What does everyone think is absolutely necessary, essential gear to make their nomadic life easier and more comfortable. Some of you have a home where you can store what you think you may need, and what you will really need. I have seen many collections of gadgets, enough to make a caravan show salesman smile. Reels for hoses and power cables. Boxes for this, bags for that. My van is my home all the time, and I have nowhere to store anything except in the van boot and locker which holds poles, bbq, hoses, leads. What I carry is what I need. The back of the cruiser is the "shed" where I store the annexe walls, ladder, tool boxes, camp stretcher, Waeco fridge, outdoor and car cleaning equipment, jumper leads, compressor etc. Those reels just take up rigid space I don't have room for. It would be interesting to learn what you all consider essential. Granny
dave06 said
08:06 PM Mar 14, 2009
actualy I have one of those roll up hosey things, it's a high quality one that folds completely flat, I find it takes less space than a standard hose, but I would not leave home without the cobb and my camps book WHICH I HAVENT GOT YET, SOB!!!!! and oh I spose the dragon's got to come with me
Cruising Granny said
08:37 PM Mar 14, 2009
I'm starting to feel sorry for you pining for that Parks 5. Never mind, I'm sure it will turn up soon.
As I'm on my own I can't see any value in having a cobb or turbo cooker taking up valuable storage space. Parks don't like camp fires either. Pity.
If I had someone to cook for they might be good investments.
I just cook large pots of something nice and pack it into smaller containers to freeze in the Waeco. And I never cook in the van, I have a 2 burner cooker in the annexe.
Who cooks? You or the dragon?
Granny
Roostertales said
09:11 AM Mar 15, 2009
Hi Christine
Being anally challenged when it comes to neatness, I like to find a place and home for all the little bits and pieces. Half the fun of it.
I prefer to travel as light as possible so the trade off is not to have much unecessary stuff.
In my recent walk I carried only about 7 kg and nothing else went in until something else came out. Same principle I will adopt for travelling in a van or what ever.
Interestingly on the hose mention. You can actually buy roll flat hoses for boats take up virtually no space at all. Have seen but never ourchased but they are available from boat supplies wholesalers.
Mike
drongo & wendy said
09:56 AM Mar 15, 2009
I have caravaned many many times but mainly out onto a farm by a river done that for 20 years and we had it down pat as to what we needed. But now we have a smaller van and not parking in one spot. now weight has to be considered, and do we need our comphy layed back chairs [ wendys weighs a ton be a gamer man than me who would say no way] we are about 4/5 weeks from taking off so wendy puts it in i sneak it out, ummm just a thought wonder if il live do we need the telle do we need a small geni can we get away with out a porta loo and the dunny to go with it to many questions gawd my white hair will turn grey i want my mum
Cupie said
10:37 AM Mar 15, 2009
Hi ..
Following is an extract from a booklet "The Grey Nomads' Notebook" that I wrote some time ago. It is an approach to storing pipes that suits my situation.
Water & waste pipe carriers
Rolling up and storing water hose & sullage pipe is an onerous task. It often results in wet and/or smelly storage boots and kinks or permanent coils in the hose.
This solution eliminates all of these undesirables.
Store the pipes in carriers made from lengths of suitable sized conduit fitted under the Van. I used 5 lengths of 50mm conduit with fixed caps on one end and a common end box (I think that plumbers call them plumb dingers) with hinged lid on the other end. Removable end caps work OK as well.
My Jayco has slotted sections in the chassis cross members that are ideal for holding the carriers. The sullage pipe and water hose are cut into lengths that fit neatly to each carrier tube, including the brass joiner fittings for the water hoses.
When more than one length of water pipe is required they are joined using commercial click lock fittings. This gives me a 15 meter hose. I add rubber caps (feet off chairs/tables) to the water hose joiners to prevent entry of dust etc. One hose length has a twist nozzle fitted for those rare occasions where I wash the car or van while touring. Short pieces of suitable diameter conduit are used to join the lengths of sullage pipe.
A cable tie attached to the end of each pipe makes it easy to remove them from the storage conduit.
