakfast
Did a load of shopping for van stuff (bedding, kitchenware etc)
Got a taxi back with all our purchases at 5pm
Got the van from the workshop
Then spend another night at the campsite (free)

Heading home the next day we heard that a pandemic had been declared and the following day became my last day in the office, ever.
To say my visit to VanBitz changed my life, it really did.

(I suspect i was one of the last vehicles to did for the next few months)

 

[Clemmo]

Nothing is a " Must Have"
We are all different.
Use the Van ..live in it and make notes as "needs" occur.
You can end up spending lots on kit you will never use.
I don't want or need a Tracker. I don't need Gaslow, I don't need wifi... many do.

Give yourselves some time and it will slowly come together to suit you
Clemmo

 

[Grummyb]

Nothing is a " Must Have"
We are all different.
Use the Van ..live in it and make notes as "needs" occur.
You can end up spending lots on kit you will never use.
I don't want or need a Tracker. I don't need Gaslow, I don't need wifi... many do.

That is so spot you will spend a small fortune on thigs you think you need but never use or you use the van and buy things as you need them

 

[banbury]

Thanks for the great advice! After checking the forum and YouTube, we've realized there's so much gear available and your advice to not go mad with purchases makes total sense.

We're figuring out the essentials—fire extinguisher, corkscrew, and tin opener are definitely on the list.

We got a deal on the van: Phantom/Sentinel Ultimate alarm and immobiliser with GPS tracking, full LPG bottle, 25m EHU lead, and more. Thanks for the tips on GasLow and Battery Master—they make more sense than bottles! And will look at the VanBitz site again.

Big thanks for all your feedback and tips. Expect more questions from us! We visited Go Outdoors today and managed to resist buying anything - yet!

 

[Phill D]

Hope your new Toy gives you some real joy.

Now just put the basics on board, then armed with a notebook and pencil get away for a few days.
Note any real need to have that you are missing in the notebook, top up when home ready for the next trip.
Use notebook to add and more importantly remove stuff you really don’t need.

Enjoy

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