How much to take

roddam · Veteran Member

How much to take

blaze · Guru

1 spare set of sheets, 2 changes of clothes, do lots of washing. Now only if my wife could understand that, she has 2 cubboards of books alone, buys not one but 2 x 2l bottles of cloth washing liquid , where ideally one 500mm would be enough. She is getting better though
cheers
blaze

Happywanderer · The Master

I took far too much with me on my first trip. Too many clothes I didn't use, although if you are going through different seasons make sure you have the appropriate clothes for that.
I took extra sheets and towels I never used. So I would say just the set for your bed is enough as you can go to a laundromat and wash and dry and back on bed or wash and out on a line on a sunny day. Two towels per person should be enough. I took 5 or 6 and only every used the same two.
I took a pile of books and dvds and only ever read one book, so in future will only take a couple, when read drop them into an op shop and buy another couple.

Vic · Guru

Like the others have said, limit what you take as much as possible, there are always op shops around if you run out of clothes. We take a hair dryer so that if we get out clothes or something wet in the van we can dry it out if on power and it is raining.

Take mostly packet/dried food/soups/rice etc and keep tinned foods to a minimum. Most important is to balance your load in the van properly, it all adds up. Getting home and finding that what we take "I might need that" was never used is something we all do. If you have the chance to do a trip before you go (if you haven't done so already) will give you an idea of what you will need and what you don't need.

Most caravan park laundry's have a free book/magazine exchange bench where you pick up what you want to read and leave what you have read, I only take about 3 books I want to read.

Good luck with whatever you decide.......watch out for the "better take that just in case". Take a folding umbrella in the car or van for the unexpected shower and walks to the van park showers or toilets.

roddam · Veteran Member

Your replies so far have been informative. thank you. I don't have a problem with books as I have an Amazon Kindle and have about 300 books currently on it. My pressie to me. cheers Ann

Firefly · Guru

My towels have dwindled down to taking a bath towel each and a beach towel each. I also bought a couple of those chamois type of sports towels that fold up to nothing and they stay in our back pack in case we swim. They are also great in places where you don't have much room to dry off. Don't pay a lot for them though, grab them from the Reject shop or some such store in the pet section. They have a paw print on them though, and I bought a pink and a blue one but that was AFTER forking out on the sports ones.

A change of sheets are a good idea in case you can't get the other set dry but thats just me. smile

The other half has been a camper all his life and his motto is try to take things that you can have double in usage. FOr example, we take a whistling kettle we can use on a 240, gas or campfire instead of an electric one.

wendyv · Guru

We travel with 2 sets of sheets/pillowcases: one lot on and one lot spare if the washing doesn't dry, or we are camped in the bush and unable to get to a laundry for a while (I try to avoid hand washing sheets) or we want a change of colour scheme. I carry a spare doona cover too. We have 2 bathtowels each, one beach towel each; 2 facewashers. I take three handtowels for in the van; four teatowels.
Have plates, bowls, mugs, glasses etc - one set each, plus one in case of visitor. I do have an electric jug, for caravan park use, but also carry a whistling kettle for when we are away from power. I have found the electric frypan is invaluable - we have external power points and so it lets me do much cooking outside the van. Apart from frying, and stir frying, it will toast sandwiches, make roast dinners, stews etc.

Happywanderer · The Master

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.

jimricho · Guru

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

Nicholstones · Guru

blaze wrote:
1 spare set of sheets, 2 changes of clothes, do lots of washing. Now only if my wife could understand that, she has 2 cubboards of books alone, buys not one but 2 x 2l bottles of cloth washing liquid , where ideally one 500mm would be enough. She is getting better though
cheers
blaze

So Blaze, is it you doing the 'lots of washing' or are you expecting your wife to do it? I know some people hand wash every day, and that may be fine for short trips, but when you live on the road then not this little black duck!

We wash once a week. We have 2 sets of all linen and enough clothes to last a week plus a few more. More warm weather clothes than cold, if you have a couple of warm layers then you can get away with wearing short sleeve tops underneath, and the top layers can go ages between washes. Of course, it helps if you try and stick with warm weather at all times!

