Hi, I am repacking my much overloaded CV. I know there's a way to go into old topics but not sure how to get into the site. Can anyone help me. Im looking for others general ideas of what I may or may not need on my trip. Thanks

Now we packed not much at all and when found the need for it we put it in but don't do the just in case method , if you have to much it a hassle finding things we were lucky we could afford to fit it out the first stop we made was in a town that had a big shopping centre with all the majors and just brought what we needed has we needed it and use it all. Cloths and bedding not hard

Click on the Search button above and type in your topic, Colls. Should be heaps of stuff there. We have been given stuff for the caravan as chrismas presents, most of it unnecessary, and will have to be left behind because weight adds up. Need to find a tactful way of saying "no thank you."

GT dont say no thanks ..flebay it.. Big smile....... We all take too much the first time out.. is there a system who nows, all depends what you do when on the road.. and if you camp out or do the CP thing... Good luck with it...Bob

Hi  ...

You'll find that almost every CVer has a different list of essentials.  That's good because we like different things.  Ain't variety & choice great!


We find that what we take depends on the type of trip we are going on.


eg ..
Touring  ... short or long  .. are the stop overs to be more than 2 days

Holidaying at the beach or in the country side

Bush Camping  always/ sometimes/never (as in our case).

Totally different situation if you are going on the road full time or for one or two years.


Of course there are some basic items - seek out the light weight options.
Like but not only  ..
Corelle ware crockery for 4 (could reduce to two)
Cutlery for 4 (or 2 if you must)
Basic kitchen stuff .. like sharp knife tin opener saucepan fry pan happy hour nibbly plates
Wine glasses good quality essential

How you intend to cook meals will influence the list too

Out door on own stuff (I find the small propane cookers great & light weight (consigned my Companion gas stuff to the shed .. too heavy)

Out door on CP BBQs

Inside the van/M'home



Clothes ..

Take a minimum for the expected weather & activities ... can always pick up more at big W/Kmart of the local equiv if necessary.

1 set of alternate weather Hot/cold/wet.

One set of good clothes .. for eating out?

Food ..  (for general touring or holidaying)

Don't shop for the usual week or so before you start out. 
It's good to buy local as you go. 
Try the local produce & there is always a IGA/W/Coles ... unless you are going bush.  
We keep a supply of the basics like tea, coffee, flour, sugar, pasta & a few tins plus condiments herbs & spices, as well as a few days foodstuffs.  This is supplimedted as we go along.


Tools..
A basic set of tools .. like a good quality multi tool ... vice grip pliers .. adjustable spanner. 
Some selected consumables like glues, gaffa tape, electrical tape & a small plastic box of misc nuts bolts screws etc.  A bit of fencing wire.
I take a small multimeter & a bit of wire.  WD40 & Silicon spray.

If you need anything more there are usually Super cheap or similar shops about.  Or even people to help with physical breakdowns.


Most importantly don't forget the play and after play things like the Bike, Kayak, Engel & booze.



I'll stop there.

ps. I do have extensive check lists that I have developed over time & consult before getting ready for any trip .. from those I select what will actually go.

Thankyou all for your tips and advise. This is my 3rd attempt on the big trip (2 hours from home) Between packing my house after 25yrs and a couple of trips to hospital I think I'm just a little overwhelmed. Anyway, before I write a book...thanks again. 2011 is going to be my year and I hope it is a great one for all. Meet you soon, Colls.

know how you feel Colls, it can be very unnerving making that first trip, taking that first step, hoping you got it all right. Wondering what you forgot. I'm going throgh that now and grateful for any tips I get on here. Thanks Cupie for such an informative post, will make lots of notes.

Hi Colls Cupies post is excellent. If we had our time again, we would start "lean and mean" and purchase anything we needed as we went. Have a shed full of stuff we thought were neccesities, still in their boxes. Johnw

jandas fun wrote:

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Hi Colls

Cupies post is excellent. If we had our time again, we would start "lean and mean" and purchase anything we needed as we went. Have a shed full of stuff we thought were neccesities, still in their boxes.



Johnw

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Guilty as charged Your Honour!

Especially as over the years I've progressed from tent to camper trailer (tent on box trailer) to the Goldstream.

There were times I must have had "Sucker" stamped on my forehead when I went into a camping store!

 

jimricho wrote:

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There were times I must have had "Sucker" stamped on my forehead when I went into a camping store!

 

 

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Geez pal your no orphan there.LOL

 

Interesting posts you guys, so start lean and mean as I don't have a large shed I can store unwanted bits in.

I'm starting to think all those unwanted bits and pieces aught to go via ebay! (Thanks for the idea BobnBev) Mind you a lot of the redundant stuff was useful when we tented, or had the camper-trailer, but not needed/wanted with a caravan.

A couple of thoughts to add to Cupie's excellent post is the advice often given to overseas travellers with a limited baggage allowance.... Dress in "layers", that is, take warm weather clothes and some extra layers that can be put on when the weather turns cool/cold and/or foul. Get out all the clothes you need and lay them out on the bed before packing anything....pack half and put the other half back in the wardrobe. (I've yet to develop the self discipline to do this myself!) You can tell the seasoned travellers from the newbies at the airport baggage check-in by the amount of crap they're checking. Also re pantry items... I decant some items such as soy sauce, vinegar, salt, sugar, etc etc, that I will need only small amounts of, into small containers to take. As for "Wine glasses good quality essential" I assume Cupie is referring to both the glasses and the wine being good quality!