I use Corelle "china" and just pack them in plastic box with thin bubble wrap between them, non slip rubber matting I think would do the job too. The bubble wrap was less expensive, in fact it was my favourite price as I saved it from some packaging.

Corelle is very robust and I have carried out a scientific drop test ()  from mid body height onto a concrete slab and the only damage was a slight chip.  This highly scientific test will probably carried out again at some time in the future.  (I'm a clumsy bast&rd)

Jim I've performed the same scientific test on a stack of 6 corelle bowls onto the ground (just dirt not concrete) and not one of them cracked. They didnt even have anything between, although I usually put a bit of non-slip stuff in between each plate in the van just to stop them moving about.

I keep them in one of the drawers under the kitchen sink, so far no problems.

Me too, same as Gerty, all sitting on (not of) kitchen table all ready to go in van. The non slip rolls are really cheap at the CHEAP shops. Then cut into right sizes.

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Friday 25th of February 2011 05:52:38 PM

Hi  ..

I made up a set of plate racks, similar to a normal drying rack. 

We came across some mini racks at a hardware store & paid $1 each for them.

The racks are bent to suit the particular plate or bowl & fixed to a ply base plate that is in turn screwed in position in an overhead cupboard adjacent to the eating area. The base plate has a slot cut into it to help position the plate/bowl.

In over 12 years we have never broken a plate.

The pic attached shows a china dining set that we initially used.  It has been replaced by a lighter corelle ware set.

We also use $2 shop non slip matting to hold a few noodle & desert bowls on the lower shelves .. no probs.

We use the non slip matting under our toaster, elect jug & hotplate on a benchtop.  Has never moved  ... but we don't do off road.


ps.  In relation to the drop test in earlier posts  .. we were in the local supermarket where a customer dropped a corelle plate on the concrete floor  ... big bang & fine shards of the glass plate went everywhere.  
But they might well sustain dropping onto a timber caravan floor.

-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 25th of February 2011 09:38:48 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 25th of February 2011 09:40:18 AM

Cupie if you can stack your plates as neatly as in the picture you've got too much space in your rig!

I stack mine in the cupboard below the sink. I use the principle of heavy at the bottom, light up the top. Non-slip matting is available in place mats, coasters and rolls to be cut to size.

Happywanderer wrote:

---

Cupie, do you mean you leave the toaster, electric jug and hotplate out on the benchtop when you are travelling and it doesn't move. If so that is good. Wouldn't have thought of leaving them out like that.

---

Yep  .. that's right.

Left them there by mistake once & they didn't fall off.  So they stay there permanently now.  Don't botrher to empty the jug either.  (They are on a non slip mat)

Mind you we don't do off road & have a tandem axel load sharing suspension van.

 

Try it & let's know how you go.

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 26th of February 2011 10:45:29 PM

Jeez Jim, don't lose that breadmaker. It's the baker of that beautiful bread your brew.

Thanks for the piccies I like the idea of the white veggie racks on top of each other. It might be the way to go for me. At 5 foot nothing unless I get the Tommee Turtle out of the cupboard I can't reach into the overhead cupboards above the sink/stove. At least I can see what in there then. 
Cheers
Trish

Wow, theres some great ideas in this thread.

I was just sitting here complaining about, "wheres my van" and I thought, why don't I go & get some bits and pieces to stock it up.

But Im not so sure, I don't know the exact sizes of the cupboard internals & don't want to get stuff that doesnt fit or work.

I like the idea of that non slip matting for inside the kitchen cupboards/pantry. I'm wondering where I could buy it in a big roll to cut to size when the van gets here. I imagine it would be cheaper this way too.

What is chicken feed?

Wow, Thankyou happy wanderer, never even heard of it.

Probably need to crawl out from under my rock a bit more often.

How did you go with the tyres, did you start around 40psi?

Okay gubby, you've taught this old dog a few tricks tonight, THANKYOU VERY MUCH.

I've never seen chicken feed the shop, i will keep my eyes peeled though.

I've never been into one of those dollar shops. Always look so trashy from the street & I hate crowds. Might take a sticky beak at one. THANKS