Caravanning essentials

---

Whether you’ve been caravanning for years or you’re thinking about taking it up for 2023, there are some things that you simply can't live without as a caravanner.

As a newbie you’ll need to kit out your caravan with all the essentials to ensure your trips go smoothly and that you have all you need for an enjoyable break. Even experienced caravanners may sometimes utter the words “If only I had a xx!” Whatever the blank space - or thing you’ve forgotten - is, we’re sure to have it in our well-stocked accessory shop.

With over 5,000 products we’re confident that we have all you could possibly need for any trip away. What’s more, we’ll work with you to identify what you need if you’re unsure and what the best option is. Plus, now’s the perfect time to take advantage of our 10% discount in our January Sale!

Our shop team is constantly working to find new items for our shop, meaning you can rest assured that you’ll have access to the biggest range of parts and accessories if you shop with us. So what are the top caravanning essentials? 

 

Top 10 essential caravanning items

1. TOWING MIRRORS

Towing mirrors are essential and they should be one of the first things you buy after your van! They give you an extended view of the caravan, enabling you to see all of it and from better angles than just your standard wing mirrors. The Milenco, Falcon and Aero mirrors are all good choices.

2. ELECTRICAL HOOK-UP CABLE

A hook-up cable will enable you to connect to the mains supply at your chosen campsite. Once hooked up, you can enjoy all your creature comforts - charging your devices, drying your hair and boiling the kettle for that much-needed cuppa! Don’t just buy the first cable you come across - consider the different brands, make sure the connectors are the correct ones (caravan ones differ from camping ones) and think about what length you’ll need - they come in lengths of between 5m and 30m, though the most common length is 25m.

3. LEISURE BATTERY

Leisure batteries can provide you with up to 11 hours of power, enabling you to use your lights and appliances off grid or on a site with no hook-up. Keep in mind that it’s best not to let your battery go under 50% charge or it could take a long time to recharge. Most campsites have charging stations, so once you’re ready for bed you could go and plug it in ready for the morning. Alternatively, if you’re going out for the day, plug it in before you go and it’ll be charged by the time you return.

4. BBQ

There’s nothing better than a good BBQ - or ten - while you’re caravanning! BBQ food is so versatile - from your standard sausages and burgers, to kebabs, pork chops, chicken thighs and steaks of all kinds, the choices are endless! Not forgetting the halloumi, corn on the cob and all the lovely salad trimmings too! We stock a range of Cadac BBQs and accessories, all of which are of the highest quality and offer great design features - contact us if you’d like to chat through the options.

5. OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Although caravans have great dining areas, when the weather’s lovely, most of us would prefer to be outside enjoying it! If we’re lucky enough to get a warm, dry week whilst away, we should make the most of it. Getting the right outdoor furniture can make all the difference to enjoying the great outdoors. Invest in some good quality, comfortable chairs that can be used for both dining and lounging. If you want to eat at a table (rather than on your lap), check out the range of outdoor tables available and make sure you get one large enough for your party, but that folds down for easy storage.

6. AWNINGS

Awnings are the ideal way to gain extra space on your caravanning holiday - some can even double your footprint! This additional space can be used for lounging or dining, sleeping quarters for guests or teenagers, or as a play area for the kids on rainy days!

There are three main types of awning to choose from - full awning, porch awning or canopy. Full awnings are practically the length of your caravan and therefore offer the most space, porch awnings offer sheltered space outside the caravan, ideal for drying off and storing boots etc, and canopies offer a retractable roof which could provide shelter from the rain or sun if required.

You’ll also need to decide whether to go for an inflatable or poled awning. Poled awnings are usually cheaper than inflatable ones so if cost is a factor, that’s something to consider. If using an electric pump, putting up an inflatable awning should be quicker and simpler and they fare better in windy weather too. However, inflatable awnings can suffer from condensation, which is inconvenient, but won’t cause any harm.

7. KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

Equipping your kitchen with all the essentials is one of the most exciting parts of preparing your caravan for your first trip! There’s so much to choose from when it comes to homeware - dinner sets, cutlery and cups, with much of it made from non-breakable materials such as melamine. Of course, you can opt for ceramics and real glass if you prefer, but be sure to pack them well whilst on the move.

There are also compact caravanning pots and pans and a range of collapsible bowls and other items that are great space savers. Don’t forget the toaster and kettle (tea and toast is a must!) and any other appliances you fancy - just keep in mind that you’ll need  sufficient worktop / storage space for whatever you buy.

8. WATER CARRIERS

Water carriers are a must for life on site, to enable you to transport fresh water to your van for drinking and washing, and to remove the waste water as needed. You’ll need separate carriers for fresh and waste water and they come in different sizes so have a think about what size will suit you and your caravan. For fresh water, you can buy Aquarolls which allow you to roll the water, which is ideal for larger volumes. You can get a smaller container such as a 5 or 10 litre one to enable you to easily top up the Aquaroll if you wish. If you’re unsure about which containers are compatible with your caravan, email us at shop@winchestercaravans.com or give us a call on 01962 714 844 and we’ll be happy to advise.

9. FIRE SAFETY ACCESSORIES

Be ready for any eventuality by keeping a small fire extinguisher and a fire blanket to hand for handling small flames. For anything more substantial, always get out of the caravan immediately and call the emergency services. If you can, call the site reception to let them know what’s happening and keep them informed.

10. THE RIGHT BEDDING 

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to an enjoyable holiday! As well as considering where to pitch so that you’re in a nice quiet spot away from the noisy toilet block and that family with three dogs, making sure you have the right bedding is a must. Have a think about whether you’d prefer sleeping bags or duvets and don’t forget the sheets (and waterproof sheets if holidaying with young kids!) You could even replicate your home bedding set-up to enjoy a home from home sleeping experience!

 

Pop in for a closer look…

Pop into our onsite accessory shop and have a browse! We have so much to choose from and our friendly team is on hand to advise and help you find what you need. You can also buy many of our items online if you aren’t able to come in, or give us a call on 01962 714 844 if you have any questions. Be sure to visit by the end of the month to get 10% off most accessories in our January sale! 

---

‹ All press releases