Report on first weekend out. Family tradition is to test out new camping kit in the New Forest so off we went
The last time we had a campervan was last century in the 80's! I can't believe how sophisticated the new van is, we think she's going to be called "Gracie Grey"
I was worried about the leisure battery, never had so much electirckery to worry about, in the dark ages it was one fridge and that was it!
Everything else really was luxury and I really have been spoilt for life.....
Top tips from forum members were invaluable, cheers!
The split glass kitchen top was really useful, could really understand why it was on an owners wish list, inexpensive lightweight chopping boards from Tesco (pack of two in bright colours £2.50?) were not only chopping boards but an alternative to a tray to protect the glass tops, but I will probably buy the protective film
The factory fitted bike rack was brilliant and the lockable attachment struts were fab. We used the little one to clip both bikes together before securing with a cable bike lock. NB, when loaded with bikes, let the tailgate down gently as a slam could damage the soft close
Bathroom annex picked up from "Blacks" in the sale, was the loo, shower room, the wellie/boot room and the wet coat room and box storage!
Grass breathable ground sheet was comfortable under foot,
Up cycled fabric bags/pouch which held 4 beer bottles, another held 2 wine bottles and 2 more which all held stuff could then sat on the surface were fab meaning No rattles when driving, which was shared by both
Had a moment when we were filling up with fresh water and it was all "leaking" out the back....check the leaver position and close it!
List to save up for or purchase:
Bin for rubbish, found one I like in Tesco which will slot neatly on the floor by the kitchen (£4 and £8 version)
Comfortz mattress please, bed comfortable but hard!
Collapseable bucket
Air safe
Scotch guard
12v hand vacuum or very stiff brush
Footwell mats
I will be making: a skewer sleeve, covers for the bench seat and cushions and a table cloth
Will be copying Verity (thanks Verity) and making an awning side till we have saved up for the side awning/privacy room
We forgot the mallet, so used my clog! And are getting heavy duty pegs as we were on stony ground
Only thing to contact the dealers with is the LED strip light along the front of the unit seems to be on an intermittent mode which indicates a wiring glitch and the hand book is a bit confusing with their explanations, I need an idiots guide
The alarm works brilliantly as it went off as we locked ourselves in for the night, sorry anyone who will have been muttering "bl**€¥ idiots!"
Allen all a fab start to the Gracie Age, and we have already booked into a site in exmoor for next weekend...did that last night!!
Thanks again everyone for your warm welcome and fantastic tips
