Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

[unclefuzz]

Does anybody have packing recommendations for effiecient transport of gear? I have a family of four car camping out of a Mazda 5. I have most of my gear stored in plastic bins, which is fine when the gear is in the garage or basement, but those bins are so bulky and so hard to pack when space is at a premium. Went on a week long trip last summer, and it was ridiculous the way we were crammed in with crud all under our feets and stuffed into side pockets. Not anxious to repeat as the camping seasson comes in anew. Anybody have recommendations?

[tplife]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

We understand your grief, but it's hard to avoid when "car camping", isn't it? Our solution was adding a cargo box from Thule and Class II hitch. That 13 cu. ft. box carries our tarps, tents, sleeping bags, stove, lanterns, and BBQ (150-pound capacity). That leaves the hatch area for cooler, Kelty Binto Bar (soft chuckbox), firewood, and medium-sized soft bags for clothes, propane. Speakers ride in a Pelican Case and the stereo is in a "ResMed" soft case. Under the hatch are the backup soda and beer, pie iron, hatchet, lantern tripod stands and cooking rods. Behind the seats are the Optima 12V house battery and a 6 gallon water can (tall blue, WalMart). I installed RideRite air bags, so there's no sag whatsoever. In our little Prius, this means only room for 3 people. Hopefully you have a bigger rig than we do, possibly your only out would be a Class II hitch and small trailer. Of course, much of our gear is much more compact and purpose-built: goose down bags compact to half the size of synthetics, ThermaRest pads and pillows roll down quite nicely, and Coleman stove is very thin. Pans nest and GSI fryer handles fold, spatula/spoon/ladle set is compact by design. The Thule Combi/Hitch/RideRide setup was an investment, but compared to the alternatives it's one we can live with vs. a large vehicle or trailer to tow. I think if you follow your thread, you will get a lot of good ideas on different approaches to this problem.

[NYCgrrl]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

I wish I could utilize a roof carrier but just opt to rent a bigger car (minivan) when we go camping on long "gotta pack the bikes/razor scooter and skateboard too" trips. I don't own a car so would be renting regardless. Past the good ideas, tp, posted, I'm intrigued by this contraption:

http://www.amazon.com/Rightline-Gear.../dp/B0009NWQWI

Seen people on the highways with 'em but never had an opportunity to ask them questions about it. All the cars I've observed using them seem to maneuver as normal on the road.

Can say that for general packing purposes it's great to use that maxim: like sized and shaped items stack together.

[terasec]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

i have taken some road trips,
and being packed to the gills with stuff under your feet and such is not a comfortable experience,
only use plastic bins if they serve dual purpose, such as seats, washing dishes, etc...
otherwise they do take up more space than necessary
,loosely, soft items can be packed utilizing every corner and crevice.
if you cant use trailer mounted platforms, or roof carriers, you just may have to choose your gear carefully, and just scale down.

[unclefuzz]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

I do have a Pack Right cartop carrier (the sport jr., I believe). If only I could put the children in that...they take up sooooo much cargo space.

[sarahspins]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

My biggest recommendation is just to limit the amount of stuff you take It's hard, but I'm sure you realized on your last trip that there was a fair amount of "stuff" you brought along that was never really used (or not used often). I also like packing everyone's stuff into their own backpack during long trips.. it helps keep things organized, and it limits the amount of extra stuff they can bring along. I don't use huge backpacks for that, my kids all have 18L packs that their stuff all fits in. Just 3 days of clothes is more than adequate for any trip.

That said, I'm a fan of soft storage for the most part for everything else.. rigid boxes really limit your cargo capacity. We do use two milk crates for our kitchen supplies and dry foods, otherwise everything else is packed in soft sided "box" bags (like these from IKEA). I also have a mountainsmith hauler set, but I only use the cubes, not the big bag that holds them all. I also got that on clearance at a local store so it was fairly inexpensive.. I'm not sure it's really worth the retail price... but they are easier to fit in the car than a rubbermaid box is, because they can squish a bit to fit into tight spaces.

[Bigdog57]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

Having done some early camping in my little Toyota Tercel before retiring it, my ideas would be,
1) Use soft bags instead of hard totes, as they scrunch up and pack tighter.
2) Roof top carrier - I have a pair of strap-on roof racks as this car has no factory rack. Tractor Supply Store had a rooftop bag that works well.
3) Small trailer - Harbor Freight has a wee one about 30X48 inches or so, fairly cheap. Light enough the smallest car can handle it easily.
4) Trade up to a larger vehicle? One of the smaller UV's could work well and still give good fuel economy. If you camp often, and those kids will be getting bigger, it's worth considering.

[renodesertfox]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

I agreed 100% with Dawg(Big Dog). A hundred years ago we used totes to haul our camping gear in, but they were just too bulky. Went to duffel-bags, waterproof and durable, these pack much tighter and are easier to strap down when traveling! Getting that better vehicle is also sound advice, even it's a "used vehicle," get it in tip-top shape and keep it so! Just my $0.02 happy camping!

[NYCgrrl]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

Here's something I did one year when I rented a car from one company and received a smaller one for the return trip unexpectedly: I mailed items back home. The PO provided boxes and tapes which was a true boon. You can also ship bulky items to the PO closest to your camp site via "General Delivery" or maybe it's named "Will Call".

Depending on how many people I'm camping with and the size of the car I've also been known to pack the car utilising all the back seats plus cargo space and have the back seat occupants (plus escort) take mass transit to a nearby train station. No idea how close you are to SEPTA, NJ Transit or Amtrak but might be an out of the box option for you.

[PJC001]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

I have five of the big blue IKEA bags (59 cents each) which are very durable and hold a lot of stuff. All bedding, clothes and towels/toiletries go into those bags and makes for very easy packing and has helped me cut way down on big plastic bins.

[Bigdog57]

Re: Efficient Packing/Gear Transportation

Here's something I did one year when I rented a car from one company and received a smaller one for the return trip unexpectedly: I mailed items back home. The PO provided boxes and tapes which was a true boon. You can also ship bulky items to the PO closest to your camp site via "General Delivery" or maybe it's named "Will Call".

Depending on how many people I'm camping with and the size of the car I've also been known to pack the car utilising all the back seats plus cargo space and have the back seat occupants (plus escort) take mass transit to a nearby train station. No idea how close you are to SEPTA, NJ Transit or Amtrak but might be an out of the box option for you.

That is an EXCELLENT idea! I have some motorcycle buddies who ship spare tires and other things they know they'll need ahead, to be there when needed.