We have a couple of tupperware boxes (10ltr) that contain all crockery, cutlery and cooking stuff (including kettle, pans etc) and another that has all the washing up stuff etc - we use this as a washing up bowl on site. We use things like mini graters and whisks (came with an individual capuccino making gift set), camping salt & pepper dispenser, an Avent baby bottle with screw lid (marked down the side) for a measuring jug, small tupperware containers and sealed bags for food and drink items, splash guard with central knob type handle, folding single slice toaster - all of this fits within the 2 tupperware containers...
The bedding (for 3 of us) is all compressed within 1 XL large drybag, saves space and handling. We also have ready packed sample size bottles for our washing kits from superdrug and use UFO lights from Wilkos rather than bulky camping lanterns.
Then for everything else we keep it minimal and choose things with more than one use - eg our folding night toilet which takes up hardly any space doubles as a waste bin (with lid) during the daytime. All our furniture is fairly basic and umbrella style collapsing and we've avoided the need for a camp kitchen etc by getting the Campingaz Kitchen Extra with integal legs and shelf. For the low tent we have the fabric Highlander low/beach chairs and the Gelert backpackers table. We are also going to get one of the Outwell or Kampa folding stools that double as a table.
We do have the bulky Columbia 600 carpet, but to compensate we have the lightweight Vango Adventure Tarp and 1 windbreak that creates a cooking/door shelter for all our tents including the Columbia 600 (no canopy needed).
Basically, I've kept my eyes open over the years for miniature kitchen accessories that can replace full size versions and things that can double up... saves so much space.
As long as your dog is trained - you could unfold the carpet a bit and spread it on the boot floor, maybe with a blanket on top to protect the carpet... ?
What about a cage/kennel for the dog so that he can sit in the boot without anything falling on him?
Our dog used to love hers, since she was used to it as a puppy and always gave her a space to call here own. The kids were always trained that if she went into her cage, then she was to be left alone, we all need a bit of peace from the kids now and again
The cage would allow you to use the boot for some things, and top up the back seat with everything else. May be the safer option all-round?
Our Westie had a seat belt and sat on the backseat no problem, although his preferred place was on the floor between the back and front seats. He went to sleep with the vibrations of the car and his head under the seat.
After our son was born until our Westie passed away (only 4 month's later), he shared the back seat with the lie-flat baby carrier - our son and the dog seatbelted into their respective sides of the back seat.
Helen
(our Westie even had a red life jacket with retrieval handle for when we went canal boating just in case he fell in and we had to fish him out. A really cute sight - lots of Ahhhhs from passing boats - and he thoroughly enjoyed it!)
Quote: Originally posted by Speedcamp on 26/3/2010
(our Westie even had a red life jacket with retrieval handle for when we went canal boating just in case he fell in and we had to fish him out. A really cute sight - lots of Ahhhhs from passing boats - and he thoroughly enjoyed it!)
Sorry to hijack the topic, but do you recall where you got it from....we're thinking of getting one for our dog (much bigger than a westie, though lol)?
Quote: Originally posted by Speedcamp on 26/3/2010
(our Westie even had a red life jacket with retrieval handle for when we went canal boating just in case he fell in and we had to fish him out. A really cute sight - lots of Ahhhhs from passing boats - and he thoroughly enjoyed it!)
Sorry to hijack the topic, but do you recall where you got it from....we're thinking of getting one for our dog (much bigger than a westie, though lol)?
Just type in google - dog lifejacket and you'll find loads for small and larger dogs. Can't remember the make of ours, but it may still be around somewhere as I doubt that we've got rid of it. Hope some day to get another dog - but life's too hectic at the moment so it wouldn't be fair.
Thanks everyone for the tips I am going to use some of them.
Unfortuntely I can't leave the husband at home, otherwise I would have no one to put the tent up . The dog is a greyhound so we wouldn't be able to fit a cage in the boot, it would be huge. Also because shes a greyhound she sits funny and therefore I don't think the dog seatbelt would work.
I have managed to collect some free shampoo samples and acquired some sachets of ketchup etc to save a little space. I think the big space taker is that we take the quilt and pillows instead of sleeping bags. We really need to make the switch and i have been trying to sleep with a camping pillow and inflatable pillow to see if i can get used to them.
