Date: Thu, 24 May 2001 21:10:06 -0400
Reply-To: JOHN REYNOLDS <kayakjr@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JOHN REYNOLDS <kayakjr@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: How to pack Westy for a long camping trip? (kickoff)
Content-Type: text/plain
Steve,
Thanks for the post - a bit more than I'd be inclined to carry, such as
egg rings, oven mitts AND oven pads, - but then again I been x-country
on a bicycle. Some of the "essentials" that many bike touring books had
in their list that I did not have was; a watch (lost it), tape, cup (I
used my water bottle), swiss army knife, stove or cookware (ate cold food
- ate out when I wanted something hot, or bought Sterno and cooked in the
can) - did not even have a tent fly after Kansas after loosing it off the
bike in a fierce rain storm - luckily someone took me in that night and
then it did not rain on me all the way to California - the rest of the
trip! OK, you need some luck for the last one, so I don't advise it! No
one bike touring carries 8 pairs of underware for a week - but perhaps I
shouldn't let you in on bike tourers' dark secrets!
I've even thought of loosing the Westy stuff after hearing that a stndard
Vanagon weighs much less than camper version ( Ihave only 67 air cooled
HP) - but I like the stove and the cabinets are handy. A weekender style
with just the rear cab and a flip-out table would be nice. or a weekender
with a stove & icebox replacing the Fridge installed, but skipping the
fridge sink and water tank would be nice.
Anyway - nuff said,
Thanks
John Reynolds
81 Westy
On Thu, 24 May 2001 09:05:59 -0700 "sheng" <sheng@seanet.com> writes:
> John -> I copied the two relevant messages (long) below.
> Here's some better instructions, if you want to read the originals.
> - go to the westfalia.org web site at http://www.westfalia.org/
> - on the left side, click on "Message Boards"
> - about a quarter of the way down the page, you'll see a forum topic
> "The Ultimate Trip Checklist". Click on it to get a list of messages
> under that topic. - one of the messages is called "Camper Inventory -
two month remote
> country trip". Click o that to see the messages I copied out below.
>
> Enjoy your packing..;~)
>
> Steve Hengeveld
> sheng@seanet.com
> '91 Westy
>
> After several trips where we always forgot something important, like
the can-opener, I inventoried the camper as we unloaded it following a
14,000 mile -- 2 month trip into the Yukon & NWT and above the Arctic
Circle. What we've learned is that what is a minor inconvenience on a
long weekend or week-long trip to the beach is ground for divorce after
2 months in the remote country where if "you don't bring it, you do
without." This is not a static list; it undergoes changes every trip with
some additions and deletions, as well as some changes specific for the
planned trip. So consider it a general purpose starter.
>
> :Camper Inventory:
>
> 110v extension cord, HD grounded, 2, 25' & 50'
> 1st aid kit, lg. + snake-bite
> 5-gal ice-water cooler
> 6v lantern bulb, spare
> 6v lantern style flashlight
> A/C adapter old 2-prong outlets to 3-prong grounded
> address & phone # book
> air compressor, 12v
> aluminum foil
> audiotape carriers & tapes, 2x30
> basting brush
> bath mat, cloth
> bath towels, 2
> battery jumper cables
> binoculars, armored 8x30
> biscuit cutter
> blanket, 3rd for <32°F.
> blankets, wool or equiv., 2
> bottle & can opener
> box, storage (plastic covered shoe box), 2
> broad-blade spreader knife
> bubble levelers, 2, for stove & camper
> bug spray, DEET
> bug spray, flying insect
> bungee cord assortment
> bungees to hold open cabinet doors, 2 small
> burner diffusers (allows small pots on burners), 2
> butter dish, sealed cover
> cabinet & refrigerator spill rails
> camera bag, acc., film, batteries, etc.
> camera(s) of choice, wide-angle & telephoto lenses
> camera, spare 110 or disposable (opt); try the new disposable
> Panoramic
> model.
> camp stove/lantern oil for pump seals (Neets foot oil)
> canteen or water bottles
> car chemicals, additives if used
> car factory shop manual
> car leveling ramps
> car service & warranty books, dealer addresses
> car service check-off sheets/records
> car spare parts for planned services + 2
> car washing soap
> cassette cleaner solution
> cassette cleaner, 2
> chamois, synthetic
> Chap-stick
> cheese grater
> cloth to clean glasses
> clothes pins, metal clip style, 10-12
> clothing, 8 days ea. + jackets (Layer up!)
> coasters, 2-4
> coffee brewer, 1-cup
> coffee filters
> coffee pot
> Coleman dual-fuel lantern w/ acc. & spares
> Coleman dual-fuel stove w/ acc. & spares
> Coleman folding oven
> Coleman funnel (prevents spills)
> cooking fork, med. or lg.
> cooking fork, sm.
> credit cards
> cutting board, synthetic
> cutting board, wood
> Dawn dish washing liquid
> degreaser, “409”
> dining trays, compartmented, 2
> dishpans, 2
> dishtowel
> dish-washing sponges, 2
> disposable ‘jump suit’ for repairs
> duct tape, 2"
> egg carrier
> egg rings for cooking, 2
> electrical assortment (wire ends, fuses, wire, etc.)
