Small van, small essentials? (1 Viewer)

[Krazykate]

I've had a good look at the 'search' option but I think I'm pretty hopeless at narrowing it down.
A new small van, have you any recommended essentials?
I have absolutely nothing and very little storage so any suggestions welcome!
Shall I start?...a corkscrew?

 

[Puddleduck]

Tin opener

 

[Krazykate]

Maybe:
Fuses
Tape
Tools
Cable ties
Small silicone

 

[headlight]

I've had a good look at the 'search' option but I think I'm pretty hopeless at narrowing it down.
A new small van, have you any recommended essentials?
I have absolutely nothing and very little storage so any suggestions welcome!
Shall I start?...a corkscrew?

What van do you have ?

 

[Krazykate]

What van do you have ?

Citron Relay, East Neuk Convertion 5.4mt. Theres a tiny fridge in at the moment and I would like to put in a large compressor fridge so reducing storage further.

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[Guigsy]

You need a repair kit box. Figure out where you'll stash it, then get an appropriate sized container. Fill it with tools like a compact screwdriver set, sockets, pliers, multimeter, torch. Then basic spares like fuses, cable ties, super glue, duct tape. Scale for the space available.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Fridge...wine helps especially if you forgot something... bottle opener

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Beer/wine/other alcohol of choice
Food & snacks
Glasses
Crockery
Cutlery
Saucepan/frying pan
Basic kitchen implements - cutting knife, board, slice thing, tin opener, corkscrew, etc
Bedding
Clothing inc waterproofs and shoes

After that It becomes more optional, and may depend on your type of camping use
Outside chair / table
Windbreak /awning
Tools / spares
Bucket / watering can / hose for fresh water top off and waste
BBQ / outside grille thingy

Top tip is to start using the van, see how you use it and then only add it as you find a need. Be ruthless as many carry stuff just in case and never ever deploy it.

 

[Tombola]

Voltmeter

 

[Krazykate]

You need a repair kit box. Figure out where you'll stash it, then get an appropriate sized container. Fill it with tools like a compact screwdriver set, sockets, pliers, multimeter, torch. Then basic spares like fuses, cable ties, super glue, duct tape. Scale for the space available.

We're on the same wavelength Guigsy, I popped that further up.
It's a small tube of silicon that doesn't need a gun I was looking for.

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[Nanniemate]

I've had a good look at the 'search' option but I think I'm pretty hopeless at narrowing it down.
A new small van, have you any recommended essentials?
I have absolutely nothing and very little storage so any suggestions welcome!
Shall I start?...a corkscrew?

Take anything you think.you need from the house .your not there to use it.
Then if you need to double up.
How many plates and mugs knives and forks do you need. Bet you have more than enough at home.

It's very easy to overspend on unnecessary stuff.

 

[Krazykate]

Beer/wine/other alcohol of choice
Food & snacks
Glasses
Crockery
Cutlery
Saucepan/frying pan
Basic kitchen implements - cutting knife, board, slice thing, tin opener, corkscrew, etc
Bedding
Clothing inc waterproofs and shoes

After that It becomes more optional, and may depend on your type of camping use
Outside chair / table
Windbreak /awning
Tools / spares
Bucket / watering can / hose for fresh water top off and waste
BBQ / outside grille thingy

Top tip is to start using the van, see how you use it and then only add it as you find a need. Be ruthless as many carry stuff just in case and never ever deploy it.

I've just cut and paste that into my phone list. Thanks so much. It's been a bit of a bumpy sad time here so my brain not quite with it yet......need a van

 

[Guigsy]

We're on the same wavelength Guigsy, I popped that further up.
It's a small tube of silicon that doesn't need a gun I was looking for.

I had a 5.4m Ducato. Managed to squeeze in a pair of Bromptons under the bed. So my toolkit included some bike maintenance kit too. One of my spendy upgrades was an underslung gas tank, which meant I could repurpose the gas locker. If I were to do it again today, I'd go diesel heating and a compressor fridge. Maybe even an induction hob and lots of lithium.

I'm now in a 6m a-class that doesn't have a lot of storage. The gas locker has room for a pair of cylinders. I've got a refillable in one that lasts a while. So the other slot has a food barrel that's full of tools and spares... including a squeeze tube of silicone.

 

[Jane And Rog]

Picnic knives. Do the job of butter knife, steak knife, bread knife and normal eating knife.

 

[Krazykate]

Off out for the evening folks, thanks so much, will check in later.

I had a 5.4m Ducato. Managed to squeeze in a pair of Bromptons under the bed. So my toolkit included some bike maintenance kit too. One of my spendy upgrades was an underslung gas tank, which meant I could repurpose the gas locker. If I were to do it again today, I'd go diesel heating and a compressor fridge. Maybe even an induction hob and lots of lithium.

