Just bought our first CV and am absolutely thrilled to have found your site. So so helpful thank you

Great video guys! Waiting to pick up my T5 Camper next week so already ordering lots of essentials, including the fold up kettle and ridge monkey.

The windscreen cover is great on campsites, but I'd never recommend fitting one if wild camping or stealth camping, as it's impossible to drive off if your van is attacked or being broke into without getting out of the van door.

Massive help thankyou, perfect for us as we're new to this, keep them coming x

Thank you some great tips here. Literally bought our first Campervan yesterday and this is a great guide.

Just looked @ yr vdeo for the first time & it's really helpful for newbie campervaners like us. Will be watching more for sure. Thank you

Couldn’t agree more about the screen cover. Great video. I like the look of the mozzy killing light too

Very helpful thank you!

Great video again guys. Really appreciate all the advice.

Totally brilliant 👍 Learnt so much

Very helpful guys! We are awaiting our first ever Cali fingers crossed in November. You have certainly answered some questions I had there ! Great video as always 😁

We agree with all of those… tried not to buy too much ‘stuff’ that’s not going to be used! Best buy for us though…magnets off Amazon which we use to fix our drive away awning to van … quick, effective & so easy!!! Plus an electric multi cooker …. cooks everything from brekkie to paella, spag bol, curry! one pot wonder

just got a VW van, this was GOLDEN. Thanks so much for the practical advice and commen sense insights!

Think i may have evaluate my essentials as i have my electric guitar, acoustic guitar, amp, effects pedal down on my list :-) My wife has, hair dryer, stying tongs, make up kit and wine rack :-)

Great reviews - obviously 😊

Great info guys 👍

Love it!!! I went straight online for the ridge monkey skillet and they are back ordered. And then I ordered the mosquito light. I just keep adding everything to my Amazon account for the day that I actually get a van! Lol Safe travels my friends I just subscribed.

Some great idea 😁 thanks

I've just ordered my very 1st vw t6.1 camper van. It is yet to be built so I love watching your videos as it gives me a greater insight into what items I will need to buy before our camper arrives 👍

I bought the wine glasses and the ridgemonkey. Thanks!

Great video. Love the windscreen cover

Lovely couple, like all your tips. Enjoyed watching

One of my essentials is my van matching green left-handed spork. Used every day and especially good when eating stir fry...don't waste the juice, particularly if it is of the red wine variety!!

Great video guys 😎🍷🚍⚓️🇬🇧👍

Just ordered a windscreen cover through your link. Thanks for great tips 👍

Nice video, we found it's the little things that make the difference as well. Would add a small 5lt collapsible water carrier for the times you need a little bit more but don't want to move the van, or taking advantage of a public tap.

Big thank you for this video. We have purchased our first camper van and purchased most of your suggested items. Just returned from first night away to test everything and found all of the item brilliant. Only wished we had ordered the fan heater and plug in thermostat, which we are ordering right now 🙂

We have a Brabantia 13L Bin that fit nicely between the front seats when in camping mode and behind the passenger seat when travelling. It’s quite tall but not very wide. It takes a couple of days worth of rubbish before needing emptying. Also, a set of Joseph Joseph chopping boards that fit nicely on top of the kitchen drawer in the Cali.

THANKS FOR TIPS , NEW BE THE CAMPER VAN 👍

I'm starting to become a big fan of your videos. Now, we too have previously traveled with a small campervan and still do (T4 westfalia california from 1991) and so we already know quite a bit about what to carry around and leave what at home. Still, I enjoy videos like this one of yours now. Let's think along: collapsible kettle: sure; a second to run on electricity? We don't take with us two items that participate in the same things (and many items better have dual uses). Wine glass: nice (we use smaller ones); the towels: for sure! These are more compact than regular ones and dry very quickly. Good tip for everybody. Porta potti: good that you are talking about it; we too have the same and use it; many have commented on carrying a toilet and indeed you learn that there is a toilet almost everywhere but at night for emergencies it is a must. Ridge Monkey: again this is praised, I may still buy it but my pots and pans set from when I was 18 and still traveled with the tent is not worn out yet. Mosquito light: ok We use candles that keep the critters away, cozy too. We don't have and don't want an awning, so no straps for us. Spare safe: must get one (our T6.1 coast has been ordered but not yet delivered...). For the rest, we don't take any extra things with use on electricity as you described. The bowl is handy, we also have a similar one. We do not use a windscreen (we have only used it once, so no longer with us). What's in our top 10: certainly cable ties (zip ties/tiewraps), duct tape but also extra cash for emergencies (nicely tucked away). We take out what we haven't used for a year. Keep it up, it's nice to see and hear you. Greetings from Belgium

Have the same heater very good

Thanks from a camper van newby.

Great video again! I’ve also been using the PP 335 for three years, and conducted several experiment at home with toilet paper. In the end could not find any advantage on the thetford paper or competitors and reverted to use normal 3 ply high cellulose toilet paper that you buy at the supermarket and never ever had a problem emptying the cassette and clean it properly. The thetford paper doesn‘t dissolve any quicker, it just breaks apart when you need it!

