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What do you keep in your bus?

Volkswagen busses are nothing if not reflections of their owners' personalities. Whether wildly painted or elegantly refurbished, the exterior tells you a little about what the driver is like. When you open the doors, however, the discovery really begins...

Here are how some folks answered the question of what they keep in their bus:

Bill Abbott & Jean Delaney	Chuck Anderson	Sean Bartnik
Karl & Kristina Bloss	Ron 'Bear' Brylla	Sudhir Desai
Matthew Drew	Tom & Gabby Fogle	Blake Heinlein
Glenn Hines	Ken Hooper	Rupert Humphrey
Ricardo Hutchins	Steve Johnson	Jean-Baptiste Le Pesant
Miz Lotus-Woman	Charles Lukey	Jarkko M�kiniemi
David Marshall	Juli Martin	Jack Maynard
Richard Palmer	Eric Pickering	Chris Riddle
José Rivero	Ray Robinson	Todd Schroeder
John Semple	Dan Soiney	Joel Walker
Clara Williams

What do you keep in your bus? Let us know! Note that we're not necessarily looking for an exhaustive list... just the interesting stuff!

Bill Abbott & Jean Delaney (1970 single cab)

 

• paper coffee cup needing to be re-used at least one more time
• little spiral-bound book & pencil
• tarps (2)
• ropes (2)
• spare fan-belt
• spare clutch cable, wing-nut, clevis.
• spare CV bolts (2)
• a fire extinguisher (of course!)

Chuck Anderson (1986 Vanagon GL)

There are a few things that I don't leave home without:

• fire extinguisher
• bottle jack
• flashlight
• wool blankets
• tire gauge
• my girlfriend's wheelchair
• my 9mm pistol

Sean Bartnik (1981 Vanagon Westfalia)

In the glovebox:

• spare fuses
• a spare dome light bulb or two
• spiral notebook and pen for keeping gas/parts/money/maintenance log
• spare exhaust gasket (donated by Steve Dolan)
• sharpening stone for my Swiss Army knife
• two pairs of sunglasses
• some misc. nuts and bolts and washers that I haven't found places for yet
• my girlfriend's snack food items
• VW hubcap puller

On the ledge behind the driver's seat:

• ice scraper
• snow brush
• flimsy plastic cupholder when not in use

fire extinguisher in standard Westy spot by sliding door.

In the 'silverware drawer' under the sink:

• owner's manual and camper supplement
• other manuals (stereo, etc)
• lotsa lotsa free fast-food restaurant napkins
• lots of matches (for lighting stove) -- the good strike-on-box kind
• small Timex Indiglo portable alarm clock with 1 AAA battery to power it

In the under-sink cabinet:

• roll of paper towels (I put them on the paper towel holder -- handy, installed by a PO -- when camping)
• box of latex gloves, for when I need to work on the car and still want to have clean hands when I'm done
• some plastic hotel cups for road use

In the refrigerator:

• cheap fridge thermometer purchased at Wal-Mart, stuck to wall of fridge inside with adhesive-backed Velcro.

In the small cabinet near the floor next to the 'fridge:

• Fridge-Mate fan, for circulating air inside fridge. I put it in the fridge when the fridge is on.

Down in the bin above the water tank:

• hose adapter for filling onboard water tank
• plastic covers for my Hella driving lights
• a metal cover I left off the fridge last time I had it out. Oops!

In the 'linen closet' at the rear:

• Black & Decker snakelight
• tub of Gojo pumice hand cleaner
• small toolbox with stuff like screwdrivers, wrenches, chalk, feeler
• gauges, allen keys, etc -- also a magnetic "grabber" which is really handy :-)
• a couple packs of leftover adhesive-backed Velcro
• can of WD-40
• can of Liquid Wrench
• bottle of DOT 3 brake fluid
• tub of wheel bearing grease
• large beach towel to lay on when working on the van
• smaller towel to wipe my hands on or check oil with, etc.
• handheld digital dwell/tach
• handheld digital VOM
• 2 spare alternator drive belts
• inductive timing light
• multiple quarts of Quaker State 20W-50 oil

On the small shelf at the rear above the luggage area:

• rear hatch bug screen
• front curtain
• sliding door curtain

In the ceiling cabinet:

