In the last few days I have done a 'stocktake' of what I have in the caravan cupboards. Like most others, I leave the basics in the van from trip to trip but decided it was time to check the labels, the back corners etc.
I renewed the spices, tossed out the old ones, changed some plates, cleaned out the cutlery drawer which always seems to attract the bits and pieces like screws and reorganised a cupboard or two. My husband also went through his bits and pieces and took out what was no longer needed - you know, the things you haven't used for ages. Like why did we still have a set of camp bunks under the bed? It got rid of some unneeded weight, cleaned out any cobwebs and we feel better for it.
My golden rule is if u aint gonna use something in 3 months chuck it, I have applied to the moun tiasn of junk of broken stuff inthe shed, I have so much space now lol
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Why travel overseas when your own country has so much to offer?
I completely cleaned out Myrtle when I arrived up here, still to repack, but that might not happen until just before the Gympie meet. I wish I had as much space as you guys, very small space in hiaces, a lot has to sit in bags in the aisle.
We have just cleared out our van ready to sell it. After 6 years it was amazing what came out. The worst cupboard was the bits and pieces cupboard that took anything that didn't seem to fit anywhere else.
Thought I had cleared it all but was cleaning a spot and thought 'I need a skewer to run along the edge.'
Hopefully I reached back into the dark depths of the back of that cupboard and sure enough came out with not one but 3 skewers. Boy was I glad not to have to make another trip back into the house !!!
Jimricho I'm hoping I've made the right choices for 'throwing'/'keeping' and won't regret it. At least our van will be that much lighter to pull! Or will it? - we're going to need a few items of warmer clothing on our next trip.
Mmmm - last year I went through the "emergency rations" drawer - some packets and tins were 2 yrs passed the use by date. Now, mysteriously, the drawer is full again. I am NOT buying more tinned fish or packet soups till its all gone.
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
Well I'm at the other end of the scale...just starting to fill cupboards. Once I actually get all my stuff all together, my sister is going to help me figure out where everything should go. She's been doing it for years. I'm a bit of a novice with caravans.
But I'll have to keep the weight down too...probably moreso than most as I'm towing with the i30.
Beth, no matter where you first store things in your cupboard you will find yourself changing your mind out on the road when you find something is not that easy to get to or something you won't use sin the way. Its a matter of trial and error till you get it right.
Beth, no matter where you first store things in your cupboard you will find yourself changing your mind out on the road when you find something is not that easy to get to or something you won't use sin the way. Its a matter of trial and error till you get it right.
That's what I'm hoping my sister is going to prevent. But I'm sure you're right Marj!
Beth I've found a really good use for peanut butter jars. If you buy the plastic ones that is. They are small, squat (so stable) and have a screw on lid (no ants) and I use them (after I take the label off) to put my teabags, coffee, sugar etc etc in. Because they are clear, you can see the contents. Because they are plastic they are light and because they are a good size they fit enough in them to last a month at least. They'd also be good in the fridge for leftovers etc as they wouldn't spill. Now all you have to do is eat a lot of peanut butter or find someone who does! haha.
HW I used to use the containers fish oil capsules come in (I still do use some but have to write 'rice' or 'pasta' on then). It took me a little while to stock up on them - I do like peanut butter but not quite that much in a hurry!
Good idea Ruth. I wonder how many fish oil or glucosamine jars I have thrown out. Will keep them in future, easy enough to write on them. Pays to look at everything before throwing it out as it may have a use in the van.
I guess Im lucky I have plenty of space but no doubt we will fill it , I have over head bulkhead cupboards I built in, the double bed at the rear is on a raised floor so I have all this space under it to fill, the lounge is built on a large 6 foot long box too, add the kitchen cupboards and pantry and the two boxes i built over the rear wheel arches, we should be right, theres only me and the missus so we should have enough room, I was under the bus today and decided that the cavitys from the rear wheels back to the rear end will make excellent storage boxes so Ill make some frames up and sheet them and fit lift up doors,
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Why travel overseas when your own country has so much to offer?
Beware those peanut butter jars... ants can get into them!!!! Dont put dried dates in them as I did! I have a few screw-top ones from one of those cheap shops, that stack nicely, also quite a few plastic square fruit jars that fit neatly into the "pantry" in this van.
We cleaned out the front boot last week and it was quite a surprise to find all that junk in there.... really didnt think we had that much!
I have also used some of the plastic drink bottles which build up in your cupboard. They are good because they are not too fat but have enough height to take a reasonable amount.
I also use them for veg. oil and olive oil rather than the glass bottles. Easy to dispense out of the pull up lid.
Have also found rectangular containers that fit nicely in the little fridge. A lot easier than trying to find something in the back. No need to get down on the floor to find things and keeps like products together. Have been really happy with this adaption.
-- Edited by pricey43 on Thursday 26th of April 2012 12:22:12 PM
I prefer to buy the cheap square containers for Coles etc.
I got some on sale where there was six or severn for $10. All fitting together smalls were half size of bigger etc so stacked nice plus no wasted space as they are square. All had air tight lids so no ants etc and also keeps the mice out as well as they are harder for them to chew than the cheap lids on your chuck away types.
Just me but I have been through the jar episode and find that there is a lot of wasted space, they roll around if left out by mistake plus very frustrating.
I am a male so you girls could be different and be able to pack better.
Anything that suits you is what is best.
Regards Brian
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11 Mtr house Boat based at Mannum hoping to travel up the Murray as far as I can get then drift back again
I have also used some of the plastic drink bottles which build up in your cupboard. They are good because they are not too fat but have enough height to take a reasonable amount.
I also use them for veg. oil and olive oil rather than the glass bottles. Easy to dispense out of the pull up lid.
You can also recycle those twist top sauce bottles for oil.
I have also used some of the plastic drink bottles which build up in your cupboard. They are good because they are not too fat but have enough height to take a reasonable amount.
I also use them for veg. oil and olive oil rather than the glass bottles. Easy to dispense out of the pull up lid.
You can also recycle those twist top sauce bottles for oil.
Very good, but then I would have to have big labels so that I didn't cofuse them with the current sauce bottles.
I have also used some of the plastic drink bottles which build up in your cupboard. They are good because they are not too fat but have enough height to take a reasonable amount.
I also use them for veg. oil and olive oil rather than the glass bottles. Easy to dispense out of the pull up lid.
You can also recycle those twist top sauce bottles for oil.
Very good, but then I would have to have big labels so that I didn't cofuse them with the current sauce bottles.
Take the old label off with Eucalyptus oil. The non labelled one is oil. Simple!