We are packing to head off somewhere around Australia and having never done this before, what are the most important things to take with you besides the car and caravan, dog and cat.
Welcome from me Soalls, enjoy here and out in the playground.
As to what to take, I have a small Avan so space is limited but between that and the back of my Prado I manage fine. I am still adding
things and taking things out. Every now and then I change things around a bit to see if it works better. Some say put a red sticker on everything and if is it still there in 6 months chuck the item. Most say everything should have more than one use. One thing I love to have is my Baby Q and will never get chucked.
Some things I have on board I hope never to use but spare radiater hoses and fuses etc are a must. I also have spare anderson plugs a cable for the 12v system in case as well, again I hope they are never needed.
Whatever you decide on just enjoy but make sure you,
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
A first-aid kit that actually contains useful stuff, including itch relief and sunburn preventer.
Our medications and spare prescription repeats,
Copies of relevant insurance documents..
Just a few that have heard others saying they wished they hadn't forgotten.
There are previous Posts on this Subject. Suggest you click on "Search" in the blue line across the top of the page. Type in Sommat like "What to Take" or similar, you should get a few old posts re this.
I would always suggest. Take far fewer clothes than you think you need.
If its To hot "wear Less" if your cold and your wardrobe is lacking " Go and buy clothing from the Op Shops or Gucci whichever suits your budget. That way you will get only what you need. You wont need evening dress or black tie attire for Happy Hours.
We keep a set of camping clothing in the van all ready to go. Oh and yes we still carry stuff we never wear.
Don't take masses of food. Frozen, tinned, or bottled. You will be passing IGA's or country stores almost every day unless you are going "Way Off Road" Give them country folk your support. Country stores and Hotels are part of the fun of being on the road in Australia.
Keep the Weight in your van down.
Spare Wheel Bearings set and Seal Kit for one Van Wheel.
Certain there are lots of other suggestions going to be posted to you.
I used to keep my rego and insurance papers in the glove box of vehicle,but after attending a seminar re work I soon took them out ,was horrified to find out how so many vehicles that get nicked are sold on due to this very fact..So now they are in my small safe locked under the bed, I have transferred the details also into my I phn under a locked code in case I loose the phn
Also if taking away wheel bearings don't forget the Axel grease .
If I am going overseas .. Or just traveling in Aus, I always email to myself copies of important documents and leave them on the server, That way if the worst thing happens and I loose important docs and I am away, I can always access copies of my passport, Licence, travel plans, and tickets. I also do the same with insurance and registration docs. Apart from that, always take my iPad and laptop and the driver!
Libby
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
hi Soalls, welcome, I am going through this as we type. I have started to put stuff into the motorhome and believe me I have already dismissed stuff. Put it in the cupboard looked at it and thought what are you thinking Sharon. Have taken said stuff out of the MH and put back into boxes for storage.
So the answer to your question from me, I have not flipping idea. I guess as one travels, there will be things given away and other things bought. Until out there doing it, just not sure at all.
Have fun doing it though.
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I am fun and adventure. So much to see, so much to do, so many people to meet. Will see, do, and meet all that I can.
hi Soalls, welcome, I am going through this as we type. I have started to put stuff into the motorhome and believe me I have already dismissed stuff. Put it in the cupboard looked at it and thought what are you thinking Sharon. Have taken said stuff out of the MH and put back into boxes for storage. So the answer to your question from me, I have not flipping idea. I guess as one travels, there will be things given away and other things bought. Until out there doing it, just not sure at all.
Have fun doing it though.
After our first trip which was only 2 months through the cold of winter, we would next time, at the same time of year, only take 2/3 of what we took this trip ... We travel in a camper van (the type with push out beds and push up roof) so space is more limited than in a motor home or caravan. We generally used the same few items of clothing and washed when we needed to ... We used only thongs and sneakers so the extra shoes were just overkill. We never used the brand new portapot as we usually were near amenities ... We never used the brand new water heater except once and relied on boiling water if needed or the good old standby .. Baby wipes! The cp** we chucked in for the "just in case" gathered dust and space in the back of the car And never got an airing! And the gas heater that we thought we would need also never saw a flame! Of course a lot depends on the type of camping you do and what is and is not available where you go!
I guess everyone learns what they need to take after their first trip and everyone needs to go through that process ... Experience is the best teacher.
You will work it all out but do take advice about the more technical bits and pieces and spares you need to consider for the van and car As all the rest rely on the car and van exiting your postcode!
cheers
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
Thank you for your suggestions everyone. They have been most helpful. I should say that we have been caravaning for about 10 years and have now decided to pack house and head off into the wide blue yonder (as they say). I just wondered if there was anything that we should take. I have been packing house for the last month and one tube for the caravan and one tub (or two, three or more) for the garage sale and boxes for the things that we are putting into storage in our big shed. It has certainly been an experience to go through the stuff that you collect (I will use it one day, stuff) and decided what you want to do with it. We are hoping to pick up a bit of work along the way to help fund our wide blue yonder trip. Hope to be on the road at the end of November or before if work happens. Will keep in touch. Once again, thanks everyone.
Welcome to the forum from us as well.Soalls. As you can see there are only to many people willing to help with your questions and I am sure you will find their suggestions more than helpful.Alan..
We always take a dozen or so home cooked frozen meals (the fridge is running anyway) no great effort to prepare, simply cook a few larger meals starting a few weeks prior to leaving and freeze the excess.
We find them invaluable after having had or are anticipating a long day of travel, remove one from the fridge in the AM and it's set to go by evening, easy.
We do cook on the road most evening, however like others we only carry limited supplies of fresh food, we top up wherever we can, never seems to present a problem.
Hi and welcome, instructions, receipt and warranties for tv, satellite dish, dvd player and computer. we just needed ours and were glad we had put them all together in a zip lock bag. you can be sure one of them will play up. enjoy.
If you have a vacuum cleaner take space bags for the 'Other' seasons clothes. Amazing how much less space the clothes take up. Also good for the Doonah when you pack it away for the summer.
Lorraine and I came over from NZ Feb last yr. and have been travelling ever since. When we were packing initially only summer cloths, at the last moment threw in warm thermals. Boy are we glad we did. Even then had to go out and buy winter pyjamas. Even bought two pairs of UGG boots!!!!! If you are going to be on the road for a full yr I would advise summer and winter clothes. But as some have already said you can allways go to opp shops and buy if needed.
-- Edited by Kiwi-as on Thursday 26th of September 2013 08:34:40 PM
On the front pages of this web site there is a lot of information on lots of subject and one of them is a list of what your should pack may be helpfull
Oh, we are the worst .... haven't been doing this very long, but land up taking all sorts of things to eat, but land up taking most of it back home again. We always took our baby with (Little Jack Russell called Buddy), but he does not travel very well, so we have been away twice without him and have found out how nice it is to just nip in for a brekky or stop and have lunch somewhere. Of course if we do go for longer than a weekend, then, we would do a lot of our own cooking. But, I'm sure we'll get into the packing side of things as we go. (Must say, we do miss Buddy so much when we do go).
Like you Happy Camper, we used to take heaps of food, but over time we have "refined" it. I like shopping for local produce - fruit, veges, seafood or whatever, and so I now take a basic pantry- herbs, spices, pasta, rice, etc and let the rest be part of the holiday.
We don't have a big fridge and so are limited by that.
It's heaps better being flexible - passing by roadside stalls, we get fruit and veges; on the coast we look for fish markets etc; in towns with free camps we try the local butcher etc. when we can.