• Bentley manual
• Haynes manual
• Tom Wilson's VW engine rebuild book
• Muir idiot guide
• Bosch fuel injection book by Charles Probst
• Rand McNally Road Atlas (handy and great price at Wal-Mart, like $4)
• other various maps

In the locker under the rear seat:

• both Westy tables
• duffel bag o' tools, stuff like hammers, adjustable wrenches, channel
• locks, and other unusual stuff
• first aid kit
• some spare ignition parts
• box full of good stuff, including duct tape, electrical tape, lots of spare wire, various packages of wiring connectors, test lamp, spare light bulbs, spare batteries for the flashlight, batteries for the fridge fan, battery tester, straight section of coat hanger (this has come in handy more times than you would believe), oil filter wrench, spare secondary sump plate gasket, extra back-up light switch, spare points and condenser, and some other stuff
• socket set with various and sundry extensions and adapters
• jumper cables
• Westfalia extension cord
• rubber wheel chock
• jackstands (1 pr.)
• block of wood (for jack)
• stock VW jack in bag
• stock VW (useless) lug wrench
• nice long lug wrench with pointy end that I got at Pep Boys
• reflective warning triangles that I've never had to use

Hmm, I think that's about it. No wonder I get such crappy gas mileage!

Karl & Kristina Bloss (1987 Vanagon GL Weekender "Beverley")

• tool kit; the same one I use to work on the van
• spark plugs, spare O2 sensor, belts, bulbs, water pump
• auto emergency kit - flashlight, jumper cables, flares, first aid
• blankets
• 50' extension cord to plug in my block heater, battery charger, run the laptop, etc. when at camp
• 5W solar trickle charger with clamps
• flux gate compass
• magnetic sceens for front windows and suction cup curtains
• deck of cards
• LiMBO TTT directory
• Rubbermaid tubs to hold all that junk * 5 qts 20W50 oil, premixed coolant, PS fluid, WD40, penetrant spray, latex gloves,

When on longer trips:

• 300W power inverter
• laptop with map program on ZIP drive
• sleeping bags - thinking about leaving those all the time
• grub - MREs, snacks, etc.
• camping stuff: coleman stove, cookware, lanterns, etc., etc.
• CD player with cassette adapter; CDs
• Boy Scout Fieldbook

Coming soon:

• porta potti
• LL Bean roll up table
• PVC hatch strut supports
  

Ron 'Bear' Brylla (1980 Vanagon Westy)

• spare bulbs and fuses
• folding shovel
• floodlight
• full camping gear (cups,cuttlery,pots etc.)
• paper towels
• beach towels
• shoes - reef runners
• plastic bags
• tablecloth
• instant coffee - for emergency survival
• coffee creamer
• sugar
• contact cement
• swiss army knife - more for the corkscrew
• citronella candle
• emergency survival kit - stuff other than coffee
• blankets
• sleeping bags
• tow rope
• jumper cables
• spare cable clamps
• spare clutch cable parts
• 1/2 of my cd collection
• assorted empty bags and cups (really should throw them out)
• welcome mat
• small tool kit
• bug reppellent
• sun screen
• canvas repair kit
• 50' 1/4" rope
• knife
• wire splice kit
• plastic frog
• qt of oil
• roll o' velcro
• bag o' screws
• hairbrush (just going thru the drawers)
• electrical tape
• spare distributor cap
• spare rotor
• one sock ....?
• windex
• rainx
• flannel shirt
• spare socks (wool)
• machette (under back seat)
• hey, heres my girlfriends hair-tie-up-thing she was looking for!
• owners manual
• a bag o' i-dont-know-what-thats-for oh yeah, a propane lantern
• spare propane cylinders
• 1 pair blue jeans (mine)
• ...and anything else i throw in, as i drive my 80 daily.

