TAKING VAN! What to fill it with...

[likesachange]

Well this year we return to TR and as there are 7 of us I've decided to take my Van..
Now as well as this an X5 will be coming on site and an RS3 (parked off site)

So luggage space is in abundance!

What key luxuries should we bring??

We are hoping we will be able to rig up power again but plan we will bring a silent generator as a back up.
Last time we went was 2017 (red hot), we ran out of cold beer and carrefour of ice as usual by Friday so priority is beer cooling!... I mean I could fit a chest freezer in the van to act as a big coolbox and dare I say it even power it up?? tho not sure a silent generator would run that?
Decent BBQ is inevitable... maybe 2?

Also we plan to bring some bikes (probably kids ones, for comedy factor and we will need 7!).

6x3 gazebo and a large tent will be tight on 2 plots including cars but worse case we can shorten the gazebo in theory....

Any inspirational pics would be great

[chrisring]

I think chest freezer is good idea, stick some extra insulation round it and should be good.
I wish I had room to do the same!

[Printertosh]

We take 2 small table top freezers (the sort students use) and a full size fridge. We use one freezer for chilling a crate or 2 of beers then transfer them to fridge or ice box before they freeze and rotate through the day. The other freezer is used for burgers and ice creams Just got to remember to empty the beer freezer before bed unless you want lager slush puppies for breakfast!

Most things seem to work ok on TR electrics as long as cables are thick enough (16amp) and long enough, but remember to avoid electric kettles, sandwich makers, microwaves and flame effect fireplaces with electric elements

[Mykap]

GMC Davy Crockett pellet smoker. Awesome piece of kit and runs on 12V or 240V.

https://www.greenmountaingrills.co.uk/davy-crocket...

I'd take mine but its too heavy....so I'll see you there!

[likesachange]

Mykap said:

GMC Davy Crockett pellet smoker. Awesome piece of kit and runs on 12V or 240V.

https://www.greenmountaingrills.co.uk/davy-crocket...

I'd take mine but its too heavy....so I'll see you there!

I'm not even sure what that is? seems an expensive BBQ?¬?

[JT3K]

Add to the list:

• 2x fold out table - either decorator or church fete kind for prep
• cheap ice machine
• rope lights
• TV
• 120cm satellite dish on camping stand & someone's Sky box (Eurosport)
• video projector
• camping chairs
• big USB charging block
• large paella pan and three ring paella burner (can cook anything in it)
• kitchen crap
• full height fridge freezer
• stereo kit of some description
• camping gas hobs and camping kettle

[likesachange]

Brilliant... Never even thought of ice maker!!! Couldn't imagine these having a good throughput 😱

[JT3K]

likesachange said:

Brilliant... Never even thought of ice maker!!! Couldn't imagine these having a good throughput ??

The ice maker had a shocking throughput. However, it was low power and just kept chugging away. If you're all wary, keeping it topped up and emptying it every so often it can provide a nice little supply that can at least contribute something: ideal if it's like 2017 again...

[knobby]

I wish I could take fridges and freezers but sadly no elec on BSJ!

[JT3K]

knobby said:

I wish I could take fridges and freezers but sadly no elec on BSJ!

Do or do not. There is no "try".

With a little "urban scrumping" we managed to find power at the entry to Bleu Sud last year. If not, take a generator and chain it to the car.

[knobby]

normally take a small genny but limited on space this year. Cool box and daily trips for ice for me this year!

[RL17]

2 euro pallets of beer plus all the ice you cab get in the rest of the van space seems a good idea

[likesachange]

That does sound like a good idea...

May stop off at a carrefour in Caen, Keep freezer empty and load it up with ice and beer for when we are setting up !

Still debating wether to risk purchasing an electric scooter to tramp about on..

[likesachange]

Just got myself a IMPAX 2500 silent invertor generator.
Decent backup..


2200w should cope with everything we can throw at it right??

[JT3K]

likesachange said:

2200w should cope with everything we can throw at it right??

Depends what you're throwing at it and what the "on spike" is. We took a freezer a long time back that used to spike and trip the genny when the power was first fired up (after refills). We eventually figured it out and wired it so you could plug it in on its own first, then add the rest back to it.

Try it at home first

[likesachange]

JT3K said:

Depends what you're throwing at it and what the "on spike" is. We took a freezer a long time back that used to spike and trip the genny when the power was first fired up (after refills). We eventually figured it out and wired it so you could plug it in on its own first, then add the rest back to it.

Try it at home first

Yeah will do. Cluesless with electrics. Think it will cope with 2500w spikes from what I can work out and max working load is 2200w... and from what I can see on back of freezer it says 100w?!?

[JT3K]

likesachange said:

Yeah will do. Cluesless with electrics. Think it will cope with 2500w spikes from what I can work out and max working load is 2200w... and from what I can see on back of freezer it says 100w?!?

So it'll average out at 100w. Problem is when it turns on there's a big spike in power draw for a short period. Depending how sensitive your RCD (breaker or "fuse") is on the generator you may find it trips occasionally. We found that leaving it running until just before we left on full whack (with all our beer in it in cases) and leaving all our meat and breakfast stuff in the freezer, then loading it without opening it and turning off at the last second helped immeasurably.