We've been caravanning for nearly a year and love it. However, it seems to take us twice as long to pack our stuff up and get the van ready for leaving than it does when we arrive. Any one else find this? Any tips for cutting down the time it takes to put everything away?
Dont you have a caravan fairy? We do. Or at least, my OH thinks we do.
When he gets home from work, all clothes for our trip have been washed and ironed and packed away in the van, down to the last sock and pant. All the towels are in the designated locker and all the bedding is fresh, folded and packed away. Magic! The bathroom is stocked with toiletries and loo roll! Even air freshner and nice hand soap. She's a clever fairy! All the walking boots, wellies, crocs etc are in a box all ready. The fridge is cold, and full of food and beer! The cupboards are stocked with all manner of goodies, and theres a box of heavy stuff (tins, bottles etc) on the floor. Voila! The awning, poles, windbreak, barbeque, charcoal and telly have all thrown themselves in too. Folding Chairs and a table with a swish of her wand! She even remembers the dog's bed! Bless her. And for long journeys, she even manages to throw a picnic together, with fresh juice and a flask of hot coffee! Awww, what a thoughtful fairy!! So when he gets in can say "What have you been doing all day? And are we ready then?"
We have ditched the awning on short trips ! Makes an unbelievable difference to packing up time ! Instead we just use our original 'Really Useful' plastic box with lid !
We've never been able to get away on time although everything has been planned & should work out.
When the last day arrives, we never manage to get paked as fast as we plan, or spend the rest of the day relaxing before heading home, as we've planned.
We're off next friday morning as soon as his lordship the Mutt has gone on his holiday & I'll bet our departure gets delayed & we've been caravnning for years.
If we have to be off site by 12pm we aim to be hitching up by 11.30. We get up around 8am & spend the morning packing away in a relaxed way in between having showers & bacon butties etc... Usually it gets to 11am & there still seems a heck of a lot to do but we've always managed to be off site on time (so far!).
We always take awning down the day before departure have breakfast and then clean cooker,shower etc whilst hubby does toilet, waste etc. only takes about 2 hours before we are ready for off.
We take the awning down the day before, pack away tables, chairs. In the morning try to clean the van inside, empty waste water, toilet. We dont rush or cant as hubby is disabled.
Takes us about an hour. My wife sorts out the inside, cleans, washes up, puts everything in its place. I take down the porch awning, then do the water, toilet and electric, put mirrors on. Then I have a look inside to check its all in the right place, roof lights, lockers etc fastened, set fridge, switch off electrics etc. Hitch up and off, stopping at the toilet on the way out.
We tow with everything in its normal place, just the awning and satellite case in the middle on the floor, electric & step by the door.
We've been caravanning for about the same time as you after upgrading from a trailer tent. It takes us ages too which is a bit of a blow as that's one of the reasons why we got the caravan. It also seems to be directly proportional to the time that we have been on site. When we were in France last year for a fortnight it took us all day to pack up on our last day.
Alison
Hi seamonster, Up arround 8.30am OH goes to showers takes her about 30min or so, while she is at showers, I fold and pack away all bedding, and cloths dismantle the TV antena and TV pack away,set out breakfast things,get my shower gear ready,if got time before OH returns, I take off wheel lock and steady locks, go for shower,OH makes breakfast around 9.30,after breakfast 10- 1015,wash up dishes pack away,by 1045 waste/loo emptyed,hook up disconected and stored,only takes an hour or if lazzzzy hour and a half all in, leaves 45min for that last cupa. must go out soon and practice on site.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
We are new to caravannin just upgraded from trailer tent. We find if you keep most things in the caravan in the right place its easy. Get a pop up laudry basket and store in awning or car - all dirty clothes ready for home. If your away often keep clean clothes in wardrobe/draws. Pack up all the beer on last night once you have poured your last. Clear all your unwanted food and rubbish last night and you get up for breakfast / showers quick clean and go. My issue is luggin spare wheel in and out of the van!!! Hubby does water loo and outside man jobs I do inside. Excluding awning we set up in less than 30 mins and can pack up leisurley in the hour. Organise the van thats the key
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Topic: Packing up - how long does it take you?