Sudhir Desai (1984 Vanagon 3.4 liter Chevy V-6)

• copy of "the divine comedy" by dante alighieri
• 50 lb tool box with more tools than i could ever use
• cb-radio
• copy of "4-wheel freedom" by brad delong
• pad of paper and pencil to jot down any sightings
• full expedition emergency kit
• sometimes my computer
• bentley manual
• corsica z34 manual
• spare serpentine belts (2)
• pickle fork
• 1997 Rand McNally Road Atlas for US, Canada, Mexico
• antifreeze (from my waterboxer years)
• 3 quarts of 10w30 quaker state synthetic blend motor oil
• hillary 4-person tent
• tarp
• disposable work overalls (2)

Matthew Drew (1987 Vanagon GL)

I keep pretty much all of the same camping/necessity stuff as everyone else (sleeping bags, first-aid kit, cook stove, etc.) However, I also have:

• 20 lb. bag of dog food for my golden retriever, Amber

• Ouija board

  (to ask the all-knowing VW spirits how in the heck to get out of here)

• blanket on the passenger seat for my dog

• cellular phone

• tapes / cd's and my cd adapter

Tom & Gabby Fogle (1971 Bus 'Winnie')

Nothing! There is a thief in the neighborhood that has broken into the car twice, to find nothing. Okay... a jack and a fire extinguisher, both of no value to a crook. We leave the "wind wings" open so that he won't break them anymore.

Blake Heinlein (1983½ Vanagon Westfalia)

My motto: Planning to be spontaneous!

I drag the following stuff around in my 83½ Westy "Toaster". (I also use it for storage, seeing that my apartment isn't much bigger than my van!)

• snow chains
• 1 gallon gas can
• folding army shovel
• winch (come-a-long)
• extension cord
• ropes & bungee cords
• sleeping bag & blanket
• Therma-Rest mattress
• 3-season Sierra Designs tent
• backpacking supplies
• pots, pans, utensils
• canned food & pancake mix
• maintenance log book
• bottle rockets (gotta have some fun!)
• rags
• binoculars
• 3 to 4 quarts of oil (for storage not usage)
• tool box
• 4-legged folding stool
• Yakima roof rack (3 bikes)

Glenn Hines (Snowflake, a 1987 Vanagon GL Syncro)

Map pocket drivers door Rex Applegate/W.E. Farbairn Combat Folder By Gerber Razor scrape blade Box of multivitamins $3 off coupons for oil change Pictures IcyHot (it was a long day on the river) Small billyclub Between door and driver's seat Change can 6 Cell Mag Light

Over sunvisor D.S. extra wallet P.S. gum Rearview mirror Rainbow maker Between front seats Bible Monthly devotional Tapes Around shift lever Arabic worry beads Glove box Uniden BCT 10 (P.O.S.) Motorola TalkAbout radio w/ mic Cool Spyderco air gauge Copenhagen Notebook w/ pen Envelope w/receipts Fast food napkins Carpet deodorizer T.P. Light bulb AAA Mini Mag Hat w/South Carolina state flag By rear sliding door Fire extinguisher

Under driver's seat Trash bags 1 bungie cord Scrub brush Fuel filter Hunting knife Candle lantern Slick 50 Lube 1 Electrical tape Super Leatherman Dial soap Water purification tablets AA Mini Mag Under rear bench seat Socket and ratchet tool bag Paper towels 1qt 20w50 Little jar w/ screws and electrical connectors Box with: Tow strap Duct tape Electric tire inflator Timing light Original horn (Snowflake now has twin 1997 Jetta horns) Gas operated soldering iron Solder 16 gauge wire Multimeter Tire plugs Bottle jack Belts Tie-down straps Hose clamps Fleece sleeping bags Other tool bag 1 Gal. Water

Ken Hooper (1968 Westfalia)

There are a few things that I don't leave home without:

• 300 pounds of tools & spares

  Including 4' & 6' cheaters, 1/2 & 3/4 flex handles, 3/4 breaker, bench vise, about 250 yards of wire, and several gallons of oil. Four jacks (floor, bottle, scissors, Bilstien). Two manuals. Aircooled and willing to pay the price. So there you oozers. ;)

• .45 automatic Colt pistol and I don't care who knows it either

• Two children's slippers, one winter jacket, crayons, a very small purple sock, one Little Mermaid flip-flop, several shriveled fries, much crumpled drawing paper, two little girls, one Mommy, one Daddy, and a vast amount of love.

Rupert Humphrey (1997 Turbo Diesel Injection Eurovan, Latvia)

My philosophy is to be low key, attract as little attention as possible and be self sufficient if I want. I can sleep in carparks and town centres which are normally out of bounds to motorcaravans. The base vehicle is a Kombi, not a Caravelle or a Multivan, so the inside is yellow painted metal with grey panelling - all very simple and functional, just as VW used to provide the Type 2 in the old days!

