PGs camper van

[Pete Grey]

MB it’s interesting how you managed with just a 35 Ah solar panel and a 200 Ah battery.

The setup i’ve chosen should be enough to run led lights and charge batteries for the radio, walkie talkies etc. and i can also use the inverter.

I chose the folding solar panel with built in charge controller instead of a fixed panel on the van as it can always be used at home if there is a power outage.

Now.....you’ve won the pint.....yes.....the van is white.....and it does strand out like a sore thumb when parked in the middle of a green field. A parked camper van or trailer caravan would be one of the first places to look for food, gas bottles or any useful gear.

If TSHTF and we are able to get to our chosen BOL the van will be well hidden behind (or inside) a barn, that is if we see the warning signs and BO early enough.

As for hiding the van, last year i bought three dark green tarps, each 5 x 4 metres, i think i need to improve on these and will look for large camo ones if we are stuck on open ground.

[Straight Shooter]

What about some camo nets Pete ? use the green tarps as a base , I used to use nets when shooting pigeons …...a 7 shot SAVAGE pump action 12 g …..shot some but frightened the sh.t out of hundreds .

[Pete Grey]

Have started checking expiration dates of the canned food in the crates, and have made sure there’s a good can opener in both.

Filled the water tank, filled toilet flush tank, flushed out waste (grey) water tank, checked engine oil, batteries, radiator, brake fluid.

The cigarette lighter socket is fitted to leisure battery box, and a male plug fitted to solar panel.

The hand syphon pumps i ordered are packed, i wanted three in the BOV, one for fuel, one for potable water and one for untreated water, to prevent any chance of contamination.

Did not say earlier, Clothing crate has for each of us, extra underwear, winter thermals, walking socks, shirts, sweaters, thick trousers, woolly hats, gloves, spare boots (already broken in) and a couple more towels.

I have not yet done anything about a camo net or tarp to hide the camper, but it’s on the list.

[Mortblanc]

Those use by dates will sneak up on you if you do not go through each and every can.

I got to the back of a shelf in one pantry the other day and found a can that felt funny when I shook it.

It "clanked" instead of "sloshed".

The "use by" date was 10/2012.

The use by dates can be fudged a bit, since there is no real governing body that sets them, just a manufacturers suggestion, but I figured 7 years was a bit risky.

I kept the can for a couple of days trying to decide if I should send it to the chemical warfare specialists for disposal.

It was beef stew, so I fed it to the neighbors dog, who showed no ill effects, but I was not in the same house with him that night.

He has stayed out of my garden for the past few days.

[Pete Grey]

Finally got round to actually trying out the folding solar panel, 100 watt setup, charged battery at 6-7 amps in bright sun, 2-3 amps when cloudy, should be even better later in summer with full sun.

It should be enough to keep batteries charged, ( vehicle, leisure and AA and AAA NiMH ) and occasionally run the inverter, but during winter i may need a second panel, in which case i will probably go for the same setup as backup, two is one.............

[Pete Grey]

While on our travels i've bought a few packs of cheap luggage straps (Blackspur-polyester webbing-2 for £1), these will be on the crates to strengthen them and stop them coming open if i have to move them in a hurry.

I’m looking through the crates and will be replacing some of the stuff with better quality items, i’m thinking of things like kitchen gear, tools, work gloves and protective clothing etc, any items replaced will go into “home preps” for bugging in long term.

Medicines and first aid items always need checking as needs change and expiration dates can be short with some meds, so these will be a priority.

Water filter, (British Berkefield), is now permanently kept packed in the camper, rather than in a crate.

If we do need to bug out the timescale i’m thinking of is probably months (rather than permanent) , before things settle down and we can return home, (other than some catastrophic disaster - natural or man made), time will tell but we try and plan for the worst case scenario.

[Straight Shooter]

Pete where did you get them straps from , I like that idea . I am about to go through repacking gear into predetermined packs/boxes and check ALL gear as I go , needless to say some things have got out of hand and Not organized …..(but that will change , and quickly) I have made a good start already …..a place for every thing and every thing in its place was drummed into me by my grandfather , my father and the guy that trained me as a chippy ……..they would all be doing a backwards flip right now ! .

[Pete Grey]

SS the straps were from Harry Tuffins at Craven Arms, you can get them (or similar straps) off ebay or amazon but not at that price.

Blackspur BB-BD 333 luggage straps 25mm x 2 metre, 400lbs breaking strain.
Silverline also list similar straps part 449682.

[Straight Shooter]

Well I'm buggered Pete...……….as was in there three weeks back (and a cracking boot / market on a Sunday ) well well well …….cheers pal !

[Pete Grey]

Put together another crate with the tent, a 5m x 4m tarp, two hanks of cord, some extra tent pegs, canteen set, the old camping gaz stoves, six gas cartridges, some candles, cigarette lighters, two folding water containers (empty), oasis tablets, and a couple each of cans of corned beef, stewing steak, chicken breast, and tuna.

This, if the camper is out of action, will be thrown in the car, there is already a GHB, and food for three days in the boot.

If we bug out in the camper the crate will be a useful addition, if we have to use the car the crate could be a lift saver and we would be on the road in minutes.