Ultimate campervan pack list?

[R56Cooper]

Just interested to hear what others pack as standard.

Last year was our first season with the van and there was definite scope for improvement on the packing front. Main issue was we spent ages searching for things once they had been stowed, plus it was tricky to keep everything tidy. This year we plan to use packing cubes / bags for each family member to have their own parcel of clothes, plus similar bags to keep like items together. I've also since got a roof box to store bulky but relatively light things as by the time we were fully packed the van was fairly snug.

For cooking I take a charcoal Weber Go-Anywhere for doing burgers / steaks / baked potatoes etc plus I like to have a gas powered trangia for quick brews. Cooking on the van stove was a bit of a mission with kids and dog underfoot last time.

I want to keep the van packed with the basic camping load so we can just add clothes and food and then driveaway with the aim of getting more trips done by making it easier to get away.

For context, this list is prepared for a short wheel base Merc Vito with large roofbox. Fitted out with the usual R&R bed, fridge, gas, water etc. Family is 2 adults, 2 kids (8 and 2) and a labradoodle. UK travel only, tending to stay on basic sites.

Comments, ideas and criticisms all welcome! In particular, suggestions for entertainment are very welcome.

THINGS TO KEEP AT HAND WHEN ON THE ROAD

Music
Coins for parking
Sunglasses
Sick bucket
Wipes
Towels
Neck pillow
Sweets

SETTING UP CAMP

Awning (with pegs and poles)
Awning driveaway kit
Foam mat (for wheel placement) and pegs
Windscreen cover
Table
Chairs
Picnic blankets for floor of van and awning
Solar lights for awning
Portable toilet
Toilet chemicals
Toilet paper
Disinfectant wipes

COOKING / EATING

Trangia and gas (plus pans)
Wooden skewers
Barbecue (plus coals x 2)
Barbecue tongs / metal spatula
Coffee / tea/ sugar/ milk
Hot chocolate
Bowls x 4
Insulated cups x 4
Plates x 4
Spray oil
Knife / Fork / Spoon x 4
Serving spoon
Spatula
Frying pan (and lid)
Small pan (and lid)
Chopping board
Sharp chefs knife with blade guard
Tin opener
Sandwich bags / foil
Rubbish bags
Washing up liquid
Sponge / dishcloth
Teatowels
Kitchen roll
Condiment sachets - Ketchup / Mayo / Salt / pepper
Marshmallows

FIRE

Collapsible fire pit
Pocket knife
Fixed blade knife and sharpener
Chisel and mallet (log splitting)
Matches / lighter
Fire lighters
Bag of wood / kindling

SLEEPING

Sleeping bags x 4
Air bed
Air bed pump
Pillows
Mattress topper and sheet for R&R bed
Fleece blankets

WASHING

Towels
Travel shower (and charger)
Collapsible bucket
Small paddling pool to stand in
Shower curtain (hang off tailgate)
Pegless washing line
Tissues

GROCERIES

Drinks / Food: Various but tend to be low faff and easy to cook.

ENTERTAINMENT

Board games
Books
Kite
Football
Tennis
Frisbee
Cards
Colouring/sketchbook + pencils
Bucket and spade
Bodyboard
Boules

DOG

Bed
Poo bags
Water bowl
Food bowl
Food
Treats
Lead
Toy

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

Breakdown cover and card
Tyre inflator
Spare bulbs
Doormat
Dustpan and brush
Glass cleaner and cloths
Rope
Duck tape
Ratchet straps
Cord / string
Keys for roof rack and roof box
Silicone spray
Power hook up
Levelling ramps

ELECTRONICS

Travel fan
Ipad with games / stories / films and charger
Phones and charger
Torch x 3 and spare batteries
Headtorch
Headphones
Portable speaker
Power bank

TOILETRIES / PERSONAL CARE

Soap / handsoap
Sun cream
Hair bobbles
Glasses / contact lenses + spare
Deodorant
Razor
Shower gel
Shampoo and conditioner
Hairbrush
Lip balm
Make-up
Mirror
First aid kit (incl. plasters, medicine (ibuprofen / inhaler / paracetamol / piriton) alcohol wipes, ear plugs / eye mask and nail clippers)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Insect repellent

CLOTHES

Individual packing cubes / bags
Underwear
Tops
Trousers
Shorts
Rain coat
Pyjamas
Jumpers
Gloves
Warm hat
Sun hat
Swimming costumes
Walking trainers
Sandals / river shoes

OTHER

Binoculars and tripod
Local map for planning
Backpack for day trips
Umbrella

Edited by R56Cooper on Tuesday 19th April 15:07

Edited by R56Cooper on Tuesday 19th April 15:33

[BrickCounter]

Is this list serious?