> electrical tape
> emergency blanket/survival tarp
> emergency saw
> extra drain plug for engine
> eyeglasses cleaner
> fanny packs w/ water bottles, ea. person
> fire starters, GI surplus or commercial
> flannel sheets & pillow cases, set
> flares & safety triangles
> flashing trouble light/lantern or strobe
> foam covers for soda/beer cans
> folding water bucket
> folding picnic table, 4-person
> food items n/avail during trip (grits, UHT milk)
> food scrapers, 2
> frying pan handle (camp cook kits require separate)
> fuel transfer or refill hose
> funnel, sm. metal (cooking use)
> Gerber multi-purpose tool (Leatherman, other brands OK)
> glue, Crazy-glue & epoxy
> GOOP sealer (acts as glue) or silicone seal
> griddle for camp stove
> gun & ammo -- optional (rifle or shotgun only in Canada; check
> current regs)
> hand cream
> hand towel
> hardware assortment (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.)
> hatchet or sm. ax
> hats, ea. person
> heavy plastic spoons, 2
> high-risk car spare parts for your model
> hose clamps or seals/clips
> hose, fold-flat water w/ spare washer
> hose shutoff valve, 3/4"
> hunting knife, lg.
> ice-tea spoons (long handle), 2
> immunization records
> jack support board
> kneeling pad (for repairs, padding, seat)
> large cook kit, 4-person (leave out extra items)
> large sharp knife
> laundry bag
> laundry soap & Bounce, individual packages
> laundry tub
> lid for fry pan
> Lysol spray disinfectant
> map & brochures w/ storage case
> maps, guides, AAA trip-tiks, Milepost
> matches, strike anywhere, wood
> measuring cup
> measuring spoon set
> medical info
> medicine, over-the-counter not in 1st aid kit
> medicine, personal or prescription
> mess kit, 1-person
> metal soup bowls, 2
> micro-cassette tape recorder for photo log
> mirror, metal signaling (unbreakable)
> mosquito coil kits, 2-4 -- separate holders desireable
> mosquito net hats
> multi-strand baling wire
> nail/staple assortment
> newspapers (2-3 for mats, fire starter, etc.)
> non-skid pads, several
> oil, spare engine, 2 qt.
> outside use sponges, 2-3
> oven mitts, pr.
> oven pads, 2
> pad or notebook
> pad to protect sink drain tank from punctures -- old linoleum square
> paper towels, 2 rolls
> parachute cord, 2 lengths
> passports
> personal calendar/log
> phone calling/credit cards
> pillows, 2
> port-a-john deodorant
> port-a-john w/ accessories
> portable gray water tanks w/ hose, 2
> pot handle, squeeze type (camp cook kits require separate)
> prescription glasses, 2 ea. person
> propane heater w/ 2-3 ctgs.
> rain ponchos
> repair kit for canvas, awning & screen
> rope, 2 lengths 5/16-3/8" dia.
> safety goggles
> scrub brush
> scrubby & SOS pads
> seat protector for toilettes, pkg.
> serrated bread knife
> serving spoon, lg. plastic
> sharpening stone & oil
> shoes: boots, running & shower clogs, ea.
> shovel, sm. or folding
> silverware, 3 sets
> sink drain hose for use w/o gray-water tank where allowed
> slotted serving spoon, lg. plastic
> soap, liquid hand
> soft 3/4" hose adapter for hookups w/ damaged threads
> Soft Scrub
> spatula
> spice assortment
> spikes for awning (prefer screw-in heavy duty) w/ cords
> square baker pan, 8"
> stain remover stick for clothing
> steak knives, 2
> storage hammock
> strikers for stoves, 2
> suction cup hooks, 3
> suitcase/duffle, 1! If it doesn’t fit, leave it home!
> sunglasses, ea. person
> swimsuits
> Swiss army knife
> tablecloth, plastic
> tarp, nylon 5’x8'
> tape measure (3'/3m)
> thermal underlay for mattress
> toaster, camps stove style
> toiletries & hygiene products
> toilette paper carrier w/ roll + spare
> tongs, cooking
> tool kit + extra or special tools for specific car
> tow hooks & shackles
> tow ropes, 2
> trashcan
> trash can storage box
> trash can baggies 20"x22" w/ ties
> traveler’s checks
> tray for liquid condiments (contains leakers)
> tube for tubeless tire repair (bad flats)
> tubeless tire repair kit (emerg. use only!)
> vacuum, 12v
> velcro and snaps
> vitamins, etc.
> Walkman TV, (opt)
> washcloth hangers, 2 (to speed drying -- kind to hang on shower rods
> OK)
> washrags, 2
> water “thief” faucet adapter -- allows hose hook-up to non-threaded
> faucet
> water purifier &/or tablets
> water tank fill nozzle, 3/4"
> waterproof canoe bag for film storage
> waterproof canoe bags for roof storage
> WD-40
> whiskbroom, spare
> whiskbroom
> winch or come-a-long
> Windex
> windshield washer solvent (concentrate preferred)
> wipers, spare set (+ snow wipers if req'd)
> wooden spoons, 2
> wool ponchos -- dbl. as blankets or underlay, 2
> ziplock bag assortment.
>
> [This message has been edited by Capt. Mike (edited 12-24-2000).]
>
> Capt. Mike
>
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