Where the site is a long distance from the sullage point and the van has two discharge outlets as mine does, a lot of pipe is required. Make a "two pipe to one" anti backflow adaptor. This is done by attaching 600mm lengths of sullage pipe, one into an elbow & the other into a T joint. Connect them together to form a reclining F shaped fitting to form a single outlet with two inlets from the van side. Your sullage pipes can now be joined together to make one long one.
Some people use this attachment in all situations.
Hint.. A highly recommended practice after use is to flush the sullage pipes with clean water and then use a piece of rag to wipe the exterior of all pipes & hoses during the process of sliding them back into their carriers.
Spares for pipes & hoses
Different States use different size tap connections for water. Of course fittings sometimes break or are lost. This idea provides a ready & convenient storage of spares.
A two compartment metal box is fixed to a convenient place, behind the spare tyre in my case. Drainage holes are drilled in the bottom of each compartment. One section contains small items that are frequently used such as, click lock hose adaptors, spare hose connectors, tap washers, O rings and a roll of thread tape. In the other (larger) section are less often used items like sullage pipe connectors and bends, a cheap pair of multigrips and a multi bladed screwdriver, both liberally sprayed with WD40 or Inox to deter rust.
I like to put a small elastic strap around the outside of the box & bumper bar to hold a hand rag that I use to wipe the pipes as they are fed into their carriers and to wipe my hands at the end of the job. It is then rinsed out and dried during the trip to the next park.
Hint.. Smooth exterior sullage pipes are my preference because of they are easily cleaned with a rag as they are slid into their carrier, however they have a tendency to kink. The kinking can be eliminated by careful laying across the ground and at the sump end by attaching an elbow and small piece of pipe pointing down into the sump inlet.
For water hose, use only food grade pipe.
Hope this adds to the discussion.
Hi Graham
Love the tip there it sure looks well set up.
Yes pipe options are great for additional storage
dave06 said
10:51 AM Mar 15, 2009
I do all the cooking and the washing up, I take great pleasure in seeing the dragon just putting her feet up and enjoying the break enjoying a beverage with a couple of freinds, she works as hard or harder than I do, the cobb is an absolute must and I would use it even if I was on my own, it can be used in fire season except on days of total fire ban, we have used it many times with a ranger watching during fire season without a problem, cooking with it is so simple and one can easily eat the leftovers for a couple of days, anything can be cooked in it or on it
if we take "squeaky" our 5'x4' camping trailer then I am in my element
I have everything setup so cooking and washing up is all performed outside and is really not a chore, I can still join in with the conversation as I am out there with them,
I do the same at home, I dont beleive that a womans main role is in the kitchen on her own, far from it, a womans role is alongside the man, not behind or in front, in all things, I absolutely HATE with a vengeance arrogant mongrel pig ignorant men who think it is the womans duty to do the household chores and refuse to help or perform that chore, I am often found at the sink and the stove and enjoy the challenge, actually most of my freinds are the same come to think of it, the dragon is a far better cook than I, and I have found that women in general are better cooks than men, dont know why
our comfy reclining chairs with footrests are one that we would not leave behind, then of course "slurpy" our porta potty, "naggin nancy" our gps would be another I guess, then of course "blinky" the dragons little nightlite (mini torch actually but I call it her bubbys nightlite, we take "sparky" our generator but only because he gets lonely sitting in the shed, we dont start him up but he's there in case, and "chilly" our engel has to come along, he doesnt like being left behind (he gets the sulks)
Cruising Granny said
11:45 AM Mar 15, 2009
Marry me Dave! The Dragon has a good man. What a lucky lady she is.
I'm looking for a clone of just such a man.
Do you used heat beads on the Cobb?
I love how you name everything. I do it too.
My GPS is Tom, one of the alarms I use for maximum speed is a cow called Daisy, the car is Rosy (she's a girl's truck), the van/home is Roma.
To store my hoses I had a slab of weldmesh welded onto the underside of the A frame with a backing. I wish I'd taken metal work instead of mother craft at school. The hoses sit there all coiled up, secured with an occy strap. No mess, no stink. I also use smooth sullage hose. Much easier to keep clean. Rippled hoses hold too much muck. While I have to keep weight in mind, I also have to carry everything.
