Aidy P
Don't play that 'What If?' game, you'll never win!
- Messages
- 1,001
- Vehicle
- T6 Ocean 204 4Motion
We’ve been VW campers for a long time (see my profile pic from my old T2). It’s great see all the new van owners joining this forum. Our current California is now 8 years old and going strong.
There’s a lot of cool new camping gear out there, but I thought I’d share some of my purchases (or the nearest I could find of a current version) that have stood the test of time.
Many are well over a decade old and going strong. Some my wife thought I was mad spending so much on (titanium sporks!!!) … but quality lasts & she now agrees that they are essential items when packing the van.
Please add your long lasting essential items too. It will be cool to see everyone’s oldie but goodie van gear!!! In an age of too much disposability … let’s celebrate the quality stuff that lasts…
1. Titanium Sporks
Originally bought for wild camping and backpacking. Unless we’re having a sit down meal, these are our go to cutlery in the van. Plastic ones break. These seem expensive, but will become a family heirloom! Easily wiped down with a cleaning wipe when stopping for lunch too.
2. Bodum Stainless Steel Travel Mugs
Simply bullet proof travel mugs. Make a brew before you set of and they keep warm for ages. We have a different colour each. I drove over one by mistake on a field. No damage (other than my pride).
3. Aluminium Folding Table
This is the one we cook on outside with our gas cartridge stove. Heat resistant and very sturdy. The slats mean that this table packs away well. On trips we find we need two tables when cooking and eating outside.
4. Cartridge Stove
Cooking outside is part of the Cali experience and the cartridges for this can be found cheaply all over Europe (and stashed around the van). We’ve also taken it to the beach, rivers and even on a row boat.
5.Ridge Monkey
Confession : we’ve only had this versatile pan since we’ve had our T6 … so it’s only 8 years old. Find the ‘what have you cooked in your Ridge Monkey’ thread on here to see how brilliant they are! You will be converted.
6. Collapsible Kettle
Silicone means that it folds and saves 70% of the space in the van. Not much more I can say about an essential piece of camping kit.
7. Aeropress coffee Maker
Another one that is only as old as the T6. Upgraded from a French press for this. Brilliant coffee and packs away nicely. I love a shot of proper coffee in the morning.
8. Rab Neutrino Sleeping Bags
Another throwback to wild backpacking that I ended up buying for each of the family. Very warm when it’s cold for winter camping in the van (especially up top) and they pack down into waterproof stuff bags (useful when unpacking the van in the rain!) Can be opened up and used as a duvet. I’ve also slept outside the van on starry nights. Look after them and they will last.
9. Thermal Screen Cover
Keeps the van warm in winter and as its silver it reflects the sun and keeps the van cool in summer. Better blackout than the internal blinds supplied by VW too.
10. Mini dustpan & brush
Kept by the drivers door. I always think of the Star Wars quote by Han Solo : “Well, if they follow standard Imperial procedure, they’ll dump their garbage before they go to light-speed, then we just float away” … whenever I have a quick dust out of the van before heading off.
Hope these are useful suggestions everyone. Happy camping xxx
There’s a lot of cool new camping gear out there, but I thought I’d share some of my purchases (or the nearest I could find of a current version) that have stood the test of time.
Many are well over a decade old and going strong. Some my wife thought I was mad spending so much on (titanium sporks!!!) … but quality lasts & she now agrees that they are essential items when packing the van.
Please add your long lasting essential items too. It will be cool to see everyone’s oldie but goodie van gear!!! In an age of too much disposability … let’s celebrate the quality stuff that lasts…
1. Titanium Sporks
Originally bought for wild camping and backpacking. Unless we’re having a sit down meal, these are our go to cutlery in the van. Plastic ones break. These seem expensive, but will become a family heirloom! Easily wiped down with a cleaning wipe when stopping for lunch too.
2. Bodum Stainless Steel Travel Mugs
Simply bullet proof travel mugs. Make a brew before you set of and they keep warm for ages. We have a different colour each. I drove over one by mistake on a field. No damage (other than my pride).
3. Aluminium Folding Table
This is the one we cook on outside with our gas cartridge stove. Heat resistant and very sturdy. The slats mean that this table packs away well. On trips we find we need two tables when cooking and eating outside.
4. Cartridge Stove
Cooking outside is part of the Cali experience and the cartridges for this can be found cheaply all over Europe (and stashed around the van). We’ve also taken it to the beach, rivers and even on a row boat.
5.Ridge Monkey
Confession : we’ve only had this versatile pan since we’ve had our T6 … so it’s only 8 years old. Find the ‘what have you cooked in your Ridge Monkey’ thread on here to see how brilliant they are! You will be converted.
6. Collapsible Kettle
Silicone means that it folds and saves 70% of the space in the van. Not much more I can say about an essential piece of camping kit.
7. Aeropress coffee Maker
Another one that is only as old as the T6. Upgraded from a French press for this. Brilliant coffee and packs away nicely. I love a shot of proper coffee in the morning.
8. Rab Neutrino Sleeping Bags
Another throwback to wild backpacking that I ended up buying for each of the family. Very warm when it’s cold for winter camping in the van (especially up top) and they pack down into waterproof stuff bags (useful when unpacking the van in the rain!) Can be opened up and used as a duvet. I’ve also slept outside the van on starry nights. Look after them and they will last.
9. Thermal Screen Cover
Keeps the van warm in winter and as its silver it reflects the sun and keeps the van cool in summer. Better blackout than the internal blinds supplied by VW too.
10. Mini dustpan & brush
Kept by the drivers door. I always think of the Star Wars quote by Han Solo : “Well, if they follow standard Imperial procedure, they’ll dump their garbage before they go to light-speed, then we just float away” … whenever I have a quick dust out of the van before heading off.
Hope these are useful suggestions everyone. Happy camping xxx
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