27 Unexpected Essentials For Van Camping

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  • Опубліковано 14 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 70

  • @phildorman6638
    @phildorman6638 Рік тому +3

    Great film, thanks for this - so many things I didn’t know I needed for my van!!!

  • @gareth_j720
    @gareth_j720 Рік тому +2

    A radar key is handy for locked public toilets if you’re ever stuck. Can get them online.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      Got one of them. Totally forgot I had it. Total emergencies only though

  • @Flight-of-Life
    @Flight-of-Life Рік тому +2

    Just ordered a change robe. Been snorkeling for years. Never knew such a miracle existed. Always had to result to the Kama sutra, yoga, pretzel towel technique to get changed in public

    • @Flight-of-Life
      @Flight-of-Life Рік тому +1

      Forgot to say thank you. Thank you

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      You’re welcome! Game changing bit of kit, thought they were overkill to start with but then realised it has a lot more uses than just changing

  • @colinp5248
    @colinp5248 Рік тому +1

    Brilliant Stephen, may steal a few of these ideas myself... a few I have already and are invaluable.. the bike is looking very tempting lol

  • @davidmeade-internationalmo6076

    Great list! Big fan of a duvalet, a pee bag, and a (crazy loud) personal protection alarm. Also a wireless outside temp indicator super useful.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      Ooo outside temp would be useful, my current method is stick an arm out the window and flail it around a bit

  • @adventurousdavee
    @adventurousdavee Рік тому +2

    Glad to see sheeepie is still with you on your travels 😎😎😎

  • @jimfisher1916
    @jimfisher1916 3 місяці тому

    My convenience bottle is an apropriately named Comfort bottle. (Fabric conditioner). Simple to use dont even have to get out of bed and the cap is fully sealed. In the morning you can walk to the services and no one knows what you are carrying so you can empty it rinse it out and it is ready for the next night.

  • @melissalewis8803
    @melissalewis8803 Рік тому +1

    Use silica packets. I also grab dollar tree moisture grabbers. They work. I have silica packets hanging in the windows in little mesh bags. I have them attached to my window coverings with velcro tape. I also place them under my sink area, garage, Porta potty box and laying in on the dash. If I am in high humidity regions I place throughout van. Also 2x monthly, I wipe the interior windows with anti-fog. Life saver.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      I have a dehumidifier bag which is like a big silica packet.

  • @SpaceCadet4Jesus
    @SpaceCadet4Jesus Рік тому +1

    I think it's appropriate to buy a half dozen of those midgie night lights, go back to Glen Coe during twilight, light them up and leave!!
    Payback !😄
    You've been upgrading your carry-alongs since we first saw your empty van last year. Glad it's all working out for you.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      Haha, been plotting my revenge on the midges for a year now 😂😂😂

  • @paulplex
    @paulplex Рік тому +2

    Some of these are something I take motorcycle camping too. Shower wipes, great for a 'bits and pits' wash in the tent; mini hot water bottle (quarter the size of your sheep) great in the bottom of a sleeping bag. Not got the van, but some of your thoughts here will come with me next time I'm on the bike!

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому +1

      Hmm yeah definitely a bit of a crossover. Some of this stuff I use camping too, maybe in a different format. Like I use a camping lantern with warm and cool light options.

  • @TonyAWOLAdventureMcConnell
    @TonyAWOLAdventureMcConnell Рік тому +2

    That was very interesting lad well done

  • @marionsutcliffe1119
    @marionsutcliffe1119 9 місяців тому +1

    That change robe looks like it would make a good pillow. Does it fold into a built in pouch/pockets?

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  9 місяців тому

      It doesn’t, but you can easily roll it up into a pillow shape

  • @VISTATREKKER
    @VISTATREKKER Рік тому +1

    Great list, I must have magnets 😍

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      I love my magnets. Want to buy more. Keep finding uses for them and then having no loose ones

  • @MarvinofMars
    @MarvinofMars Рік тому +1

    Ben-One Beach very good! Sadly camping with a van has sadly changed a massive amount in 20 years. These days you have very few free camp sites.
    I had a T4 Transporter from 1996-2006, it went all over Ireland > Scotland, > Wales and the West Country. 400,000 miles worth and loved it : )
    I Just had a Camping gas unit, a potty, dc power bilge pump used for showers, I drove a company supplied new Custom transit for 2 years a great van.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      Definitely seem to be a lot more vans around now! Think the pandemic had a lot to do with it, people bought campers instead of going abroad.
      You had a shower, one better than me!
      Yeah I really like the transit custom, drives like a car. Drove one for a week in Scotland when I was filming a documentary about two years ago and it convinced me.

