What do you leave in the van after a trip away?

[barryd]

We leave clothes, food, cleaning stuff, toiletries etc etc in the van but it still never ceases to amaze me just how long it takes to prepare for a trip. Seems to be at least a week of messing about, cleaning, putting stuff in the van etc. I don't know how anyone can just jump in and "Go". Then again generally we set sail for up to six months at time so a fair bit of planning needed. Clothes for all seasons for a kick off. That said we were only on Arran for three and a half weeks and it seemed to require the same amount of prep as leg 2 did where we will be away until mid to late October.

I have a flaming great long list on the laptop where each item goes green once its ticked off. The idea of just jumping in the van and naffing off seems impossible to me so I dont know how others do it.

 

[Thistle]

Absolutely nothing except cuttlery, toiletries and the stuff under the bed in the back, ramps, chairs, table hoses, and a few tools etc.

This prevents gradually increasing payload by leaving ever increasing amounts of forgotten unused stuff in the van so now it all comes out

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Depends how often you're using the van?

For many in here who are using their vans almost constantly, it makes perfect sense to leave a lot of stuff ready and loaded.

We don't get away that often, so I take out all bedding and clothes that need to be washed etc. once back at home then re-pack just before setting off again.

The fridge is always emptied and cleaned (it's never in use if we're not away in the van).

I'm like @barryd, its takes me ages - weeks - nay sometimes months! - to plan what I need to take and load up the van ready for a trip, even if it's just for a short weekend away!

If I used it a lot I would probably leave it pretty much fully loaded, apart from clean clothes & bedding and fresh foodstuffs & household necessities.

I do a stock check of all onboard supplies prior to setting off

 

[Tim120]

Nobody else leave their Rolex and gas mask?

 

[mark61]

Only done a few 4/5 week trips, but I don't need any more planning or pack anymore stuff than a week trip.

Week trip I ain't wasting anytime doing laundry, and I ain't gonna take enough clothes to last a month.

 

[Debroos]

We keep spares of most things in the van. Toothbrushes, toiletries, towels, bedding, dry/canned food, tea etc. Sunglasses and hats. A few clothes.
Basically, apart from fresh food, We're almost good to go if it's only for a few days.
Definitely empty, clean and leave fridge open.
Also have lists of what to take for different length trips

 

[Thistle]

On the flip side we have a couple of ready to go Tesco Crates in the spare room, when she’s not looking I go through the cans and swap out or remove any that are significantly well past their use by date….

Makes more room for beer as well, definitely don’t leave any of those in the van ever!

There’s a positive side to removing food and nesting materials I’ve seen first hand what Squirrels can do once they get in!

 

[barryd]

Depends how often you're using the van?

For many in here who are using their vans almost constantly, it makes perfect sense to leave a lot of stuff ready and loaded.

We don't get away that often, so I take out all bedding and clothes that need to be washed etc. once back at home then re-pack just before setting off again.

The fridge is always emptied and cleaned (it's never in use if we're not away in the van).

I'm like @barryd, its takes me ages - weeks - nay sometimes months! - to plan what I need to take and load up the van ready for a trip, even if it's just for a short weekend away!

If I used it a lot I would probably leave it pretty much fully loaded, apart from clean clothes & bedding and fresh foodstuffs & household necessities.

I do a stock check of all onboard supplies prior to setting off

I fear I may have been somewhat misleading as regards all the stuff that needs doing and sorting for a trip. To be fair, Michelle does most of it, not me. It does however seem never ending.

You never fully realise just how much stuff there is in your van until you have to empty one in two hours flat which is what we had to do when Hank 1 sold so quickly. There was stuff everywhere.

 

[jann]

"You never fully realise just how much stuff there is in your van until you have to empty one in two hours flat which is what we had to do when Hank 1 sold so quickly. There was stuff everywhere."

We know what it's like, the garage and spare bedroom were full of "stuff "

 

[Sharon the Cat]

We thought we left a full 11kg refillable gas bottle. Phill just checked it and it appears to have emptied, with the top valve closed.

 

[Thistle]

After a long trip away the dogs get very confused for a few days so we have to make sure we haven’t left them in after clearing out!

In very hot weather like this week I set the maxfan on auto and leave the rear doors partially open during the day
Normally need to evict a certain Beagle some evenings