We have had a Motorhome for family holidays for 10 years and don’t have 75% of that stuff.

Less is more otherwise you just spend too much time moving stuff around.

[micky metro]

If it,s a campervan, then paper plates and disposable plastic cutlery. i'm in mine now, i'ts a big help, believe me.

[Robotron70]

Op, I’m with you, when we camp we are prepared for every situation.

I fill my T6 lwb up with a similar list, finding things in the right order can be a pain as you point out.

I take 5 or 6 Really useful boxes and try to keep the contents of each box relevant to each other.

So pegs, mallets, ground sheet, awning pump and spare valve in one. Another has my Makita radio, batteries, charger, lights, torches, Another with wife stuff for the kitchen. Another couple with clothes etc.

Don’t forget the flagpole with chaser leds, we love ours, the neighbours maybe not so much

[R56Cooper]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thanks, that's a really good idea.

[geeks]

BrickCounter said:

Is this list serious?

We have had a Motorhome for family holidays for 10 years and don’t have 75% of that stuff.

Less is more otherwise you just spend too much time moving stuff around.

I was thinking the same thing then I realised we have most of this stuff too however we have a slightly bigger van and no children but 2 dogs. I would say almost all of that is already in the van in inbuilt storage (for example we have travel wash kits that stay in there and just replace stuff as it runs out, basic tools in there at all times), to head out for a week or a weekend we just add clothes and food in the fridge (there is always a series of tins in there things like beans, tomatoes, soup etc and dog food as well) and off we go, I reckon if we rushed it we could go from loading to on the move in under 20 minutes.

[R56Cooper]

geeks said:

BrickCounter said:

Is this list serious?

We have had a Motorhome for family holidays for 10 years and don’t have 75% of that stuff.

Less is more otherwise you just spend too much time moving stuff around.

I was thinking the same thing then I realised we have most of this stuff too however we have a slightly bigger van and no children but 2 dogs. I would say almost all of that is already in the van in inbuilt storage (for example we have travel wash kits that stay in there and just replace stuff as it runs out, basic tools in there at all times), to head out for a week or a weekend we just add clothes and food in the fridge (there is always a series of tins in there things like beans, tomatoes, soup etc and dog food as well) and off we go, I reckon if we rushed it we could go from loading to on the move in under 20 minutes.

Ha, I did think it was maybe over the top but I just want a good comprehensive load to cover most types of weather and potential problems that could come up. Main aim is to just have 90% of stuff permanently stowed on board and then just add clothes and food so we can get off quick.

As you can imagine, with kids and dog it's like a military operation to get away!

Any additions / other pointers feel free to share

[Antony Moxey]

Neck pillow, glass cleaner, all of the ‘fire’ stuff, marshmallows? That’s really essential? As has been said above, about 75% of that is what you like to have, not what you need to have. Especially things like sandwich bags and rubbish bags - just have one type of bag that does the lot.

As an FYI we’re in a motorhome with our dog and occasionally our adult children.

[BrickCounter]

R56Cooper said:

Ha, I did think it was maybe over the top but I just want a good comprehensive load to cover most types of weather and potential problems that could come up. Main aim is to just have 90% of stuff permanently stowed on board and then just add clothes and food so we can get off quick.

As you can imagine, with kids and dog it's like a military operation to get away!

Any additions / other pointers feel free to share

On a less serious note when kids were younger they used to try and take every cudly toy they owned with them. We used to let them put them on the bunk beds in the back and go and get in their car seats. Whilst they were doing this I used to creep around the back of the Motorhome, open up the side boot and take 90% of the cudly toys into the house.

When we got to the destination they would find they had mysteriously forgotten a lot of the toys, who would all be patiently waiting for them on the stairs when they returned ! 😂😂