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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Electric hook up help

17 replies

ImFree2doasiwant · 09/08/2020 22:13

Is it necessary? What do you use it for? I've seen a lead on anazong for £15, seems very cheap, but not sure what can be gained by paying more (If it's the right thing I've found.....)

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RomaineCalm · 09/08/2020 22:22

We tend to have electric hook up if it's available.

Useful for the kettle (quicker than the gas stove in the mornings for a cuppa and also for hot water for washing up), charging phones/iPads and also for a heater at the start/end of the season.

I know other friends that use it for a slow cooker, toaster, induction hob, Instant Pot etc.

We could manage without but it does come in handy.

scrivette · 09/08/2020 22:47

We don't have it, we do take a solar powered bank thing and use it to recharge phones etc during the day but that's it.

MotherPiglet · 10/08/2020 00:18

We used ours for the fridge and chargers, hair drier, straighteners, Electric pump for the air bed, etc. However we have now got a power bank so can use that for chargers. Blow the bed up from the car adapter and run the fridge on gas.

feesh · 10/08/2020 00:20

I used it for the first time recently and it was ok, but not life-changing. I enjoyed the little overhead light for the tent that I ran off it, and I liked being able to charge my phone and laptop up easily. But I didn’t bother with my electric kettle as the gas was actually easier and quicker in the end. I had a special low-voltage camping toaster as well, but it was fairly shit and not really worth it!

If you go for it, I would NOT buy a cheap unit off amazon. You get what you pay for and it could be dangerous. Get one from a well known brand or shop - it should be about £40 ish.

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 10/08/2020 00:21

We have rechargeable camping lights that are really good, electric cool box, electric pump for the tent and air beds, chargers, kettle, etc. Grin

I do go with the basics too sometimes, it's just nice to have the comforts for longer trips

feesh · 10/08/2020 14:17

Actually, that’s a good point about the cool box. It was useful to be able to keep that running.

profpoopsnagle · 10/08/2020 15:52

We use ours where we can although we also have solar panels. I would agree with not buying cheap, it needs to have a circuit breaker and covered plugs. It's worth buying one that also has usb ports. Cheaper ones tend to have shorter leads too. Think about where you might place it in the tent, raised off the floor is best, our second one had clips which means it can attach to a steel pole, or table.

MinnieMousse · 10/08/2020 17:05

We have a Eurohike one, I think from Go Outdoors. We've had it for years and it's very sturdy with a long lead and safety covers for the outlets. If we're camping more than a night, we always have hook-up (that's what it took to get me to start camping Grin). We use it for lamps, electric cool box, charging phones, kettle. The thing I miss most when we don't have it is lights. The camping ones just never seem bright enough to me.

OneForMeToo · 11/08/2020 19:43

We have one. It runs the fridge, heater, lamps, electric hobs, mini oven, kettle and the pump for the beds and sofa. But then we also stash a laptop and dvds in the car for wet days.

Infact this year we where boiling the kettle for the baby next doors bottles as it was faster than their gas.

thisstooshallpass · 11/08/2020 21:28

Mainly for charging phones and electric cool box. I tend to try and go without, especially during our summer months. I don't need electric heat etc.

ImFree2doasiwant · 12/08/2020 14:31

The current weather is making me think ill need an electric cool box.

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Mumtumwobble · 12/08/2020 18:13

I think it depends how long you’re camping for. I prefer to have it for all the reasons posted above, but we’re going away next week for 3 nights and we don’t have ehu this time, we’ll manage for a few days.

MissSueFlay · 12/08/2020 20:36

We always try to get an electric pitch if we're camping for longer than a long weekend now. We have a great slimline induction hob that has been pretty life-transforming Grin We also run a fridge, kettle, toaster, lighting (the lighting is also solar powered if we're not on electric), as well as the usual tech chargers.
We find it just makes life in a field that little bit easier Grin

MrsWombat · 15/08/2020 08:00

If I'm camping by myself with the kids I always do electric as it makes things that little bit easier. I take the electric kettle (fab for hot water bottles last thing at night), chargers, and a plugin night light.

Be careful with the length of the cord that you buy. Some sites you will need at least 25m as the power socket won't be directly behind your tent.

KoalasAteMyHomework · 16/08/2020 17:08

We camped last week in 34 degrees and managed with our non electric coolbox, just if you're worried. We left Mon morning and it lasted until Thurs morning without fresh ice but that was pushing it. But just thought I'd mention that depending on your coolbox and length of stay/availability of fresh ice, then it is doable in this heat without an electric one.

We tend to get electric hookup if it's available, but mainly just to charge our phones and put the fan/heater on.

Bwlch · 19/08/2020 09:41

A proper electric hookup lead will have the correct plug for the site outlet at one end and a box with three pin sockets protected by an RCD and circuit breakers at the other. I would be surprised if they were available for £15.

ImFree2doasiwant · 19/08/2020 12:54

@Bwlch thank you, I've just ordered one in a sale. The other one I saw had the right plug but no circuit breaker.

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