Storage Tips Please

[Toobie]

Hello All

Cali newbies Steven&Pam from Suffolk and 'Toobie' (180 Ocean SE) looking to learn clever hacks and tips regarding stowage of stuff. Interested to hear all about it : )

 

[Beeechke1]

Hello welcome to the forum, there not much about owning a cali you wont find an opinion about on here.

"stowage of stuff" my starting point is think carefully about the stuff you start loading into your van, ideally everything needs to have a dual use, not possible but you get the idea. Secondly dont rush out and buy all the available accessories advertised, you only have to look at the number of awnings roof covers etc on sale on here with only used once description. But get out and camp under a variety of conditions and work out what you really need.

Hope that's of some help

 

[Louis II]

Agree with the above, make sure you only take what you need.
for me when we set off everything has to be stowed away, no loose bags shoes etc in the front or back and the only thing on the boot shelf is bedding, hook up and ramps.
Otherwise it just feels like you spend the whole time moving stuff around in the van.
Slide out boot drawer is a game changer but make sure you get one that doesn’t waste much space around the edges.

 

[Toobie]

Thank you 'Wannabecamperman' and 'Beeechke1', all makes good sense. Have you got any tips on stowage in the cupboards i.e. kitchen stuff? Have just invested in polycarbonate glasses and outwell plates. Do you stuff these into boxes, or stack them tight with towels like on a boat perhaps?
SP&'T'

 

[Beeechke1]

"Have just invested in polycarbonate glasses and outwell plates" - Yes we had stuff from our family camping days and have added to it over time, we take a few glass items for wine etc and wrap in a towel stuff inside tea mugs, we haven't gone down the route of expensive boxes that fill the shelf up but just pack things in mostly loose with a few small boxes for smaller items.
Our best buy was good quality Tefal Ingenio pans with glass lids and removable handles

 

[Toobie]

Thank you Beeechke1

 

[Resfeber]

Thank you 'Wannabecamperman' and 'Beeechke1', all makes good sense. Have you got any tips on stowage in the cupboards i.e. kitchen stuff? Have just invested in polycarbonate glasses and outwell plates. Do you stuff these into boxes, or stack them tight with towels like on a boat perhaps?
SP&'T'

Post in thread 'What do you put where' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/what-do-you-put-where.41214/post-531138

Here are my tips above link

 

[Ghostbuster]

Velcro!
You need Velcro. I have all my cutlery strapped together during transit.
I have none slip bowls and plates.
The pots and pans have felt dividers.
The glasses and mugs sit in a moulded foam separator.
Even the kettle sits in a collapsible bowl so it doesn’t move.
Everything positioned for a rattle free journey.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Hello All

Cali newbies Steven&Pam from Suffolk and 'Toobie' (180 Ocean SE) looking to learn clever hacks and tips regarding stowage of stuff. Interested to hear all about it : )

My 'tip' for you is VIP membership and the resulting ability to do an advanced search, and then use that increased search facility with relevant words such as: wardrobe, shelves, storage, etc. etc. You will be amazed how much useful information you will discover, also refining further searches to dated periods and specific forum members whose posts you like.

One problem is that there are so many alternatives, the other is stopping yourself buying too much too soon, that in time you may find superfluous. Watching out for 'For Sale' postings where owners have moved on from a California and are selling stuff has also helped me.

 

[hlobban]

The temptation is to buy everything ever built or made by the third parties for the Cali! At least that what my heart always tells me.

Then I switch on my head, buy a few sensible things for storage like IKEA drawer organisers, reuse old camping gear for plates, cups etc.

+1 on a couple of nice wine glasses (stemless in our case) which can double up for wine, beer, spirits wrapped in a tea towel and stowed safely for transit.

Chemical toilet that fits perfectly under the Sink and is easily accessible when required on long drives with young kids for those “emergency” can’t wait situations!

Probably my best buy though was 200w of solar kit from @Roger Donoghue (search solar camper solutions) and an EcoFlow River 2 Pro. Provided an ability to survive without EHU and still use our creature comforts while also feeling smug about being “green” using the solar.

 

[Dorset daily]

Thank you 'Wannabecamperman' and 'Beeechke1', all makes good sense. Have you got any tips on stowage in the cupboards i.e. kitchen stuff? Have just invested in polycarbonate glasses and outwell plates. Do you stuff these into boxes, or stack them tight with towels like on a boat perhaps?
SP&'T'

We ve tried many different kitchen storage ideas but have landed on these brilliant drawers which have been a game changer for us.

View attachment IMG_8448.jpeg

 

[Toobie]

Hello Dorset Daily
Thank you, they look great and they fit pretty good too.
Cheers
Steven&Pam

 

[Toobie]

Velcro!
You need Velcro. I have all my cutlery strapped together during transit.
I have none slip bowls and plates.
The pots and pans have felt dividers.
The glasses and mugs sit in a moulded foam separator.
Even the kettle sits in a collapsible bowl so it doesn’t move.
Everything positioned for a rattle free journey.

Oh My! Velcro, custom foam separators - felt dividers! Who knew? Wow, I have my work cut out, cutting out foam, cutting out felt, to cut out the dreaded 'rattle' - phew! Thank you Ghostbuster

 

[Up10]

To save storage space, we put our jamas and lounge wear in a cushion cover. Looks and works like a regular cushion and is easily available.

 

[Toobie]

To save storage space, we put our jamas and lounge wear in a cushion cover. Looks and works like a regular cushion and is easily available.

Hello Up10
Wow! That is genius !
Thank you
S&P

 

[Toobie]

Post in thread 'What do you put where' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/what-do-you-put-where.41214/post-531138

Here are my tips above link

Thank you Resfeber, very helpful.
S&P

 

[2into1]

Set off with an empty cupboard. You'll thank me later....

 

[Toobie]

Thank you O Wise One.

 

[Kev56]

As said above don’t rush, this site really is essential reading for anything‘California’ Once again from listening to experienced campers I’ve bought and learnt so much. My absolute best investments have been-
Spacemate slide out rear drawer.
Solar panels Roger George.
Ecoflow Delta 3 plus.
Acrylic drawers for kitchen cupboards.

 

[Daveb999]

Id

We ve tried many different kitchen storage ideas but have landed on these brilliant drawers which have been a game changer for us.

View attachment 142048

View attachment 142049

second those. I bought them and think they are excellent

 

[rpamely]

Hello All

Cali newbies Steven&Pam from Suffolk and 'Toobie' (180 Ocean SE) looking to learn clever hacks and tips regarding stowage of stuff. Interested to hear all about it : )

The best bit of advice that I got, and has been repeated on this thread. Don't go out and buy everything straight away.

Buy the minimal you'll need to survive.
Go and do a couple of 1-2 night camps (we did ours locally).
Figure out what your missing/what would make your life easier.
Come back to the forum and find a solution to your needs.

Effectively, have a good shakedown and buy according to your needs, this will definitely save you money, and stop you lugging around gear you never use.

 

[Up10]

And after every trip, or at least at the end of the season, review what was useful and what doesn't work or isn't necessary. Remove those non useful items and keep the van lean!

 

[Hawthorn37]

Agree - keep your “stuff” under review.

We have a different set of camping gear depending on a) the type of trip, b) the length of trip and stays, c) the time of year, and d) the expected weather (ie blazing hot sun in November - or solid rain and wind ).

For instance, we’ve been away overnight this week to visit family. It’s dark early, a bit rainy, and we want to off the campsite quickly. So no awning or tarps or windbreak, no outdoor cooker (and table), no relaxing chairs and stools. And as we know the campsite, no ramps.

We did take our microwave in case we wanted to do some jacket potatoes. And we always take our toolbox/ spare bits, just in case, and a wash-up bowl. Also as the weather is chilly, our winter rated duvets and blankets.

So the boot was nearly empty.

It’s so easy to leave your boot permanently filled with all manner of kit. We have the luxury of having a big metal rack in the garage so we can see most of the stuff we might want. A check list is another option. Even with all of the above, I know we could go more radical in the kitchen dept. We always seem to have too many plates and cups etc.

 

[acer]

Agree - keep your “stuff” under review.

We have a different set of camping gear depending on a) the type of trip, b) the length of trip and stays, c) the time of year, and d) the expected weather (ie blazing hot sun in November - or solid rain and wind ).

For instance, we’ve been away overnight this week to visit family. It’s dark early, a bit rainy, and we want to off the campsite quickly. So no awning or tarps or windbreak, no outdoor cooker (and table), no relaxing chairs and stools. And as we know the campsite, no ramps.

We did take our microwave in case we wanted to do some jacket potatoes. And we always take our toolbox/ spare bits, just in case, and a wash-up bowl. Also as the weather is chilly, our winter rated duvets and blankets.

So the boot was nearly empty.

It’s so easy to leave your boot permanently filled with all manner of kit. We have the luxury of having a big metal rack in the garage so we can see most of the stuff we might want. A check list is another option. Even with all of the above, I know we could go more radical in the kitchen dept. We always seem to have too many plates and cups etc.

I agree with most of that, except jacket potatoes in a microwave (unless you’re also taking an oven to finish them off)

 

[Hawthorn37]

… needs must !