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As much in the Van so that its weight is just below the MTPLM (to allow for error) and as much in the car as possible whilst still being able to see out of the back window.

Phil

We don't regard our set up as minimal (as each item does its job well) but by some it is.

A good double burner stove with integral kitchen stand - Campingaz Kitchen Extra plus back-up single suitcase stove in case run out of gas, both with griddle plates. Use trangia nested saucepan and kettle set, plus ready packed crockery etc that has been collected for compactness and usefulness over the years. Disposable BBQs.

Nice Coleman Comfort airbeds (with Wilkos fleecy mattress covers and 350 rated sleeping bags for warmth plus blankets) and Kampa Whirlwind 12v/240v rechargable pump

Eurohike umbrella collapsing chairs plus aluminium roll-up camping table, 2 x small backpackers tables plus Outwell Baffins stool/table combo (modified for added table top stability) which our 3 year old uses as a stool at the main table or we all use as a table for the smaller tent or games.

2 traditional coolboxes - Coleman 24hr Icetime ones (1 for tins and dry stuff and 1 as a cool box). Keep outside under reflective insulation in the summer hence prefer animal proof.

Folding Sunncamp washing up bowl with pockets and long handle to use as a bowl or carry stuff to washing up area. Houses collapsable water carrier and washing bits during transit. Also have a useful collapsable bucket from Wilkos.

2 Wilkos battery UFO led lights for lighting plus head torches (my husband also has a beloved tilley lamp for atmosphere outside) plus wind up radio for weather reports.

Highlander folding toilet that doubles as a waste bin.

a Vango Adventure Tarp as a wet weather shelter. Beach windbreak that doesn't get used often.

Footprint and Carpet (latter for big tent only)

Thomas the Tank collapsing toy box with key toys and play mat, kite, football and beach stuff if relevant plus a couple of board games for us and reading books

We can't see the point of electricity,TV etc - the children find friends to play with very easily and we're out and about during the day. Just wrap up warm if its cold and make sure that we have enough bedding and hot water bottles if its really cold.

With the big tent set up need the trailer, but cope fine with the car for the weekend tent - although use suitcase stoves and smaller tables only then. No carpet either - but always take the overnight tent as well and the rest of the stuff as ready packed, bagged and crated. No roof box.

Helen

There's a huge spectrum of "what to take....bare minimum at one end, full Glamping set up at the other. You have to work out what suits you for comfort, budget and packing space. Also you don't need the same kit for 2/3 night weekends as you do for the 2/3 week long trip!

I would suggest that if you're going on a first trip for a short time (?) you don't worry too much about taking every last possible want but just work with what you've got, within reason. A normal coolbox is fine for a couple of days and as long as you take warm clothes and extra bedding you don't need heaters etc. You as adults don't need huge amounts of extra clothes but take plenty of spares for your little one. As to games etc they don't need a lot...a ball, a few favorite  figures or trucks, basic drawing kit. Plenty for a weekend. If you run short of something, remember the local charity shops! I've picked up some really useful emergency bits out of charity shops.

Take a notepad and pencil too and as you progress make a note of anything you don't have that you really should take next time (First aid kit? Better frying pan?), a note of what you brought that you didn't need and a list of "would be nice" items. This last should be treated with caution when you get back...yes, an electric kettle is nice but if you have a gas stove then a kettle is not an essential. On the other hand a 3-way fridge might really work for you and save you hours and hours of shopping and meal prep time.  Taking enough clothes for 3 days is easy, taking enough clothes for two weeks is just silly. Most bigger campsites have washing machines so enough clothes for one week plus a couple of washing loads works for me.

Incidentally I've got two kids and have camped with them since they were tiny. I'm well known here for being one of the more minimal family packers but I can assure you I've never sacrificed comfort or convenience for this. I take EHU, 3-way fridge, good bedding, toys for the kids...what I don't take is all the extra bits that only do one job, get only used once a week and which duplicate another piece of kit in many ways. take your time building up your kit and really think about it...often spending a little more will buy you a better quality item that performs better, packs smaller and saves you having to take something else as well to add to it. Sleeping bags are the No1 example of this last btw!

I can shove all the kit for the four of us and a one week trip into the boot of our Mondeo estate btw. No trailer or roof box required and I don't even need to put items on the back seat with the kids. For longer trips we take our trailer tent so a lot more space but even then, I try not to take too much. It all requires packing + setting up time + cleaning + disassembly + repacking time. It's not just about having the room to take it, you know!

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 22/8/2010

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As much in the Van so that its weight is just below the MTPLM (to allow for error) and as much in the car as possible whilst still being able to see out of the back window.

Phil

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I'm utterly resistant to having a trailer and have nowhere to store a roofbox, so everything has to fit in the car (Mondeo estate).

Although there are only ever two people going, the two dogs in their crates take up the space where the back seat is folded down, so we have the same amount of luggage space as a family of 4 or 5. Plus the dogs need a surprising amount of stuff of their own (beds, towels, toys, food, bowls, rope, dog stakes and a water from home so they can be switched over gradually to local water), although I concede they don't wear much in the way of clothing!  

I don't do EHU - see no need for it and prefer to camp away from the sound of tv's etc - and expect the temptation to take electrical kit can easily fill a car quickly.

This year, we fitted everything easily, despite having three tents on the way back after I managed to break a bit of the Khyam and had to make an emergency purchase (Vango Icarus 500).