From the outside, the only thing that's unusual about my van is the colour - it's yellow, but that doesn't attract attention when it's dirty!

• 12v water boiler, coffee and two jars to drink from.
• 4 x 20 litre jerricans for diesel (in Europe diesel prices vary a lot).
  (Which, along with the main tank, can give a range of up to 2,400 km or 1,500 miles.)
• 20 litres of water.
• A compressor coolbox for keeping perishable food in good condition.
• A diesel fired heating system (installed).
• Tool kit for the van and tinkering if forced to wait for long periods at international boarders.
• A small amount of cutlery.
• A good wood saw for cutting wood for campfires.
• Some consumable items such as glue and silicon mastic.
• A metal rack for cooking over a campfire.
• Oil for engine (sometimes enough for an oil and filter change en route).
• Fire extinguisher, warning triangle, first aid kit, spare bulbs, �LV�, �F� and �GB� nationality stickers
  (all required by law in parts of Europe)
• Registration number plates and documents for: Latvia, UK and France, so that I can choose my nationality!
• A selection of maps, the vehicle log, insurance doc., ownership doc.
• An auto-changer with 10 CDs.
• A couple of story cassettes for long night drives.
• Telephone, off, for emergencies only.
• Laptop for information and e-mails.
• Sleeping gear, clothes and toiletries (all minimal).
• A plastic bowl to wash in.

Ricardo Hutchins (1981 Vanagon Westfalia)

• toilet paper
• tow strap
• vital fluids
• blanket
• condiments (thanx, dairy queen!)
• bowls cups pans
• some of those 3 hour logs (50 cents each)
• one little debbie cake
• me

Steve Johnson (1991 Vanagon Syncro Westfalia)

• jumper cables - I don't leave home without 'em.
• socket set - Misc. bolt tightening.
• wrench set - Misc. bolt tightening.
• pliers and crecent wrench - Various tighting/bending jobs.
• screwdrivers; flat & phillips & allen - Tighting misc. screws.
• duct tape - Wrap hoses, seal holes.
• electrical tape - Ad hoc wire fixing.
• solderless connectors - I keep a box these that come in various sizes and uses. Doesn't take much room and is a better fix than electrical tape.
• wire cutters / strippers
• spare auto wire - For testing or replacement.
• wheel bearing grease - Various wheel maintenance.
• brake fluid - Low brake fluid.
• matches / lighter - If it's cold and you need a light.
• toilet paper - Need you ask?
• rope - Emergency pulling, holding up things etc.
• walking shoes - It could be a long walk.
• hat - Keeps the rain or sun off when your walking.
• jacket - It gets cold sometimes.
• spare belts - You won't have to wait for the garage to order them. (Sometimes it takes days.)
• good spare tire (fully inflated) - Nothin' like a useless spare to ruin your day.
• operating, well-greased jack - Changing a tire is hard enough already.
• fresh oil, oil filter and fuel filter - Start out right.
• 2 - 4 quarts extra oil - In case I lose my oil for any reason.
• flashlight + spare batteries - I don't want to be in the dark.
• second flashlight - In case the first don't work.
• sleeping bag - It gets mighty cold at night.
• gallon jug of drinking water - I could get thirsty or worse dehydrated.
• first aid kit - Always.
• bailing wire - To hold things together.
• lug wrench - To remove wheels.
• 3' of pipe to put over lug wrench to loosen stubborn bolts.
• food: granola bars and such - I always get hungry when I'm stuck somewhere.
• Liquid Wrench - For those tough bolts.
• WD-40 - Gets the grease off.
• spare fuses - Always have them.
• spare bulbs - Various ones for all the lights in my van.
• spare cash - Some people don't take credit cards or checks.
• waterless hand soap - To get the grease off my hands.
• book to read - To pass the time while I'm waiting for the tow truck. (or waiting for someone else to go get a tow truck.)
• battery terminal cleaner thingy - You know, the one with the wires in the doo-hickey.
• paper towels - They're nice for cleaning up.
• small tarp - To put on the ground so you don't get too dirty.
• grubby clothes - To get dirty in.
• rags - To wipe off things on the car.
• gloves - For things to hot to handle. Also for heavy duty stuff.

