Many motorhome and caravan accessories seem to cost an arm and a leg. Here we have a list of our top 10 motorhome accessories. Everything within our list costs £1 – or less – or FREE!

In tenth place, we have “small cardboard boxes”. We use these for storing taller items in cupboards. By packing items within these small boxes, the bottles, cartons, tubes or whatever, cannot fall over. These boxes don’t cost anything at all – look at the photo above, showing a supermarket display box! Likewise our shower gel and shampoo holder was free from a unitainer in a supermarket!

Next on our list, we have carpet samples. These are available at many carpet retailers and in all shapes, sizes and colours. We have one in the toilet/shower in the motorhome. We have another in the step well. These cost just fifty pence each, and at the end of their indoor life, they become an outdoor, “dirty shoe” mat.

In eighth position, we have a roll of Duct tape or similar. This is useful “in case of emergency”. For example, we had a waste disposal pipe that was damaged after going over bumpy ground. You can pick up a roll of tape for a pound.

In seventh place, we have a piece of plastic sheeting. The plastic sheet is used to go under a towel on a beach to keep the sand at bay. It’s also useful in case of emergency. A broken window could see a temporary repair – with duct tape! Plastic sheeting is available at garden centres for a small fee. However, the local carpet shop will have loads that they are throwing away. Most rolls of carpet are wrapped in plastic sheeting. Remember, the carpet shop has to pay to get rid of rubbish in commercial waste bins – you are doing them a favour!

Up a position at number six, we have a washing line. It’s primary use is to hang out washing but could also be used when securing a wind break to a tree etc. We have even given a small piece away for an emergency shoe lace!

In fifth position, we have clothes pegs. These humble plastic devices have many uses in a motorhome. Place one over an open cereal wrapper, keeping the contents fresh. Place another under windscreen wipers in hot weather.

In fourth place, we have the infamous bottle of cheap vinegar. Use it for cooking, but descale the kettle too. A drop of vinegar in warm water will give windows a real shine. A large bottle is quite heavy – use it to “roll” across wet laundry – acts like an old-fashioned mangle. A rolling-pin can be used in the same way.

In third place, the laundry detergent bottle. Fill it with water and you have a weight to place on an external awning type mat. The type with a handle can be used as a “posser” to agitate laundry when hand washing.

In second place, nappy bags. We don’t have babies on board, but nappy bags have many uses. Scrape food waste into a nappy bag before discarding in your waste bin. When at the beach, place a wet sponge or flannel in a nappy bag to freshen up. There’s no need for expensive doggy bags – a nappy bag is just as good.

Top 10 motorhome accessories – the first prize goes to...

In first place, we have the humble bucket. The heavy-duty builders bucket is the best. This is strong and sturdy and has so many uses:

• To help with draining a waste tank if not on a service pitch
• An upside down bucket is an impromptu coffee table
• Pack bottles of wine in it when travelling
• Use as a bucket when washing the ‘van
• The bucket is a hand-washing machine. Place your smalls in, add water and detergent. Use the detergent bottle  to agitate the water – hey presto – laundry done!
• A black bucket of water left in the sun all day will soon be a bucket of warm – and free – water! No need to use your gas to get hot water

Do you have any great value for money aaccessories in your van? Drop us a line with your suggestions! Add the details on the “Leave a reply” section.