We have 4 books in the van and use caravan park or golf club book swaps to turn them over, having 4 means we have always managed to last between swaps.

We have wonderful pots that have a detachable handle and the lids have a detachable knob, our set of 2 frypans and 3 saucepans, with lids and plastic sealing lids for each saucepan, sit in a single neat stack, with 2 handles and one lid knob beside them.

Esmeralda · Guru

I have a set of 3 Tefal pans (1 frying pan, 1 pan that doubles as a wok and a smallish pan) that has a removable handle and two lids and a removable knob - they sit inside each other and take up about one foot by about 6 or 7 inches high - great with Esmeralda's small cupboards. Re linen I have one spare set of everything, two hand towels and 4 tea towels. I don't have an oven so am tossing up between a Sunbeam Toast&Grill that easily bakes, toasts, grills, reheats and cooks great pizza that I already have or one of those turbo ovens.

Cruising Granny · Guru

I live in the van full time, but I camp when I go on the job. I take what I know I'll need, and if I need anything else I'll buy it on the way, or wait till I get home. I've got it pretty right now. I have "home" stuff and on the road stuff. Mind you, when I'm home I have it all in one place. Storage space is quite squeazy in the back of the car and in the van.
In the van I have 1 set of sheets and 2 towels, a couple of tea towels and hand towels. A set of Corelle dinnerware and a set of saucepans, one of which travels with me on the road.
Unless you're going out on the Canning Stock Route for 3 months, you'll never be far from a shop of one kind or another.
It's surprising what you'll find in the little country general store in the way of camping and cooking gear.

Beth54 · Guru

My space is limited and I'm weight wise...on Lucy that is, not so much on myself unfortunately...so I'm a bit of a minimalist when travelling.

One set of sheets, one doona and cover, one pillow, one throw rug that I can either throw over my shoulders if extra cold or on top of the doona. 5 sets of clothes, and because I'm a cold frog, jumpers and a coat. A warm hat and a shade hat are essential for me.

A few tea towels and hand towels, a bath sheet and a smaller towel. When I set up my shower, I just wrap the bath sheet around me and do a quick dash into the camper to get dressed. Sometimes I can't be bothered setting up the shower tent and just have a 'duck bath' in the camper.

One small saucepan, a frypan, a multi purpose bigger pot, a big boiler for heating water for my shower. A billy with a pouring spout, and the usual assortment of utensils.

I don't carry a lot of food, just the basics, and pick up fresh meat or veg, whatever, along the way.

I mostly free camp, and use laudromats when the clothes are running low and the sheets are getting stale.

I learnt from experience to take a raincoat with the hood attached, and gumboots, after a particularly muddy experience at Jondaryan. It's hard to hold a brolly while doing something out in the rain.

Happywanderer · The Master

How do you people in campervans get on when you have to make the bed up every night. Its too hard to get a bottom sheet on once I have pulled all the pieces in to place, so I have a velvety rug I throw out for under me, then just the doona and extra rugs.
It must be a lot better with the bed at the back as can leave it made up, and proper bedding out all the time.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
How do you people in campervans get on when you have to make the bed up every night. Its too hard to get a bottom sheet on once I have pulled all the pieces in to place, so I have a velvety rug I throw out for under me, then just the doona and extra rugs.
It must be a lot better with the bed at the back as can leave it made up, and proper bedding out all the time.

Yes, that'd give me the pips Marj!

I can just leave mine made up. I haven't actually slept in it since I put in the new mattress, so I hope it's going to be comfy.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We used to take two towels each, plus my hair towel - and two beach towels. Extra set of sheets, tea towels, 4 each pieces of melamine crockery, nice light setof cutlery from Ikea, electric frypan (can do anything with an electric frypan) one saucepan, assorted tongs, plastic egg lifter, spoon etc. Toaster, Kettle, blow heater, travel iron, 12v kettle, glasses and cups. two sets of clothes for each season (hot and cold) minimal shoes (now that was hard!!!!)
Now I am on my own, I can take more stuff for me - but still only took the basic on last trip - amazing what you can get used to doing without.

glassies · Guru

some one told me them 12 volt kettles draw heaps of power is that the case im interested to know ?

