RING RIN1000
Price £149.99
Tel 01132 767676
Web www.ringautomotive.co.uk
Comments If you have no interest at all in buying a generator, the chances are that's because you have already experienced the other method of getting 230V mains in your motorhome: with an inverter. And, compared to generators, these boxes of electrical tricks bring several advantages. They make practically no noise, they're small, lightweight and they emit no fumes. Simply connect one to your ‘van's 12V circuit, and you immediately have a limited power mains socket.
The RIN1000 is a serious piece of kit. As the name implies, it will produce up to 1000W of mains power – though the maximum wattage drops to 800W for anything more than half an hour's continual use. And, very briefly, the unit can output up to 2000W, for handling start up surges. Two domestic three-pin sockets make using the unit simple, and we love the output LED display. This shows exactly how much reserve the unit has left. It is also handy to gauge the varying start-up loads that different electrical items demand.
With such a high output, the unit's designed to be wired directly to the battery and two hefty 16mm leads are supplied. Their generous 1.8m lengths really aid positioning.
In fact, the only note of caution we have is that using the RIN1000 to its full capacity, for any length of time, demands a seriously hefty battery. Or, more to the point, several big batteries.

MAXI AUTO-BOX CARRIER
Price £649
Tel 0845 458 9189
Web www.auto-boxcarrier.co.uk
Comments Although you can fit a great deal into most motorhomes these days, there are always a few bits and bobs that we would all rather not store inside the ‘van. Grubby barbecues and wet items such as muddy groundsheets will soil carpets and make motorhomes look unsightly, not to mention smelly.
So, another great motorhome accessory that will make a big difference to your touring pleasure is a Maxi Auto-Box Carrier. It is essentially 440-litres of extra space tagged onto the back of your motorhome. It's easy to attach using a sturdy bracket and is the most stress-free way to secure more storage because, unlike a trailer, you don't have to worry about towing it.
With the Auto-Box Carrier being just 40cm deep, it doesn't add much to the overall length of your motorhome. So, parking is far easier than if you had increased your storage by using a trailer.
An added bonus with this handy box is that you can detach it on site and use it as an exterior cupboard. Any clutter can be stowed in the box, safely tucked away from prying eyes, thieving hands and nasty weather.
The box is a decent size, too. With dimensions of 60 x 130 x 40cm (HxWxD) it comfortably swallows bulky and cumbersome items. Admittedly, it's rather expensive at just under £650 and a little heavy at 22kg. However, it's a sturdy, hardy accessory that should prove a useful investment for those travelling with lots of people on board.

WOLF POWER 950
Price £69.99
Tel 0500 414141
Web www.screwfix.com
Comments Generators seem the perfect accessories for motorhomes, allowing mains devices to be used regardless of whether or not mains hook-up is available. But they have a reputation as being big and heavy to transport, noisy and too expensive considering the limited usage they'd receive. Then along came Wolf's 950. At a smidgen under £70, this small unit is less expensive than many decent sized inverters. And, although it's not exactly lightweight at 21kg, the suitcase-style casing and handle make it more portable than most. That casing also helps limit noise output, which is an impressively low 62dB.
So what are the drawbacks? Well, the engine is a two–stroke unit. But, apart from having to mix the fuel with the two-stroke oil, this isn't too much of a disadvantage. Unlike ancient two-stroke motorbikes, the engine starts easily and doesn't emit clouds of thick, black smoke.
At this price level, you won't be surprised to learn there's no fuel gauge. But it's easy enough to check the fuel level by removing the large filler-cap and taking a peek into the tank. And with 4.5-litres of fuel lasting up to 5.8 hours, you shouldn't need to fill up that often.
The 650W continuous output is a touch on the low side but still equates to almost a 3A mains hook-up. And, for start-up loads, a temporary draw of 720W is available. Best of all, output is via a domestic style three-pin plug, or through 12V battery charging leads, making connecting your electrical items a doddle.

SNOOPER INDAGO TRUCK ASSIST EDITION
Price £499.99
Tel 0871 7500 111
Web www.nav-now.co.uk
Comments The satellite-navigation market has now come of age. Portable units have become more reliable, easier to use, and sophisticated. And, price has increasingly become the major deciding factor. So, with the majority of retailers now able to offer a basic model for less than £100, why, you're probably wondering, have we picked a unit costing five times as much for our list?
Well the Indago Truck Assist Edition has one unique feature that's more than a little beneficial to motorhome owners: it shows low bridges and actually tells you exactly how low they are.
Unfortunately, in this first incarnation of the unit, you cannot tell it to avoid such obstacles in its automatic route calculations. But enough advance warning is given when you're approaching an obstruction to allow you to take a diversion. The unit then automatically recalculates your route. Height restriction information aside, this product is jammed full of enough features to make that high price more than acceptable. It uses the latest antennae and processor to ensure fast and foolproof satellite recognition, and fast route calculations. Very unusually for a portable unit, it comes with a five-year guarantee and can work off 12V or 24V power supplies, too.
Being part of the Snooper family, it uses the firm's legendary Enigma safety camera database, which is arguably one of the most thorough of its kind. Better still, camera alerts are given verbally, as well as on screen. And, you don't have to be following a pre-programmed route for the camera warnings to be active.

HALFORDS 127-PIECE TOOL KIT
Price £149.99
Tel 08457 626625
Web www.halfords.com
Comments A good selection of tools doesn't usually rank highly on most people's going-away lists but they're essential for motorhome breaks. The motorhome itself may need minor attention – whether it's changing the wheel, repairing a cupboard door, or even just re-connecting a wayward hose. And then there's the stuff you take with you that may need maintenance, such as bikes or even lounger chairs.
But before you spend hours cleaning-up your old tools and pondering which ones to take with you, have a look at this super, comprehensive kit from Halfords. It is based on the firm's smaller automotive tool kit. It consists of: two ratchets and several sockets which cater for sizes ranging from 4-32mm. A good array of combination wrenches span 8-22mm and there's even an adjustable spanner for those occasional odd sizes.
What really makes this set so well suited to motorhome use is the vast amount of useful extras such as screwdrivers, a full ratcheting screwdriver set, a hammer, chisels, pliers, torch, tape measure, Stanley knife, hacksaw and even a spirit level.
The small flight case-style box is also very smart and easy to store. And Halfords has used a combination of foam pads and elasticated straps, to make sure that all the contents stay where they should, regardless of which way up the tool box is stored.