Great video

Great vlog

Great thanks

Charming folks, a few good things in there. Microfibers towels are the biggest mistake everyone does. P-A-R-E-O… in natural fibers like rayon, they absorb everything (hod it as a ball and pat yourself dry), they dry in minutes, less than 20, if a sunny and windy 10 minutes at the most, they don’t stink, they weight nothing, a large one can fit a ziploc bag, men and women can use it as a garment coming out of the shower, from the beach or hanging around in hot weather. Please no microfiber towels, they need chemicals not to stink, they serve only one purpose and they do take some time to dry. On top of it, they are tiny. Call it a Sarong, pareo or one of the many Polynesian names, it does everything.

great! subbed

I would have added hooks of some sort (back of the seats or special shaped ones to go in the ridge at the top of the roof/below bed) and A BIN!! There’s a good IKEA one which fits behind the passenger seat. Oh, and a flask to store all your leftover boiled water so you can wash up! And finally something to get water into your van with. We use the Colapz system.

Thanks for the tips, just starting our VW Maxi Caddy Conversion, we now have a longer Christmas wish list.

Hi Guys just joined California Time and love the videos they are a great help. We will be getting our new Cali Ocean in 4 weeks and now looking at getting the essentials, so we have taken many notes from your top tips. I would like to get a thermal screen cover, can you tell use what one you have as it seems well made and having looked there are loads and we like to go on recommendation. Looking forward to the next video, Nicky & David.

Other essential’s: 1- NorthCore magnetic hook up. (Strong rubber sealed magnet with loop, hook, karabiner attachments) ideal for hanging wet suits or towels. We use 2 and string solo twist washing line between them. 2- collapsible ottoman.(great foot stool and storage) 3- multi compartment pan for fry ups.(less washing up). 4- barbers handheld paddle mirror. (Fits perfect in net pockets). 5- box of spare fuses. 6- maypole mini rapid compressor. (Does my tyres from 0 - 50psi in under a minute).

Another great video, well done. How important are levelling blocks, are they also needed? Thanks.

You needs a shower/toilet tent and a solar shower. 35 quid all in from go outdoors a couple of years ago. Super fun and a million times better than making the van pong.😅😅

Hi guys very good video & I’ve just ordered thermal cover after your review. Had cheaper internal covers but weren’t great. Cheers

I don't have a fancy campervan, just my old Pontiac Montana minivan. So my essential for power is my Bluetti EB70s (800W) with the 200W folding solar panel. I just got a 12 V fridge/freezer that I'll use as a freezer two frozen juice jugs that I'll alternate in my 12 V cooler. This will make my groceries last longer, but not take up more power. The Bluetti is great for charging my I-phone, my solar/USB light, my electric gooseneck lighter and running my USB fan.. I've used it during power outages. :) I almost bought a bug zapper, not as fancy as yours, but cancelled as it wouldn't arrive at Walmart when the other purchases did. Of course, then the orders only dribbled in, so I should have kept it in my shopping cart. It's over an hour drive to get there, so I hope the rest all come together. Most of my camping gear came from Canadian Tire, the camp cot, 3" foam mattress, cooler, camping cookware (with a kettle so small it will only make enough for my two cup teapot), and my Luggable Loo, which has come in handy when my house's water inlet froze and I couldn't flush. The hand pump for my 5 gal. jug was put to use, too. The rest of my gear, the butane stove and fuel came from other places. I just got a folding wooden TV tray and plastic organization cubes and have ordered a folding camping chair that I hope will be comfortable. My adventures will have to be small day trips as I have two old cats at home who might not travel well. But they might just surprise me. :) Jon in rural BC, Canada

Great video to get a few tips cheers. We get our Ocean next June 2022 ! Long wait yes, but my query is which factory fitted extras if any would you have or recommend as we can still change the spec. I’ve only added the two tone paint and the 4 keys.

Tnx

I need 100 of those mosquitoe lights 🤣🤣

Getting a strong Martin Lewis Vibe

Brilliant video! Watched loads of these type videos and most are crap, buts yours has loadsa useful stuff! Not sure if it's just me but the links don't seem to be working prob just my phone.

You mention doing a video of stuff you bought and ended up selling as you didn’t use it. Sounds like a good one if you ever get chance. Keep up the good work :-)

We are on our third California and we have almost the same as you but I wouldn't call them essential. Each to their own. Thanks for posting.

You guys have give us a great insight to the Cali, been buying things for almost 18 months and finally took delivery three weeks ago Can you tell me where you got you’re coloured ball lights from please

Great video cheers guys, I’ve just bought my first camper and am looking to get all my equipment. Can you please tell me the make of the windscreen cover as it looks a lovely fit mines a 6.1 . Take care paul.

Thanks for the details esp the links. Have bought the towel and the chopping board - and the wetsuit magnets from comment. *which windscreen cover do you show pls - silver or black? I have asked on their website but no answer.

Excellent not sure about the plastic wine glasses though 😀

Hello. Great tips and ideas. Please can we ask for hat make windscreen cover you have?

