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Prepare for holiday / tour

Eber123

Eber123

Lifetime VIP Member
Messages
1,193
Location
Kilcock, Kildare, Ireland
Vehicle
Grand California 600
Hello,

For us there are only a few weeks left before we start our tour through the continent.

1713439942988.png

I thought that maybe more people are preparing for this, so it might make sense to talk about the preparation and changes to make traveling and camping even a bit more comfortable. Maybe we can exchange ideas that we have not thought about.

This is what I have done so far:

Bike holder
The biggest change was the bike holder. My wife loves to cycle so we had to bring bikes with us. To make this a bit more manageable (weight and carrying) we got some standard folding bikes (no e-bikes - to heavy) for our new Fiamma bike holder.

1713438796505.png

Cabinet
To ensure that items won't fall out of the cabinet when opened I installed this "net". Another advantage I will get more in.

1713438935224.png

Little shelve
For small items I got this from Ikea.
1713438992468.png

Wetroom cabinet
I put some dividers into the shelve and used standard bottles for soap and so. This helps to keep everything tidy.
1713439063855.png

Empty space over the driver cab
We removed the small bed above the driver cab and use it to store items. I did build a small shelf to keep things more organized (instead of throwing things up). Obviously I am not a carpenter and maybe have not thought everything through, but it will work for this holiday. With this shelf I created more storage space than I expected.

1713439202399.png

When we are back I might re-think this and build a new one putting more ideas and thoughts into it.

Storage space in kitchen area
For me this is one of the biggest problem of the GC 600, there is not enough storage space in the kitchen area. Last year I had a cabinet on this place, but I took it out because it was too bulky and heavy. I wanted to build a more "sophisticated" storage system, but this did not turn out well. So I decided to keep it simple and just got 3x Euro boxes. It generates a lot of space and is not heavy.

1713439337415.png

Access is ok and it is very well fixed to the airline holder and the bed above. So it should be save.

Garage
There are a few things we will store here 1.) small buggy for the dog (don't ask), 2.) levels, 3.) washing line. All of this is not heavy, but bulky and in the way. To ensure that I have easy access to the cabinet on the left side I took of the door and secured the contents with a rubber cord.

1713439457010.png

With this I hope I have easy access to the items in the cabinet and don't have to take out all items of the garage in order to open the door. Also we have to bring a higher step so that we can reach everything from the bike rack.

1713439573270.png

What is left to do?

1.) Appointment is made to service the camper (including additional checking of break disks, break pads, steering, etc.)
2.) Still search for the right Sat Nav that incorporates the size of the camper
3.) Check the weight. After the service is done I will prepare the camper with the "wished" setup. Than visit a weighbridge. After that I can think how we save weight :rolleyes:
4.) Prepare tour plan (maut, vaccination for the dog, environmental areas etc.)
5.) Check ferry crossings from Greece to Italy
6.) Wash and wax the camper before the holiday

I am sure there will be more that comes to mind before we leave in the middle of May.

Happy holiday
Eberhard
 
Hello,

For us there are only a few weeks left before we start our tour through the continent.

View attachment 122111

I thought that maybe more people are preparing for this, so it might make sense to talk about the preparation and changes to make traveling and camping even a bit more comfortable. Maybe we can exchange ideas that we have not thought about.

This is what I have done so far:

Bike holder
The biggest change was the bike holder. My wife loves to cycle so we had to bring bikes with us. To make this a bit more manageable (weight and carrying) we got some standard folding bikes (no e-bikes - to heavy) for our new Fiamma bike holder.

View attachment 122103

Cabinet
To ensure that items won't fall out of the cabinet when opened I installed this "net". Another advantage I will get more in.

View attachment 122104

Little shelve
For small items I got this from Ikea.
View attachment 122105

Wetroom cabinet
I put some dividers into the shelve and used standard bottles for soap and so. This helps to keep everything tidy.
View attachment 122106

Empty space over the driver cab
We removed the small bed above the driver cab and use it to store items. I did build a small shelf to keep things more organized (instead of throwing things up). Obviously I am not a carpenter and maybe have not thought everything through, but it will work for this holiday. With this shelf I created more storage space than I expected.

