ok we're in van why we clean out house :) but struggling on what to take as we only have a Jaco dove not a lot of room for extras so I am re culling clothes ect so would love some advise from small van owners should I pack eg two sets of sheets or one 4 towels or 6 ,what a newbie never packed van for what we hope to be years and don't want extra stuff that's not needed would love seasoned travellers tips cheers Heather
We had a Dove too and found it was quite easy to exceed the max ball weight so pack lightly. We used fitted sheets on the mattress and then sleeping bags which we zipped out to make a quilt. The hikers sleeping bags are best they are real light. Heavy items like cans of food we carry in the tug on the floor behind the front seats. We ditched the full annex as it was too heavy and took too long to erect which saved weight for 2 outdoor chairs and a table which were aluminium and light as can be although expensive.
We also ditched the portable BBQ so just used the gas cooktop inside with a decent frypan opting for a campfire if possible. We also had the Dove fitted with a gas oven which we made our bread in. If we stayed at a CP we used their camp kitchen but free camping we relied totally on gas as we didn't bother with sola or batteries. So no TV, just a portable AM radio... For a Dunny we just used a portable chemical cassette type but to be fair only used it a couple of times as we always used whatever facilities were available. We also had a spare 9Kg gas bottle. We carried a couple of bottles of disinfectant for hand washing, an old airforce trick...
You'll find towels roll up small and don't weigh much so take plenty of them just don't take too many pots and pans we had a frypan and lid and a large pot with lid and that's all. Crockery and cutlery we used disposable but did have a set of camping melamine plates and bowls.
Cheers and enjoy the Dove we did for many years until we got too old to set it up in less than half a day..... lol
About 25% of of what you first cut back to. One good fry pan with lid and 1 or 2 small saucepans. 2 cups, 2 plates etc. If you have visitors it BYO cups, chairs etc.
It is amazing how little you actually need. We don't have spare sheets, wash and dry in a day.
Our caravan was pretty small. When we were full time travelling, I had 2 sets sheets, 4 ordinary sized bath towels, 2 handtowels that we used as bathmats. One doona and cover. Two pillows. Had melamine type dinner plates (4 as we sometimes had guests), 4 melamine bowls for soup/dessert, 3 drinking mugs (tin/enamel), 2 plastic glasses. Carried cutlery for 4 - cheap set from supermarket with plastic handles; one sharp knife, can opener, tongs, egg slice (Plasticy), potato masher, tablespoon.
Set of 3 saucepans, frying pan. We carried an electric frypan - used instead of oven for roasts etc, as well as cooking outside when on power. Electric cordless jug. Wire toaster that worked on top of gas stove. Carried a camp oven in the 4WD, with a trivet inside, and a loaf baking tin that fitted in it. Had a small kettle that could go on gas stove or campfire.
We travel with a thermos that I fill in the morning, for breaks during travel. The two plastic cups on its top double up as extra drinking mugs/glasses if needed.
We had to carry clothes for all seasons - minimal. When we were in warmer parts, the winter gear lived in a soft bag in the 4WD; when in colder parts, swapped over with the summer gear.
When we were starting out in the van, we were lucky that circumstances forced us to do a 6 week circuit, returning to where our home was for a couple of days - this enabled us to drop off quite a lot of "stuff" that we realized was not worth carrying!
Thank you lovely people I am going To go with set of melamine plates cups I bought two plastic glasses basic utensils I was given a dream pot haven't had a good chance to look at it yet but figure it's going to do every thing I need one cast iron frypan and camp oven .
Our engel fridge freezer will go in back seat of dmax they lift up ,it fit our little piggy we had butchered in perfectly all clothes shoes and nick nacks will be culled to 25% there is a lot to think about when your packing a little van yes it's only the two of us to cater for every one else can byo good thinking Neil. We had new 2.4 m pvc canopies made up that join all way round there heavy alright prob 60kilos but if we set up its going to be for a few weeks ,over nighter will be tent ,weight shore adds up panels batteries etc chairs ,table, fishing gear I will ruthlessly throw out what doesn't service just the two of us and I think I will ditch the portable BBQ if we cant have fire will use gas top thank you all much appreciated cheers Heather
HI Wilburys1234, Welcome to the playground. This is a difficult one. undies I guess are important. 2 set clothes for daywear, 1 set nightware, 1 outfit for going out to dinner etc., 1 outfit winter. We live full time in our van and found that everything in the van must have 2 uses. lightweight towels can be bought from bunnings and are a bit like shammies. cardboard - useful to put on floor when raining and easily thrown away. tissues not hankies. Malomine : 2 plates, 2 bowls, 2 small plates, 2 cups, 2 spoons, 2 forks, 2 knives, 2 glasses and 1 sharp knife. thin flexible cutting board (the cheap shops have them). gaffa tape or grey tape - for leaking emergencies. cheers. rocket n strop
