Bare essentials for staying at a campsite

[Robert85]

Hi,

I've just bought my first ever campervan, a 2021 California Beach. I haven't got the vehicle yet, it's going to be delivered soon.

I'm trying to work out the essentials that I need for my first night away at a campsite. I've watched some youtube videos and searched by through the threads on here.

My first night or two away will be at a campsite, I don't think I'll be doing any cooking, I'll either be eating out at a local pub or eating prepared food from the cool box. They'll just be two of us.

I haven't done any kind of camping since I was a kid with my parents. The campsites we used to stay in 30 years ago were quite basic and seemed to be on farm land, I was too young to remember much about how they work.

Here's what I think I'm going to need so far from the research that I've done:

- 25m EHU cable, I haven't bought this yet. This one looks good https://toughleads.co.uk/products/16a-230v-premium-vw-california-compatible-hook-up-cable Do I really need 25m? It seems so long.
- Bedding or sleeping bags.
- Dustpan and brush
- Headtorch
- Prepared food and drink in the cool box
- Wet wipes and paper towels
- Bin bags
- Towel and crocs for the shower
- Clothes and toiletries
- Phone charging lead

Am I likely to need level ramps? Do they usually have toilet paper at campsites? Is there anything else I'm missing?

 

[WelshGas]

Hi,

I've just bought my first ever campervan, a 2021 California Beach. I haven't got the vehicle yet, it's going to be delivered soon.

I'm trying to work out the essentials that I need for my first night away at a campsite. I've watched some youtube videos and searched by through the threads on here.

My first night or two away will be at a campsite, I don't think I'll be doing any cooking, I'll either be eating out at a local pub or eating prepared food from the cool box. They'll just be two of us.

I haven't done any kind of camping since I was a kid with my parents. The campsites we used to stay in 30 years ago were quite basic and seemed to be on farm land, I was too young to remember much about how they work.

Here's what I think I'm going to need so far from the research that I've done:

- 25m EHU cable, I haven't bought this yet. This one looks good https://toughleads.co.uk/products/16a-230v-premium-vw-california-compatible-hook-up-cable Do I really need 25m? It seems so long.
- Bedding or sleeping bags.
- Dustpan and brush
- Headtorch
- Prepared food and drink in the cool box
- Wet wipes and paper towels
- Bin bags
- Towel and crocs for the shower
- Clothes and toiletries
- Phone charging lead

Am I likely to need level ramps? Do they usually have toilet paper at campsites? Is there anything else I'm missing?

The EHU lead is 25m as that is the maximum length from the Campsite supply in the UK. But 10 or 15 m is normally sufficient for most pitches.
Level ramps are like Marmite, some use them all the times., others have never used them.
Personally I would have a Camping stove, kettle, 2L bottle of water and mugs to make a hot drink.

 

[Tycho]

Hi,

I've just bought my first ever campervan, a 2021 California Beach. I haven't got the vehicle yet, it's going to be delivered soon.

I'm trying to work out the essentials that I need for my first night away at a campsite. I've watched some youtube videos and searched by through the threads on here.

My first night or two away will be at a campsite, I don't think I'll be doing any cooking, I'll either be eating out at a local pub or eating prepared food from the cool box. They'll just be two of us.

I haven't done any kind of camping since I was a kid with my parents. The campsites we used to stay in 30 years ago were quite basic and seemed to be on farm land, I was too young to remember much about how they work.

Here's what I think I'm going to need so far from the research that I've done:

- 25m EHU cable, I haven't bought this yet. This one looks good https://toughleads.co.uk/products/16a-230v-premium-vw-california-compatible-hook-up-cable Do I really need 25m? It seems so long.
- Bedding or sleeping bags.
- Dustpan and brush
- Headtorch
- Prepared food and drink in the cool box
- Wet wipes and

Just start, you will learn to on the go.

 

[Kayleigh]

Hi,

I've just bought my first ever campervan, a 2021 California Beach. I haven't got the vehicle yet, it's going to be delivered soon.

I'm trying to work out the essentials that I need for my first night away at a campsite. I've watched some youtube videos and searched by through the threads on here.

My first night or two away will be at a campsite, I don't think I'll be doing any cooking, I'll either be eating out at a local pub or eating prepared food from the cool box. They'll just be two of us.

I haven't done any kind of camping since I was a kid with my parents. The campsites we used to stay in 30 years ago were quite basic and seemed to be on farm land, I was too young to remember much about how they work.

Here's what I think I'm going to need so far from the research that I've done:

- 25m EHU cable, I haven't bought this yet. This one looks good https://toughleads.co.uk/products/16a-230v-premium-vw-california-compatible-hook-up-cable Do I really need 25m? It seems so long.
- Bedding or sleeping bags.
- Dustpan and brush
- Headtorch
- Prepared food and drink in the cool box
- Wet wipes and paper towels
- Bin bags
- Towel and crocs for the shower
- Clothes and toiletries
- Phone charging lead

Am I likely to need level ramps? Do they usually have toilet paper at campsites? Is there anything else I'm missing?

