We were camping at the weekend, (so cold but thats another thread) and we were just talking about our equipment. We have tunnel tent, porch, windbreak, and everything else that goes with camping, and a trailer.
Couple of years ago, we had same tent minus the porch and fold flat kitchen stand, but still took 2 grandchildren and everything else with just the car. So, boot was full with stove, chairs, airbeds, bags with clothes, a folding table, folding barbecue, box of kitchen utencils and food etc. Blankets, picnic rugs and pillows were on back seats around the children. Sometimes wonder how we did it with Ford Focus.
What I don't understand is how, when we went camping at Easter, we got it all in the boot to get there, but, had to shuttle stuff back the night before to come home (we were camped about 20 mins from home..)
we once went on a UKCS rally at Whitby and we got everything in the car including 3 kids, Montana 6, puppy in cage but for the life of us we couldn't get it back in, so dog cage had to be put down and puppy in front footwell with hubby. Could understand if we'd bought loads of extras but we hadn't, same kit that came went back home
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
I am getting a trailer as it is no longer possible for me to carry everything in the car and the roof box, now that I have a canvas tent that has a much bigger packed volume.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
It stresses me out looking at the amount of STUFF we have to take....
There is just 2 of us for gawds sake!
I am going to buy some plastic tubs to keep STUFF in and then just put it in the car and go - then lift it out when we get back and put it in the cupboard. No FAFF!
We are the same car packs fine going coming home is so difficult to get packed we do not buy when we are away I just do not understand it as it should be easier as no food or alcohol coming home.
------------- Please be patient new to all this camping stuff
Feb mains farm
March - mains farm
April - c
May
June solway view
July glastonbury
August mains farm
I sometimes stand and shake my head, looking at the tent and the setup and wondering how on earth I'm ever going to get it all home.
But I've worked really hard on getting kit that packs up small, and have a great system worked out, so as long as there isn't a horrible downpour as we leave, which would mean I'd have to put the tent in wet and baggier than usual, I manage to stuff it all back in somehow.
I always think of the roadies who deployed and packed up the stage shows for bands like Floyd and ELP, back in the days when moving a gig from one venue to another was like the circus coming to town. In latter days I believe they used computerised loading plans, and everyone stuck to it. Maybe there's an IT geek out there who can design an app. for us campers?
I sometimes do very minimal camping on my own with the kids and it is so nice to have the boot half empty! We had a nightmare a couple of years ago in Cornwall when it came to packing up time and we just couldnt get it all in the car.
I remember standing there on the campsite surrounded by all this stuff that just wouldnt go in. In the end we had to stuff it all in as best we could. This resulted in me not being able to move my legs for the 7 hour journey home. After that I said we werent going on any more long trips until we bought a trailer.
I've tried to be clever and taken a photo of the boot when neatly packed so I can replicate for coming home. Still doesn't always work though even though (technically) I bring less stuff home. Is it something to do with the space/time continuem?
I think it has something to do with it being much more fun to pack things in the car before going for a camping holiday/weekend than to pack things to go home...
------------- Proud owner of a 1987 Sprite Alpine 370 EK, a cheap popup tent and a beloved retro Trio frame tent from the early seventies, called Giraffen.
Part of my problem is that I like to get the biggest stuff - ie the tent - in the boot first and work around it. That doesnt quite work when you are packing up to come home, especially if the weather is bad.
I would definitely advise any newbies to try and allow some wiggle room in the boot. If you are packed to the rafters before you set off you are definitely going to have trouble on the way home!!
It also helps if your kids dont buy a basketball, a body board and various other large items while you are away. Sorry, memories of Cornwall again!
Lol... i remember it well.... trying to cram everything into the car.... then we found the answer.... OH bought a van.... fiat doblo .... orange (it's called sunny, like sunset) and it's wonderful.... loads of space and comfy too.
Went on first camping trip last June -just me and OH - very proud that all our brand new stuff fitted in the car.
However (there's always a "however" lol), after booking the next trip a few weeks after, a few days before going we realised we wouldn't be able to fit the dog in the car! (big dog too!).
Ended up with a camel trailer (another £500.00 spent! )
The third and last trip last year ended with OH driving home with me holding the flat screen TV on my lap, coolbox in between my legs, the dog sitting in the back with the airbed and kitchen stand and the windbreaker poking OH in the back of the neck.
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: How did we pack it all in the boot?
(we were camped about 20 mins from home..)
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