I'm now in a 6m a-class that doesn't have a lot of storage. The gas locker has room for a pair of cylinders. I've got a refillable in one that lasts a while. So the other slot has a food barrel that's full of tools and spares... including a squeeze tube of silicone.

I have diesel heating which I've never had before so I don't need underslunder gas.
I have an airbnb and those single induction plates are brilliant so thinking one of the as the two burners are small. Very easy to stow as they are thin.
My company are watching the football so back to van addiction.
Thank you.

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[Jev88]

If new. Camp on the drive and see what necessities you forgot as easy to nip home and grab them.

 

[hja]

Dont forget matches or lighter for the hob even if spark ignition.

 

[CAB96]

We have a foldaway drying rack for washing up.

Padded fabric and a single plastic plate rack which all folds up into a small package.

 

[Geistguy]

Gaffer tape
Cable ties
Wine glass !
Small tool kit (motorcycle websites have some good ones)

 

[Riverbankannie]

Collapz brand watering can and bucket. I keep the watering can just for filling fresh tank. Bucket has multiple uses from draining grey water to washing clothes and dishes in those campsite sinks with no plugs.

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[Krazykate]

Collapz brand watering can and bucket. I keep the watering can just for filling fresh tank. Bucket has multiple uses from draining grey water to washing clothes and dishes in those campsite sinks with no plugs.

Thankyou. I have a collapsible bucket but not much storage space. Can I use a blue hose for filling tank?

 

[Nanniemate]

Thankyou. I have a collapsible bucket but not much storage space. Can I use a blue hose for filling tank?

You can use any hose. Some insist on food grade but individual choice

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thankyou. I have a collapsible bucket but not much storage space. Can I use a blue hose for filling tank?

Of course you can use a hose but I never have as we prefer to collect it without having to drive up to the tap. I also dislike storing hoses that are damp inside. I can dry out the collapsible watering can and put it away.

 

[Krazykate]

That makes sense apart from carrying a heavy watering can which will have limited litres and I definitely don't want an aqua roll!
Is it adequate to hang the hose up?
I'm reading horrible stories of slimy water tanks and hoses

 

[hja]

That makes sense apart from carrying a heavy watering can which will have limited litres and I definitely don't want an aqua roll!
Is it adequate to hang the hose up?
I'm reading horrible stories of slimy water tanks and hoses

We use a hose for filling up and a collapsible watering can for topping up on some sites, as not all have taps you can get a van to. We start from home with full tank.

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[faraway]

Not cheap, but I have one of these hoses which folds up into a small plastic box with extra accessories I carry eg different fittings for taps etc

Hozelock Superhoze Yellow Expandable Hose pipe (L)30m | DIY at B&Q

The dynamic design of Superhoze enables it to expand up to three times its original length for easy reach and then shrink back in size after use for convenient storage.

www.diy.com

 

[Mark and Mindy]

Small first aid kit for minor injuries plus a decent antihistamine cream/ointment for bites

 

[Geistguy]

That makes sense apart from carrying a heavy watering can which will have limited litres and I definitely don't want an aqua roll!
Is it adequate to hang the hose up?
I'm reading horrible stories of slimy water tanks and hoses

If you're worried carry some decent plastic bottles for your drinking water and just use the tank water for everything else. We've been doing this for 20+ years and never suffered any tummy upset.

 

[BrochMike]

Picnic knives. Do the job of butter knife, steak knife, bread knife and normal eating knife.

I'd add 8" chef's knife, small veg knife & bread knife. Only 'cooking' knives you need.

Ikea do excellent ones - add their stacking mugs for a good cup of tea...

 

[Krazykate]

Not cheap, but I have one of these hoses which folds up into a small plastic box with extra accessories I carry eg different fittings for taps etc

Hozelock Superhoze Yellow Expandable Hose pipe (L)30m | DIY at B&Q

The dynamic design of Superhoze enables it to expand up to three times its original length for easy reach and then shrink back in size after use for convenient storage.

www.diy.com

I've seen those, you must get shorter ones, I'll have a look.
Thanks.

If you're worried carry some decent plastic bottles for your drinking water and just use the tank water for everything else. We've been doing this for 20+ years and never suffered any tummy upset.

Yes I did that with my last van, in fact it didn't have a water tank at all. Thought I be grown up and use a blue hose for filling the tank and we have a fresh water container for drinking and cooking.
Ex nurse, you get a bit carried away about 'bugs'! Saying that do people use tank water to wash? If you don't brush your teeth in it, why rub it all over your body ?