Our essentials lists.
“O0urListed below are the basic items we expect to be packing in the van on our trips. The list will probably evolve over time as we learn more and will differ slightly depending on the time of year and nature of the trip.
Items in “Black” will probably be taken on all trips.
Items in “Grey” only when we think necessary or longer trips.
Items in “brown” are under construction.
Items in “Mauve“ need to be upgraded, replaced, or are under construction.
Items in “Italics” we currently take or restock from home on each trip.
I will add the links to reviews and more information ASAP.
For the Van.
Spare fuel, (5L or 10L until the second fuel tank is fitted).
Oil.
Water, (Additional to drinking water, dependent on the type of trip).
Windscreen Squeegee.
Windscreen microfiber demist pad.
De-icier, (dependent on the time of the year or type of trip).
Windscreen ice scraper.
Gaffer tape.
Fire extinguisher,(old, needs to be replaced).
Bottle or high lift jack, (depending on the type of trip, see jacks & stands).
Waffle board Jack stand, (see jacks & stands).
3/4″ drive breaker bar & wheel nut socket.
Tyre Pump,(foot pump until we fit an electric one ).
Emergency puncture repair aerosol. (normally stored in the van).
Short jump lead, (for a quick connection between batteries).
Long jump leads, (connection from or to other vehicles).
Tow Rope, (we need to splice eyes in a new one).
Reflective warning triangles,(possibly illuminated & available quickly).
Reflective waistcoats,(available quickly).
Overalls,(possibly replace with waterproof type ).
Leather gloves.
Goggles.
Basic tool kit.
Tablet computer,(portable Sat-Nav, Repair & first aid manuals).
AA card, (phone number).
Speed conversion sheets, (mph – kph – mph, for Europe and beyond).
For the occupants & Camping equipment.
First aid kit, (Need one permanently for the van).
Emergency snatch bags,(contents dependent on destinations).
Emergency contact numbers, (hard copies, also copies in snatch bags).
Mobile phone,(with satellite GPS, & connection to the internet).
LED head torches.
Spare batteries, (for head torches).
Insect repellent,(pump spray), (part of first aid + kit)
Sunburn protection,(pump spray?), (part of first aid + kit).
Antiseptic hand cleaner, (part of first aid + kit).
Water,(fresh each trip, 12L to 72L dependent on the type of trip as above).
Water filter.
Sugar, tea & dried milk.
Fresh milk, (from home).
Dried Food,(dependent on the type of trip).
Frozen food, (dependent on the type of trip).
Beer & wine.
Bottle opener.
Sleeping bags, (down or Synthetic dependent on the type of trip).
Pillows, (inflatable under consideration).
Gas heater for the Van when stationary door open,(until diesel heater is fitted).
Midge netting for door and windows, (under construction).
LED hanging light + UV bug killer.
Bug bat.
Cooking utensils, cups, plates & cutlery, (need sets permanently in the van).
Gas,(for cooker & heater until diesel hob is fitted).
Tea clothes.
Washing up liquid, soap & detergent.
Towels.
Loo roll.
Washing line, (using poles and pegs).
Washing line, (that attaches to the van, under construction).
Dustpan & brush.
Pick & shovel, (entrenching tool).
Additional equipment depending on the type of trip or destination.
Recovery kit, (in part or all as required).
Snow chains, (if required).
Additional tools & spares, (for longer trips or remote places if required).
Additional first aid equipment, (for remote places if required).
EU medical cover card (E111), (dependent on the type of trip).
Travel insurance, (dependent on the type of trip).
Some additional nice-to-have items.
These are not really essential but will probably get left in the van, or taken on most trips.
Fishing tackle, (boat & beach).
Camping chairs.
Binoculars & or camera, tripod, and long lens.
To be continued
Checklists for departure from home and on-route.
Items below in “Grey” have not been fitted yet.
Personal & van documents, (dependent on destination, see snatch bags).
EU medical cover card (E111), (dependent on destination, see snatch bags).
Vaccination status & proof if required. (dependent on destination, see snatch bags).
Travel insurance, (dependent on destination, see snatch bags).
Van insurance, (dependent on destination, see snatch bags).
Pr-trip checklists
Water.
Fuel level, (70L + 70L).
Spare fuel,(5L or 10L until the second fuel tank is fitted).
Engine oil level.
Spare oil.
Engine coolant level.
Gearbox oil level, (4.5 L).
Brake fluid level.
Power stirring fluid level.
Fuel filters.
Air filter (main).