I think i will try the three piles of defintely-maybe-dont need though, and we will have to be ruthless.
I think the big space taker is that we take the quilt and pillows instead of sleeping bags. We really need to make the switch and i have been trying to sleep with a camping pillow and inflatable pillow to see if i can get used to them.
We use 2 Vango moon pillows each, but you may want to try either a L/XL drybag for all you bedding and squash out the air or use vacuum bags and suction to get the air out of your bedding. If you have a battery powered airbed pump that sucks as well as blows you can use it to vacuum pack the bedding when you decamp on site. This will cut down on space substantially. I manage to compress all our (winter) bedding for 3 in one XL dry bag, which reduces its size by around half. The vacuum bags will compress it even further. Its saves handling multiple items too when setting up and decamping.
I've just bought these !!! Fab and tiny!!! About the size of ur little finger :)
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1428744-10475506?url=http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/scripts/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eoutdoormegastore%2eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fOutdoor_Megastore_Camping_Department_1%2ehtml&WD=salt&SHOP=%20&PN=Easy_Camp_Salt_and_Pepper_Mill%2ehtml%23a4591#a4591
not sure if I've done the link right but they're easy camp salt pepper grinders :) another bit of space freed up towards something else ;)
------------- Fab time in France again.... Roll on next year!
Quote: Originally posted by Smiledmb on 26/3/2010
I've just bought these !!! Fab and tiny!!! About the size of ur little finger :)
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1428744-10475506?url=http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/scripts/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eoutdoormegastore%2eco%2euk%2facatalog%2fOutdoor_Megastore_Camping_Department_1%2ehtml&WD=salt&SHOP=%20&PN=Easy_Camp_Salt_and_Pepper_Mill%2ehtml%23a4591#a4591
not sure if I've done the link right but they're easy camp salt pepper grinders :) another bit of space freed up towards something else ;)
Those look good, i'm forever on the hunt for decent camping salt & pepper pots, not a bad price either
lololol...have been looking through this thread HOPING amongst hope to find some handy ideas.. unfortunately, with the amount of us, we have to take full size (and oversize) everything!!
like the idea of the 'cheap' pillows and disposing ! but then when you are buying at least 7 pillows, its not that cheap!
------------- tina xx
mum to 5 kids
DD-20
DS-16
DD-14
DD-9
DS-3 and a half!
and a large, daft, black dog!!
Though I didn't think myself too bad at packing lots of stuff into the car, OH is a complete genius at it and has twice (thus far) managed to pack what looked like a van's worth of stuff into a Ford Focus hatch AND with room to see over the top out of the back window. (Admittedly we do not have the challenge of dogs or children currently.)
I am not sure of all of his magical methods, but he does favour having things in squishable plastic bags and will often set aside smaller items to be crammed into any spaces that arise during packing (under seats, alongside bags, behind the pedals [not really to that last one ). The water carrier seems to be the only thing we haven't found a solution for.
me my mum dad two sisters and my brother used to go camping for our 2 week holidays all together in a vauxhall omega and we had a trailer on the back it was wooden and jam packed i think the lid was home made!!! But it did the job we got all the way from merseyside to devon with it and we had two weeks worth of gear with us! That was 15 years ago, trailers now are much better so I would get a small trailer very good for space.
BTW we dont all go together now mum and dad upgraded to a caravan!
------------- http://www.mycampingshop.co.uk/offers a wide range of cheap tents, camping supplies and camping equipment.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Space saving gadgets
), he shared the back seat with the lie-flat baby carrier - our son and the dog seatbelted into their respective sides of the back seat.
. Can't remember the make of ours, but it may still be around somewhere as I doubt that we've got rid of it. Hope some day to get another dog - but life's too hectic at the moment so it wouldn't be fair.
. The dog is a greyhound so we wouldn't be able to fit a cage in the boot, it would be huge. Also because shes a greyhound she sits funny and therefore I don't think the dog seatbelt would work. 
). The water carrier seems to be the only thing we haven't found a solution for. 