If I'm going to Mexico:

• Any spare fuel-injection parts I can afford and carry. This may include stuff from the junk yard that I know works. I check it by swapping out the part from the van and trying it out. Mexico is not going to have replacement parts for fuel-injection.
• A 5 gallon Jerry can that I keep filled with gas so I don't run out.

Jean-Baptiste Le Pesant (1976 Kombi)

Voici ce que j'ai dans mon bus:

• rock climbing equipment (in case I find a great place)
• a bible
• my sleeping bag
• camping stove, pasta, cheese, tomatoes in box, salt, peper and all the stock to prepare a really good meal
• water
• candles
• the Haynes manual for type2
• another manuel for type2 in french (I can understand this one!)
• matches
• different tool for repairing my van
• dirt clothes for repairing the van
• une caisse de douze de biere dow!
• rolling paper
• and different useful things...

Miz Lotus-Woman (1982 Vanagon)

• Batman climbs a rope to a suction cup on the driver's window
• a mapholder attached to the driver's sun visor holds a small collection of Alaska-related enamel pins, including ravens and orcas
• behind the driver's seat resides a long-handled ice scraper & snow brush
• the ceiling handhold on the passenger side sports a bunch of beaded flowers

• inside the glove box are:
  • a can of instant-tire-inflator
  • a swish brush for the floor
  • the van's registration
  • the owner's manual
  • a big fancy tire pressure gauge
  • a bottle of window de-fogger

• one small white towel folded up and kept in the little cubbyhole in front of the non-working speedometer.
• a small purple towel migrates to various places in the Vanagon.
• the spare tire is currently between the back seats, though usually it is way in the back. (In case of snow and freezing weather, it's better not to have the spare bolted under the vehicle.)
• the only thing in the very back right now is a long-handled, spongeless, sponge mop which holds the hatch door open when I prefer not to be hit on the head.
• a car seat for my grandboy in the middle seat
• a shoop-shoop hula hoop for him to hold when he wants to believe he is driving
• a toy truck and a toy bunny, also for that little person's playing pleasure

• Stickers on the windows:
  • the BatSignal (very aged)
  • a Fahrfergneugen
  • a Newfoundland dog head
  • a West Coast Metric

• I'm frequently inside

Charles "Luke" Lukey (1967 VW Riviera Camper)

• a "monkey hammock" from Fisheries Supply

  Hangs along the side window behind the driver, perfect for throwing bug spray, toys, maps, anything.

• a tow strap

  Stores in the spare tire well along with the jumper cables.

• a spud gun

  Made from PVC pipe, an aerosol can "handle" attachment for a front grip and a pistol - looking sparker thing for barbecue lighting, it will (with a small does of the cheapest non-scented hair spray available) launch potatoes about 200 yards.

Jarkko M�kiniemi (1990 9-passenger Caravelle with 1,6 liter turbodiesel, 300,000km) Vasa, Finland

• 3 safety seats of different sizes

• 1 liter synthetic motor oil just for the case - from time to time it has to be consumed

• A heater cord to warm up the engine in wintertime.

• A 1,5 liter Coke bottle, which I use on cold mornings when the windows are frozen. The idea is to fill the bottle with hot water from the boiler and melt away the ice by splashing the water on windshield and windows.

• Some bulbs for headlight and some other important light

• Jump cables to help other people

• Alternator / water pump belt - the old one from last change

• Tool to adjust brakes, pliers, 10, 13 and 17 mm spanners, phillips-screwdriver

• a Saab wheel nut wrench (this one is very good - you can step with all your weight on it and even jump for power).

• A small 12 volt christmas tree.

• A needle for cleaning the windshield washer nozzles.

David Marshall (1988 Syncro Double Cab Transporter)

In the storage compartment under the bed:

• 10,000 lb hand winch - to pull the other guy out of the muck
• nylon tow rope - to assist in above
• jack and lug wrench - just in case
• Coleman Peak1 mounting stove and cook set - gotta have warm food when camping!
• 1.5L of Coleman fuel - don't want to run out of cooking fuel
• Dog water bowl, frisee and bowl - don't want Kippie to get bored!
• This all shares the space with two 50L natural gas tanks

In the compartment under the rear seat:

• Spare set of V-belts - in case one breaks in a remote location
• 5.56mm ammo box full of tools - can't put a belt on unless you have tools
• 2L of oil, 1L of power steering fluid - just in case
• Power Bars and other high energy food and 2L of water - emergency food
• Dog Food - Kip could get hungry too!
• Candles and cigarette lighter flashlight - emergency stuff
• First Aid kit and blanket - emergency stuff
• Duct tape - the most important invention next to the wheel!
• Jumper cables - The only time you need them is when don't have them!

