What essential accessories have you since ditched overboard?

Wildcamper · May 10, 2021

When doing any sort of travelling we adopt the "less is more" philosophy. So awnings, levelers, kitchen stuff the bear minimum etc. As an example of traveling light, 3 years ago we did a 4 week round the world trip with 8kg of hand luggage each and even then we had items we did not use.

flying banana · May 10, 2021

Sold my rack toaster mentioned. Sold my drive away awning after one use.prefer the wind out awning and side panel. I use a spirit level shown here. They don't take up much room. I do use levellers too. The ridge monkey likes a level hob or it slides off alot. I also use my topper quite alot. Got that on now. Stuff dumped in the garage are various strings of fairy lights and plastic plates. Thermal windscreen cover. Safety net ( not selling that as I think it's better to keep it with the van).

Cali Phillip · May 10, 2021

flying banana said:
Sold my rack toaster mentioned. Sold my drive away awning after one use.prefer the wind out awning and side panel. I use a spirit level shown here. They don't take up much room. I do use levellers too. The ridge monkey likes a level hob or it slides off alot. I also use my topper quite alot. Got that on now. Stuff dumped in the garage are various strings of fairy lights and plastic plates. Thermal windscreen cover. Safety net ( not selling that as I think it's better to keep it with the van).

View attachment 78184

Our RM does the same as do the tefal pans recommended by some on here.

Ting Tong · May 10, 2021

You don’t need a spirit level: just put the sliding door half way and see which way it goes...or use iPhone measure app.

Saesneg Shaun · May 10, 2021

Ridge Monkey, still in the box. I might use it one day I suppose.
Portapotty, didn't realise just how small it was until we got it!
Drive away awning, Prefer the awning room for short stays.

NessL · May 10, 2021

That’s three votes against the toasting rack. What is the recommended way to toast bread in a Cali?

Borris · May 10, 2021

Wiggly Woo said:
You don’t need a spirit level: just put the sliding door half way and see which way it goes...or use iPhone measure app.

We have one of those little red spirit level thingys. Never used it!

Mrs B will tell me......more than once, if the van isn't level. :Nailbiting

However, on a practical note, a full mug of coffee placed on the picnic table when erected inside does the trick for us. A glass of wine is even better. Several, better still. It might not be level but by then who cares.

Auberg-ine · May 10, 2021

NessL said:
That’s three votes against the toasting rack. What is the recommended way to toast bread in a Cali?

, and a long cable..

andyinluton · May 10, 2021

NessL said:
That’s three votes against the toasting rack. What is the recommended way to toast bread in a Cali?

A £9.99 Argos 240v toaster.
No hook up = no toast, tough.

sidepod · May 10, 2021

I thought at least one person would have said

“the Mrs”.

Hands up, who thought about it and bottled out?

subthree · May 10, 2021

sidepod said:
I thought at least one person would have said

“the Mrs”.

Hands up, who thought about it and bottled out?

"The kids". A Cali for just 2 would be amazing.

bob_summers · May 10, 2021

Why are people ditching the thermal screen covers? That was quite high up the list for me but I’ll not bother if they’re not worth it. Got some internal ones with suckers I’ll keep hold of for now.

The toaster rack works fine for me although not using sliced bread. I make “pan tumaca” with it using baguettes. Although my main camping stove is a Coleman unleaded one - not sure I’d fancy toasting bread over a petrol flame…

tedgina · May 10, 2021

NessL said:
That’s three votes against the toasting rack. What is the recommended way to toast bread in a Cali?

use the ridge monkey

Amarillo · May 10, 2021

Borris said:
2. Thermal windscreen cover - We use the curtains that came with the van. They are quick and easy to use and don't need drying off after use.

We've gone the other way. Used curtains exclusively for three years and now have a thermal windscreen cover which we love. Haven't used the curtains since.

larrylamb · May 10, 2021

Love a thermal cover and ramps.

flying banana · May 10, 2021

Wiggly Woo said:
You don’t need a spirit level: just put the sliding door half way and see which way it goes...or use iPhone measure app.

Sliding door won't help if the camber is left to right. And I don't own anything that starts with i. The spirit level is tiny and not much hassle to carry.

