Thank you guys; I really enjoyed your honesty and sound advice 👍 Yesterday, I brought our campervan home for the first time, and I hope this year will be full of adventures. I'm currently watching campervan vids 24/7, it seems, as I try to pick up as many tips in advance to try and avoid making too many newbie errors! Keep enjoying your travels, and keep telling us all about it! 😊
We rented a van first and found we didn't use the cooker much and didn't use the sink at all.I think your doing the right thing.We use an inflatable tent on sites to cook in from two oldies in the Lakes
Agreed, I'd rather have a bigger fridge and/or more storage than a hob/sink. A plug-in electric hob would be more than adequate for me - especially as I could use it outside and avoid nasty niffs in the van
Lovely overview n insight 👍I'm of the same opinion about having a cooking hob in a small campervan, so I got a small 2L air fryer. Clean n tidy, esp for a cooked breakfast (bacon, eggs, toast) just need a power station sufficient to run it ( 1200w will do it). 😊 and a camping gaz stove for alfresco cooking.😊
@@KatieAdam that is what I would recommend a two burner hob with a standard gas bottle that can be used inside if there is bad weather. You can always cook things that don’t leave odours like bacon or fish if you are forced to cook indoors. The gas bottles are also better for bbq.
I totally agree about cooking outside. Why would anybody want to cook inside their bedroom. My campervan doesn’t have a kitchen which I was disappointed about at first but now after 2 years I’m glad as it gives me extra space. Cooking outside is such fun. That’s what camping is all about. If the weather is bad I can set up my folding table inside & cook using my tiny gas canister stoves.
It’s all a learning process isn’t it. Finding out what works for you. We are currently building our new van but the cooking facilities will be portable, air fryer and induction hob which can be used outside or inside 👌🏽 don’t want your bed sheets smelling like a steak 😂
If you are going the Europe maybe take your roof bars off, it will increase your toll charges in France as group 1 height is limited to 2 metres. Try plastic sangria bottles (LIDLs), they have wider necks...for obvious reasons and take kitchen roll instead of bog rolls, much more versatile. Don't get a portapotti, these vans are too small. Think about 2 duvets, one thin, one warm, on cold nights put the thin one underneath.. sleeping in the mountains is highly recommended (Alps/Pyrenees), but cold. Keep on campervanning, its the best way to travel...and the cheapest. We have had about 150 days/nights in ours, over 6 years and in Europe you could argue we save about €100/night/day on food/accommodation. We are off to Greece later this month.....
@@KatieAdam on our way back from Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria. Greece really lovely, now in the montains of cetral Italy also nice. This may be our last long trip and what an ending. 2000km from home in Portugal. Have fun in you new life in you campervan. Beware of Istanbul it is a madhouse.
I’d you’ve got a proper gas locker and drop vents, I’m unsure why you feel it’s less safe than the portable hobs. All you’ve got to do is turn the gas off when you’ve finished cooking. This is what I do. I would worry removing them will lessen the value of the van on resale. Most people would want them.
It’s more the smell of food/grease in the van right next to the bed! We cooked once and it was not the same for days.. just going to switch to a cooker we can use out back! Also, we hopefully won’t have to sell Terry for a long while 🤞🏼
Even more stealthy with a caddy. Less stealthy if you have camper decals all over it but honestly parking a caddy will be much easier than it was for us in the VW T5 or our new XLWB Peugeot boxer.
Hi, I am puzzled by your comment saying that you don't use the cooker and sink, surely that is one of the main points of having a camper van? Pretty much every van conversion I have seen have these, if you go camping, they are essential so how do you cook/wash up and why on earth would you take them out?
Hi Mark, We often use it for one night so don't use the sink. If we do go for longer we will stay on campsites which usually have washing up facilities. We can also take a jerry can for water if we do need it for any reason. As for the cooker, we did mention we will still have a cooker just a freestanding one we can use out the back so the van doesn't get greasy/start smelling! 😊
Thank you guys; I really enjoyed your honesty and sound advice 👍
Yesterday, I brought our campervan home for the first time, and I hope this year will be full of adventures. I'm currently watching campervan vids 24/7, it seems, as I try to pick up as many tips in advance to try and avoid making too many newbie errors! Keep enjoying your travels, and keep telling us all about it! 😊
Thanks for watching! How exciting!! You have a great summer to look forward to 😊💙
We rented a van first and found we didn't use the cooker much and didn't use the sink at all.I think your doing the right thing.We use an inflatable tent on sites to cook in from two oldies in the Lakes
Ahhh great to hear! Glad someone else has experienced the same thing! 😊
Agreed, I'd rather have a bigger fridge and/or more storage than a hob/sink. A plug-in electric hob would be more than adequate for me - especially as I could use it outside and avoid nasty niffs in the van
Some good advice & I totally agree with you on the complete waste of space that is the cooker & sink!
