First Campervan - 3 "must haves" and what to avoid?

[clare247]

Hello

Hope everyone is good.

After a couple of false starts, my OH and I are going to be collecting our first campervan, a 2024 VW California Ocean (T6.1) 150 in just under 4 hours. We have spent the last 2 years, hiring campervans (conversations and a Cali Ocean) before finally taking the plunge.

We had been reading lots of posts on here and the Facebook group over that time which were so helpful and made the whole search so much easier, thank you .

Just wondering, what would be the top 3 "must have" purchases when you first get your campervan? And are they any purchases you wished you'd never bothered with?

Thank you in advance.

Have a great weekend.

 

[colintfcolintf]

You’ll probably need a decent mattress topper - nice looking Cali you have there

 

[WelshGas]

Hello

Hope everyone is good.

After a couple of false starts, my OH and I are going to be collecting our first campervan, a 2024 VW California Ocean (T6.1) 150 in just under 4 hours. We have spent the last 2 years, hiring campervans (conversations and a Cali Ocean) before finally taking the plunge.

We had been reading lots of posts on here and the Facebook group over that time which were so helpful and made the whole search so much easier, thank you .

Just wondering, what would be the top 3 "must have" purchases when you first get your campervan? And are they any purchases you wished you'd never bothered with?

Thank you in advance.

Have a great weekend.

View attachment 144578

1. Cutlery , kettle, mugs , plates and a nest of cooking pans etc.
2. Good sleeping bag, double or 2xsingles + pillows.
3. Large foldable mat to fit under awning .

 

[Cali Phillip]

1. Cutlery , kettle, mugs , plates and a nest of cooking pans etc.
2. Good sleeping bag, double or 2xsingles + pillows.
3. Large foldable mat to fit under awning .

Work top glass protectors, member on here does them.
Fridge tray, catches the condensation and makes the fridge easier to clean Amazon
Small ikea waste bin
Euro to Uk mains converter for the inverter output, Club shop did a nice all in one with usb outputs, we take in holiday as well.

 

[clare247]

You’ll probably need a decent mattress topper - nice looking Cali you have there

Thank you. We did get ourselves a sea to summit mattress for a bit of extra comfort.

 

[clare247]

1. Cutlery , kettle, mugs , plates and a nest of cooking pans etc.
2. Good sleeping bag, double or 2xsingles + pillows.
3. Large foldable mat to fit under awning .

Thank you, really helpful

 

[clare247]

Work top glass protectors, member on here does them.
Fridge tray, catches the condensation and makes the fridge easier to clean Amazon
Small ikea waste bin
Euro to Uk mains converter for the inverter output, Club shop did a nice all in one with usb outputs, we take in holiday as well.

This great, thanks for the tips.

 

[pjm-84]

Electric lead
Front windscreen cover
Dog travel mattress - Ivy and Duke will do custom sizes (we have custom sizes for all our vehicles)

 

[clare247]

Electric lead
Front windscreen cover
Dog travel mattress - Ivy and Duke will do custom sizes (we have custom sizes for all our vehicles)

Thank you

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Project Camper windscreen blind, the pull out blinds are pants.
Apona Surf seat covers, we have kids.
Stick on ticket holders for the windscreen, really cheap and surprisingly useful.

 

[clare247]

Project Camper windscreen blind, the pull out blinds are pants.
Apona Surf seat covers, we have kids.
Stick on ticket holders for the windscreen, really cheap and surprisingly useful.

Thank you, really helpful

 

[wildslammer22]

Welcome! Sounds like you have some experience but the essentials are to be able to sleep comfortably, cook and eat a simple meal and make a brew. The rest is pretty subjective and personal to your use case.

In terms of what not to buy and judging by the amount that are for sale on here I would think long and hard about a drive away awning. It’s a big investment and probably only really useful for those campers that stay at campsites for multiple days etc. Work out if you prefer 'off-grid', small camp sites with limited facilities, larger social campsites or predominantly use your Cali as a day van. That will likely dictate what’s essential for you.

Enjoy.

 

[Rosie75]

We have just bought an Ocean too and in the same position of kitting it out. We have bought:

Thule tie down straps for the awning (essential)
Windscreen cover, which helps with condensation
Whistling kettle
Acrylic glasses and mugs
Air - windbreak
Air - small drive away awning
Couple of throws for the cozy factor
Apple charging lead
Mains hook up cable
New boot protectors for the bike rack (if you have one)
Also bought a new GOK connector for the gas to make sure it was new
CO2 Alarm (essential)

 

[mr pg]

Insulated blinds for side doors and windscreen, insulated pop top wrap, and steps to fit the pop top wrap.

 

[dspuk]

Lots of great suggestions. Given the list so far here is our bought and never used from the above and bought and essential.

