Camping Essentials

[JGriffoto]

As most of you know, I am a proud owner of a newly purchased 76 Westy. Plan on camping out whenever the family has a clear weekend as well as club outings.

I would like some feedback on essential items I should get for these outings. Below is what I plan to get right off the bat. Any recommendations?

1) Side Tent
2) Camp stove
3) Lantern

Thanks

[Tom]

I have a butane stove that I really like, easy to use and compact . I also have a heater buddy for those cold nights.

[JGriffoto]

I have a butane stove that I really like, easy to use and compact . I also have a heater buddy for those cold nights.

Which stove Tom?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

This is the age old question of camping stock. I posted something similar over on Pop Up Portal, but it's time for an update just the same, here goes...

This is the cabinet behind the drivers seat:

• Gas Stove
• Collapseable cooler
• Shoreline Battery Charger (on recommendation from BusbqBill)
• Jumper Cables
• Bentley Manual
• 110v Portable Fan
• Grill Top Griddle

The Top Drawer

• Plastic Flatware (I keep disposeable stuff in a different compartment, I usually try to use the washable stuff if it is just me. But the disposable forks and knives are good for when I have friends with me.
• Rubber grippers for jars, also good for keeping things from sliding on the counter when I drive

Lower Drawer

• Thermocell Insect Repeller
• Can Opener
• Pens
• Matches
• Grill lighter, and a waterproof lighter
• Multitool
• junk

This is the large camper cabinet, beneath the sink:
Top Shelf

• 4 Plastic Dining Trays
• 4 Plastic Dinner Plates
• 1 Backpack Mess Kit
• 4 Plastic Tumbler Cups
• 1 Plastic Hot Drink Tumblr
• 2 Metal Mugs
  I also keep my flashlight here, just because it is easy to reach, as well as two fun color changing cups a jar of Skippy and a jar of Fluff.

Middle Shelf

• Assorted Ready Mix Meals, Ramen Noodles, Hot Chocolate Mix and Macaroni & Cheese
• Grill Utensils - Spatula, Fork, Tongs
• 1 Medium Saucepan, 1 Small Sauce Pan, 1 Frying Pan,
• Portable Strainer
  The blue mug on the left is a hot mug, it has a boiler built in the bottom and is great for warming drinks or soups.

Bottom Shelf

• Assorted Spices and Condiments (catsup, mustard, syrup etc.)
• Scrubby Sponges -I buy the packs and cut each sponge into three equal size pieces that way I use what I need and can toss the cheapo sponges rather than cart wet grimy sponges around
• Dish Soap - I buy the natural Dawn
• Cleaning Stuff, Pledge, Windex, Tire Shine, Vinyl Cleaner, and paper towels

Rear Cabinet

• Large and small propane canisters
• Shopping bags to hold camp trash
• Plastic cutlery

Wheel-arch Storage Bin

• Propane slow cooker
• 110V Hot Pot

Headbanger Cabinet (don't ask why, you'll figure it out soon enough)

• 4 Beach Towels
• Microfiber towels (for wiping the bus down at shows)
• Window Screens, and Front Curtains
• Raincoat
• Bungee Cords
• 30 foot Outdoor Extension Cord
• Breakaway Cord and adapters

Under the Bench Seat

The black box is the auxiliary battery. It charges off a relay when the bus is running and has a small dedicated fuse block that supplies power to the AM/FM radio, the CB radio, as well as two 12V power supplies in the bench, and a LED light mounted under the body by the sliding door.

• LYNX Levelers (lego blocks to level the bus when camping)
• Propane Lantern
• Table Bracket for outside jack points
• Small hand spade shovel
• Small power inverter
• Front child's cot
• Bus Depot EZYawning

Closet

• Wool Jacket
• Spare jeans, t-shirt
• Nylon Hammock
• DVG Flag, & American Flag (for portable flag pole)
• Collapseable beach tote

Rear Cubbies

• Top
• Toiletry kit for camp showers
• One Time Use Ponchos
• Space Blanket
  Middle
• 2 Wheel Chocks
• 2, 50' Reels of Nylon Rope
• Assorted sizes of tent stakes
• Pack of emergency candles
  Bottom
• Tool Kit
• Clutch and accelerator cables

[Tom]

I have a butane stove that I really like, easy to use and compact . I also have a heater buddy for those cold nights.

Which stove Tom?

I have one like this, easy,small and portable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Portable-Si ... etop-Stove

[EDNCAROL]

John the first thing you should buy for your bus if it don't already have one is a fire extinguisher.

[BusBq Bill]

No need to carry anything because I have everything!

Ed he only needs the extinguisher If he pays a visit to a local mechanic of combustible misfortune.
If that's the case I would install an automatic AFFFl system in the engine bay and get a nomex fire suit.

[Matts70]

Dam Mike! You dont mess around!!

[AoT]

Mike, where are Meia's accessories? She's camping this year!

[JGriffoto]

John the first thing you should buy for your bus if it don't already have one is a fire extinguisher.

Covered. There are 3 in arms reach!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Mike, where are Meia's accessories? She's camping this year!