I am about to start a camper adventure and this vid is v helpful 👍Can you tell me the brand of the external insulated screen cover TIA👍

Great insights. Where did you get the thermal windscreen cover?

What brand of cab thermal wrap do you have? Brilliant hacks thank you!

Will. What make is that thermal outdoor windscreen wrap please. I prefer black.

Great video guys…. We ordered our van last month and it’s almost the same spec as yours. Is there anything you wish you hadn’t added to the vehicle and anything you wish you had but didn’t? Thanks Pete

Hi again. I have a question about the diesel blown air heater. Is it very noisy in operation and if so is that why you prefer using the Kampa electric heater when hooked up? Cheers Jim

Getting Hooked on your videos since ordering our new Cali. Thanks, all very useful stuff to us ‘newbies’. Just followed the link to the collapsible bowl-you say Outwell but the link is Kampa. Are they the same company??

Great video, tho we don't have a van & have NO intention of getting one.

Great video :) What extension lead set up do you use? Roller or just cable?

Hi Will and Sarah. Continuing to really enjoy your informative and entertaining videos! Could you please provide the link for the rubbish bin that fits between the cupboard and the passenger seat? Thanks v much, Andrew and Caroline.

For Heating get a Ecomat, that‘s much better.

Are Ridge Monkeys available in USA? Sure would like to have one of those, but can't find one. Loved this video!

Could you do a Video in use of the thermostat please? Bought one and threw out instructions 🤦🏽‍♀️🤷‍♀️ thanks

Hi 👋🏻 can you tell me details of the ‘dry bag’ you put the windscreen screen in if wet please and thanks 🙏

Don't have any of that my essential list is:- No 1. is a reliable van. 2. A comfortable bed. 3. A cook/cooker. 4. An uncramped interior. 5. Swivel front seat. 6. Two duvets, one for summer, another duck and down for winter. 7. 3 pillows. 8. Table for inside and out and two folding chairs. 9. Tool kit with bits and pieces, tape etc. 10. Book of maps. Bonus:- Sense of adventure. Heating:- 1500watts is way too much heat, ours is 500watts.

Would you remember where you had your windscreen cover from please? Recently bought a T6 and so many versions about 😳

Where did you get your (behind passenger seat) bin from please? We have searched but can’t seem to find one that fits

Can you still open the doors to get in if the windscreen cover is installed?

You had a video with your collapsible wine glass but I can’t find it…what brand is it and where did you get it?

Great video, which model of ridge monkey is that? The standard or XL?

Where do fou store your big windshield? My top Cali stuff would be : the carpet I've in the living area, it folds at very specific area. The same air mattress you have, the Italian mokka, some stuff I 3d printed to hold the paper, the ikea box that fits perfectly the cupboard, the box that also perfectly fit the trunk, a small toolbox to screw your chairs back when they get loose, and oh! The brandrup 20L water filling tank is perfect! We use the Thule choke every single time

Very useful video thank you! Cant help but notice how much you interrupted her throughout the video though! Let her speak!

Hi guys, love your videos very informative. We are hiring a cali for a week in May(before we buy a van) going to the Lake District and would like to know how you pack and store your clothes. Many thanks Colin & Mary Glomé

❤

Are the portable wine glasses plastic or glass? Assuming plastic

Hi good video where did u get your screen cover thanks

Folding kettle very heavy and hardly saves any space . Do not worry about the expansive toilet paper . Just the thin saver type dissolves just the same. External screen nightmare if you wake up to lashing down with rain.

With that lamp you actually almost selectively kill a really important and beneficial insects and almost no mosquitoes.

Can you tell us the maker of your thermal screen cover please?

What make is the window screen cover please

Where did you buy the screen cover from?

Hello. Message from Holland. Well done.Very informative. I couldn’t find, didn’t hear, the brand of the windscreencover. Could you provide me the name or a link? Thank you and I wish you a lot of viewers. Dick

Do you have link for heater?

do you set your toilet up in your awning or in the van?

I cannot find that Ridgemonkey model ANYWHERE :-( Any tips?

This came up in my feed. An interesting video, but where are the ESSENTIALS? Basic tool kit with spare fuses etc, head torch for trekking to the loo at night, first aid kit, carbon monoxide detector, the list goes on! All things that 'beginners' really need to know about.

Have a dump in the campsite, take the blue elson with you!!

Those kettles don't last very long if you use it regularly, you soon see and buy a non collapsible one.

Three things... 1. Thank you for the great suggestions. 2. Never talk over your wife and you do it all the time. 3. You need to have 6-8 kids with this girl. You both would make great kids because both of you are good looking and very smart

with all the respect, seems like not a video for me. don't like cheap plastic accessories, especially any plastic around food preparation. I get that you would like to collapse everything and have everything as smallest as possible but there are some lines that I can't cross.

I stopped watching after the toilet (which is an essential) then came the grill thing. Well, there is difference of opinion about the meaning of the word essential.

The kettles made of PLASTIC, are the worst thing for your health, specially the collapsible ones. Mix Heat water and Plastic and what do you get? Millions of microplastic in your body every time you take something heat on them. Those things should be actually forbidden instead of being promoted by campers.