In compartment between front seats:

• Central Interior BC off-road map - to explore the logging roads
• Vancouver and Victoria map - to find my way around when I visit the coast!
• Radar detector - I like to imagine that I could go fast enough to need one.
• VHF Radio - I like to know what's going on and it is a necesity on the logging roads.

Glove Compartment:

• Extra H4 and H3 bulbs - don't want to be left in the dark!
• RainX - Keeps the rain and snow off the windscreen
• Camera - Who knows, you might see a Sasquatch!

Juli Martin (1981 Vanagon Westfalia)

• the essentials

  food for a week, flashlight, electric popcorn popper, cellular phone manual & maps

• a few good camping books
  • The Compleat Backpacker
  • Roughing It Easy
  • a songbook that Charlie Ford gave me, The Backpacker's Songbook

• I keep my fridge powered up all the time. It's great to keep a few juiceboxes cold for the kids and some "staples" in case we want to camp on the spur of the moment.

Jack Maynard (1965 Kombi)

I keep a big pot in my bus. When I get to a show I cook Bratwurst in beer with onions and share with all who are willing or able. When I go to the coast I catch crab and boil the little buggers in the pot. I never go anywhere in my bus without the pot, because you never know when you might get the urge to cook up some road stew or even the occasional pheasant who got too used to missing the more aerodynamic vehicles on the road and got clipped by my roof rack.

I also keep a shovel in my bus so that no one will be tempted to use my beloved pot for any less savory function.

Richard Palmer (1967 Westfalia)

Up front:

• a fire extinguisher mounted within easy reach on the side of my seat

  Everyone should have one of these!

• my little bus log book on the parcel shelf

  This keeps records of gas fill-ups, repairs and maintenance, as well as where I am every time I flip 1000 miles. Neat for nostalgia.

• my "portable car stereo" between the seats

On the dash:

• a plastic bus
• globe-shaped suncatcher
• dried flowers
• registration and inspection info

Hanging from the rear-view mirror:

• my accident vaccine

  You know a vaccination is an injection of weak germs which build tolerance against the real germs. Therefore I have a broken piece of a side reflector, a "weak germ" from an accident, to prevent against ever having a big sickness (accident).

In the back:

• all my tools

  Enough to do just about any repair I might need to do. (I've pulled the engine in several parking lots for repairs.)

• spare parts

  Accelerator and clutch cables, carburator, starter, coil and distributor, fan belts, plug wires, plugs, fuel line and filters, plenty of oil, miscellaneous bolts, nuts and washers, and transmission oil and brake fluid.

• atlases, truckstop and rest area guides
• sleeping bags
• towels
• blankets
• gloves
• a heavy set of 20° insulated coveralls for winter driving
• toiletries
• first aid stuff
• several service manuals, including the Bentley
• various parts catalogs - RMMW, WCM, JCWhitney
• a few extra copies of the "Good Book" (never know when someone might want a copy)
• a couple of frisbee's
• inflatable toys (sorry, just a beach ball!)
• a mini-nerf football
• a deck of cards
• a gas can
• a couple of gallon jugs of water

I really took the boy scouts seriously when they said Be Prepared. (I'm an Eagle scout.) I like to be prepared for just about anything in the bus...

Eric Pickering (1972 Westfalia)

In no particular order:

• Food for the emergency get-away:
  • 2 cans of Cambell's Alphabet Vegetable soup
  • 2 packs Ramen noodles (oriental)
  • 2 bottled waters
  • 2 Powerbars (oatmeal raisin)

• deck of "Go Fish" cards
• collapsable fishing rod
• fishing lures, hooks, bobbers, etc.
• atlas
• tool kit & parts (see everyone else's list)
• 'portable' radio
• 12v DC to 110 AC converter
• military-issue down sleeping bag
• Coleman white gas stove
• Coleman lantern
• pillow
• incense
• mess kit
• hat
• condoms

Chris Riddle (1985 Vanagon)

• a hockey goal net hanging over the engine compartment. great for storing almost anything.
• about 150 lbs. of home made storage cabinets.
• more tools than I know of.
• a thick curtain rod that props up the back hatch.
• lots of spare water.
• lots of music.
• an sks rifle for that surprise situation.
• & about 2 tons of soul.

