We carry an extra set of sheets since our one and only set was wet by water ingress in the camper trailer. Same with towels. Dishes and cookware are minimal but most can be used for more than one function.
Most of our books (except for maps, bird-identification and Camp 6) come and go in book-exchanges, often in laundries. I always write in them where I found them and left them... thought others might find that interesting.
One thing we carry around and havent used is the food cryovac packaging machine. If at the end of this trip if its still unused except for a few practises, its e-bay bound.
Water is heavy but we usually keep the tank full unless the waters horrible, I've heard some people with heavy rigs say they done put much in their tanks because they'd be overweight!
jules47 said
09:12 PM Jun 6, 2011
The little 12v kettle does draw quite a bit of power, but always fill thermos when we have brekky - doesn't take as long to boil, and we plug it in on the move when we felt like a cuppa, by the time you find a good spot to stop, is boiled. No problems - just that thermos doesn' really keep water hot enough for coffee in my opinion anyway.
Beth54 said
09:15 PM Jun 6, 2011
When you boil the billy in the morning, boil enough to fill a thermos...or in your case Marj, 2 thermos'! I know how many cuppas you have!
gubby said
09:15 PM Jun 6, 2011
Firefly wrote:
Do you think my little red negligee will withstand such direct heat Gubby?
Now Now Firefly, You'll make me blush..
My mother only used this in an emergency, as she called it, she only warmed the water not boiled...
Happywanderer said
09:16 PM Jun 6, 2011
Half way though reading that Vic I was going to ask and where do I store it when not in use. I see you have the answer. Thanks Vic, may have to look into that. Sounds like a good idea. Not sure about the size of mine made up, don't know which size of fitted sheet will fit so must investigate that further. I have double size of everything but the mats/cushions are made up from 3 pieces, doesn't look the same.
Sheba said
09:24 PM Jun 6, 2011
I got the layout I did so that I could have the bed permanently made up Marj. Wasn't keen on the middle of the 'Van bed at all.
As for ironing, I do very little of that these days, but when I was a "Blockie" without Power, I used to use an Electric Iron with the Cord cut off. Sat it on the Combustion Stove to heat it. Worked very well.
You could probably heat one on a Gas Stove or BBQ if you needed to use it. I'd sit it on the BBQ Plate, rather than on direct flame.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:25:31 PM
Happywanderer said
09:25 PM Jun 6, 2011
Actually while in Biggenden I bought a Thermos for $2.00 at the local op shop. Also a 2 slice toaster for $2.00. The best buys I've ever made. Used them both all the way home. Yes I filled the Thermos with boiled water in the morning and had my lovely cuppas during the day and if you are ever travelling behind me you will see the toaster sitting on the bench at the back. It hasn't moved being on that non stick roll stuff. I will have to find something I can stand the 12 v kettle in so am able to plug it in to the ciggie socket and it won't fall over.
Firefly said
09:28 PM Jun 6, 2011
Marj would it be a major re work in you little girl to change the layout to put your bed where you would like it mate?
Hope thats not a silly question.
Happywanderer said
09:32 PM Jun 6, 2011
No its not a silly question. I'm thinking about it. Would have to build a new bed though as the bits used for the bed now are a couple of different bits. The fitst bit being a cupboard with a lift up lid that houses the in house battery inthe corner. The 2nd bit slides out to give the bed its full size but only has legs on the outside bit. I suppose I would just reverse it all and have another area made to house the battery up the front.
Happywanderer said
09:35 PM Jun 6, 2011
I've already pulled out one of the back seats to give more room, that was easy, just lots of screws. But wait a minute the gas bottle which comes in from the outside is down the back so not sure. The other possiblity is a side bed like a couple showed me in their van while parked in Kumbia. That way the cooking side wouldn't have to be touched and the clothing storage side would be brought up across the front behind the driving seats. That might work.
