everyday stuff to carry

[Roonie]

Originally Posted by Angel

Jage/Dave,

Which and what size nut splitter did you get?

Angel

She is about 5'11" and 130 lbs and calls me her husband......




sorry couldn't resist.

[billwilson]

Originally Posted by Roonie

She is about 5'11" and 130 lbs and calls me her husband......




sorry couldn't resist.

LMAOFOF

however trying to explain to my Thai wife .......

[charlie56]

Originally Posted by daveb

Access to the back is kind of tough. I keep everything I commonally use (on my EB-50)
Odd ball things are a butane torch for cigars, but doubles as a solder gun.
Dave

Daves handy-dandy cigar lighter

[daveb]

Hmm, guess I could start a fire with it as well.

[maxacceleration]

No wonder your vans are so heavy!!!

I feel the Ford van is dependable.

Its all the aftermarket crap that goes on is what I worry about.

But yes I do have my ever increasing tools/hardware too.

[cornercarver]

Originally Posted by jage

Do you have a link for the rolltop table and those chairs? My rolltop base is cobbled together with wire, and I haven't found a decent replacement, and I'm always looking for good camp chairs.

My table is this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MN ... ss_product

chairs are these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018R ... ss_product

or these: http://www.amazon.com/GCI-Outdoor-Xpres ... 523&sr=1-4

[maxacceleration]

I like the backpacker mentality. To me it is just too easy to carry way too much stuff.
Small duffel of clothes for short trips. Large duffel of clothes for longer trips.
Two chairs for outside. Folding awning (no van mounted awning for me).
The van interior gets small real easy, and we don't necessarily want to be sitting in it either.
So for two people who plan on hiking/biking the goal is KISS.

Thumbs up to you guys who carry sooo much!
And thumbs down to you guys who carry sooo much!

It really is a fine line. I am learning...

[bronco76]

I like to take my wellington boots because they slip on very easily for those middle of the night nature calls (don’t have a porta potty) and they offer more protection against the elements than slippers. Also L.e.d. headlamp for hands free operation. Can of Fix-A-Flat can be very handy if for some reason the spare tire is un-useable or has already been used for a previous flat. Can also be used until you get the van out of a tight spot to a better place for changing a tire. Metal tie-wire (bailing wire), ball peen hammer, zip ties or tie wraps, adjustable wrench (2), Letherman or Gerber multi-tool, roll of electrical tape, tow strap, jumper cables, leather gloves, shop rags, qt. of engine oil, brake fluid, 1 jug of 50/50 antifreeze, 1 qt. of mercon transmission fluid (can also be used for power steering if needed), a packing blanket has many uses including something to lay on if you need to crawl under your rig. I keep most of these things in a small plastic tool box and plastic milk crate.

[saabman]

Originally Posted by bronco76

Also L.e.d. headlamp for hands free operation.

X2

[ConnieKat]

Don't know if anyone else has done this, but here's my suggestion. I carry 1 large and 1 extra large AQUIS towel per person in my RV. They soak up water very fast, and airdry almost as fast, even in damp situations. Expensive, but worth every penny. Works well as a bathmat, too.

I also added several of the Shamwow towels for emergency mopups! Worth their weight in gold when you really need them. Loose water line for instance, and wet animals.

Other items: LED (at least 4 or 5 bulbs) headlamps for practically anything. Would have helped in the search for stuff in dark closets, also great for night reading if you don't want to disturb your partner with something brighter. I also use the very small LED nightlights for fumbling around in the dark. Doesn't use much energy, and prevents (most) falls due to not seeing something.

I got hold of matching fabric and made a whole bunch of pockets to velcro to my walls. VERY useful for storing all kinds of things, in a handy place. They are much stronger than the mesh variety and match the walls pretty well. I even use them as drink holders sometimes, books, headlamp, glasses, etc.

The other item I always have is a small battery operated weather radio. Very important for Tornado season, when I'm heading through central states.

Other stuff: extra batteries (all sizes), multiple sizes of plastic zip bags, rubber bands, several types of tape, the small packets of leaf-style items (laundry soap, shampoo, etc.) from REI. These take up very little room anywhere, and won't spill. Oh yeah, I'm also adding a velcro strap to hold my coffeepot in place while traveling. I know I'm forgetting stuff, but that's it for now, and all of it has proven itself over and over.
ConnieKat