Here's how we do it: First, you have to decide what makes sense to keep in the camper and what to keep boxed up waiting to go in the camper and what you need from the store/fridge/kitchen before you go. We learned years ago from backpacking that it's no different from living in a house, it only works if everyone knows where everything is and where everything goes. If it isn't heavy, bulky or perishiable, we keep it on board. If it is heavy or bulky or needs some kind of maintenance before use (like a lantern or porta potty) we keep it boxed and ready. If it's perishable, we buy at the grocery store with an eye for small containers. We have plastic containers for syrup, olive oil etc. so we don't have to have big bottles or glass on board. CL= closet with hangrod CC= closet cabinet (three compartments near the back hatch) RC= rear cabinet (shallow, right in front of closet) FC= forward cabinet (shallow, right in front of rear cabinet and rear of stove) LC= lower cabinet, at floor level and below FC P= pantry, below sink ORG= organizer behind passenger seat OHF= overhead cabinet opening to front OHR= overhead cabinet opening to rear PS = what VW calls the "parcel shelf" over the kitchen US= under front seat storage SD= sink drawer
Permanently on board: 2 sets bed linens OHF coffee pot P cookware FC tableware FC corkscrew SD openers, etc. SD Piezo lighter SD Salt, pepper, spices PS Flashlights (about 6) ORG and PS Batteries Glove box Weather radio RC citronella candles RC Towels RC Toiletry kits RC Toilet paper RC plastic bags, from baggies to trash bags P plastic picnic table covers OHF CB radio US tool kit CC Bentley CC oil US charcoal US hoses, electrical adapters and cords for camping US power strip and inverter LC 110v fan LC Keys for water inlet and gas cap ORG Mosquito netting, jack, bungees OHR Broom CL Spare belts CC Spare exhaust gasket CC Tarp US
Boxed and ready to load: Pillows US blankets US/OHF Small charcoal grille Rear luggage area Porta potty floor Big oil lantern CL Spare gallon diesel fuel US or luggage rack Grey water tank rear luggage compartment or luggage rack Foot-wiping mat floor or luggage rack. Other Food of course goes in the pantry under the sink Maps slip in behind the organizer Water goes in the panty and under the sink We normally wait till we're near the destination to fill the water tank if we need to do that Clothes and shoes in the closet Newspapers on closet floor for muddy hiking boots Spare parts not mentioned: none. I keep stuff at home boxed and labeled so that a neighbor or family member could fedex them if I needed them, likewise my local shop would send me anything I needed overnight.
Happy camping, Jim
On Jul 15, 2005, at 11:23 AM, Trenholme, Phil wrote: > Hello, > > > > I have only owned my Burgundy '90 Westy for a couple of months and so > far have only had a chance to do one short camping trip with my wife > and > 2 young children. I love the vehicle and am anxiously looking forward > to > my next adventure. My vehicle is going to be used mainly for camping > trips and I want to keep my camping equipment in the vehicle so it is > ready to go. I have seen some excellent lists of items that I should > take with me but I was hoping some people could provide some input on > where they put various items inside the bus. I was actually a little > overwhelmed by how many choices they are as to where stuff can be > placed. I am sure some of the more experienced campers have worked out > very logical locations for all their camping accessories. My wife and I > were also wondering the best way to take advantage of the fairly large > space within the closet. On our first trip we were losing stuff in > there > as things got a bit buried as a result of us throwing a lot of stuff in > there just to get it out of the way. Any advice is greatly appreciated! > > > > Phil Trenholme > > 1990 Burgundy West > > Santa Cruz, CA > |
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