When you first enter the world of motorhomes, knowing what you should take on tour with you isn’t always the easiest. To set you on your way, the experts at Practical Motorhome have picked out 20 essential accessories to take…
1 Camping chairs
A comfortable camping chair is worth its weight in gold on tour. These two Sunmer padded camping chairs weigh in at just 3.3kg each, and come with a handy drinks holder and a useful pocket for stashing your copy of Practical Motorhome.
Price £89.99 at www.amazon.co.uk
2 Gas spanner
Spare your knuckles and unnecessary effort by investing in a good gas spanner. This heavy-duty example is well priced and should make changing gas bottles a doddle.
Price £6.35 at www.amazon.co.uk
3 Levelling ramps
Plastic ramps (or wedges) are a must-carry when you’re on tour – place them under one or more of your wheels and you’ll be able to drive up them, giving you more of a level motorhome. These are good value.
Price £18.95 at www.towsure.com
4 Hook-up cable
Unless you plan to spend your entire tour off-grid, you shouldn’t forget a hook-up cable to connect you to the mains. A 10m cable should do it, or to be doubly sure,
you could go for a 25m one.
Price £22.27 at www.towsure.com
5 Water hose
A food-grade water hose is a motorhome essential, allowing you to fill your water tank with ease. We’d recommend one with a variety of tap attachments, such as this neat product from Big White Box, guaranteeing connection wherever you’re staying.
Price £20.99 at bigwhitebox.co.uk
6 Steering wheel lock
A robust steering wheel lock helps to protect your motorhome from theft, and could also lower your insurance costs. We’re big fans of Milenco, and this lock should do the job well.
Price £59.99 at www.halfords.com
7 Outwell Collaps Kettle
Get one of these and in a few days, you’ll be wondering how you survived without it. It’s collapsible, can be placed on direct heat, is dishwasher safe and, of course, makes a cracking cup of tea.
Price £42.95 at www.outwell.com
8 Waste water container
If your ’van doesn’t come with an inbuilt waste water tank – or if you want to easily empty the tank without needing to move your vehicle – one of these Wastemaster water containers is definitely worth considering.
Price £55.75 at www.towsure.com
9 Milenco BC Lock
For a high level of protection, consider this BC Lock from Milenco, which encases and locks brake and clutch pedals, rendering them inoperative. Easy to fit, it comes recommended by the police and is Sold Secure Gold approved.
Price £74.43 at www.milenco.com
10 Fire extinguisher
This 950g BC Powder 34B extinguisher is suitable for liquid and electrical equipment fires and compact enough to secure in your motorhome. Note that it is not suitable for use on deep fat fryers, and you should consider carrying a fire blanket, too.
Price £17.50 at www.motorhomeshop.co.uk
11 Weber Traveler Gas Barbecue
A barbecue is a wonderful enhancement to a touring holiday, and it pays to buy the best. This gas-fuelled model can be folded for easy storage, yet has a large cooking area and a low-to-high temperature range.
Price £465 at www.weber.com
12 First aid box
This well-stocked 220-piece first aid kit includes antiseptic towels, butterfly closures, safety pins, sticking plasters, fingertip strips, first-aid tape, eye pads and more. Enough to treat most minor injuries.
Price £24.99 at www.amazon.co.uk
13 Road atlas
Okay, so you probably have sat nav. But wouldn’t you rather plan where you are going the night before by consulting an atlas? You can also use it to make sure your sat nav isn’t sending you down narrow roads.
Price £14.99 at www.amazon.co.uk
14 Aqua Kem Fluid & Rinse Concentrate Duo Pack
Keeping your toilet facilities in good condition is a key part of ensuring an enjoyable tour. That’s where these useful products from Thetford come in – they prevent unpleasant odours and will keep everything just as it should be.
Price £15.49 at www.autoleisure.co.uk
15 Torch lantern
Even with an awning light and a flashlight app on your mobile, a torch that you can put down to provide light while you adjust the gas bottle or empty a locker is a godsend.
Price £22.99 at www.amazon.co.uk
16 Outwell Newburg 160 Air
If you’re looking for extra space on tour, an awning is a must. This particular product is an inflatable that can be used on either side of your campervan, with insect-proof mesh screens providing a very welcome touch.
Price £747.99 at www.outwell.com
17 Culinare MagiCan tin opener
A tin opener is an undervalued yet essential item that is only fully appreciated when it isn’t to hand. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you by keeping this useful accessory in your motorhome kitchen at all times.
Price £6.49 at www.amazon.co.uk
18 Brunner Space melamine tableware
Melamine tableware removes any worries about having to clear up smashed crockery in the confines of your vehicle. This set from Brunner adds eye-catching colour to your touring experience and only weighs 3.28kg.
Price £61 at www.primaleisure.com
19 Thermal cab blinds
Many more budget-priced motorhomes do without ready-fitted blinds. So you’ll need to add these to stop you being woken by the sun’s early rays, or even just for a bit more privacy if there are only two of you touring and you’re sleeping in the rear.
Price £77.14 at www.towsure.com
20 The North Face Base Camp Slides III
Footwear that you can slide into is welcome on tour, ideal for just popping on when you need to go to the washrooms in the morning. This pair from The North Face provides comfort and style to create a really winning combination.
Price £35 at www.thenorthface.co.uk
After some more great accessory ideas? Then head to our Back to Basics: Accessories category, where we’re picking out some brilliant items to take on tour!
If you’re looking for some more great items to take away with you, our guide to the best motorhome gadgets is a great place to start!
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