unneccessary items

dawa · Guru

unneccessary items

Lynnie · Senior Member

I have not been on the road yet, but I will be watching this thread.

I have commenced my planning and to that end have been preparing various lists, including one dealing with items that I felt I should take.

It has been a very helpful and interesting exercise to read the comments/input from various seasoned travellers regarding unnecessary iitems and I will certainly be reviewing my list. Having taken a look last night at a similar slide-on camper to what I will probably buy, I am even more aware of the need to be able to store minimal extra items efficiently and keep the weight of those additional items down.

Like you, I imagine that I will be keeping cooking items to a minimum.

I imagine that you will receive several very helpful responses.

Best wishes,

Lyn

-- Edited by Lynnie on Friday 30th of December 2011 01:40:21 PM

Elle on Wheels · Guru

I am still in the frenetic accumulation stage so it will be interesting to see what I toss out when I finally take off. Definitely the microwave and electric slow cooker which came with the van will go for a start.

I have bought a 40l solar shower, a 12v shower pump and a garden pressure sprayer so must have an obsession with cleanliness. They were all extremely cheap so it doesn't matter if they get turfed out.

I've tried to be very disciplined with buying stuff but there is always something that crops up. There was a thread a while back on tablecloths which almost had me rushing to the shops but resisted that one. And there was another thread about irons.

I did buy a fold up massage chair off ebay thinking it might be useful in earning a few $$ on the road and will see if that comes to anything. It only weighs 10kg.

Almurta · Veteran Member

Like you all I'm in the getting ready to go stage. I will pick up a vehicle in Victoria late January but before that have to clear out this rental property and whittle everything down to essentials. Yep - all those pots and pans are definitely going to get culled to basics - same with the crockery and cuttlery. Can't figure out about the iron - I'll take it and turf it out later if I never use it.
One thing I'm going to get is an aluminium water bottle and a carry bag for it that hangs from my shoulder. I'm looking forward to lots of beach and bush walking and carrying a water bottle gets annoying. Oh another thing I must get is a couple of small plastic tarps and nylon rope - I find them brilliant when I'm on the road. They have so many uses and are easy to store.

My wind up solar powered torch is an essential item. I have one folding chair and a small folding table - that'll be enough I think. Those folding chairs that collapse down into a shape that fits in a carry bag are really cheap in discount stores if I decide I absolutely must have an extra chair.

I bought a canvas tent a year ago with the idea of camping out a lot to get used to the outdoor life. It turned out to be really hard to put alone and to manipulate in and out of the vehicle. Now I wish I'd never bought it and am I'm trying to sell it...

Thanks for starting this thread dawa. It's really making me think and begin the list making process - it's also helping me figure out just what I can let go of before I set out. Also thinking about things I really need to get - like some decent waterproof walking shoes. Hmmm - think I'll go and clear out a cupboard right now.

Rip and Rosie · Guru

We went through chairs and folding tables, kept throwing them away until got it right.

We carry 2 sets of towels and sheets only,+ a beach towel and 2 dog towels.

We had a small heater (240 volt) and threw it away when we found a smaller lighter one, same with the little fan.

Initially we carried a small BBQ, but hardly ever used it, as there was usually one wherever we stayed...... so that went out of the van as well.

I used to have plastic glasses and coffee cups, but hated drinking coffee and wine out of plastic. Got decent ones now, pleasure to use, and if they chip, get new ones. It's an extension of "Life's too short to drink bad wine."

Our biggest throw away was the annex, followed by the van itself. The annex was a dog to put up, and then we decided the van was the wrong one for us. Poor choice in the beginning.

Got what we want now, and every now and then we get tempted to upgrade, but we would want the same van, just newer, which is silly really.

dawa · Guru

i think in time i will upgrade to a slideon or small motor home
dawa

Firefly · Guru

Clothes are the biggest problem for me. I seem to take sooo many just in case.

Each time I whittle away more and more and I still take the iron, even though I don't use it.

I took both and electric jug and a whistling kettle, the jug won't go again.

Next trip, there will be no plastic wine glasses in case of visitors, they have to bring their own. I don't like to drink my wine from plastic so I babied two glasses all over the place. One of my daughters bought me a lovely pewter wine goblet for Xmas, that will now reside in the van, the glass stays home. wink

We take a soft broom and a straw broom but the mop stays home this time. I use floor wipes to do that job, take up no room.

Funny how we just keep on learning and the ideas you get from here help heaps. smile

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Me too Firefly.

I try to remember that I can wash things, and so 1 weeks worth should be enough. I try to take "all round"clothes and tops, and add 2 pair of shorts, and 2 trackie dacks, plus 2 singlet tops and 2 warm tops and a jacket. That's it.

I take sandals, joggers and my slippers.............that's all

As we don't usually eat out when on the road, don't need to take better stuff. I got caught twice though, was away when a friend and then a relative died. Couldnt get home for decent clothes, so went to the shops.

I only take soft broom, no mop, no straw broom, but I take 2 buckets.