Well, what an interesting lot we are. I'm really enjoying your responses.
It seems many of you travel part time and have a home with a shed to go to.
Keep 'em coming. Cheers Granny
dave06 said
12:09 PM Mar 15, 2009
always heat beads Granny and I'll let the dragon know of your intentions and see if I can get the necesary permission,
the weldmesh on the van is a good idea because it doesnt make you conform to what the hoses want to do, I have seen frozen hoses that refuse to be placed in a manner to which they do not wish to go and have consequently snapped or become unusable
I am a simple man, there is no complexity about me at all I just love travelling keep everything simple, 5 minute setup, 5 minute pull down, I have seen things done in such a meticulous manner that I stood in awe of the people doing it, a place for this and a place for that, all wrapped up in it's own little bundle in its own little spot
not me, weldmesh would suit me just fine, you could pack it all up and give it a spray with the hose and all would be clean, its not the stopping thats the enjoyable part its the travel in between, but I get a lot of amusement from part time city travellers with their strange behaviours and storage ideas
the naming of the toys, well as you know there are a lot of miles in between stops up north and thats where it all started, the mind is a strange animal, if it has nothing to do it will start making things up, names for this, whats that cloud look like, how many white posts to the kilometre, when was the last time I pee'd, that sort of thing
just writing this I remember an old feller that we met up the top of the cooper, what a gem he was, had an old ute that went everywhere that a four wheel drive could go, upon leaving the camp for the last time he said
"boy, can I give ya some advice"..........
I said "sure can buddy, my minds always open"
He said " three things become more important as you get older,
(1) "never pass a loo in a crowded city"
(2) "never waste a hard on"
(3) "never trust a fart"
he left with one of the most contagious laughs that I have come across
those words stuck have with me for years, and I still remember him with a smile
Cruising Granny said
04:17 PM Mar 15, 2009
There's more to take with us than stuff. Those memories and words of advice won't take up any room in the glove box or consul.
I get lots of laughs from the antics of couples parking the van. They've been married forever, or so it seems, yet they still can't communicate with each other about reversing the van, or lining up with the tow ball. Then he does the outside chores, she does the inside chores, and never the twain shall meet. They unpack that way, and pack up in that order. And I do mean order. What fun can they have in all that stress and pressure to do it right to get it just right. I've never once heard a "yes dear, no dear", just him yelling and degrading her. Then it stops being funny.
Doing alone is then the preferred alternative.
Cheers Granny
twobob said
09:34 PM Mar 15, 2009
for me, its my stubbie cooler and credit card, in that order
Next would be my coffee cup, rather large and unwashed. Then my dogs collasable water bowl, swag, and billy
The rest come under if they fit
Cruising Granny said
09:39 PM Mar 15, 2009
You can't fill that stubby holder if you don't have your credit card.
What sort of dog, and what its name?
Not too many creature comforts. Just the essentials, eh?
Good on ya. Enjoy. Cheers Granny
twobob said
09:50 PM Mar 15, 2009
wrong Granny
Someone will always offer you a beer when you are down on your luck, so stubbie cooler first
Mans dog, real test on strangers, white maltese - Benjiman
Cruising Granny said
02:10 PM Mar 16, 2009
Benjamin the burglar alarm. I love 'em and haven't had any bad experiences with Maltese, yet. There's always the first time. They can be nippy, but just be friendly and ignore them and they usually come around for a pat.
I get a lot of fun chatting to other campers' dogs. I don't travel with one, it's too hard on the dog, and too hard to find a park.