José Rivero (1989 Caravelle GL)

• credit card
• traveller's checks
• ID card for 'International Camping Sites'
  (this is necessary in most european campgrounds and sometimes gets you a 10% discount)
• 25 meter electric cable / 3 pole
• Different adapter plugs (in Switzerland they are all different!)
• red warning triangles (in some European countries these are mandatory)
• international driving license
• green card of safety of automobile
• country tag in the rear part of the van

Ray Robinson (Brown 1980 Westfalia)

• several wrinkled road maps of just about anywhere
• owners manual and camper supplement
• How to Keep Your VW Alive book
• Hanes bible
• tire kit (who says i need a syncro for off road!)
• dash mounted compass
• pots pans & other cooking stuff
• plenty of soap
• flash light with 2 dead batteries
• plenty of blankets, pillows
• come-a-long
• heavy rope
• 2 tarps
• trusty ball-o-twine
• snow chains
• change of clothes
• several candles
• 100 ft extension cord
• long garden hose
• lots of tools & rags
• plenty of hemp twine and beads (gas money on the road!)
• 2 large ceramic drums my sweety made for me
• a few pieces of drift wood I found on the Washington coast
• occasionally my beloved fat orange cat, Nucleus, who needs to go on a weight loss program
• lots of clean Appalachian mountain air
• ...and me as often as possible

Todd Schroeder (1971 Campmobile)

Besides the obligatory tools, floor jack, spares, etc...?

• half a dozen good sized pieces of firewood
• 3/4 axe
• aluminum griddle
• 12" dutch oven
• Coleman Camp Stove stand (no stove, just the stand)
• two weeks' worth of the Gilbert Tribune (rotated regularly)
• two pounds of rotten rubber bands from above, stored on sink pump.
• digital volt-ohm meter
• calculator
• original dealer invoice from my '69 bug
• some old burned out tobacco pipes

John Semple (1989 syncro)

• An air horn!

  I built a unit under the drivers seat, a cut down case with air compressor, a brass fire extinguisher tank, electric air valve, and a connector to air my tires with a "coily hose".

  A dash switch for the compressor, a lighted dash air pressure gauge, and an electric button on the floor to blow it with. The only thing outside is the horn which sits next to the spare tire, and the air line. All fused, of course.

  That horn is loud!! Twin trumpets!! I must be selective in its use, it is no good for blue hairs on mopeds... they wobble into the woods, crash, & burn. :-)

Dan Soiney (1978 Westfalia)

• a set of 6 martini glasses, with all the fixin's!

Joel Walker (1988 Vanagon GL)

• toilet paper, toilet paper, toilet paper :)
• oil for the engine, and a spare oil filter or two
• spare v-belts and tools to change them
• spare windshield wiper blades
• spare bulbs for headlights and brake lights and such. also interior lights.
• several flashlights with spare batteries
• BIG MUTHA towing strap (like rated at 10,000 lbs)
• paper towels and windshield cleaning stuff (like Windex)
• $10 worth of quarters

• a good tire gauge, and a good bicycle stand-up air pump.

  If you get stuck off the pavement, you can let the air out of the tires (down to 10-15 psi) and it'll help you get UNstuck. but you'll need to pump the tires back up to drive on the pavement. yeah, it's slow with a pump, but it works.

• a good raincoat or poncho

  Preferably one of visible colors. Or a box of very large garbage bags, which can do double-duty as a poncho (you'll have to make the holes for your arms and head). :)

• a decent first aid kit

  With bunches of bandaids and antiseptic ointment. And good scissors. and a magnifying glass and tweezers (for pulling out cactus needles and splinters from the firewood).

• a good pair of toenail clippers
• a gallon of coolant, just in case. It helps to ward off evil spirits.
• a good sewing kit. with pins and needles. You just never know.

Clara Williams (1965 Westfalia)

• a plastic jesus on the dash, sacred heart style