  • @pixelpeter3883
    @pixelpeter3883 Рік тому +1

    Very useful video Stephen, but you didn't mention that dangling red leash ;-)

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      Ah yes. I actually did record a bit for that, it’s a ratchet strap. But I swapped it for the cargo net as thought it was the more useful option

    • @pixelpeter3883
      @pixelpeter3883 Рік тому

      @@StephenJReid Now we know. So not a leash for the missus :-D

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      @Pixelpeter 🙈

    • @pixelpeter3883
      @pixelpeter3883 Рік тому +1

      @@StephenJReid BTW: the elastic net instead of a shelf in the back is a good idea and much more practical :-)

  • @digiklump
    @digiklump Рік тому +3

    Wow what a through and complete list. Some great ideas for making camping more pleasurable. Sorry you had the uninvited lookie-lou as an uninvited audience member. One suggestion is instead of the bug spray is hanging som good old fashioned fly paper in the van. They work surprisingly well and just replace when full. Really enjoyed this video thanks.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому +2

      Fly paper! That’s a great idea, although assuming not the curly long ribbons? I’d end up with it stuck on my face 😂

    • @SpaceCadet4Jesus
      @SpaceCadet4Jesus Рік тому +1

      @@StephenJReid That'll be a good video. "How I hung myself with fly paper" 😄

  • @rachelfrench6618
    @rachelfrench6618 Рік тому +1

    This is really helpful! love it! Got a few things on my list from that video.

  • @andrewvickers4487
    @andrewvickers4487 Рік тому +1

    Super helpful, I hadn't come across several of those items before, some of which may prove invaluable - thank you! I'm especially surprised that I hadn't seen that stove heater before, I'm thinking it should work well with an alcohol stove inside a tent (with good ventilation).

  • @LaidBackHomesteader
    @LaidBackHomesteader Рік тому +3

    Good video Stephen. How long did you have to wait for the ? to vanish between numbers, 21 and 22 ? I was cracking up maybe they were star-struck!

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      At one point a group of Americans were standing about 20meters away just staring straight at me. I went and hid inside the van in shame until they left 🙈
      I suppose it did look a bit like I'd opened a shop on the beach 🤣
      Next time I'm going further down the beach!

    • @LaidBackHomesteader
      @LaidBackHomesteader Рік тому +1

      Fair play you carried on I would have put the kettle on waiting for them to move on

    • @SpaceCadet4Jesus
      @SpaceCadet4Jesus Рік тому

      @@StephenJReid Americans tend to do that overseas...stand around staring.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      @@SpaceCadet4Jesus Should have charged them for admission and then conducted a tour of van 😂

  • @emerald-islander
    @emerald-islander Рік тому +1

    I love the Bricklayers tan Stephen 😂

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      I only tan from the neck up and the sleeves down 😂

  • @pamray2029
    @pamray2029 Рік тому +1

    Great video, thanks 🙂

  • @AjaySingh-228
    @AjaySingh-228 Рік тому

    Cool vedio sir ✌️🙂

  • @markdevenney5584
    @markdevenney5584 Рік тому +1

    Is that Benone/Downhill beach?

  • @jujujay
    @jujujay Рік тому +1

    What’s number two called again ?! 😂

  • @FDGRebel
    @FDGRebel Рік тому +1

    best yet, i was in bits "....it's not glamorous." :)

  • @robertmccrea1957
    @robertmccrea1957 Рік тому

    Stephen. Add a small gel dehumidifier will help cut down condensation …… still can’t find a ‘join’ button duh!!!

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому +1

      Good tip! Have since done so, have a couple of them

  •  Рік тому +5

    28. electric washing machine 29. electric refrigerator 30. more electrical gadgets 31. diesel electric generator 32. solar panels 33. wind turbine 34. mini atomic power station 35. etc.

  • @davidpoots8362
    @davidpoots8362 Рік тому +1

    I love going out in my van, no way I'm swapping my noisy gas heater, it's a life saver when I get out of the water.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      Hard to beat a lot of quick heat. I use the stove heater for that in colder weather

  • @agradoville
    @agradoville Рік тому +1

    #16. Hiiiii. Shhheeeeeeep!!!!!!!!!

  • @marksadventures3889
    @marksadventures3889 Рік тому +1

    that red car has been up and down 3 times now getting closer every time, nosey ****s. #08 having a gypsies' - big deal.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      Definitely attracted a bit of attention!

  • @maggycotherman2314
    @maggycotherman2314 Рік тому

    Some items a bit redundant, but change robe is a brainwave. So simple. Also you're all about electric when that's so hard to sustain with the system you have, unless you're not in your van for more than 3 days at a time. Cooking with propane so much more efficient.

    • @StephenJReid
      @StephenJReid  Рік тому

      I have a gas stove as backup if I need it. But I often plan trips so at least every third day I’m at a proper campsite so that means an electric hook up for recharge