Thule Straps. Bough never used.
Whistling kettle. Sometimes used but in the main we have EHU and a fold down kettle.
Acrylic Glasses - we just use normal glass and mugs.
Air windbreak - bought never used.
Air - Awning - use 75% of trips
EHU Cable - Splashed out for the one that does not turn into rock when cold
CO2 Alarm - No needed, gas vents from bottom of location to air if leaking
S2S - Bought, used a handful of times, never bothered, massive faff, just use Duvalay now.
We dont mind the internal VW covers in winter, but have a great one from Fuel Lagoon
We got a great folding pan set, don’t scrimp here as better folds well and cleans easy
Just use normal plates with anti clink soft felt between
Fridge Base tray - use and essential, keeps the moist at bay!
Small Bin - there is a brand fits exactly between the pass seat and unit - got that one
EHU to 3 pin - handy when in UK at home, make sure they have goven you the EHU to EU that VW supply, else buy when away (emergency charges)

Outside the above I’d say, once your feet wet, the SpaceMate, pop top wrap, unless you’re a camel, portaloo, good outside stove (everyone has their pref, we have the usual), and, tbh, not much else. 50% of what you buy in the first year you will never use again and everyone's list personal to them.

 

[tobyprivett]

Best thing I bought was a 3d printed water filler. No need for a hose pipe!

 

[Cali Phillip]

Best thing I bought was a 3d printed water filler. No need for a hose pipe!

I made a filler with a funnel and some think rope, knotted slides into the channel to hold the funnel up, use a fold down water carrier as it’s more flexible for water sources.

 

[OGII]

Welcome.
The first thing you need is free: the search button on this site.

Everything you need to know (and lots you don't). If you have a question it's probably been answered many times before....

Enjoy.

 

[clare247]

Welcome! Sounds like you have some experience but the essentials are to be able to sleep comfortably, cook and eat a simple meal and make a brew. The rest is pretty subjective and personal to your use case.

In terms of what not to buy and judging by the amount that are for sale on here I would think long and hard about a drive away awning. It’s a big investment and probably only really useful for those campers that stay at campsites for multiple days etc. Work out if you prefer 'off-grid', small camp sites with limited facilities, larger social campsites or predominantly use your Cali as a day van. That will likely dictate what’s essential for you.

Enjoy.

Thank you, really helpful.

 

[clare247]

Lots of great suggestions. Given the list so far here is our bought and never used from the above and bought and essential.

Thule Straps. Bough never used.
Whistling kettle. Sometimes used but in the main we have EHU and a fold down kettle.
Acrylic Glasses - we just use normal glass and mugs.
Air windbreak - bought never used.
Air - Awning - use 75% of trips
EHU Cable - Splashed out for the one that does not turn into rock when cold
CO2 Alarm - No needed, gas vents from bottom of location to air if leaking
S2S - Bought, used a handful of times, never bothered, massive faff, just use Duvalay now.
We dont mind the internal VW covers in winter, but have a great one from Fuel Lagoon
We got a great folding pan set, don’t scrimp here as better folds well and cleans easy
Just use normal plates with anti clink soft felt between
Fridge Base tray - use and essential, keeps the moist at bay!
Small Bin - there is a brand fits exactly between the pass seat and unit - got that one
EHU to 3 pin - handy when in UK at home, make sure they have goven you the EHU to EU that VW supply, else buy when away (emergency charges)

Outside the above I’d say, once your feet wet, the SpaceMate, pop top wrap, unless you’re a camel, portaloo, good outside stove (everyone has their pref, we have the usual), and, tbh, not much else. 50% of what you buy in the first year you will never use again and everyone's list personal to them.

Thanks for this info, really helpful.

 

[clare247]

We have just bought an Ocean too and in the same position of kitting it out. We have bought:

Thule tie down straps for the awning (essential)
Windscreen cover, which helps with condensation
Whistling kettle
Acrylic glasses and mugs
Air - windbreak
Air - small drive away awning
Couple of throws for the cozy factor
Apple charging lead
Mains hook up cable
New boot protectors for the bike rack (if you have one)
Also bought a new GOK connector for the gas to make sure it was new
CO2 Alarm (essential)

Thank you, really helpful

 

[The Little Red Cali]

1 Utility tent
2 Pop top wrap
3 Windscreen cover

The utility tent was the best £100 we've spent. The ability to clear out the van when you get on site is invaluable. The Cali wrap and windscreen cover are brilliant in the winter making the van warmer, darker, quieter and less condensation.

 

[amwesty1970]

Best thing I bought was a 3d printed water filler. No need for a hose pipe!

Just bought the same and tried it today filling from a collapz bucket - easy peasy

 

[Gruntfuttock]

Wine
Wine
More Wine

 

[Corradobrit]

1. Project Camper cab blinds
2. Ecoflow Delta 2
3. Bog in a bag.