Last year, I threw her toys, a doggie water bottle food and bowls in a backpack.
But, she only went on two trips with me last year and some local cruise nights.
This year she will be at more.

[Markus]

2 questions

Mike, what kind of aux bat are you using? I assume deep cycle, do you have size or brand recomendations?

also, I always see (in pictures) westy owners using portable stoves, it seems even the ones with deluxe models. My propane tank is full and worked last fall. Do people use these to cook often, are there drawbacks? do they not work as well as a camping stove?

[Tom]

2 questions

Mike, what kind of aux bat are you using? I assume deep cycle, do you have size or brand recomendations?

also, I always see (in pictures) westy owners using portable stoves, it seems even the ones with deluxe models. My propane tank is full and worked last fall. Do people use these to cook often, are there drawbacks? do they not work as well as a camping stove?

People mostly avoid cooking inside the bus because of grease,odor, ect. I have found this true with people who have Pop-up trailers also.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Markus, I am running a set of dual yellow-top ultimas.
I had quite a debacle selecting batteries last winter. I was going to use a standard car battery on the engine side, and a deep cycle under the bed. But was warned against mixing battery types.
Having no other reason not to than price, I finally just bit down and did it.
You can see more in my Bus' Thread

I had an '84 Westy (a Vanagon) that had the stove in the camper, and I did use it. Mostly for simple things like warming water for Mac'n Cheese, or hot chocolate, occasionally making eggs. I thought I would miss it when I got my '77 but I really don't.
Tom is right, it was a mess factor, and I keep a few different camp stoves anyway.

Usually when I get to a site I get my bus in position, leveled and set. Then I put my EZY awning out, and drag a picnic table over. I'll set half the table under the awning and half not under the awning. Makes it easy to keep meal prep close to the camper, and all the cooking stuff. But still have room to chill.

[Brown]

I can't believe all you experts forgot to mention the most essential thing for camping!!!!





BEER!!!!

[Markus]

that awning is pretty sweet. I have an ez up i figured i would use but it is huge and stows huge as well.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Markus, that is the Bus Depot EZY Awning

I used to have a VERY NICE Fiamma f35i retractable awning. But, while the instructions for mounting CLEARLY said to use the included rivet-nuts to secure the brackets to the bus I knew better and elected not to "damage" my bus.
Later that next season the awning tore off in a freak wind "bluster" and damaged the bus as well as another member's Dune Buggy. I took the awning off and sold it. Needless to say, I should've listened to the instructions but at the time my 22 year old self knew better.

The EZY Awning is actually a nice piece. They have since come out with side walls for it, two different size awnings and BD stocks replacement parts which is real nice.
It is a "cheap" awning at ~$130- but it is simple, and other than breaking the elastic tent poles there is really no way to break it. It stores away very compact and even with all the other stuff you see under my bench seat above, the tent still packs in with the tent material and the poles.

It's well worth the money, takes 8-10 minutes at most to set up once you know what you're doing and it connects to the rain gutter so you don't get water draining into the bus.

Frequently, when weather turns rainy we park the buses in a square and put awning to awning gingerly touching our tips so as to make a large tented area to try and stay dry.

[Markus]

cool, thanks a lot.

as for the bats- I read the last 3 pages of your thread. I know ratwell suggests the red ultima as a starter. Ive never read anything on bus forums about not using a deep cycle for the aux. I agree that you should not use a deep cycle as the starter.

hmmm, i will mull it over.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Thats why I have yellows...

Yellows are starter/accessory batteries.
They were the popular choice over in the battery threads on the Samba.

[Tom]

I can't believe all you experts forgot to mention the most essential thing for camping!!!!





BEER!!!!

I am aware of this.

[Raj]

I can't believe all you experts forgot to mention the most essential thing for camping!!!!





BEER!!!!

I am aware of this.

X2

[Firefly]

John, the fun of going to campouts now, is to peek inside everyone's bus to see that accessories they carry. Westy owners love to show you their camping gear (essentials and luxury items) purchased, retrofitted, and home made...

yes, a second battery, fire extinguisher and tools are a must...but as far as camping gear the most essential thing in my van is my porta potty...(I am in the minority here with this one, I know- Brad doesn't need it)

I boil water for coffee each morning inside the van. Unless it is crazy circumstances on the road (unbearable mosquitoes or horrible weather or if we are Walmart stealth camping) we do not usually cook inside either, as others have also indicated.

And since rain is always an issue, yes, an awning of some sort - or an ez up is essential so you can continue to enjoy that adult beverage

[ObnoxiousBlue]

John, the fun of going to campouts now, is to peek inside everyone's bus to see that accessories they carry. Westy owners love to show you their camping gear (essentials and luxury items) purchased, retrofitted, and home made...

Volkswagen Networking!

Thus, why The Duck is a MUST on your calendar!

[Raj]

Dusting off an oldie but a goodie.

Teach me your ways!

[AoT]

i also carry a trolley jack and breaker bar in the rear cabinet. I added a second shelf when I installed the cabinet to hold more stuff.

Does the bus have a headliner installed yet? The noise if it rains can be very LOUD so I used that egg crate foam between the roof and the headliner, made a huge difference.