How do you pack to reduce clutter? (packing accessories)

[joetiger]

[SCM]

[VWagabond]

[PDXWesty]

[designer]

Does anybody use this space under the rear cabinet for anything useful? I have put my jumper cables back there.



also - to free up space in the cabin - has anybody moved the starting battery to the engine compartment with a stock 2.1? I've looked at it, but never really that long. Don't know if it could lay on it's side behind the rear light in that big vacant spot.
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87 Syncro Westy

"It is that annoying, accelerating downhill so I can make it up the next hill in the same gear. Foot to floor hoping I can get out of the way of other cars getting onto the highway." - somebody on here around 2013.

[bluebus86]

roll your clothes, that way they pack tight, and wrinkles is minimized. I can squeeze two rifles and two hand guns in a midium sized rifle case, but I wrap the guns in soft towels to prevent them from being marred by the other(s). Of course the ammo must be stored sperate per california law, no ammo in the gun case allowed, even that forgotten .22 round that rolled under the foam padding can get you in trouble, so make sure the case is neat and clean no stray shells.

my insurance forms and registration are kept togther in a zip lock bag, easy to find them in the glove box all nice and neat.

I loop a head lamp head band around the shifter stick, always handy to have the light near by, and it wont roll off when looped over the shifter stick.

spare oil, funnel towels are in a plastic milk crate on the floor behind driver seat, also location for fire extingusher, use care to not bury the extingusher under luggage, when you need it, you need it fast.

for my get out of dodge quick kit, I have a back pack with gas mask, exposure suit, water, survival food, light, radio, knife, all together, ready to toss into the van at moment notice. also keep about six gallons of drinking water in van for emergency use.
I dont premix my spare antifreeze, I carry seperate full strength antifreeze and water. I will mix the two as needed for the cooling system, this way I have the option of drinking the water if need be.
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[joetiger]

In preparation for our upcoming Baja trip, I took every single item out of the van and asked myself whether it was necessary for this trip or not, backpacker style. I've been able to gain a lot of space.

One thing I found (and this might be common sense) is that if I take my spare filters, CV joint, fuel pump, electrical connectors, wire, zip ties, etc. out of their original boxes and put them in zip lock bags, I save a ton of space. I was able to fit all of that stuff in the battery box under the drivers seat (batteries are in the back now.)

I also decided to splurge on some lightweight sleeping bags that compress to a far smaller size than our regular cold weather mountain bags.

Our trip is still a couple of weeks out, but as I enter old fart-hood, I'm finding that the sooner I start planning space, the better things turn out. This method is in contrast to my old way, which was throwing everything into (or on top of) the van the night before.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0
'85 928S
'19 Golf R
'02 Beetle GLS

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

[djkeev]

I have a "weekender" thus no kitchen or storage drawers.
I use the jump seat as kitchen storage.
The silverware, bottle/can openers, cutlery, condiments, etc have been floating around in ZipLok baggies...... Not ideal at all.

I discovered Husky waterproof storage containers at Home Depot in the tool box aisle.
They have two sizes, the larger ones are great! Can be divided inside, latch securely, have a padded bottom to eliminate rattles and sliding about.
About $15 each, not cheap but is quality.

Ready for camping! .........

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[oldschool84]

[J Charlton]

[Slimvest]

Any surfers got any shots of interior board storage?

I roll in a tintop and often slide the boards in on the z-bed, but would love to find a way to be able to have teh boards inside and still be able to put the bed back into a seat.
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'87 GL w/ Reimo top

[dobryan]

[Sodo]

[djkeev]

[vanis13]

I think that was an ad

cool storage though
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

[dobryan]

[J Charlton]

Up top - front and rear
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NAHT hightop availability Nov.4 2020 -
Distribution plan 2020: Springfield Mass 3 tops (0 available) Staunton Va 5( all sold), Florida4(2 available), Colorado 12 (6 available), Grand Junction Co. (2 - 0 available) SLC 4 (4 available), Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 - 2 available), Kennewick Wa (3 available)

[morymob]

If this has been mentioned then just delete. I've been usung a handy item 4 storage, the lg sq clear peanut jars, lg lids & u can get a lot of stuff inside like rolled socks t shirts etc & see what's in each, they pack tightly too. I hate having to label bags boxes as contents change.

[SCM]

Back to front:

Storage tray at top of rear hatch: small shovel, spare hats and gloves.

Rear closet: solar shower, 1st aid kit, toiletries, some books, pack hammock, parachord, Frisbee.

Big closet: bedding, curtains, extra fleece jacket.

Rear bin: paper towels, tin foil, Tupperware, trash bags, maybe a cook book and paper plates.

Front bin: food that doesn't need refridgerated, spices.

Floor cabinet: tea/coffee/sports drink mix, wine/whiskey, maybe paperplates or more non-perishable food.

Fridge: pulled it out now it carries bike helmets/shoes/Camelbacks or fishing gear other misc "toys". Leveling blocks and collapsible trash cans.

Drawer: silverware, napkins, potholders, dish soap.

Big cabinet: pots, pans, etc.

Under bench space: spare parts, Bentley and Digifant Pro-manual, shoes, bike lube etc. tool box.

Add a cooler behind the passenger seat, two duffle bags in the back, and chairs/camptable/welcome mat/grey water bucket to luggage rack and we're all set. Simple, really.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[Merian]

I just toss everything into a big pile. When I get to a campsite I open the slider and go for a hike. When I get back I check the pile to see if bears chased away the thieves who were picking thru it. Then I grab anything I need and toss the other stuff into a Goodwill box.