Message Forums

It depends on what is going to happen next.  If we are going on to another site then it doesn't take so long (but still long enough).  If it is the end of the holiday and we are off home then it could take ages.  If we are going home then we empty the caravan of clothes washing and food (other than anything that has to travel in the fridge, and the caravan is cleaned and hoovered on site. (Everything else stays in the van.)  We take the caravan straight back to storeage, empty the remains of the fridge and then it's straight back home.  I hate getting back to the storeage only to have to start to empty the caravan, and to do a part 2 pack up.  Our car is big enough to take the stuff, so we do in one stage.

We will often take down the awning the day before, but it depends on the weather, largely.  When going straight home we aim to leave by midday, and usually make it for about half past midday!   I have to say, we often don't rush and if we don't have to travel too far to home we will often stay into the afternoon.

awning down previous day, on day of leaving other half does the inside bits i do the outside and pack as much as possible in car that needs to stay out, and away in hour and half,.

Have to say, we are lucky enough to be able to store our van in the  back garden (with some clever manoevering and a power mover!) so we dont have to actually clean the van, just pack everything away.  I can then clean it out at my leisure once we're home.   If I had to actually clean the van before we left, it would take alot longer. 

Downside is, it takes a good 20 mins to get the van out of the garden, down the back lane and into the road to hitch up, much to the amusement of the neighbours.

Whats the hurry!  If we are not too too far from home we don't rush.  We've paid til 12 noon!  Hubby insists on taking the awning down the day before if its dry and looks like rain.  Think we've sussed now what can stay in cupboards for the journey so pretty much everything stays where it is til we get home.  Just a few trips with washing baskets when we get back, to unload all the clothes and bedding.

We do though have a visit from the caravan fairy the week before we go away, she does the shopping and packing and everything for all 4 of us and the dog!  (She has a special list to tick off so nothing is forgotten, I've seen it!)

Quote: Originally posted by kate75 on 22/5/2010

---

When we originally set the van up we bought everything we would need so nothing except food and clothes would be needed on trips. We also leave all the bedding in and it gets washed only after we have been away a few weekends.

---

Quote: Originally posted by shirl250 on 21/5/2010

---

We have ditched the awning on short trips ! Makes an unbelievable difference to packing up time ! Instead we just use our original 'Really Useful' plastic box with lid !

Post last edited on 21/05/2010 20:13:46

---

How many people can you get in the box..is there room to have breakfast?

Seriously, it takes us about three hours form getting up to leaving site, two hours if no awning. 

Our van is in storage so we always try and get all the jobs done ready for the next trip out.

Mr UM