Date:         Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:16:45 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: Packing a '90 Westy
In-Reply-To:  <D02E0A54ACB6C24498F1589797EE2AAF01804284@msex01>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Here's how we do it:

First, you have to decide what makes sense to keep in the camper and
what to keep boxed up waiting to go in the camper and what you need
from the store/fridge/kitchen before you go.

We learned years ago from backpacking that it's no different from
living in a house, it only works if everyone knows where everything is
and where everything goes.

If it isn't heavy, bulky or perishiable, we keep it on board.

If it is heavy or bulky or needs some kind of maintenance before use
(like a lantern or porta potty) we keep it boxed and ready.

If it's perishable, we buy at the grocery store with an eye for small
containers. We have plastic containers for syrup, olive oil etc. so we
don't have to have big bottles or glass on board.

CL= closet with hangrod
CC= closet cabinet (three compartments near the back hatch)
RC= rear cabinet (shallow, right in front of closet)
FC= forward cabinet (shallow, right in front of rear cabinet and rear
of stove)
LC= lower cabinet, at floor level and below FC
P= pantry, below sink
ORG= organizer behind passenger seat
OHF= overhead cabinet opening to front
OHR= overhead cabinet opening to rear
PS = what VW calls the "parcel shelf" over the kitchen
US= under front seat storage
SD= sink drawer




Permanently on board:

2 sets bed linens OHF
coffee pot P
cookware FC
tableware FC
corkscrew SD
openers, etc. SD
Piezo lighter SD
Salt, pepper, spices PS
Flashlights (about 6) ORG and PS
Batteries Glove box
Weather radio RC
citronella candles RC
Towels RC
Toiletry kits RC
Toilet paper RC
plastic bags, from baggies to trash bags P
plastic picnic table covers OHF
CB radio US
tool kit CC
Bentley CC
oil US
charcoal US
hoses, electrical adapters and cords for camping US
power strip and inverter LC
110v fan LC
Keys for water inlet and gas cap ORG
Mosquito netting, jack, bungees OHR
Broom CL
Spare belts CC
Spare exhaust gasket CC
Tarp US


Boxed and ready to load:

Pillows US
blankets US/OHF
Small charcoal grille Rear luggage area
Porta potty floor
Big oil lantern CL
Spare gallon diesel fuel US or luggage rack
Grey water tank rear luggage compartment or luggage rack
Foot-wiping mat floor or luggage rack.

Other

Food of course goes in the pantry under the sink

Maps slip in behind the organizer

Water goes in the panty and under the sink

We normally wait till we're near the destination to fill the water tank
if we need to do that

Clothes and shoes in the closet

Newspapers on closet floor for muddy hiking boots

Spare parts not mentioned: none. I keep stuff at home boxed and labeled
so that a neighbor or family member could fedex them if I needed them,
likewise my local shop would send me anything I needed overnight.


Happy camping,

Jim



On Jul 15, 2005, at 11:23 AM, Trenholme, Phil wrote:

> Hello,
>
>
>
> I have only owned my Burgundy '90 Westy for a couple of months and so
> far have only had a chance to do one short camping trip with my wife
> and
> 2 young children. I love the vehicle and am anxiously looking forward
> to
> my next adventure. My vehicle is going to be used mainly for camping
> trips and I want to keep my camping equipment in the vehicle so it is
> ready to go. I have seen some excellent lists of items that I should
> take with me but I was hoping some people could provide some input on
> where they put various items inside the bus. I was actually a little
> overwhelmed by how many choices they are as to where stuff can be
> placed. I am sure some of the more experienced campers have worked out
> very logical locations for all their camping accessories. My wife and I
> were also wondering the best way to take advantage of the fairly large
> space within the closet. On our first trip we were losing stuff in
> there
> as things got a bit buried as a result of us throwing a lot of stuff in
> there just to get it out of the way. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
>
>
>
> Phil Trenholme
>
> 1990 Burgundy West
>
> Santa Cruz, CA
>