The Blue Merle · May 10, 2021

The girlfriend :headbang

sewb · May 10, 2021

Billylou said:
Hi @sewb
External covers get wet and need to be dried out at the end of the trip.
When opening the drivers or passenger door you have to unhook them put them back on.
When you have the chairs swivelled you can’t look out the window.
Internal covers remain dry.
Can be stored up in the roof when not in use
Are 3 separate parts so you don’t have to put them all up at once.
They create a cozy comfortable environment.
We purchased ours from Project Camper.

Magnet-Thermomatten und Taschensysteme | Project Camper

Project Camper Thermomatten, Isomatten mit magnetischer Befestigung als Verdunklung und Isolierung für Autos und Camper. Fenstertaschen und Sitztaschen, Hängeschrank für Camping-Fahrzeuge.

www.project-camper.de

Thanks @Billylou - really useful info

Wesel · May 10, 2021

4x4 joker said:
The girlfriend

Are you reselling it? :headbang

Ladymuck · May 10, 2021

Early days for me but i'm not sure we'll ever use the Thule awning tie the down kit. We haven't even used the van awning yet as we always put up the driveaway awning as there are 4 of us.

Also the D rail ring for securing the dog, i can see it being great for some people again with 4 of us in the van it would just get in the way, going to sell it I think.

sapto · May 10, 2021

Thule side panels, thule tie down kit, salad bowl, solar shower, books for us are gone and somehow the space is filled now with books and toys from our son. Happy this way round!
Gone:
Bikerack

Ikeathing:

watercontainer

vancover

Scoobz1 · May 11, 2021

Amarillo said:
We've gone the other way. Used curtains exclusively for three years and now have a thermal windscreen cover which we love. Haven't used the curtains since.

is this the internal or external one ? Thanks Scoobz

soulstyledevon · May 11, 2021

I’ve got rid of a lot since I started a minimalist lifestyle.
Objects have a 6 month window. If not used, it’s removed.

1 - Tailgate bike rack
2 - Bellows bungee
3 - Thermal screen cover
4 - Anything that looks like a tent/awning
5 - Any external cooking equipment, BBQ
6 - Awning Tie-downs
7 - Alpkit, brewkit
8 - Awning Channel, Washing line (from club shop)
9 - Candle lanterns
10 - Collapse-able ladders

The only way a Cali can be successful is to carry as little as possible. If it takes longer than 5 minutes to park and set up camp. You’ve got to much stuff...!!!

Amarillo · May 11, 2021

Scoobz1 said:
is this the internal or external one ? Thanks Scoobz

External. It reduces condensation on the inside of the windows.

Borris · May 11, 2021

soulstyledevon said:
I’ve got rid of a lot since I started a minimalist lifestyle.
Objects have a 6 month window. If not used, it’s removed.

1 - Tailgate bike rack
2 - Bellows bungee
3 - Thermal screen cover
4 - Anything that looks like a tent/awning
5 - Any external cooking equipment, BBQ
6 - Awning Tie-downs
7 - Alpkit, brewkit
8 - Awning Channel, Washing line (from club shop)
9 - Candle lanterns
10 - Collapse-able ladders

The only way a Cali can be successful is to carry as little as possible. If it takes longer than 5 minutes to park and set up camp. You’ve got to much stuff...!!!

I bought one of those ladders to enable our grand children to get upstairs. The reality is that they are least likely to need it. That's now in the garage!

What essential accessories have you since ditched overboard?

Wildcamper

flying banana

T6 Ocean 204ps manual

Cali Phillip

Ting Tong

Saesneg Shaun

NessL

Borris

Auberg-ine

Is it an office? Is it a lounge? Is it a camper?

andyinluton

sidepod

subthree

bob_summers

tedgina

Amarillo

Tom

larrylamb

Cali owner.

flying banana

T6 Ocean 204ps manual

The Blue Merle

4x4 joker

sewb

Magnet-Thermomatten und Taschensysteme | Project Camper

Wesel

Ladymuck

sapto

Scoobz1

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

Amarillo

Tom

Borris

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