-- Edited by Happywanderer on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:37:38 PM
Vic said
09:42 PM Jun 6, 2011
Marg,
A previous campervan I had was with the front cushions to make up the bed when not using as a dining table/lounge. What I did was make the bed up and leave it up, enter via the rear door, use a step to make it easier, I assume you have the rear kitchen so easy access at the back to the kitchen and further in. I wouldn't worry too much about having a dining table, you can always take a light weight folding one for outdoor use or if raining a simple tray with or without legs (cushion tray?) and eat off that. Sit on the end of the bed facing into the van corridor for indoor meals. The convenience of having your kitchen at the rear is a definite plus, you will usually find the rear ones have a bigger fridge, stick a microwave on top if you don't have one, they can be secured by brackets and straps permanently like I have seen in another. Need power, but a microwave for caravan parks is at the top of my priority list.
-- Edited by Vic on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:44:15 PM
Firefly said
09:48 PM Jun 6, 2011
So its all a possibility, thats good news. I know in our Hawk, we have to make most of the bed up each time, can leave the sheets on but thats it. Even with this newer van we have to do the same but its a lot easier in this one to be honest.
Makes a big difference not having to mess around when you pull up.
Vic said
09:59 PM Jun 6, 2011
I think where there is a will there is a way Firefly, hopefully without too much expense if any.
For the original poster, in regards to weight etc, whatever size gas bottle you have, the capacity of the bottle (eg; 2kg bottle) is approximately 4kg when filled, so double it if your working out your weights and like said early weighing it can give you an idea of how much is left in the bottle.
With water, 1 litre of water is approximately 1Kg (eg; taking into account the weight of the container and adding that, the water on its own for 10 litres is approx 10kg. Please note that other liquids will be different according to what it is. Even water can vary according to the temperature (eg; if frozen etc) but generally 1 litre/1kg is a fair assumption.
Cruising Granny said
11:52 PM Jun 6, 2011
I have a couple of those instant plastic ponchos for wet events, but I haven't got the gum boots yet. That's on the perhaps list. I do carry 2 pairs of runners/joggers/sneakers in case one pair gets wet. I like the compact lifestyle, but I do need a storage shed for the stuff that now doesn't fit in the back of Rosy because of the camping stuff for the job. Whatever clutter I have fits into the van and truck. I still thin things out if I haven't used them for 12 months. It's an ongoing mission. There really is no rule book for this stuff. What suits you may not suit someone else. To each his/her own.
beachball57 said
08:51 AM Jun 7, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
I only have an electric jug for when plugged into power points. If not and using gas I boil water in a saucepan for a cuppa. I have also boiled eggs in the water before using it for the cuppa. Doesn't change the taste of it. Gosh, how we compromise when we have to. An electic frypan would be great, must hunt one out.
thats a lot, hell all i have is a stick with a sasuage on it
beachball57 said
08:52 AM Jun 7, 2011
jimricho wrote:
My gadgets include an Easy Cook turbo oven (the rig has no built in oven), an Easy Cook electric "Billy" (I don't have a hot water system), Breadmaker (I bake all my own bread), and a Shuttle Chef (similar to a Dream Pot) with a bain-marie insert that doubles up as a saucepan, as does the inside of the Shuttle Chef. Other cooking pots are a deep frying pan (doubles up as a wok), kettle (not electric) and a small "milk" saucepan
-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 6th of June 2011 05:42:07 PM
hell thats a lot, all i have is a stick with a sasuage on it
Happywanderer said
10:46 AM Jun 7, 2011
Beachball - bounce!!
There are somethings I wouldn't bother with, like a breadmaker, don't eat a lot of bread but a microwave would be handy.
Hope all this is helping with the original question, its helping me.
Esmeralda said
10:56 AM Jun 7, 2011
I take an iron because I need it for my patchwork but it is a light one and a GoLo cheapy.
Most of our books (except for maps, bird-identification and Camp 6) come and go in book-exchanges, often in laundries. I always write in them where I found them and left them... thought others might find that interesting.
