Hi all we are new to caravaning after having several years in a folding camper we have just brought a swift charisma 545 and was wondering what people store in there overhead lockers as they say you should not store heavy items in them what do you class as a non heavy items. i would be grateful for any help
We go away for long trips (we are retired), so we put things like rolled up t shirts, make up, plastic containers for spare batteries and a sewing set, medicines, documents like copies of car/caravan insurance in plastic folders, undies and socks, OH's CD player ( I know, old hat). Our van is short on drawers but has loads of lockers.
You can store what you like in your lockers, however, it is best not to travel with anything heavy in the locker, in case it falls out in transit and damages your van. I think thats what people mean. Its common sense really. For instance, I keep general foodstuffs (ie tea, coffee, sauce bottles etc) in the van all the time. They travel in one of those collapsible crates, and I put them in the locker when we get to site. Towels etc I leave in the lockers as they wont do any damage. My crockery is melamine and in the wire racks in the lockers, so I know it wont fall out in transit.
It's not really about what might fall out. Weight high up could easily make the van unstable when towing. All heavy items should be low down and as near the axle as possible, to reduce pendulum effect.
Of course, you can fill the lockers when you arrive.
Quote: Originally posted by Anniemacxx on 25/8/2010
You're right Jim, and we do store heavy stuff over the axle as recommended. You explained it much better than me!
That's unusual. I usually confuse people! With the best of intentions of course...
I've got two over the kitchen area which is where I keep the Melamine plates etc. Then I've got 2 each side over the settees/beds. I keep all the dog's equipment in one - leads, towel etc., not food, that goes in a lower cupboard - and cameras and things in another. The other two just have odds and ends in, flags etc. Towels I keep on the shelf above the hanging space.
We have loads of lockers but only 2 drawers so we make good use of our lockers. We have those plastic baskets which are about 99p for 3 from B&M bargains which fit perfectly and help you get the most out of the space. We tend to use them for kitchen bits & pieces, underwear, hair accessories & dryer, caravan info etc etc. Apart from a few pieces of light clothing we empty them to travel and put it all in a wicker basket under the rear bunks.
Just lightweight items when travelling like my plates ( melamine ) and other bits, when on site anything and everything goes in them.
So keep it light when in transit and fill ya boots when sited :)
Quote: Originally posted by generalhawk on 25/8/2010We keep our plates, cups & glasses in the upper lockers but they are all plastic so not heavy
Likewise. I shamefacedly admit though to our having tinned food in one, I suppose that's maybe heavier than what you should have when towing ?
We also keep toiletries medicine kit etc & Mrs Z has those ruddy horrible hair things which make her hair straight
don't dis thoes hair straighners lol mine are my saviour I've even made my hubby turn the whole outfit round and go home because I've forgotten them, they are now the first thing that gets packed lol
She doesn't use them all the time murano, but god I hate it when she does ! She has beautiful long wavy hair, I love it. I'd be deee-lighted if she forgot her ones.... can't see me being able to find somewhere to turn around if she does.....
------------- Fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing . Anton Chekhov
Quote: Originally posted by Zorro on 25/8/2010
She doesn't use them all the time murano, but god I hate it when she does ! She has beautiful long wavy hair, I love it. I'd be deee-lighted if she forgot her ones.... can't see me being able to find somewhere to turn around if she does.....
oh god you sound like my OH lol he says you were born with long curly hair why would you want it poker straight!!! Because we are never happy with what we have lol
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Topic: overhead lockers