Air filter, (cyclonic).
Breather pipes.
Shocks.
Tyre pressers.
Tyre treads.
Screen-wash fluid level, (F & B).
Windscreen wipers, (F & B).
Horns.
Sidelights.
Headlights, (dipped).
Dipped light direction, (L or R).
Headlights, (main).
Spotlights.
Fog lights (front).
Fog lights (rear).
Brake lights.
Indicator lights.
Reversing lights.
Front light bar.
Rear floodlights.
Approach lights.
External side camping lights.
Internal camping lights.
Camera system.
The mains’ power disconnected.
The side hatch is closed & locked.
Pop-top lowered and locked.
Awning stowed.
Roof pods are locked.
Access ladder stowed & locked.
Telescopic flag pole lowered.
Camera/turbine pole lowered.
Swing-out arm attachments secured.
Swing out arms locked.
Leveling wedges stowed, (not normally used at home).
(far from complete). To be continued.
On-rout checklists.
Arrival & Departure at campsites.
(check on arrival to allow time to fix)
Water
Fuel level.
Engine oil level.
Engine coolant level.
Screen-wash fluid level, (F & B).
Air filter, (main).
Air filter, (cyclonic).
Tyre Pressers.
Tyre treads.
Windscreen wipers, (F & B).
Horns, (with discretion).
Sidelights.
Headlights, (dipped).
Dipped light direction, (L or R).
Headlights, (main).
Spotlights.
Fog lights (front).
Fog lights (rear).
Brake lights.
Indicator lights.
Reversing lights.
Front light bar.
Rear floodlights.
Approach lights.
External side camping lights.
Internal camping lights.
Departure from campsites.
(In addition to that checked on arrival).
Tents if pitched, packed & stowed, (should be obvious).
Popup loo tent if pitched, packed & stowed, (might not be next top van).
Pop-top lowered and locked.
Awning stowed.
Freestanding washing lines dismantled and stowed, (might not be next top van).
Washing lines fixed to van dismantled and stowed.
Roof pods are locked.
Access ladder stowed & locked.
Waste water is disposed of, (if facilities are available).
The side hatch is closed & locked.
Rubbish disposed of, (if facilities available).
Swing-out arm attachments secured.
Swing out arms locked.
Telescopic flag pole lowered.
Camera/turbine pole lowered.
The mains power if used disconnected & cable stowed.
Leveling wedges stowed.
Drive on the correct side of the road.
On arrival home.
Kettle on for Tea.
Reconnected mains power.
Drain water, (if no immediate trip is planned).
Immobilized van.
Start (or continue) planning for the next trips, (and drink Tea).
(far from complete). To be continued.
First aid & insect protection.
First Aid Kits & (contents).
(see links above)
Insect protection.
Fixed.
Locking tire valve caps.
Quickly removable wipers aerials and other easily damaged items.
Additional, separately wired air horns, (see safety equipment).
Midge netting for opening windows, (possibly second roller blinds).
Midge netting for the side door.
Midge netting for the back door.
360° motion detection system, (to see what’s out there, see wild camping).
360° floodlight system, (to see what’s out there, see wild camping).
360° camera system. (more of a record than protection, see wild camping).
Electrified van.
For use with the van.
The Bug bat.
LED hanging lights with UV bug killer.
Solar UV bug killers.
Electric fence.
For use with or away from the van.
Midge netting hats, (see for use with the van).
Midge repellent spry, (see first aid & remote travel kits).
Antihistamine, (see first aid & remote travel kits).
Bear spray x2, (not pepper spray they are different).
Work in progress.
Permanently fitted or available complete list, 1.
Mechanical and electrics.
External.
Internal.
General use & Camping kit complete list, 2.
For use with the van.
Lightweight camping kit.
Safety equipment.
Maintenance, spares & recovery complete list, 3.
Maintenance & spares.
Basic tool kit.
Recovery kit.
Tools & spares for home, & longer trips complete list 4.
Additional, tools & spares for longer trips.
Van Specific Tools.
Trip planning & logistics list 5.
Our essentials list.
Traveling checklists.
First aid & insect protection.
Toys, follies & workshop complete list, 6.
Toys
Follies.
Second van, (Still to get).
Serves schedule & electrics complete list 7.
Serves schedule.
Electric connections by use & fuses.
The Future complete list, 8.
Long-term plans for the Beast.
The possible future.
Pipe dreams.
Custom kit & second van complete list, 9.
Custom Tools.
Custom Kit & Equipment.
Workshop tools.
.
.