Hey congrats on the purchase!

If you plan to do mainly campsites, hookup is a good idea, but as said above 10-15m is fine. Your list looks fine. Stuff you would normally take if camping. Add in some mosquito spray just in case, and sun cream.
Levelling ramps are one of those things I bought and never used. If slightly sloping just keep your head uphill. Probably more useful if both beds are occupied.

Just don’t overbuy new gadgets. Take items you have at home to start with and then you will get a feel for what you will/wont use over time.

Take kettle and tea/coffee making kit. You can then join the Cali Coffee thread that’s doing the rounds LoL.

 

[Californication69]

Pillow & duvet. (Dislike sleep bags, reminds me of camping in france as a small boy on school holiday transfer. Scarred me for life)
Toilet paper (this is for the van porti potti)
(Sensually have loo roll, but do you want to risk it for a biscuit if they didn’t ??)
Amazon body wipes
Ridge monkey
Bacon
Butter
Bread
Tom sauce (or brown if you that way inclined to induce heartburn)
Gas
Drinking water in a canister.
Pepsi max ( or beer)
Ear plugs & eye mask.
Wash bag.
Spare pants if away for more than 4 nights.
Defo crocs. Best thing ever.

 

[Californication69]

Hey congrats on the purchase!

If you plan to do mainly campsites, hookup is a good idea, but as said above 10-15m is fine. Your list looks fine. Stuff you would normally take if camping. Add in some mosquito spray just in case, and sun cream.
Levelling ramps are one of those things I bought and never used. If slightly sloping just keep your head uphill. Probably more useful if both beds are occupied.

Just don’t overbuy new gadgets. Take items you have at home to start with and then you will get a feel for what you will/wont use over time.

Take kettle and tea/coffee making kit. You can then join the Cali Coffee thread that’s doing the rounds LoL.

Skin so soft. Great mossie repellant.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Hot Drinks (it sometimes rains in the UK) and a Can of Soup or Pot Noodles (for when the Pub is shut or the chef is sick), you need to carry a small stove with windshield and gas/fuel to heat up the water for drinks/noodles/soup. Especially when you get stuck somewhere because of the inevitable traffic jam.

So add a stove, saucepan, kettle, some utensils (can opener, sporks, wooden spoon).

Have a look at Trangia (make of stove), don't be put off by price, they come with a meths burner but gas burners are available, also kettles and everything packs away like a russian doll.

Try to visit a mountaineering/backpacking specialist where the kit is good quality, well made and ultralight

 

[Aidy P]

A spare cartridge stove and spare cartridges Easy to pack away and you can pick up extra gas pretty much everywhere.

 

[Stargazing]

The bacon, bread and butter-everything else wing it. This is what makes it great - finding your feet as you go-have fun.

 

[edocali]

Camping is not camping unless you have a fire to sit around in the evenings.

I recommend a foldable fire pit that can be used as a grill. I am very happy with the Snowpeak

 

[Perfectos]

Comfortable pillow,, Alcohol, BBQ, wallet

Edit :camping stove, pan(s) , oil, bacon & eggs, kettle (gas if off grid) tea / coffee & Alcohol, washing up gear , knives and forks, cutting knife and board and don't forget the Alcohol

Edit : 2x empty two litre pop bottle for drinking / cooking water (can be replaced /disposed of easily and take up way less room than water carrier). - just seen post above from WG who suggested this also

Edit : Compression fridge / freezer in a Beach will be a game changer in future, allows you to have a fridge / freezer full of food for several days without worrying that the food in a thermo electric cooler will spoil in high ambient temps

Edit: Small wireless speaker for music , battery pack for phone etc

 

[coordinated]

- 25m EHU cable, I haven't bought this yet. This one looks good https://toughleads.co.uk/products/16a-230v-premium-vw-california-compatible-hook-up-cable Do I really need 25m? It seems so long.

Welcome to the Beach club

That looks like a high quality cable. As others have said, it's better to have a 10m or a 15m – or ideally both, than a single 25m one. As they're effectively extension cables, you can always plug a 10m and a 15m together to make a 25m cable (just keep the connectors in the middle off the ground/out of puddles).

It's generally considered best practice not to leave a large amount of cable coiled up when in use, as it'll heat up under (heavy) load – and it's yet another thing to trip over (leave some slack at both ends, and slide any excess under the van).

Just bear in mind that the cables take up a fair amount of space, and you'll want somewhere to store a coiled up wet/grassy/muddy cable (hint: wipe it down as you coil it up ).

And consider creating some form of reminder (e.g. on the dash) to prevent you driving off with the cable still plugged into the van

 

[Kayleigh]

Welcome to the Beach club

That looks like a high quality cable. As others have said, it's better to have a 10m or a 15m – or ideally both, than a single 25m one. As they're effectively extension cables, you can always plug a 10m and a 15m together to make a 25m cable (just keep the connectors in the middle off the ground/out of puddles).