View attachment 122107

When we are back I might re-think this and build a new one putting more ideas and thoughts into it.

Storage space in kitchen area
For me this is one of the biggest problem of the GC 600, there is not enough storage space in the kitchen area. Last year I had a cabinet on this place, but I took it out because it was too bulky and heavy. I wanted to build a more "sophisticated" storage system, but this did not turn out well. So I decided to keep it simple and just got 3x Euro boxes. It generates a lot of space and is not heavy.

View attachment 122108

Access is ok and it is very well fixed to the airline holder and the bed above. So it should be save.

Garage
There are a few things we will store here 1.) small buggy for the dog (don't ask), 2.) levels, 3.) washing line. All of this is not heavy, but bulky and in the way. To ensure that I have easy access to the cabinet on the left side I took of the door and secured the contents with a rubber cord.

View attachment 122109

With this I hope I have easy access to the items in the cabinet and don't have to take out all items of the garage in order to open the door. Also we have to bring a higher step so that we can reach everything from the bike rack.

View attachment 122110

What is left to do?

1.) Appointment is made to service the camper (including additional checking of break disks, break pads, steering, etc.)
2.) Still search for the right Sat Nav that incorporates the size of the camper
3.) Check the weight. After the service is done I will prepare the camper with the "wished" setup. Than visit a weighbridge. After that I can think how we save weight :rolleyes:
4.) Prepare tour plan (maut, vaccination for the dog, environmental areas etc.)
5.) Check ferry crossings from Greece to Italy
6.) Wash and wax the camper before the holiday

I am sure there will be more that comes to mind before we leave in the middle of May.

Happy holiday
Eberhard
Travel Insurance, dog, humans, vehicle?
 
Everything looks great! I find that we are always too looking to optimize space and weight.
How long are you planning for the route?
 
Hello,

@WelshGas
My wife arrange travel insurance for us for a year.
For the camper I trust VW Roadside Assistance. I never could find anything meaningful information about this, but I hope they can help us if we need it. I contacted AA in Dublin but they never got back to me.
We just check the needed vaccinations for the dog. Also we will get a letter from the vet to confirm that she is in general good health.

@EuropeanVanderlust
It is fun and frustrating at the same time to try to optimize the available space to suite our camping and traveling behaviour.
At the moment I believe we have actually more storage than we need. So this years challenge is the weight.
In the past we just managed to get away with the 3.5t without the bikes. But I really don't know this year how far we are over the limit. I replaced the AGM battery with Lithium, took out the extra cabinet, took out the upper bed, I will take out the carpet...

Because struggling with the weight I think a wee bit more about it, I believe that at least every 2nd campervan / motorhome with max weight 3.5 t is overloaded (at least if there are 4x people in it).

I would love to change it at to 3.88t, but it seems that is not possible in Ireland.

Slightly overweight Grand California
Eberhard
 
Hi not sure if you will be using gas but we bought a camping gaz adaptor to fit a 907 cylinder for our trip into Europe last year, saves on weight and replacement should be available.
Have a great trip.
 
Wow, this all looks well done; I wish you a lot of fun and a safe journey full of fascinating discoveries and enjoyment!
 
Hello,

Some time ago I changed the gas setup from the camper to LPG. The 2x 11 kg bottles should last untl we reach Rumania. I am sure we will find a place to refill.

I also will replace the gas filters with new ones and new batteries for the gas level sensors.

Still some work needs to be done to prepare the camper for the tour.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
Hello,

Just an update about my travel preparation:
  • Service and check of camper was done by my VW dealer. Everything is ok here .:thumb
  • I didn't find a reliable solution for a camper / truck sat nav. Back to Google Maps. :(
  • Some maut is paid others need to be later during the trip. :)
  • Environmental disc for France still needs to be checked.
  • Ferry crossing from Greece to Italy will be checked and booked later during the trip. :)
  • I wanted to wash and wax the camper before the trip, but the weather is constantly bad. So I might not get around to this one. :(

I checked and reorganized the cabinet in the garage of the camper:
  • 2x white boxes on the left with tools and spare parts
  • 2x white boxes on the right with camping accessories
  • Above in the blue bag is the 20 m cable for the hook up and the adapter for the continent plugs
  • Upper level are the liquids for the toilette, cleaning grey water and screenwash
  • In the black back is the gas BBQ (if we are too heavy this will go)
Taking the door out and secure the contents from falling out with a rubber band should help to give me quick and easy access even if the boot is full (well, that's the theory. I will know after the trip).