Take care. Granny
Bridgee said
02:32 PM Mar 16, 2009
dave06 wrote:
I do all the cooking and the washing up, I take great pleasure in seeing the dragon just putting her feet up and enjoying the break enjoying a beverage with a couple of freinds, she works as hard or harder than I do, the cobb is an absolute must and I would use it even if I was on my own, it can be used in fire season except on days of total fire ban, we have used it many times with a ranger watching during fire season without a problem, cooking with it is so simple and one can easily eat the leftovers for a couple of days, anything can be cooked in it or on it
if we take "squeaky" our 5'x4' camping trailer then I am in my element I have everything setup so cooking and washing up is all performed outside and is really not a chore, I can still join in with the conversation as I am out there with them,
I do the same at home, I dont beleive that a womans main role is in the kitchen on her own, far from it, a womans role is alongside the man, not behind or in front, in all things, I absolutely HATE with a vengeance arrogant mongrel pig ignorant men who think it is the womans duty to do the household chores and refuse to help or perform that chore, I am often found at the sink and the stove and enjoy the challenge, actually most of my freinds are the same come to think of it, the dragon is a far better cook than I, and I have found that women in general are better cooks than men, dont know why
our comfy reclining chairs with footrests are one that we would not leave behind, then of course "slurpy" our porta potty, "naggin nancy" our gps would be another I guess, then of course "blinky" the dragons little nightlite (mini torch actually but I call it her bubbys nightlite, we take "sparky" our generator but only because he gets lonely sitting in the shed, we dont start him up but he's there in case, and "chilly" our engel has to come along, he doesnt like being left behind (he gets the sulks)
Onya Dave!! the Dragon has trained you well!! but I agree with you 100 % a marriage is a partnership and everything should be shared, apart from chopping wood, his job, mowing lawns, his job, washing big cars, his job, as you can see all jobs shared! I have always said the only thing Brian hasn't done is breast fed! and that's cos he couldn't ! but he has and does everything else. He is actually a better cook than me, he takes time to 'create' nice meals, but please don't tell him that his head will get bigger! I have met a lot of 'envious' women on learning all the things Brian does but to me if you share the work load then you have more time for your family and with each other, everyones happy
dave06 said
03:16 PM Mar 16, 2009
yep agree with that, I take great pleasure in seeing that the old girl is settled and comfy, we share the work, but because she works odd hours I do the lions share, (I'm not grizzling, I prefer to do it) we entertain a lot and also go out to other peoples places, I find once I grab the sink and start washing then another couple of fellers will jostle in to position to wipe the dishes and put them away and the conversation will continue from there
but there are jobs that are definately mine, washing the car and the camper is mine ( she cant reach them) but she washes her little ford KA, I used to mow the lawn when we had one, I used to chop the wood before we went central heating, I shower the boy and get him up and dressed and ready for the day and put him to bed simply because I'm stronger and because he prefers me to do it, I do the housework, I have the time she works odd hours and broken times, repairs around the house, well the dragon has been and still is the best off sider that I have ever had, handles the nail gun and the chop saw like a pro, try to keep her away
in our circle of freinds (and it is huge) there would not be a man game enough to not do his fair share or better, I think the days of "fetch me a beer luv!!" are gone, when we entertain the cooking is all done outside under our rear all weather entertainment area in either our weber or our 5 burner oven barbie with wok burner or a combination of both, all meals and drinks can be dealt with outside
I have a sink and water plumbed outside so no dirty dishes go inside, this way who ever is doing the dishes or cooking or whatever is always a "part" of the conversation, we often find that neither the dragon or myself wash a dish after a heap of freinds drop by, they just sort of "get done"
I have built squeeky the same so when either I or the dragon is cooking then we are always "right there" not even 5 feet from the conversation and circle of freinds
hell that reminds me I meant to post some piccys of squeeky for a heap of you, she is basically finished now although there will be some ongoing modifications to come yet no doubt, so i will do that
to make a cuppa in squeeky is an easy affair and could almost be done from ones chair, some our visitors love little squeeky so much they have offered very large silly ammounts of money for her, but that would be like selling one of our kids, Hmmmmm!!! no stop it that wouldnt be right........would it??????????
