Making a quick getaway! (1 Viewer)

[rosemaryd]

Hi everyone. We've had our first motorhome now for a few months and although we've got a bit quicker at getting packed/unpacked, it still takes quite a while. I've read various threads on here where people say they can be off in 20 minutes and we're nowhere near that! So any tips on getting packed, what you leave on your MH, and then what you do in reverse when you get back would be appreciated. Any advice from those that travel with kids in particular would be great as we have two kids, aged 8 and 12.

We have duplicates of most things like toiletries on board, some foodstuffs, small amount of toys but it still seems to take a long time to get packed. I've taken the bedding out at the moment as it was so cold so that's obviously an extra thing to put on but in the milder months, what do you all do to make going away as easy as possible.

Looking forward to lots of tips! Thanks

Rosemaryd

 

[mjltigger]

Practice practice practice

if the van is ready and you just need clothes and food then all that can delay you is how long you take to pack up.

We use bags for life to ferry the food to the fridge which then stay in the van for dirty laundry. Our suitcases stay packed in the overcab locker so we can easily be away in 20 minutes unless we are taking the dog which adds maybe 10 minutes to ferry him and his bed etc to the van.

 

[The Dudess]

Hi everyone. We've had our first motorhome now for a few months and although we've got a bit quicker at getting packed/unpacked, it still takes quite a while. I've read various threads on here where people say they can be off in 20 minutes and we're nowhere near that! So any tips on getting packed, what you leave on your MH, and then what you do in reverse when you get back would be appreciated. Any advice from those that travel with kids in particular would be great as we have two kids, aged 8 and 12.

We have duplicates of most things like toiletries on board, some foodstuffs, small amount of toys but it still seems to take a long time to get packed. I've taken the bedding out at the moment as it was so cold so that's obviously an extra thing to put on but in the milder months, what do you all do to make going away as easy as possible.

Looking forward to lots of tips! Thanks

Rosemaryd

Don't worry - it usually takes us 2 days!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ianthebuilder]

Don't worry mj I buy everything I need including food in plastic bottles or containers,I never bother to pack I just start her up and drive off! When I arrive at destination I get the shovel out the locker and then scoop it all up off the floor onto the sofa and worktop and start again! I can't seem to get the eggs or milk to stay on the shovel though,,still the smell soon goes!, enjoy!

 

[sdc77]

Most clothes are already in the van. On the day of leaving xfer house fridge to van. Add a few clothes and dog food. .. that's it. (Beds always made up and during winter heater on low)

 

[Wicketter]

You'll soon get your own routine going. Takes longer with kids! We used to give ours a bag each which they had to pack the night before. Electric hookup plugged in and fridge filled night before or stop enroute and stock up only what you need. All basics left in van so you don't forget anything and a set of emergency clothes. Bedding stays in in the warmer weather. All you have to add are your clothes and your off. Enjoy! The more you do it the quicker you get.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Shrimp]

Through the the better months of the year I left the bed made, dried/tinned foods on board, TV, and quite a lot of other stuff, but we used it at least once a month!
Now we use it all the time!

 

[Just smiffy]

If you don't use the van regularly then you have to pack and unpack... When you know your going away then planning is key, just go with the flow.... Packing is all part of the trip, so enjoy, do what's right and comfortable for your family and when your off on your travels it won't be so stressful...... That's what a motorhome is about. Chill......

 

[Southdowners]

We leave the following in the vehicle:
- food items such as tins, jars, pasta, herbs/spices, oil, etc, etc - anything that won't go off
- items for cooking, cleaning, washing, electrical connectors, wifi,
- bedding, towels
- toiletries
- coats and boots, etc

For clothing and items used both at home and travelling I bought canvas square bag/holdalls. We have one each for clothing and a couple for bits and pieces. When we decide to travel I pack each container then on return do the same in reverse when we come back- taking out the same items. You soon get used to what you need.

Perhaps make a checklist for the first few times?

Have fun!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[awg]

Our Motorhome is kept in storage but we leave everything aboard apart from perishable food and clothes. We also use cheap collapsible bags from the Factory Shop to get things loaded and the bags live folded up in the garage during a trip.

I park in the drive to fill the water tank and while that is filling we load the bags and go. Sometimes we unpack the bags before leaving and sometime we wait until we arrive. Depends just how quickly we need to leave. Usually somewhere between 15 and 30mins. I can add another 10/15mins if I've not left the scooter in the garage from the last trip.