Thank you! We all have a preferences.
Having your bed smelling like a bacon sarnie ain’t the best is it 😂
Lovely overview n insight 👍I'm of the same opinion about having a cooking hob in a small campervan, so I got a small 2L air fryer. Clean n tidy, esp for a cooked breakfast (bacon, eggs, toast) just need a power station sufficient to run it ( 1200w will do it). 😊 and a camping gaz stove for alfresco cooking.😊
The puncture type gas canisters are not as safe as a proper cylinder which you have valves on that can be sealed so get a stove that uses those.
I have heard this! I think we may go for one that still has a steel cylinder but can be used outside!😊
@@KatieAdam that is what I would recommend a two burner hob with a standard gas bottle that can be used inside if there is bad weather. You can always cook things that don’t leave odours like bacon or fish if you are forced to cook indoors. The gas bottles are also better for bbq.
I totally agree about cooking outside. Why would anybody want to cook inside their bedroom. My campervan doesn’t have a kitchen which I was disappointed about at first but now after 2 years I’m glad as it gives me extra space. Cooking outside is such fun. That’s what camping is all about. If the weather is bad I can set up my folding table inside & cook using my tiny gas canister stoves.
It’s all a learning process isn’t it. Finding out what works for you. We are currently building our new van but the cooking facilities will be portable, air fryer and induction hob which can be used outside or inside 👌🏽 don’t want your bed sheets smelling like a steak 😂
Thanks guys, also Welsh 🏴 Looking at buying my 1st camper this week, need all the help, reassurance and advice I can get.
Absolutely do it! All about learning along the way😊
If you are going the Europe maybe take your roof bars off, it will increase your toll charges in France as group 1 height is limited to 2 metres. Try plastic sangria bottles (LIDLs), they have wider necks...for obvious reasons and take kitchen roll instead of bog rolls, much more versatile. Don't get a portapotti, these vans are too small. Think about 2 duvets, one thin, one warm, on cold nights put the thin one underneath.. sleeping in the mountains is highly recommended (Alps/Pyrenees), but cold. Keep on campervanning, its the best way to travel...and the cheapest. We have had about 150 days/nights in ours, over 6 years and in Europe you could argue we save about €100/night/day on food/accommodation. We are off to Greece later this month.....
Love this, thank you very much!! Sorry for late reply!
@@KatieAdam on our way back from Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria. Greece really lovely, now in the montains of cetral Italy also nice. This may be our last long trip and what an ending. 2000km from home in Portugal. Have fun in you new life in you campervan. Beware of Istanbul it is a madhouse.
Thanks for this video. Really useful information and advice - as we are just finishing converting our ex-RAC van for windsurfing & trips etc.
Amazing! Thanks so much for watching ☺️
Great vlog as always keep it up pleasure to watch.
Thankyou! 😊
Just come across your video as I've just bought my van it's a Mazda bongo still getting built and sprayed at the moment 😂
Love it! Good luck with the conversion! Love bongos 🚐
Nice update😁🍊
I’d you’ve got a proper gas locker and drop vents, I’m unsure why you feel it’s less safe than the portable hobs. All you’ve got to do is turn the gas off when you’ve finished cooking. This is what I do. I would worry removing them will lessen the value of the van on resale. Most people would want them.
It’s more the smell of food/grease in the van right next to the bed! We cooked once and it was not the same for days.. just going to switch to a cooker we can use out back!
Also, we hopefully won’t have to sell Terry for a long while 🤞🏼
I’m thinking of getting a swb caddy, I’m guessing you’d recommend parking anywhere? I’m hoping it will be stealth enough. Some good tips
Even more stealthy with a caddy. Less stealthy if you have camper decals all over it but honestly parking a caddy will be much easier than it was for us in the VW T5 or our new XLWB Peugeot boxer.
Make sure your gas is properly fitted and tested.
We sold this van and now have a new van with no gas, full electric off grid!
Hi, I am puzzled by your comment saying that you don't use the cooker and sink, surely that is one of the main points of having a camper van? Pretty much every van conversion I have seen have these, if you go camping, they are essential so how do you cook/wash up and why on earth would you take them out?
Hi Mark,
We often use it for one night so don't use the sink. If we do go for longer we will stay on campsites which usually have washing up facilities. We can also take a jerry can for water if we do need it for any reason. As for the cooker, we did mention we will still have a cooker just a freestanding one we can use out the back so the van doesn't get greasy/start smelling! 😊
That shocked me watching the video haha agreed with everything then the hardly cook.. what I would say is though I do open the window or door..
We cook because we are plant based and it's hard to find food most times.
Eat more fruit 😉