** Jim.M.Craig@PEPSI.COM writes: **

Two kids (2 and 5) here are well,  I've enjoyed
this thread, picked up some other pointers/ideas
as well!  Time to give back to the list, so here 
are my inputs.

>> We don't leave everything in the van, but we do keep it all
>> organized in plastic bins and duffels so it is ready to go.  

Same here, the Az. heat does a number on batteries, 
and other 'perishable' things like that (ointments in 
first aid kits, sunscreen, etc)  That sort of stuff goes in 
rubbermaid 'Action Packers'  http://tinyurl.com/apbyd

Sadly, they dont make the smallest one anymore, but
we have a couple of these, which are just the ticket for
kids toys, as well as the stuff that goes in the 
two cabinets under the rear table.

Along those line, personally?  ditch the rear table, pull 
it out and leave it at home.   We've found that it only gets
in the way, and about all it was good for is for putting a 
big stack of blankets/pillows down on the countertop, 
then 'securing' them by lowering the table on top of it.

Over the water tank, first aid kit, sunscreen, bug stuff
flashlights etc:  The larger compartment holds the pegs 
to secure the fiamma awning, rubber mallet, small foldable
shovel trash bags, Tiki candle (big one for mozzies) spare
batteries etc:  

Closet holds larger bulky jackets, cycling gear, hip-packs
and or backpacks?, bike helmets, and other misc items.

The small pull out drawer holds utensils, in small green 
plastic organizer deals (like a silverware drawer at home?)
can opener, fire starter thingy.. (one of those click and hold
butane deals for lighting lanterns, stoves etc:)  These MSR 
foldable utensils are uber cool as well 

    http://tinyurl.com/8vrm4

>> pull stuff out of the van right after the trip, clean the dishes
>> etc, then put everything back in the bins so there is no scrambling

exactly!

>> I do leave the stuff under the bench 

only thing under here is a large toolbox, spare oil, coolant, air
compressor, jumper cables, jack, bentley manual, magnetic
bug screens for front windows, stuff that doesnt get used that often.

>> Under stove
>> Lower right cabinet - pantry/dry goods

cups, paper plates, cookset (pots/pans) wipes
another flashlight, a couple of other small plastic
tubs with misc pantry items.

>> Drawer - utensils/lighter/knives etc

ditto

>> Fridge - More food (we use a cooler for the cold stuff)

 
ditto here as well

>> Lower left cabinet 

This is taken up with a Go Westy installed heater. 

>> Under rear table

rear table stays home.

>> Dishes/pans (not sure I like this)

I'd move them to under the stove area.

>> Rear
>> Chairs, luggage, table (if we bring it), sleeping bags

same here, put each persons clothes into their own
travel bag.  We also use one of those aforementioned
'Action Packers' to put the food in.  This way, if you're
in a place with bears (Yosemite, or parts of the Sierra's)
its easy to pull this, and the cooler out of the van and 
get most of the 'smell' out of your precious vehicle and into
the 'bear box' where it belongs! 

On longer trips, we'll use a cargo bag up front, for tables, 
chairs, propane bottles, lanterns, etc:  

  http://tinyurl.com/9x6qj
  http://tinyurl.com/a94v6
  http://tinyurl.com/abwy6

  This one even looks nicer/more sturdy than the plastic
  one from target.

  http://tinyurl.com/89gfc

For *really* long trips, we have a Yakima Rocketbox
that will hold most of the above, plus the 2 yr old's backpack
carrier, leveling blocks, collapseable bucket (grey water catch)

  http://tinyurl.com/by7ds

(REI has a generic version of this in  their store for
  like $12 or somesuch)

and sun shower  

   http://tinyurl.com/dtjo7

If climbing is involved, then we also throw the bag on the
front for climbing gear.. (more backpacks, ropes etc)

really just depends...

the other thing that we do for longish trips is take a small
tent to use as a 'shed' that way, you can put the kids car
seats in there, along with the other misc stuff to keep
it out of the elements, and not have to load/unload it 
in and out of the van all the time if you have to go somewhere.

Since we have the propane heater built in, we also just take
a zip together fleece sleeping bag type affair, along with a
couple of other polartec blankets.  These can be folded such 
that they will fit in behind the upper bunk, and you can still 
close the pop-top.  IMHO this doesnt really save much space
over just everyone having their own individual down sleeping
bags, but the kids dont have such, and I dont want to bring 
bulky kids sleeping bags just for them.

   http://tinyurl.com/749go

In the back closet, we put tolitries, towels (microfiber
hand and bath towels take up *lots* less room and dry
much faster than cotton.  Rear bug screen, front window
curtain (which we rarely use, just have one of those sun
shade deals we put up in the front window to knock the 
heat down a notch or two?)  another flashlight

I need to do some interior lighting upgrades to the van
would eliminate stuffing flashlights all over the place :-) 

The hardest part is the first trip of the season, getting
back into the swing/mechanics of things.  After that, it's
a piece of cake.  
 
  http://tinyurl.com/9y6nl    boys in the back (trip to J-Tree CA last fall)
  http://tinyurl.com/d7qdy   we brought too much crap on this trip!

cheers,

 -tim

90 syncro westy 
mesa, az