It's generally considered best practice not to leave a large amount of cable coiled up when in use, as it'll heat up under (heavy) load – and it's yet another thing to trip over (leave some slack at both ends, and slide any excess under the van).

Just bear in mind that the cables take up a fair amount of space, and you'll want somewhere to store a coiled up wet/grassy/muddy cable (hint: wipe it down as you coil it up ).

And consider creating some form of reminder (e.g. on the dash) to prevent you driving off with the cable still plugged into the van

You have included all the reasons why I don’t bother with hookup any more!

 

[Kev56]

Beer.

 

[Robert85]

Camping is not camping unless you have a fire to sit around in the evenings.

I recommend a foldable fire pit that can be used as a grill. I am very happy with the Snowpeak View attachment 137295

I will be doing my best to avoid any fires. I'm asthmatic and have various respiratory allergies. Even being inside someone's house with a log burner can cause problems.

It's strange how we're all against smoking but we seem to love a fire. Wood fires are more toxic than cigarettes. When you're sat next to a fire or inside with a wood burner, it's like second hand smoking.

I grew up in a house with wood burners and used to love fires outside when I was younger. That's probably the reason why I have these problems as an adult.

I don't want to be a party pooper but that's the truth about fires.

 

[Robert85]

Welcome to the Beach club

That looks like a high quality cable. As others have said, it's better to have a 10m or a 15m – or ideally both, than a single 25m one. As they're effectively extension cables, you can always plug a 10m and a 15m together to make a 25m cable (just keep the connectors in the middle off the ground/out of puddles).

It's generally considered best practice not to leave a large amount of cable coiled up when in use, as it'll heat up under (heavy) load – and it's yet another thing to trip over (leave some slack at both ends, and slide any excess under the van).

Just bear in mind that the cables take up a fair amount of space, and you'll want somewhere to store a coiled up wet/grassy/muddy cable (hint: wipe it down as you coil it up ).

And consider creating some form of reminder (e.g. on the dash) to prevent you driving off with the cable still plugged into the van

Thanks.

Are you supposed to / allowed to link cables up? Various places online say that you shouldn't because of water getting in.

I can't seem to find a set of cables that are designed to be linked up with a waterproof connection. That would be ideal.

 

[Robert85]

Comfortable pillow,, Alcohol, BBQ, wallet

Edit :camping stove, pan(s) , oil, bacon & eggs, kettle (gas if off grid) tea / coffee & Alcohol, washing up gear , knives and forks, cutting knife and board and don't forget the Alcohol

Edit : 2x empty two litre pop bottle for drinking / cooking water (can be replaced /disposed of easily and take up way less room than water carrier). - just seen post above from WG who suggested this also

Edit : Compression fridge / freezer in a Beach will be a game changer in future, allows you to have a fridge / freezer full of food for several days without worrying that the food in a thermo electric cooler will spoil in high ambient temps

Edit: Small wireless speaker for music , battery pack for phone etc

Thanks. I was looking into fridges. I don't know what size I will need and I'm not that keen on the idea of moving a large item around. I'll start with a 12v cool box, that should be fine for a day or two in the UK, when that's not enough I'll buy a fridge.

 

[Barbara]

Hi,

I've just bought my first ever campervan, a 2021 California Beach. I haven't got the vehicle yet, it's going to be delivered soon.

I'm trying to work out the essentials that I need for my first night away at a campsite. I've watched some youtube videos and searched by through the threads on here.

My first night or two away will be at a campsite, I don't think I'll be doing any cooking, I'll either be eating out at a local pub or eating prepared food from the cool box. They'll just be two of us.

I haven't done any kind of camping since I was a kid with my parents. The campsites we used to stay in 30 years ago were quite basic and seemed to be on farm land, I was too young to remember much about how they work.

Here's what I think I'm going to need so far from the research that I've done:

- 25m EHU cable, I haven't bought this yet. This one looks good https://toughleads.co.uk/products/16a-230v-premium-vw-california-compatible-hook-up-cable Do I really need 25m? It seems so long.
- Bedding or sleeping bags.
- Dustpan and brush
- Headtorch
- Prepared food and drink in the cool box
- Wet wipes and paper towels
- Bin bags
- Towel and crocs for the shower
- Clothes and toiletries
- Phone charging lead

Am I likely to need level ramps? Do they usually have toilet paper at campsites? Is there anything else I'm missing?

Looks a good list but you will need something to eat off and with. Sporks are good as basics and you could use paper plates to start with or just take anything you have at home. A good knife to slice bread and something to slice it on. I think that a porta potty (not necessary if a site with facilities but nice at night) and a cool box are essentials. Coffee or hot water in a thermos will give you a drink when you arrive. You will learn as you go and end up taking too many things you will never use! I have spent the last 2 days taking out things from my van that have accumulated there over 9 years. The plan is to go back to less stuff, I have stated a list so I don't forget things and with the hope that I don't take 2 or 3 of things when 1 will do. Enjoy your van.