now I wouldnt say that I'm a better cook than the dragon, she'd belt me if I said that and she found out, however if it involves fire and a lump of dead cow or sheep then I cannot be surpassed, my roast dinners complete with roast spuds, carrots, pumpkin, peas, onions and home made gravy are to die for, and I can cook them anywhere
but I take great pride and consider it a privilige, far from a chore to take care of the old duck, she's had enough to endure
mike and Judy said
03:34 PM Mar 16, 2009
Nahhhh its a case of being practical, How the hell can Judy carry or dig in the mine when her arthritis is so painful, how can Mike possibly match the meals this girl can prepare from the store of recipes in her head, so it would seem that we are a pair who have the inside for Jude, and the outside for Mike
When yo get to the point of age where you are starting to be restricted, due to ailments or expertise than it becomes a case of knowing your llimitations
Bridgee said
04:37 PM Mar 16, 2009
mike and Judy wrote:
Nahhhh its a case of being practical, How the hell can Judy carry or dig in the mine when her arthritis is so painful, how can Mike possibly match the meals this girl can prepare from the store of recipes in her head, so it would seem that we are a pair who have the inside for Jude, and the outside for Mike When yo get to the point of age where you are starting to be restricted, due to ailments or expertise than it becomes a case of knowing your llimitations
Once again agree with you, inside for me, outside AND inside for him........perfect!!
dave06 said
04:48 PM Mar 16, 2009
Hmmm!!! beginning to see a pattern emerging here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wombat 280 said
07:11 PM Mar 16, 2009
Whatever you take if you take it twice and don't use it then you don't need it .
I roll my hoses up and put them in one of those $2.00 stripe bags and tie them to the draw bar
A tool kit comprising
Hammer Small
Hammer Large
Screwdriver
Pliers Electrical
Multi Grips / Vice Grips
Adjustable Withworth spanner
Dyamo torch
Spare electrical fuses for car and van
Peg Remover ( Mine is built into the large hammer )
Duck Tape
Tube silastic
Spare click on tap fittings ( Normally leave one or two in the parks each trip )
If you can't fix it with that then call SOMEONE who can
Marken Time said
10:02 PM Mar 16, 2009
Hi Gee Wombat, that will cut down the size & weight of my toolbox by about 80% - now Marge will insist on the sink & porta loo for the week or so we will be camping away from the van during the next six months.
Seriously, I've been wondering where to stop and I have decided that you cann't take everything and will make do with the essentials - in any case I'm a hopeless mechanic, not an electrician or plumber so chances are that I would have to have some one else fix anything that goes wrong.
Marge is a number one cook, and I'll keep telling her that.
dave06 said
10:40 AM Mar 17, 2009
well I'm afraid that I fall into the category of the feller you call when you've left the stilsons home and the towball on the vehicle has come loose, dont laugh, I have been called on many times to tighten up a towball, make sure you carry a shifter or stilsons big enough to at least do that job if nothing else
duct tape should be a standard item in everybodys tool box,
fuses, well you should not go out to get the milk without a full set or two
a full set of screwdrivers are essential
pliers x 2 are essential
torch a must have
hammer goes without saying
but I could not break my tool kit down to just that
I carry enough tools to repair any damage that I have had in the past, and they were many and varied, the only things that I have thinned out of my tool supply is the welder and angle grinder, then there have been a couple of times that I have needed them
unfortunately my rough country travels in the past have made me overcompensate so now I carry a full set of tools
and you are right about the stubby holder, always someone out there to give you a beer, dont matter if you are down on your luck or not
mike and Judy said
12:16 PM Mar 17, 2009
A bit late for this , but as it has'nt been mentioned , may I suggest the Superglue and the Baking powder, to go into essential gear,
With all the stuff thats made of plastic going into the the camper the combination of a few drops of glue followed by a sprinkle of powder, do that several times and it will seal almost anything including the steel jerry can
Cupie said
09:40 PM Mar 17, 2009
mike and Judy wrote:
A bit late for this , but as it has'nt been mentioned , may I suggest the Superglue and the Baking powder, to go into essential gear, With all the stuff thats made of plastic going into the the camper the combination of a few drops of glue followed by a sprinkle of powder, do that several times and it will seal almost anything including the steel jerry can
Well bugger me! .. It seems that we all need is WD40 & Baking powder to fix most things .. Dave's post on WD40 uses & all the stuff that baking powder (+ vinegar / lemon juice) does as a cleaning agent & now as an assist to supa glue.
I recon that you have seen Jack Absalom welding with a car battery so Dave won't need his welder. (I wonder if it was the same flat battery that he helped along by placing it close to the camp fire?)
For my contribution to the Necessary Gear for a pleasant trip is ..