One thing we carry around and havent used is the food cryovac packaging machine. If at the end of this trip if its still unused except for a few practises, its e-bay bound.
Water is heavy but we usually keep the tank full unless the waters horrible, I've heard some people with heavy rigs say they done put much in their tanks because they'd be overweight!
When you boil the billy in the morning, boil enough to fill a thermos...or in your case Marj, 2 thermos'!
I know how many cuppas you have! 
Now Now Firefly, You'll make me blush..
My mother only used this in an emergency, as she called it, she only warmed the water not boiled...
I got the layout I did so that I could have the bed permanently made up Marj. Wasn't keen on the middle of the 'Van bed at all.
As for ironing, I do very little of that these days, but when I was a "Blockie" without Power, I used to use an Electric Iron with the Cord cut off. Sat it on the Combustion Stove to heat it. Worked very well.
You could probably heat one on a Gas Stove or BBQ if you needed to use it. I'd sit it on the BBQ Plate, rather than on direct flame.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:25:31 PM
I will have to find something I can stand the 12 v kettle in so am able to plug it in to the ciggie socket and it won't fall over.
Marj would it be a major re work in you little girl to change the layout to put your bed where you would like it mate?
Hope thats not a silly question.
I suppose I would just reverse it all and have another area made to house the battery up the front.
I've already pulled out one of the back seats to give more room, that was easy, just lots of screws.
But wait a minute the gas bottle which comes in from the outside is down the back so not sure.
The other possiblity is a side bed like a couple showed me in their van while parked in Kumbia. That way the cooking side wouldn't have to be touched and the clothing storage side would be brought up across the front behind the driving seats.
That might work.
-- Edited by Happywanderer on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:37:38 PM
Marg,
A previous campervan I had was with the front cushions to make up the bed when not using as a dining table/lounge. What I did was make the bed up and leave it up, enter via the rear door, use a step to make it easier, I assume you have the rear kitchen so easy access at the back to the kitchen and further in. I wouldn't worry too much about having a dining table, you can always take a light weight folding one for outdoor use or if raining a simple tray with or without legs (cushion tray?) and eat off that. Sit on the end of the bed facing into the van corridor for indoor meals. The convenience of having your kitchen at the rear is a definite plus, you will usually find the rear ones have a bigger fridge, stick a microwave on top if you don't have one, they can be secured by brackets and straps permanently like I have seen in another. Need power, but a microwave for caravan parks is at the top of my priority list.
-- Edited by Vic on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:44:15 PM
So its all a possibility, thats good news. I know in our Hawk, we have to make most of the bed up each time, can leave the sheets on but thats it. Even with this newer van we have to do the same but its a lot easier in this one to be honest.
Makes a big difference not having to mess around when you pull up.
For the original poster, in regards to weight etc, whatever size gas bottle you have, the capacity of the bottle (eg; 2kg bottle) is approximately 4kg when filled, so double it if your working out your weights and like said early weighing it can give you an idea of how much is left in the bottle.
With water, 1 litre of water is approximately 1Kg (eg; taking into account the weight of the container and adding that, the water on its own for 10 litres is approx 10kg. Please note that other liquids will be different according to what it is. Even water can vary according to the temperature (eg; if frozen etc) but generally 1 litre/1kg is a fair assumption.
I like the compact lifestyle, but I do need a storage shed for the stuff that now doesn't fit in the back of Rosy because of the camping stuff for the job. Whatever clutter I have fits into the van and truck.
I still thin things out if I haven't used them for 12 months. It's an ongoing mission.
There really is no rule book for this stuff. What suits you may not suit someone else. To each his/her own.
thats a lot, hell all i have is a stick with a sasuage on it
hell thats a lot, all i have is a stick with a sasuage on it
Beachball - bounce!!
There are somethings I wouldn't bother with, like a breadmaker, don't eat a lot of bread but a microwave would be handy.
Hope all this is helping with the original question, its helping me.