New to CT 'necessary' accessories?

[Coiled]

I am picking up our first CT next Saturday and anticipating the things I will need as we are definitely using it the following weekend and may even take it for a sleep over at Lane Cove CP the day we pick it up. Having never had a CT before there are things we will need and just looking for guidance if I have missed anything and then if there is specific brands I should target/avoid.

List
1. Drinking Water Hose - Obviously wanting to avoid tainted water at all costs. I have found the below which actually meets an Aust Std for drinking water. Are brass fittings best? We will rarely be in CP's but would 10m be adequate?
     a) Hose - http://www.masters.com.au/product/100242082/neta-drinking-water-hose-12mm-x-10m
     b) Aus Std http://www.awqc.com.au/NR/rdonlyres/1CC52BFE-6821-40C8-8F1C-9336E62AC263/0/5999_ProductTesting_English.pdf

2. 15amp power cord - I don't need much length at home and, as above, rarely in CP's so would 10m be suitable?

3. 15 - 10amp adapter - I have seen the Ampfibian and just wondering if there are any genuine alternatives beside the home wiring? I have found a Sydney retailer at $220.

4. Have I forgotten anything?

Cheers
Michael

[baldheadedgit]

You need all of the above, and a lot more of everything else that you will never need, but the look good....

BHG

[nbd73]

10m cord is fine. If you don't require the converter for outdoor use then Jaycar sell one for around $70 which will do the job.
As for extras, narrowing it down I would suggest maybe a water filter. I use the BEST ($110) that claims to filter 5000l before needing replacing. I have it in line for CP sites with water, and use a 12v pump to refill my tanks via the filter at other times.
And probably the obligatory solar, otherwise too many variables. Good luck deciding, it can be a bankrupting experience fitting out CT's & 4wd's.

[scarps]

Hhmm, why would you need a 15amp power cord for a CT?

As opposed to a heavy duty 10amp power cord.  What appliances are you running in your CT?

I'm not a big user of CP's so is this a legal requirement?

[Pete_R]

If the camper has a power inlet on it, it will be probably be 15amp. My Complete has the 15 amp inlet, so only a 15 amp power cord will fit

[scarps]

If the camper has a power inlet on it, it will be probably be 15amp. My Complete has the 15 amp inlet, so only a 15 amp power cord will fit

thnx, yes understand.

[Coiled]

Thanks - I am sure there will be more but wanting to tick the I need this "now" boxes otherwise we will have no/tainted water, won't be able to recharge when we get home etc.

Yes 15A power inlet which will usually only be used for charging at home or the odd CP stay when my wife tows it to meet up with her  parents somewhere as they are "CP Campers" in their van. Although we are hoping that will change soon.

I took advantage of a promo upgrade so I have plenty of solar & battery.  Would it still be recommended to filter water into tank if I am using a drinking water hose and the camper is fitter with BEST filters on the outlets?

[nbd73]

The filtering issue can come down to personal preference and fussiness: what tastes fine for some will not suit others, but that's the same for everything in life. I have another in line filter just before the sink outlet, and between that and filtering water into the tank I have never tasted dodgy water. But as to whether its necessary? Why not try what you have first before spending hard earned coin needlessly.
Maybe some levelling chocks of wood for your jockey wheel, and a couple of wheel chocks would be handy.

[McGirr]

The best way to work put what you need is stay in it in your backyard if possible. From sleeping to cooking , lights, food storage, power etc that will give you the best idea. Take notes what you require as we all have different camping styles.

Mark

[nbd73]

And less is better. Everything you take adds weight, requires unpacking & packing up, and cleaning if the destination involves sand and/or wet weather. But what McGirr said is the go. The hardest part about changing from tent camping to a CT (IMO) is holding back on taking extra goodies. The CT is meant to simplify and speed up the entire camping experience, not add bling. I know this because I have done the exact opposite of what I have just written (to keep wife + kids happy) and it irks me EVERY time we go away.

[dungee]

No one has mentioned beer yet??

[aussieducker]

Beer then


Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk 2

[Coiled]

And less is better. Everything you take adds weight, requires unpacking & packing up, and cleaning if the destination involves sand and/or wet weather. But what McGirr said is the go. The hardest part about changing from tent camping to a CT (IMO) is holding back on taking extra goodies. The CT is meant to simplify and speed up the entire camping experience, not add bling. I know this because I have done the exact opposite of what I have just written (to keep wife + kids happy) and it irks me EVERY time we go away.

Wise words which are certain not to be followed for similar reasons.

I would love to do a backyard camp but we live in a unit :-( On the plus side I don't have to spend summer weekends mowing.

Beer, G&T and Shiraz are mandatory!

[nick_4x4]

The best way to work put what you need is stay in it in your backyard if possible. From sleeping to cooking , lights, food storage, power etc that will give you the best idea. Take notes what you require as we all have different camping styles.

Mark

I have to agree with mark here, noone will know what you need more then yourself, test the setup one weekend, even if you take it just out of town for a test run.

We did our first trip 20mins drive from home, 1 night stay and we worked out everything we needed more of right then, first on the list was a new bed.

Inline filters are great but if you use good quality food grade hoses and clean taps you will never have much of an issue, it all comes down to taste.

A 15amp cable is good if you do a bit of caravan camping, not knowing KK very well myself, do they only use the 15amp plug to charge the battery?
If you have an older 15amp air-conditioner at home you can use that plug to power your camper, a good electrician will be able to wire one up in your shed/garage.

Enjoy your setup

Nick.

[GeeTee]

And less is better. Everything you take adds weight, requires unpacking & packing up, and cleaning if the destination involves sand and/or wet weather. But what McGirr said is the go. The hardest part about changing from tent camping to a CT (IMO) is holding back on taking extra goodies. The CT is meant to simplify and speed up the entire camping experience, not add bling. I know this because I have done the exact opposite of what I have just written (to keep wife + kids happy) and it irks me EVERY time we go away.

Very well said!!

[KingBilly]

Not sure why you need the 15A 240V power lead.  If your CT is wired for 240V then you will need to plug into the side of your CT and you will need a 15A lead with 15A plugs at each end.  However if you are just running power to your battery charger, a heavy duty 10A cord will suffice.  A 10A will plug into a 15A socket at the caravan park.

The Masters hose looks good.  Bunnings sell a Pope branded one which we have and we get no taste.  In relation to hose fittings, the plastic ones are fine.  Have a spare fitting to connect to the CP tap as some mongrel will probably steal yours at some stage.

What else would I be taking for my first camping night.  Maybe a few slabs of timber to level the camper or a proper levelling ramp.  You only need one.  Maybe a wheel chock or two.  A vehicle jack and wheel brace would be good to change a flat tyre as most CTs don't come with such things and maybe your vehicle's jack and wheel brace won't fit.

Have fun.

KB