 

[HymerB544]

You will get your own routine and ours is very similar to many here. Non perishable food stays in the van, along with the bedding (which stays on the bed, with the drop down bed part- lowered to give it some air and prevent it picking up damp). We do leave some clothing in the wardrobe and cupboards but have a list so we know what to add, depending upon the trip and the weather. The van is usually in storage but I always bring it home the night before a trip to load up. We don't travel with much water in the tank, just fill up on site.

We don't take dog food though; Sue has got us on a diet, but for me that is One Step Beyond

 

[tonka]

Dont worry.. always takes longer with the kids..
Take our grandkids often and every trip we have to pack different clothes, shoes and toys depending on the weather and the venue..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Treeeev]

Ours is similar to others i.e. Non perishables etc left in the van. When our children were younger, we restricted them to one hold all each which had their clothes, toys etc. We (the wife and myself) still only pack one hold all each. We then load coats, footwear (except boots which remain in the van), pillows & quilt off our bed, sheets, food and a little water into the tank. Doesn't take long as we have been doing it for a good few years now and don't really think about it any more.

You'll soon find what works for you and your family. Have fun and enjoy

Cheers

Trevor

 

[Badknee]

Make a game out of it for the kids, ours used to know what went where as well as we did, everyone had a job to do and loved it, all part of the holiday.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Everything apart from food and clothes stays in it including duplicate dog beds and toys.

We don't pack clothes into bags or anything, just carry them straight out and put them in the wardrobes and lockers. Then it's minimal food depending on how long we're going for and where we're going, usually just milk, crisps and breakfast bits. Some beer and a couple of bottles of wine and we're ready.

20 - 30 minutes, easy.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mitzimad]

we use the laundry basket to carry anything out esentials stay in the van

 

[Anthea M]

We keep everything in ready to go but I use a large blue ikea bag to put in last minute items such as clothes food books and computer tv phones etc then off we go . As we like to use it all through winter it means we can have a quick getaway.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

We keep everything in ready to go but I use a large blue ikea bag to put in last minute items such as clothes food books and computer tv phones etc then off we go . As we like to use it all through winter it means we can have a quick getaway.

Snap..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[rosemaryd]

Thanks everyone, some great ideas. And I'm glad we're not the only ones taking ages! And you're right, I do seem to be getting a bit quicker each time!

 

[sedge]

We have duplicates of certain things - toiletries and washing/washing up stuff. Half the tea towels we own, a few towels are van ones specifically, dressing gowns, slippers, both pairs of walking boots, ditto crocs (don't wear em at home - if we need em then van's on the drive so NP) Pack of playing cards, solitaire etc, crumb sweeper came out of the caravan straight into the van as did the crockery cutlery utensils and 2 of the cushions. Pens pencils sharpener stapler erasers a few paperclips and scrap paper all in there permanently also a sewing kit. Big Rd maps, one France and smaller scale one of 'Europe', All the Aires - all in 'my' door pockets.

It's clothes, toiletries and medical stuff. The latter two are kept in open plastic baskets at home, so just make sure everything is IN its basket, and move it from house to van and vice versa. Oh - and I have a smaller less powerful hairdryer that stays in there permanently too! Also a spare phone charger and 12v adapter/plug. Oh - and the Kindles and new Xword books and the manicure set all have to be transferred. Perishable, cold and frozen food. Not forgetting Tom, and both of us.

We discussed it long and hard, but the partridge always stays in his pear tree at home!

 

[rosemaryd]

Thanks everyone, it sounds like we mainly need more practice and to get those kids working!! Great idea!!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Providing I haven't got the van in bits doing some mods (that's most of the time), cycling gear, walking gear, underwear, some shirts & socks live in the van, beds are always made up. Just need to put in additional clothes, tea, coffee & milk & maybe an emergency meal and fill the water tank.

 

[The Old Man]

IKEA blue bags are good and cheap for long term packing/storage.

I've yet to collect my MH and make a trip but with the caravan I had duplicates for everything in the household/sleeping department.

Pots and pans were duplicated and kept in the caravan.

Clothes consist of two pairs of shorts and five t-shirts.

All kept in those Vacuum Storage Bags in the house;

Available from Argos.

I would carry the bags out to the van, stash them and not unpack until the first stopover.

Travel light and top up if required was my method.