Home for my primary tools and camping gear is in my truck so doesn't need packing. Thus most of my packing takes place during the first days after getting home.
I clean out the truck, pressure wash grime off the underside of the truck, check the air filter, fluids, regease the fittings, check belts, empty the porta pottie, make sure any empty sanitation fluid containers are refilled, go through all the dishes, cookware, refrigerator, recovery gear, cleaning gear are clean and properly stowed. Launder my sleeping bag, dirty clothes bag, and if I've been out in the dust, the vehicle's curtains. The inflatable mattress gets stowed in the house. Any equipment repairs that might be needed are taken care of.
It takes me longer to unpack and clean up than it does to pack.
When I'm ready to go out my packing is straight forward.
- If it has been at least 4 months since the last time, I drain, flush, sanitize and refill my water tank
- If I've camped at least 3 weeks since topping off my propane tank, I top it off, or if the trip is longer than a couple weeks, I top it off
- If I have a vehicle maintenance cycle coming up, I go ahead and run it
- I have 3 plastic totes for clothing. They get packed according to the length of the trip and the weather. I pack for a maximum of 7 days assuming that there is a laundry/shopping/ general cleaning/maintenance day scheduled in once every 7 days
- I pack groceries for a max. of 7 days. The meat is frozen except for the first night meal. The refrigerator gets turned on the evening before leaving, and loaded during the final hours before leaving. I tend to pack more of the specialty items that may be hard to find during the trip.
- The inflatable mattress gets deflated, rolled up and stowed.
- Toiletries get loaded
- Maps, a driving snack, water bottle & often my teddy bear gets loaded up front
The roof rack gets packed according to the trip.
Always loaded:
- 2' by 2' square of thick plywood for use as a jack base
- 5L gerry can of 90 wt
- 5L gerry can of anti freeze (if cold weather anticipated)
- parts cleaning kit
- box with 2 bottle jacks, grease gun, oil pump, various funnels (greasy interior box)
- box with large nylon tarp, rope, spare water system filter, water tank filling hose, long electrical cord, adapter for high power RV outlets, propane hose to allow external propane tank use (clean interior box)
The 2 boxes are always stowed full and ready to load
Optional roof rack stuff includes a folding chair, my shower tent & now a small generator in case I sit one place long enough to need to recharge my aux. battery, and if I'm going to be out for a while a small aluminum propane tank. I ALWAYS run out of propane cooking dinner when the food is not yet edible.
That's pretty much it. I've done this often enough that I don't worry about what is supposed to be in the vehicle ready to use. I'm confident that it is there, properly stowed and ready for use. I no longer use lists. I pack mainly by reflex depending upon if the trip is longer or shorter than a week, the expected weather and the anticipated types of terrain.
If I slip up, I have a word with housekeeping and send the maid out for whatever is missing at the first opportunity. But housekeeping is usually pretty reliable. Mostly its just a matter of loading food and clothing and making sure everything is topped off.
Picture of the rear interior of my Land Rover fully packed for more than a week in the field
My truck a week and a half ago. Right now all I need to do is top off the water tank, load the roof rack, add clothing & food and she is ready to be out for a week or longer. 2 days after the trip cleaning, inspecting and doing maintenance. Less than a half day to pack for a week plus out in the field.
. Check and recheck cause it sucks when you get to where your going and realize you forgot the salt for the ice cream ball and everyone is looking at you and thinking mutiny.