Helena · Guru

We found that each trip we made we could leave some of the things at home as we hadn't used them are now down to the bare minimum due to limited space. we only take one set of sheets 4 towels three changes of clothes apart from undies (there is always an op shop around. We use a cobb for cooking and also a gas cooker for outside. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip. Helena.

gubby · Guru

glassies wrote:
some one told me them 12 volt kettles draw heaps of power is that the case im interested to know ?

They draw around 11amps approx 140watts....

goinsoon · Guru

12v kettle average 200w require at least 20amp socket

gubby · Guru

goinsoon wrote:
12v kettle average 200w require at least 20amp socket

What brand was that unit Goinsoon, the one I seen was the Lion brand:

500ml Car Kettle, 12V, comes with 2 cups and strainer

Holds 500ml (look for our other 1.3 litre model on this page if a larger volume is required). Comes with 2 cups, strainer and holder. Perfect for boiling water, making coffee or soup, warming babies bottles etc. Simply plug into cigarette socket or 12V power source. Great when camping four wheel driving, boating, fishing or going to the football. Also great for truck drivers and tradesmen. Draws 11 Amps.

goinsoon · Guru

gubby wrote:
goinsoon wrote:
12v kettle average 200w require at least 20amp socket
What brand was that unit Goinsoon, the one I seen was the Lion brand:
500ml Car Kettle, 12V, comes with 2 cups and strainer
Holds 500ml (look for our other 1.3 litre model on this page if a larger volume is required). Comes with 2 cups, strainer and holder. Perfect for boiling water, making coffee or soup, warming babies bottles etc. Simply plug into cigarette socket or 12V power source. Great when camping four wheel driving, boating, fishing or going to the football. Also great for truck drivers and tradesmen. Draws 11 Amps.

Waeco MCK 750 perfectkitchen kettle

Happywanderer · The Master

I've got one of those gubby, comes with cups etc. haven't used it yet, got it from Mitre 10. Plugs into Cig socket. Its packed in the van just in case.

gubby · Guru

Any of them I wouldn't be using to much without the engine running...

Firefly · Guru

Someone suggested putting little stick on price type of dots on everything in the van. If when you unpack at home, something still has the sticker on it, this means you didn't use it so don't take it next time. I am trying that this time. smile

I should just leave the iron at home regardless, never used it yet but I know I won't.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats what I thought gubby. Use it only when have to and with the engine running.
Bought it thinking what a great idea but found it a bit difficult as would have to carry it full of water and plug it in before stopping to boil the water ready for a cuppa when stopped. Thats why I haven't used it yet. I don't have anywhere in the front level where it wouldn't spill.

gubby · Guru

HW do you have a gas stove set up in Myrtle?

FF when I was a kid and we were travelling around if Mum wanted to iron something she used to heat up water in a saucepan and use that as an iron...

Firefly · Guru

confuse

Do you think my little red negligee will withstand such direct heat Gubby?

Vic · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
How do you people in campervans get on when you have to make the bed up every night. Its too hard to get a bottom sheet on once I have pulled all the pieces in to place, so I have a velvety rug I throw out for under me, then just the doona and extra rugs.
It must be a lot better with the bed at the back as can leave it made up, and proper bedding out all the time.
Any beds with the mattress/cushions hard up against a wall are hard to make Marg, you could make up a foam overlay (buy an egg crate one from Spotlight or similar) and cut it to the size of your made up bed but slightly away from edges etc so you can fold sheets/blanket underneath it. When bed not in use and you want to dismantle the cushions, roll up the foam and put straps around it and stick it longways down the passenger seat and passenger foot well (or somewhere else in the van).

-- Edited by Vic on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:14:08 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes gubby I do, usually boil the water in a saucepan. Wouldn't mind getting a whistling kettle though. Only stove top, no oven.

Why take an iron. I don't use one at home so know I won't use it on the road.