How do you pack your campervan? (1 Viewer)

Dec 17, 2019
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St Leonards, Dorset, UK
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Converted caravanner!
As a newbie with a 6m campervan I’m interested to hear of any advice on storage and packing solutions.
Our van has a rear fixed bed and has lots of space underneath. So far just got a load of plastic storage boxes and filled with stuff.
But with a bit of spare time now and having put the Cadac and chairs in, it’s got a bit congested and dare I say going to be a lot of rattles.
 
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Nasher

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I'm a fan of plastic boxes & after a few trips you get used to what needs to go where, bearing in mind frequency of use etc.

As for rattles, some wrap things in bubble wrap, tea towels, etc. But I just turn the radio up?
 
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Sep 26, 2013
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Market Rasen
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As I did my own conversion I was able to create what I call vertical storage by just moving the rear fixed bed down the van by only 4 inches, that does not seem much but invaluable for longer items including such as the Fiamma winding pole.
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sedge

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As for rattles, some wrap things in bubble wrap, tea towels, etc. But I just turn the radio up?

When I started to drive, that was always the essential accessory in all vehicles we owned and ran - the Anti Rattle Device. Motorola ones were very popular.

It was - and still is - so successful motor manufacturers started fitting them to all new vehicles, worldwide.
 

mike mcglynn

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Jan 6, 2008
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We found that after changing from a large a class to a pvc 6.4 metre we had to Change the way we packed as their simply isn’t the room to take loads of stuff that we were used to having to hand.this means a lot of trial and error and a large reduction in almost all but essentials and after a few trips things are now at a happy medium .We bought three large plastic boxes with lids and stack them in the shower these contain the all the kit and caboodle and when we get to the site they go in the awning.

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ctc

Oct 12, 2015
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Depends on the direction of travel, going every thing in the garage packed and strapped, returning thrown in to be sorted just before the next trip.
 
Jan 27, 2018
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I'm a fan of "a place for everything, and everthing in its place".
Store it where it will travel. Things that are needed often should be easy to get to. Dont take more than you need. Size equipment in realtion to storage space, eg dont buy big expensive chairs when you cant store them. A 6m van is huge when you move from a bongo. In the bongo we had different strategies for different periods an different equipment not required with such a huge van. Create storage shelving sized to fit your needs (obviously this will change)
 

68c

Oct 22, 2019
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Been motorhoming for fifteen years, still never seem to pack the same from one trip to the next. Still keep forgetting things and then realise when unpacking we took stuff we didn't need. Wife has check lists but does not make much difference. Trouble is all those 'just in case' things and then borrowing things from the van and not putting them back. We are thinking of buying a second set of things to keep in the van, like tooth brushes, but do not want to stretch the budget that far.

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Nasher

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As I did my own conversion I was able to create what I call vertical storage by just moving the rear fixed bed down the van by only 4 inches, that does not seem much but invaluable for longer items including such as the Fiamma winding pole.

I hope you told your good lady that it was 7 inches?

I agree with you, I designed my van (but got someone else to do the conversion) I found that my 5.5m van works great, for me, because of the little touches that make it perfect. In my case it's the crash helmet holder & the top to bottom solid wood down one side, so with hooks, etc, I can hang motorcycle leathers, unicycle & anything else on it
 

Nasher

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Been motorhoming for fifteen years, still never seem to pack the same from one trip to the next. Still keep forgetting things and then realise when unpacking we took stuff we didn't need. Wife has check lists but does not make much difference. Trouble is all those 'just in case' things and then borrowing things from the van and not putting them back. We are thinking of buying a second set of things to keep in the van, like tooth brushes, but do not want to stretch the budget that far.

I have a spreadsheet with different tabs, for each type of trip (motorcycling/paragliding/wintersports/shows/race meetings/normal weekend away, etc.)

As a permanent work-in-progress, it even details what tools to take dependent on what motorbike I am taking (massive tool kit for classic race bikes, enough to adjust the chain & check/inflate the tyres for modern road bike)

So far, touch wood, using this method I've never forgotten anything important
 

Hils and Glenns

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Aug 13, 2015
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Buy some packing cubes they will revolutionise your packing experience.
Use for clothes. I'm a big fan of packing cubes too. Working out the sizes you need is another matter. I find the smaller ones the best ie one for knickers one for bras/socks one for tops one for shorts trousers etc. Helps if they fit in lockers.
Amazon product ASIN B014VBHUJ2
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Been motorhoming for fifteen years, still never seem to pack the same from one trip to the next. Still keep forgetting things and then realise when unpacking we took stuff we didn't need. Wife has check lists but does not make much difference. Trouble is all those 'just in case' things and then borrowing things from the van and not putting them back. We are thinking of buying a second set of things to keep in the van, like tooth brushes, but do not want to stretch the budget that far.
We don't use anything from the house in the van. Specific set of everything which lives in it permanently including hairdryer, electric toothbrushes, shaver, beard trimmer (inverter charged, make sure its PSW or poof!) Only things that come in or out are clothes, bedding, towels and perishables. Theres even a few meals in there (tins etc)
 
Dec 24, 2014
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Ever since lighting was by Calor gas.
We are thinking of buying a second set of things to keep in the van, like tooth brushes, but do not want to stretch the budget that far.
Go on, spoil yourself. You know you're worth it.

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Jan 27, 2018
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2nd set of everything and leave it in place, have separate invantories for different uses.
Our 6m van doesn't have a garage but a ski locker accessable inside and out. The area on left is tall and not particularly deep. On the inside the top half is the wardrobe cupboard area. The rack is designed to pack the milenco ramps and door step last as the pair that are first and last. White Water pipe box then easy to get at. This storage alows use of one pair of seats but not the preffered pair we used with the folding camper.
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The Coops

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Sep 8, 2019
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Vacuum bags and bubble wrap works every time, have a look on line or on certain Quite Valuable Crap (QVC) websites , worth a visit to the Warrington outlet if passing, the best jumble sale you have ever been to. But the storage bags every time and get a cheap vacuum to suck the air out!

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AXO66

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We pack ours carefully, Flattening it out on the floor and then align all the creases , ease it into it’s bag and lift into the boot of the Car:LOL::LOL:
 

Nasher

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Buy wine in box’s no rattling and perfect packing
thank you Dazzlin “professional drinkers”

Whilst I accept that we all have different tastes in wine, as well as many other things - but I don't think that stuff in boxes should be allowed to be classified as wine!!! ?

I'm happy to find space for the bottled stuff & put up with the rattling
 

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