In the last few days we have been packing our Series 3 Landrover for a trip to Tasmania. It's touch and go whether we will make it, given COVID, but we are crossing both fingers and toes. Hopefully by the time you read this we'll be well on our way!
Let's start on with a a couple of wide angle shot of the camper itself, then I'll break it up a little.
So, for context, you can see there's storage on either side on the wheelbases. I'll start with the left side first. When we pull up, I slide the mattress over into the front so I can access the pots and pans.
The washing up bucket is brilliant as it's an old battery box and slides in perfectly. Once that is removed, I can reach in and slide out another similar box beyond that one which has spare UHT milk and toilet paper. Also easy access here is the jetboil for cuppas and a battery operated lantern we use at night.
When I have what I need out of here it's shut to form a work surface. I usually dish up here. You'll also notice the small cupboard here that has a small tarp and other random things like fat wood for the fire.
Above that the left side window is blanked out with thin ply and silver foiled bubble wrap, and we have two pockets for bits and bobs. One we call our 'shed' as it has all the handy things like knives.
Let's move to the right hand side now. On this side there's a food storage 'cellar' largely for tins, pasta, beans and so on. This is where the spirit stove rests when it is away, plus a board do it becomes another place to rest things as you cook. The breadboard also fits here and it is hooked in place with an 🐙 octopus strap.
To the left and slightly above this space is another cuobaord for easy access snacks, sauces, olive oils, tins such as dolmades, crackers and so on. There's a little extra space left over to put chocolate 🍫🍫🍫. Very important. You can also see the 12V fridge and the work surface there.
When the bed is made at night it's impossible to access the lower cuobaords, so the jetboil is placed on the bench ready for the morning and the coffee and mugs can easily be taken from the overhead.
Let's move to the back now. On the left hand side we have some cheeky wine storage, plus random emergency food in the cupboard below. We don't need to open this space unless there's an issue with the solar and battery charging. As you can see, the spare milk can also be accessed here but as detailed above, this box can be slid out from the rear storage boxes.
Underneath the rear seating area we keep a lidded bucket for emergency wee, a bag for laundry, two duffel bags for clothes and a canvas bag for spare sheets and towels.
We particularly love our fridge which can hold about a week's worth of supplies. We always turn it off at night.
On top of the car we have a storage box for a waterproof bag of wetsuits, a tarp, fishing stuff, a stove, a small tent and spare sleeping bag. Whilst we sleep inside, if we set up camp a spare tent can be handy. You'll see more of that set up when I post our travel pics of Tassie, I'm sure!
The fishing roads, a roll up table, two boards and a solar panel are also on the roof. This time we're taking a friends board over for her too - don't worry we'll put it in the back ahahah!
Unfortunately the only way we have to store water is in 25L containers we keep in the back. That's fine - it's Jamies job to pull them out as soon as we pull over for lunch. The space is such I can cook inside if it's windy or rainy, or we can pull out the spirit stove and cook outside.
We also have a 270 degree awning if the weather is calm enough for it. I have seen 30 second awnings I prefer but this came secondhand and cheap!
The bed is made by pulling out a handful floorboards kept underneath the seat. We just had to cut more foam as I'd lent the old foam against the exhaust and Jamie started the car and blew a very petrol smelling shape onto the foam - gross. This mattress is a little thinner anyway so we're happy with this set up.