1714645941483.png

  • On the left is a small, very light basket for the dirty cloth
  • The white container in the middle is the bin
  • On the right are the 3x Euro boxes accessible from the inside
  • Under the bed are some plastic strips from Fiamma. They might help if we get stock on wet grass (well, again that is the theory)

1714645974188.png

  • The green bin holds small shopping bags
  • Above that, the white bin, is empty at the moment (o_O)
  • The lower Euro box is for shoes for my wife
  • The upper Euro box is for the freshwater refill tools (hose, filter, adapters...)
That is the first time I put them there, again hoping for easy access when the boot is full.

1714645994379.png

To weigh the camper is still on the do-to list. I hope I will get around to it tomorrow.

Only a week to go and there is still a lot to do. My wife thinks I "over think" this a wee bit.

"Can't wait" Grand California
Eberhard
 
Well done Eber, looks great. We’re planning on a similar trip the following week. Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, Greece….
Somebody recommended an app called MRA
to me, used for motorcycle route planning, but upgraded for motorhomes I believe. I must check it out properly on my laptop.
regards, Gretta
 
Go on @Eber123 - you’re just showing off, aren’t you ;)

Enjoy the trip - it looks absolutely amazing. And I hope to spot you somewhere near here. I believe you’re in Ireland? I’m in Kilmainham, D8.
 
Hello @Mehdime,

Well, not really showing off, but half of the exitment and preparation is to talk about it. I was actually hoping other people will join the treath to say how they prepare for their holiday. I thought I might can "steahl" some ideas.

Well, I am not too far away from you, just close to Kilcock. I assume we all purchased the camper from the same VW dealer. :)

I prepare the camper tomorrow morning (water, gas, diesel, bikes etc.) and hopefully manage to get to the weighbridge. Can't wait, I hope we won't reach the 4 t mark.... :rolleyes:

I will post an update.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
Hello @TreborGC2020€,

I just had a short look at MRA Navigation. As you mentioned it is more designed for motorbikes.

I was looking for a Sat Nav that caclulates the route based on the campers size. Google Maps brought us always to the place where we wanted to go, but sometimes the roads where dangerous small.

I tried Garmin, TomTom, Sygic, Navigator Truck, Magic Earth etc. Either the suggested routes where not good or the system was simply not realiable.

After spending so much time testing I gave up for this year and went back to Google Maps. Maybe Sygic is better next year.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
Hello @Camper.

The plan was 6x weeks to be on the road.

Normally we get up not too late, have breakfast and off we go. Early in the afternoon we look for a place to park for the night.

That gives us enough time in the afternoon to setup camp, go for a walk or visit sites, have a rest and plan for the next day.

This worked rather well last year on our tour through Scandinavia and the Balticum (12,000 km). It never felt that we are rushing or spend to much driving.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
Hello,

I just came back from the weighbridge. It was not so bad as expected:

3,360 kg

This includes:
  • Full diesel tank
  • Full AdBlue tank
  • Full Freshwater tank
  • Full 2x 11 kg gas bottles (LPG)
  • Bikes loaded
  • Gas BBQ
  • Tools / spares
  • Camping items
  • Levels
  • Bike seat for the dog
  • Buggy for the dog
  • Toilette fluid for 6x seeks
What needs to be added is:
  • Me
  • My wife
  • The dog
  • Still some cloth
  • Still some food
After this is loaded, we calculated that we will have a weight of

3,580 kg

That should be ok. If we are stopped somewhere on the motorway it is unlikely that the diesel tank is full. Also there will be a good chance that the fresh water tank is lower as well (well, but then the grey water tank will be fuller).

The axe weight should be ok anyway with 2,100 kg front and back.

So it is better than expected - hurray!

Now it is left to make the bed, get cloth and food loaded and wash and wax the camper. Then we are ready to go.

Not too overweight Grand California.

Eberhard
 
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