1. Unlimited communications for my wife to our daughter & son.
Fortunately Telstra solves this with my 3G prepaid, normally on a long life plan (for some strange reason extended to double the normal time for us, so it never runs out). When we go away I top up the secondary plan .. that allows us to call 5 other nominated Telstra fixed or mobile services 24/7 unlimited time .. no charge!!! This costs $30 for 30 days & at the end of the 30 days the $30 remains in credit for the normal rip off rate timed calls.
2. For me ... Leaving aside my toys .. Kayak & pushbike, they're a given .... Two bottles per week of reasonably good quality McLaren Vale shiraz and an ample supply of Semion Savion Blanc (read cheap white if you want). Oh yes, a few good books .. some light stuff like Ludlum or Cussler and a good Aussie historical book.
PS. can't wait to try the super glue & baking powder trick
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 17th of March 2009 08:52:11 PM
Mike47 said
07:23 PM Mar 18, 2009
There is one thing I wouldn't be without. I like to get out to the back of beyond, but I like my comfort too.
When I bought the van, I ripped out the dinette 'cos I was planning to eat outside anyway. Unscrewed the table bracket from the wall and re-fitted it on the outside of the van.
In the space where the dinette was I installed a Lazyboy recliner-rocker. I tell ya what, late at night, the stars in all their glory spread across the heavens and me in the recliner with a book and a glass of Director's Special, I just can't resist wondering what the poor people are doing.
Some of you have a home where you can store what you think you may need, and what you will really need.
I have seen many collections of gadgets, enough to make a caravan show salesman smile. Reels for hoses and power cables. Boxes for this, bags for that.
My van is my home all the time, and I have nowhere to store anything except in the van boot and locker which holds poles, bbq, hoses, leads. What I carry is what I need. The back of the cruiser is the "shed" where I store the annexe walls, ladder, tool boxes, camp stretcher, Waeco fridge, outdoor and car cleaning equipment, jumper leads, compressor etc. Those reels just take up rigid space I don't have room for.
It would be interesting to learn what you all consider essential.
Granny
I have caravaned many many times but mainly out onto a farm by a river done that for 20 years and we had it down pat as to what we needed. But now we have a smaller van and not parking in one spot. now weight has to be considered, and do we need our comphy layed back chairs [ wendys weighs a ton be a gamer man than me who would say no way]
we are about 4/5 weeks from taking off so wendy puts it in i sneak it out, ummm just a thought wonder if il live do we need the telle do we need a small geni can we get away with out a porta loo and the dunny to go with it to many questions gawd my white hair will turn grey i want my mum
Gee Wombat, that will cut down the size & weight of my toolbox by about 80% - now Marge will insist on the sink & porta loo for the week or so we will be camping away from the van during the next six months.
Seriously, I've been wondering where to stop and I have decided that you cann't take everything and will make do with the essentials - in any case I'm a hopeless mechanic, not an electrician or plumber so chances are that I would have to have some one else fix anything that goes wrong.
Marge is a number one cook, and I'll keep telling her that.
I recon that you have seen Jack Absalom welding with a car battery so Dave won't need his welder. (I wonder if it was the same flat battery that he helped along by placing it close to the camp fire?)
For my contribution to the Necessary Gear for a pleasant trip is ..
1. Unlimited communications for my wife to our daughter & son.
Fortunately Telstra solves this with my 3G prepaid, normally on a long life plan (for some strange reason extended to double the normal time for us, so it never runs out).
When we go away I top up the secondary plan .. that allows us to call 5 other nominated Telstra fixed or mobile services 24/7 unlimited time .. no charge!!! This costs $30 for 30 days & at the end of the 30 days the $30 remains in credit for the normal rip off rate timed calls.
2. For me ... Leaving aside my toys .. Kayak & pushbike, they're a given .... Two bottles per week of reasonably good quality McLaren Vale shiraz and an ample supply of Semion Savion Blanc (read cheap white if you want). Oh yes, a few good books .. some light stuff like Ludlum or Cussler and a good Aussie historical book.
PS. can't wait to try the super glue & baking powder trick
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 17th of March 2009 08:52:11 PM