Equipment - must have / useful / can't do without items

[Sabre]

Bumpers solar panels bike rack suspension lighting, internal and external, summer wheels winter wheels led conversion pop top carbon splitter bumper protector awning and stupidly expensive carbon poles....

 

[Sabre]

 

[Sabre]

And lots of beer!
Enjoy.

 

[LMJCS]

Brilliant, thank you!

 

[Ads_Essex]

Essential Camping Items

 

[LMJCS]

Thank you!

 

[VanDamMan]

Thank you!

Hi @LMJCS this is a purely practical suggestion..which ever toilet you go for bear in mind on the small units the waste tank is small .so being a young family lots of W*** and P**** so will fill up fast....then it’s more emptying....I’ve found it so much more convenient on day trips to empty at home unless your on camp site ....the kids might fill it but poor mum and dad empty it

 

[LMJCS]

Thanks @VanDamMan . This is something we have been discussing in detail!
We have also been looking at other options, but chemical toilet seems best, unless any other suggestions?

 

[VanDamMan]

Thanks @VanDamMan . This is something we have been discussing in detail!
We have also been looking at other options, but chemical toilet seems best, unless any other suggestions?

We ended up with the thetford porta potti 365 bigger waste tank and similar hight to average Loo ...if a job needs doing ..do it right

 

[LMJCS]

Thanks @VanDamMan, I think we will need the bigger waste tank

 

[Sabre]

... but how do you empty at home if you're not supposed to dump chemicals into the domestic drains?

 

[A Bridge Too Far]

Make sure the awning you order is the same or similar length to your awning rail... Also worth looking at options based on what you think you may need, will one of the kids sleep in it when they are older. We look sat loads of options and went for a Vango Kela in the end as it just fits a bedroom if we need but isn't too big, can also put it up in about 10 minutes.

Look at ridgemonkey pans, they are epic, loads of videos on line, but go for the XL if you do. Stops splash and smells from the cooker in the van.

We've also bought a small double memory foam mattress from Argos, cut to size / shape with a bread knife and put a single duver cover over as a sheet and fits prefectly on the bed. All in cost under £40.

 

[Spaghetti]

I relied on the guidance from Thetford which says domestic drains are OK.

 

[Sabre]

Ah, only for the Thetford green stuff....
Thought so. The blue one is illegal in domestic drains. Have to get the green one...

 

[Spaghetti]

Ah, only for the Thetford green stuff....
Thought so. The blue one is illegal in domestic drains. Have to get the green one...

I can’t find that online, I know it’s not suitable if you have a septic tank.

 

[A Bridge Too Far]

I can’t find that online, I know it’s not suitable if you have a septic tank.

I can't find anything on this either except on sceptic tanks... in fact most manufacturers list is as acceptable. I still try to empty mine on site as I'd rather not take it into my house and risk spillage.

 

[Spaghetti]

I think it used to contain formaldehyde but I believe that Thetford blue doesn’t contain it any more.

 

[VanDamMan]

... but how do you empty at home if you're not supposed to dump chemicals into the domestic drains?

Like most of you have done...all the stuff I’ve read points to using camp site facilities for disposal as it’s classed as bulk waste..but the grey area is that no one is saying you can’t empty it at home...but always mix correctly and use the greener ( less harmful ) chemicals
my way of thinking ...An Infrequent release to drain is acceptable..a bulk release would knock out the sewer system

 

[LMJCS]

Thanks @A Bridge Too Far! Fantastic tips.
We have a 12, 8 and 2 year old. My husband and 12 year old are happy to sleep in the awning. But the 12 and 8 year old fit comfortably up top. We have bought a stitches and steel bunk thing as well for the front seat for 2 year old (closer to 3).

 

[Bashers]

Just because we can, we like to take our portable wood burner. Great for cooking on and keeping warm of an evening: