Insurance Quotes
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers
UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site
All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts
All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs
All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories
Join for Free Log In

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: making life easy in van
Page: 1 2 3
Post Reply
Personcaroline129
13/10/2014 at 9:30pm
 Location: stoke-on-trent
 Outfit: Lunar Venus 540 4 with antara View caroline129's Profile View Profile   Reply to caroline129 Reply   Quote caroline129 Quote  
Joined: 13/6/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   92
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Hi have you got any simple ideas for easy living in van, just any thing to make life easy.

-------------
Caroline


PersonAndy Higham
13/10/2014 at 9:48pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV View Andy Higham's Profile View Profile   Reply to Andy Higham Reply   Quote Andy Higham Quote  
Joined: 25/12/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   877
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
1. When packing up, pack the things you need first last
2. Stick a 2 way spirit level on the A frame
3. Remote control dimmer switch, don't have to get off ass to turn lights on/off
4. Motor mover
5. Fixed bed


PersonAndy Higham
13/10/2014 at 9:49pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV View Andy Higham's Profile View Profile   Reply to Andy Higham Reply   Quote Andy Higham Quote  
Joined: 25/12/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   877
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
6. Slow cooker


Personscarletsfan
13/10/2014 at 10:15pm
 Location: Llangennech Nr Llanelli S Wales.
 Outfit: VW Touareg & Swift Charisma 635 View scarletsfan's Profile View Profile   Reply to scarletsfan Reply   Quote scarletsfan Quote  
Joined: 03/5/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3359
Site Reviews Total: 92
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 1 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 11
Site Nights 2020: 0
Our van has all its own kit ready to go. We just have to add fresh food, drink and clothes.

Other than that, my must have is a cordless drill for the legs and screwing pegs in. Wouldn't be without it.

-------------
Click on My Homepage for Blog


Personbrianconwy
13/10/2014 at 10:23pm
 Location: north wales
 Outfit: Sprite+Quattro+FB View brianconwy's Profile View Profile   Reply to brianconwy Reply   Quote brianconwy Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4286
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Used to use a cordless drill all the time but not so often now. Perhaps just more chilled. One thing that does help with levelling a twin axle is a level mounted that shows by how much one side needs levelling. I then know how many planks are needed.


Advertisement



Personpompeyjon
13/10/2014 at 11:42pm
 Location: Notts
 Outfit:  Swift archway woodford Volvo S80 View pompeyjon's Profile View Profile   Reply to pompeyjon Reply   Quote pompeyjon Quote  
Joined: 11/10/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   357
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Get the wiffe to level up as you do water and electricity and ... most importants get a cold beer and relax

-------------
jon


Personalpiner
14/10/2014 at 7:27am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View alpiner's Profile View Profile   Reply to alpiner Reply   Quote alpiner Quote  
Joined: 08/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2262
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
fixed bed.

-------------
alpiner


Personpeterws
14/10/2014 at 9:27am
 Location: Morecambe
 Outfit: Daystar `91 + Berlingo View peterws's Profile View Profile   Reply to peterws Reply   Quote peterws Quote  
Joined: 25/10/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   621
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Get rid of the oven grill and gas fire. They can be a pain. Who wants to cook a Sunday roast on holiday? Who wants to clean all the fat out of the grill pan? Or fiddle endlessly just to get some heat into the van? If you do these, and use only electricity for fridge and water Heater, your gas bottle will last three years!

Its just a coincidence that neither my oven, grill or gas fire were working properly when I acquired the van 3 years ago. . .

-------------
Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer


Personcliffystephens
14/10/2014 at 9:33am
 Location: welsh
 Outfit: sante fe swift challenger 580 sr View cliffystephens's Profile View Profile   Reply to cliffystephens Reply   Quote cliffystephens Quote  
Joined: 31/3/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   235
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Fixed bed but always just enough off level so wife rolls away from me =lots of bed............


Personkawasakiversys
14/10/2014 at 9:54am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View kawasakiversys's Profile View Profile   Reply to kawasakiversys Reply   Quote kawasakiversys Quote  
Joined: 25/6/2013

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   213
Site Reviews Total: 12
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Halogen oven, portable, self-cleaning, fast and grills, bakes, frys and roasts.


Advertisement



Personsunshinetours
14/10/2014 at 11:04am
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2946
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Quote: Originally posted by cliffystephens on 14/10/2014Fixed bed but always just enough off level so wife rolls away from me =lots of bed............


LOL!


If you have a Cadac then a Paella pan is a great addition and do much of your cooking outside to save more cleaning inside!

Duvalays make bed making hugely easier and oh so comfortable.

Removing carpets and having vinyl floor makes cleaning and keeping clean so much easier on extended stays


Bob61
14/10/2014 at 11:08am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Bob61's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bob61 Reply   Quote Bob61 Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   10275
Tent Reviews:   4
Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Ditch the awning. When the weather is bad you sit inside the caravan and when the weather is good you sit outside. Who needs the hassle of erecting an awning?


Personmilly123
14/10/2014 at 4:14pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View milly123's Profile View Profile   Reply to milly123 Reply   Quote milly123 Quote  
Joined: 29/5/2013

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   190
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
I agree with the awning. Have always hated putting up the awning, usually ends up with an arguement. Awning just ends up a dumping ground with more to tidy up after holiday!
Regards


Personbrianconwy
14/10/2014 at 4:57pm
 Location: north wales
 Outfit: Sprite+Quattro+FB View brianconwy's Profile View Profile   Reply to brianconwy Reply   Quote brianconwy Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4286
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
The main use we have for an awning is to keep shoes outside of the van when it is raining.


PersonMrs. Bonce
14/10/2014 at 5:26pm
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai View Mrs. Bonce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mrs. Bonce Reply   Quote Mrs. Bonce Quote  
Joined: 05/6/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   13180
Site Reviews Total: 398
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 25
Site Reviews 2023: 26
Site Reviews 2022: 37
Site Reviews 2021: 26
Site Reviews 2020: 11
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 82
Site Nights 2024: 119
Site Nights 2023: 119
Site Nights 2022: 154
Site Nights 2021: 140
Site Nights 2020: 63
We don't have an awning, it's why we have a twin axle, fixed bed, more space, microwave, Alde heating, good washroom.

Anne


Personvespa 494
14/10/2014 at 7:44pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Kia Sportage & Sterling Eccles 584 View vespa 494's Profile View Profile   Reply to vespa 494 Reply   Quote vespa 494 Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2014

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   172
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 14/10/2014
The main use we have for an awning is to keep shoes outside of the van when it is raining.


Shove them under the van.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next

Jump To Page: 123

Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...















    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.


5332 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement