Beach owner for 1 year right now looking for boot packing ideas

[Vswan]

we are a family of 4, 2 adults 2 small kids and 2 border collies. I’m looking for ways to make packing easier

 

[kp64zl]

Take *much* less stuff - makes a massive difference and you will still have a good trip.

 

[Loz]

Storage options in the Beach

Always at bedtime I think its a problem where to store all clothing. Food and fridge is usually stored in the boot so that is no problem. What about these bags? A bit expensive at 300€ http://www.vanessa-mobilcamping.de/Volkswagen/t5/multivan-t5/Zubehoer/zubehoer-packtaschen-t5-t6.html

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Perfectos]

we are a family of 4, 2 adults 2 small kids and 2 border collies. I’m looking for ways to make packing easier

A little more detail would help prompt some specific responses
what is the main problem, clothes, equipment, essentials, pets, sleeping, cooking, food storage, weather, etc
lots of possible scenarios and a myriad of solutions, lots of info posted on this great forum, but depends on how you use your van
if you can be a bit more specific, you’ll get more targeted responses.
pack lite travel well !
let us know a bit more?

 

[Vswan]

Hey thanks for the replies, I actually found some good tips from searching the forum. The main problem is the kids bikes which are too small (14” and 16”) for the bike rack but take up a lot of space in the boot. I also hate moving the multiplex board.

The solution I have gone for this time is to put the multi board in its rear most position then put the back seats where they need to be In order to fold down to a bed. I feel this is important for my sanity as once in a campsite the last thing I want to be doing is moving seats and the board while the kids and dogs get in the way!


In the boot I have 2 really useful boxes at the back with mainly cooking kit, dog food and cables (Stuff we won’t need until pitched). These boxes are almost the same height as the multi board so I could spread the mattress out flat on top of the MF and boxes and put the awning (Kampa action air), the sleeping bags, Kamper cosi and the dogs on top of the multiboard and mattress. I should add that the mattress is wrapped in 2 waterproof covers and the dogs will wear harnesses securing them to a bungee which is hooked into the boot floor. The awning etc are all very well strapped down too. Our clothes are in packing pods which are squeezed in around the bikes and the fridge will go on the floor behind the passenger seat.

I hope this works, I packed today in preparation for leaving tomorrow...

 

[Amarillo]

The main problem is the kids bikes which are too small (14” and 16”) for the bike rack but take up a lot of space in the boot.

We travelled 25 thousand miles around Europe with two adult bikes, 14” and 12” children’s bikes and a double bike trailer.

The adult bikes went on rails 1 and 2. The 14” went with one wheel on rail 2 and the other wheel on rail 3. The 12” balance bike went on rail 3. The folded down trailer sat on rail 4.

Once we moved to 14” and 16” we gave up the trailer. I reversed the wheel chocks on rail 4 for the 14” to fit.

As for rear storage, I made my own plywood crates to fit between the multiflex and bench seat back and use Muji drawers for under the multiflex. We can pack all we need for two boys and our collie (we used to have two collies) under the multiflex with only mattress, bedding and drive away awning above.

I’m very satisfied with the packing setup we now have, and we have spent about 400 nights sleeping in the van over the past 3 1/2 years.


Four bikes and a trailer on the rear rack - in the extreme north of Norway.

Mini blog on how I planned and made my Beach storage crates to maximise use of the boot and underbed area.

Underbed storage area

I'm planning better use of the underbed storage area in our 3 seat bench Beach boot, in particular the space between the rear of the bench and the multiflex. Here is a cross section of the crates I intend to make for that space. The two large crates and the gas box can remain in place with the...

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