Car is packed for tomorrow - and it’s totally full (AND I have a roof box)!

[feesh]

I’m panicking because I feel like I’ve failed in some way. I am taking the 3 kids camping by myself tomorrow.....which is probably a bad idea, but hey it’s done now. I have finished packing the car up (and the massive Handirack bag on the roof) and it’s COMPLETELY full - and it’s a big car (Citroen Grand Space Tourer). I can’t get anything else in! And I didn’t even get duvets or blankets in yet. We have sleeping bags, but I really wanted extra duvets just in case. God knows how I am going to get the blankets in. I also still need to put towels and toiletries in.

I feel a bit sick with worry, like I’ve fucked up massively by failing to pack it well enough to get the bedding in. I’m also worried that the car is overloaded. And I’m panicking about reloading it at the end of the trip, alone with three kids and with stuff probably not having been put away as well as it could have. The kids are already piled up with stuff in the back.

Please someone reassure me!

Our car is always like this for camping! Have you got food? That's one kite thing to bring back. You'll be fine.

Less not kite!

Can kids sit on folded blankets?? I would always put blankets and duvets at the bottom so they are squashed into nothing by everything else so you can try that for the return journey.

The kids are all in car seats. We haven’t even got food (except a cool box) as I’ve got a Morrison’s click and collect for tomorrow evening!

I think I’m going to take the massive windbreak out that’s currently across the footwell of the kids’ seats and wedge some more duvets or blankets into that area instead.

I think you have overpacked I fitted two adults and two children tent beds etc even food into a pergout 307

Can you give us an inventory of what you have packed - it does sound like you are taling too much! Our car is always packed to burst when we camp, but if your roof box is also filled up then there must be a way you can trim down what you are taking..

I think I’m going to take the massive windbreak out that’s currently across the footwell of the kids’ seats and wedge some more duvets or blankets into that area instead.
This is an excellent idea. In my experience blankets and duvets so that you are warm at night are much more important for a good camping holiday than a wind break

Keep toiletries really really basic. Toothbrushes each , one toothpaste, One bottle of combined shampoo and showergel, one moisturiser for both face and body, one brush. That would be it for me. Just take a couple of plastic bags to carry it to the showers and back

In fact when camping I have taken this: all purpose soap which doubles as body/hair wash and washing up liquid! I don't now how many of you are going but this 100ml bottle actually as enough for DH, ME and DS on a 4 day camping trip including all showering and doing the washing up

Hope you've got your tent up by now. And surely you packed a wine glass?

This worries me a bit! I've got a VW golf, me and 2 small children. Do I need to buy a trailer?

Hope you got sorted OP. Your car situation sounds exactly like ours when we go camping. What helps is those vaccum storage bags that condense clothes and sleeping bags down. You can get a pump with a deflation setting that can be powered off your car cigarette lighter to reseal the bags at the end of your trip.

We have a few different 8 man tents, and I'm definitely more glamper than rough and ready. Our car was so full on the last trip that we had to pay our sons petrol costs to drive down with more stuff and then pick it up a week later . But we do take inflatable canoes, wetsuit's, buoyancy aids etc. If ask that wasn't involved and it was just two adults, two kids, we can JUST squeeze it into a Tiguan and roof box

Oh and op- vacuum packing bags are a life saver and we have a pump that plugs into the fag lighter. They are brilliant and also keep your emergency clothes/towels dry.

ok, so what have you packed?
we are 'comfort bare bones' campers.
we like to be warm at night, that's top priority. the rest is (sort of) optional.

tent & pegs & mallet
sims (more comfortable imo and take up less room than air beds)
sleeping bag & fleece blanket each
small pillow (or inflatable) each
1 'really useful' box for kitchen stuff (doubles up as table)
1 'really useful' box for food stuff (doubles up as seat)
camping stools (chairs take up too much space)
toys&games&books
led lanterns
one backpack each for clothes

I'm taking the DCs for a couple of nights and I'm like @bluefoxmug. I have a mini gas ring (we are only going down the road so we'll have fish and chips and eat sandwiches and I'll make myself a coffee).

Bother pressed post too soon.
Great idea about the RU boxes. I've always taken open crates which is daft! I do like my camp chair though for a wine and my Kindle after the DCs are in bed. DH doesn't do outdoors and I'll probably just take one DC per night - we only have a tiny two pod thing.

Sounds like us when we go camping!

I was massively impressed last year when a family of five pulled up next to us, no roof box, average sized family car and there was nothing packed round the kids in the back. DH keeps reminding me about them as I list what we need to take.

We all tend to take too much crap with us.
Tent
Sleeping bags and mats
One change of clothes.
Food just eat out or cook basic stuff, hot dogs etc.
When you get back look at how much you actually used.
I hope you have a great time the kids will remember it for ever.

We vacuum pack the blankets and sleeping bags. Can't do it on the way home, but we have more space as we have eaten all the food.

Most people take too many clothes imo. 2 jumpers 2 trousers and a shorts then a clean top / underwear for each day. 1 or 2 Pjs for kids depending on if more than a weekend.
Hat. Warm coat

Can someone link to one of these pump things? I’d love to bring vacuum packed duvets!

@Endlessmizzle

Can someone link to one of these pump things? I’d love to bring vacuum packed duvets!

Aldi will no doubt have a bunch of camping stuff in the middle aisle soon, and they will have some there. I picked one up the other month. They may have them online anyway on the reduced section or something.

How long are you going for?
I camp often and we only take the essentials to be comfortable, fed and entertained.
Have you got a list of what you have packed and maybe we can help?

This is what we take:

Toilet roll + Bucket
Groundsheet + tent
Mini gas ring and canister
Sleeping bags
Air bed and foot pump
Solar charger (large match box size)
Hanging led lanterns and batteries
Collapsible cooking kit
Matches
2 x Large mugs
tent, pegs, hammer
Chairs
Playing cards
Mozzie repellant
Extra socks
Plasters, Paracetamol
Toothpaste + Toothbrush + Mouth wash
Anti bac/Hand wash
Cable to charge phone in car
Camera
Food - bread rolls, cheese, marshmallows, biscuits, tin of soup each, hot chocolate
Can/bottle opener/penknife

And if we can't buy it there or collect firewood (we do a lot of very rural basic camping)
Wood
Kindling

Which all fits in a city car.

After considering the options, I've concluded next time we go away for more than a couple of days I'm going to hire a second second car. In Scotland we're going to need warm clothes, another pair of shoes etc. Stuff we're compromising on to save space.