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We were camping at the weekend, (so cold but thats another thread) and we were just talking about our equipment. We have tunnel tent, porch, windbreak, and everything else that goes with camping, and a trailer. 

Couple of years ago, we had same tent minus the porch and fold flat kitchen stand, but still took 2 grandchildren and everything else with just the car. So, boot was full with stove, chairs, airbeds, bags with clothes, a folding table, folding barbecue, box of kitchen utencils and food etc. Blankets, picnic rugs and pillows were on back seats around the children. Sometimes wonder how we did it with Ford Focus.

Do you wonder the same?

What I don't understand is how, when we went camping at Easter, we got it all in the boot to get there, but, had to shuttle stuff back the night before to come home (we were camped about 20 mins from home..)

I am already eyeing up trailers! DH is not happy

I am getting a trailer as it is no longer possible for me to carry everything in the car and the roof box, now that I have a canvas tent that has a much bigger packed volume.

DK

It stresses me out looking at the amount of STUFF we have to take....

There is just 2 of us for gawds sake!

I am going to buy some plastic tubs to keep STUFF in and then just put it in the car and go - then lift it out when we get back and put it in the cupboard.  No FAFF!

I sometimes do very minimal camping on my own with the kids and it is so nice to have the boot half empty!  We had a nightmare a couple of years ago in Cornwall when it came to packing up time and we just couldnt get it all in the car. 

I remember standing there on the campsite surrounded by all this stuff that just wouldnt go in.  In the end we had to stuff it all in as best we could.  This resulted in me not being able to move my legs for the 7 hour journey home.  After that I said we werent going on any more long trips until we bought a trailer.

I've tried to be clever and taken a photo of the boot when neatly packed so I can replicate for coming home. Still doesn't always work though even though (technically) I bring less stuff home. Is it something to do with the space/time continuem?

I always pack the tent last on both journeys, so that it's first out. That way it's straight out to pitch in the garden if packed wet.

I find folding dirty clothes, blankets etc neatly stops them taking up more room than they did on the outward journey.

Lol...  i remember it well.... trying to cram everything into the car.... then we found the answer....  OH bought a van....  fiat doblo ....  orange (it's called sunny, like sunset)  and it's wonderful.... loads of space and comfy too.

HAPPY CAMPING

Went on first camping trip last June -just me and OH -  very proud that all our brand new stuff fitted in the car.

However (there's always a "however" lol), after booking the next trip a few weeks after, a few days before going we realised we wouldn't be able to fit the dog in the car! (big dog too!).

Ended up with a camel trailer (another £500.00 spent! )

The third and last trip last year ended with OH driving home with me holding the flat screen TV on my lap, coolbox in between my legs, the dog sitting in the back with the airbed and kitchen stand and the windbreaker poking OH in the back of the neck.

 How did that happen???