I do take too many pillows though. Love to sit up in bed reading, and also like the look of the lounge with cushions on it.... bit silly but I do.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

The latest thing I'm considering is flooring for the awning area so I don't track stuff into the van. I picked up a few of those interlocking plastic mats but someone suggested I get a bit of artifical turf as it would be good for the dogs and very effective in trapping dirt etc. So am currently researching whether to get a 2m x 3m roll or the 1m squares. I will post this question on the pets sub forum but am just using it here as an example. Probably the shadecloth stuff is the most practical and cheapest....... but people are always coming up with great ideas and options.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Clothes - always a problem - do you or do you not take "good" clothes. I have found the op shops a good place to look for stuff that can be worn if caught "on the hop" - i.e. funeral etc. Even just black pants and a shirt will suffice mostly - same for guys - dress pants and a shirt from the oppy - cheap - and give them back afterwards.

jonathan · Guru

.. after a few years now, I still haven't learned my lesson about unnecessary items. I think I might have increased my holdings actually .. Just bought (4) new collared T shirts for $24.00 .. 'cause some of my shirts will soon become rags .. so just getting ready for that big day !

My biggest thing is putting something away for safe-keeping .. but can't seem to remember where I put it .. so I end up getting another anyway.

One day after food shopping, I put everything away nicely before it would spoil .. after about a week, I got to thinking that I didn't recall eating any of that freshly cooked chicken that I'd brought home to store as cold meat. Yep .. I did find it .. It had been safely stored in the microwave so that it could cool down before it got put away ..

.. I'm my own worst liability, hehe !!

Jon

Anvid · Veteran Member

Re: Opportunity Shops

Cruising Granny · Guru

RE: unneccessary items

Joe · Senior Member

With the exception of safety gear and vehicle spares I would suggest that anything you think of packing "just in case" should be turfed out and left at home.

Dunco · Senior Member

The wife !!

goinsoon · Guru

MA!!!!!!!!!!!

THE ROCK - THE ROCK bleh

Beth54 · Guru

goinsoon wrote:
MA!!!!!!!!!!!
THE ROCK - THE ROCK

LUUUUCYYYY!!!

After a very muddy few days at Jondaryan Woolshed, b-i-l suggested I get myself some gumboots and a raincoat with a hood. I've used the raincoat a few times since. I don't think I'll be taking the gumboots again though,,,too bulky to find a spot for.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 09:55:08 PM

Shogun · Senior Member

I have only been travelling for a few months and have cut my clothing down by 2/3. When I get back home next week I will be unloading more clothing and a blanket I Wil never use as well as a few other cooking items.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Shogun - aren't you off to Tassie ? Might need the blanket down there, even tho it is summer, can get cool.

Travel Bug · Guru

Shogun....I agree with Jules.....

When you get to Tassie, you'll need that blanket...and possibly more.

Enjoy the trip and travel safely. smile

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi Beth for gumboots oyu can't go past a pair of shin length sloggers they are great.

Shogun make sure you pack your long johns for Tassie.

Shogun · Senior Member

Thanks for the advice ladies, as I don't have anyone to snuggle into, I might just leave it in for Tassie ;)

Beth54 · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
Hi Beth for gumboots oyu can't go past a pair of shin length sloggers they are great.

Shogun make sure you pack your long johns for Tassie.

Sloggers? I'll have to google that one! Never heard of them.

Edited cos I googled! They're very pretty, and I have seen them, but I've only ever seen exxy ones. I don't know that'd be any less bulky than the gumboots though. confuse

-- Edited by Beth54 on Sunday 8th of January 2012 10:00:50 PM

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Beth my sloggers cost $45 and they are very comfy and totally waterproof and maintence free. You can pick them up in any good rural hardware/general store. They are definitely less bulky than gumboots because they are smaller. I think there is a range and there is a knee length gumboot style but I'm talking about the shorter boot, only comes up to the shin.

Beth54 · Guru

My gumboots only cost me $20!

I've seen some slogger type one's at Grab It, but they're still $35 or so. I've been watching to see if they come down in price with the New Year sales, but no. evileye

Elle on Wheels · Guru

The sloggers are worth it the are very comfortable and also safe - you're less likely to slip in them than gumboots

Hylda&Jon · Guru

Elle On Wheels wrote:

--------------------------------------------------------

The latest thing I'm considering is flooring for the awning area so I Don't track stuff into the van. I picked up a few of those interlocking plastic mats but someone suggested I get a bit of artifical turf as it would be good for the dogs and very effective in trapping dirt etc. So am currently researching whether to get a 2m x 3m roll or the 1m squares. I will post this question on the pets sub forum but am just using it here as an example. Probably the shadecloth stuff is the most practical and cheapest....... but people are always coming up with great ideas and options.

--------------------------------------------------------

If you don't mind spending the money, you could invest in some Cgear matting. We bought some before we went away & it works great, sand & dirt falls straight through it and grass doesn't die under it so caravan park owners are very happy that it's used. In fact, I've heard of some parks that won't let you use artificial turf or normal tarps at all.

They're up around the $200 dollar mark which seems expensive but well worth it. After 2 years of constant use ours is in perfect nic...(except for a tiny burn hole from a candle).

Check out the uTube video about them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0lwM5HpqfQ

And this is one of the online sites sites they can be bought from:

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_508_1003

You could also try Ebay, plus, of course, most caravan shops sell them too.

Cheers

Jon

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Thursday 12th of January 2012 08:23:13 AM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I will not go away without my solar kettle

Esmeralda · Guru

I have been in parks where they don't want you to use the squares either. However I have one of the mats that Jon was talking about - bought it at a caravan/camping show - it is brilliant.

dawa · Guru

solar kettle ?????