Multipurpose gear

[twokniveskatie]

I love gear, and I love minimal. I am ecstatic when I find multipurpose gear....anything that has more than one use. Share your favorite piece of gear that serves more than one function. Does it save time? Space? Money?

One of my favorites is a cotton sarong. I have used mine as a towel, a shawl, a skirt, a curtain, a light blanket, sun protection, a babushka to humiliate the dog, a flag, a tablecloth, and for swaddling fussy babies.

Let's hear yours!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

One of my favorites are cable ties...the little plastic ones like the police use instead of handcuffs sometimes (another use <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">).&nbsp; Ive used them to hold down my lawn chair from blowing off the porch, to attach led flashlights to my bike for 3$ headlights brighter and longer lasting than the crap you buy for 100$.&nbsp; I used them for zippers on my clothing in a pinch (when the little pull tab breaks, which i replaced later with a keyring).&nbsp; Oh yeah, i think you can use them to hold together cords or something too <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[psytechguy]

+1 on the zip ties. I have a big bag of assorted sizes and use them all the time.

re: cotton sarong - a shemagh (Arabic head wrap/bandana-type thingie) will do similar things, it's probably a little smaller. I've never worn sarongs so am not familiar with the size of them!

The old faithful GI poncho liner (aka "woobie") is a great thing to have along. It can function as a tarp, blanket, etc.

 

[cyndi]

My dog's cable-type tie-out (which is seldom used as a dog's tie-out) does overtime as a clothesline, a cable to lock things up, when necessary and tie things down when traveling. I'm sure I have used it for many other things, but that's what comes to mind.&nbsp;

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Leatherman Wave multi-tool and my laptop. The Leatherman is kinda self-explanatory, and my laptop serves as my entertainment/education/navigation/communication system as well as my portable knowledge base. ..Willy.

 

[lampliter]

My hands.<br />My brain.<br />visa versa.

 

[karl]

my most versatile tool can be used as a step/sitting stool, trash can, washing machine,&nbsp; toilet, seal-able storage container, water/kindling wood/returnable/recycling bin, tool box, varmint trap, grey water,&nbsp; can be modified in height&nbsp; for oil changes, divided storage bins, dog dish, dish pan...<br />Yep, it is the cheap and often free plastic drywall compound bucket- never leave home without at least 3 in the vehicle<br />This is closely followed by it's cousin- the milk crate.

 

[Rollin]

I agree with Karl 100%. Most multi functional&nbsp;piece&nbsp;of gear I own. I use a 3 gallon one.

 

[twokniveskatie]

good ideas here. yay! for 3 and 5 gallon paint buckets!&nbsp;<br /><br />i carry a cable tie out for Mutt and rue the fact that i rarely use it. now i might be able to feel it's more justified

 

[rokguy]

<P><STRONG><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">My favorite multi use item is my bicycle.<BR>The things I've used it for is amazing. I've gone touring, MTBking, Time trialing I use it for work and go get shopping with it. I pull a multi use trailer (BOB, Beast of Burden)with it sometimes, again touring, shopping and going to work. My little trailer is fitted out with a solar panel and battery pack so I can charge stuff up when I'm away.</SPAN></EM></STRONG><BR><STRONG><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">&nbsp;Heck I've even picked up two bags of cement with it.<BR><BR>Those swiss army pocket knives come in handy aswell.</SPAN></EM></STRONG></P><P><STRONG><EM><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/images/Copy_of_golden_ball_wall_under_construction.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>Geoff</SPAN></EM></STRONG></P>

 

[Unchained]

I can't believe no one has mentioned tarps, rope or duct tape! Ok ok, wayyy too obvious for this thread (not to mention bad things to keep together when you drive a van) <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Here are a few of my favorite things:<br><br><strong>Magnets</strong>- Home Depot sells various sizes of super strong magnets, mostly in pairs, for cheap.&nbsp; If you don't have exposed steel to stick them to, put one on either side of your pantry wall (they are plenty strong enough), privacy curtain, etc. Great for keeping things like pocket knives, nail files, clip flashlights, needles, tools, etc handy when working on projects (saves a ton of time digging through the craft/ tool box). They also work well with a tarp for making a quickie lean to against your vehicle (as long as the wind isn't too crazy), holding the same tarp down if your roof or roof vent springs a leak in the rain, making your window coverings snug, holding up a privacy curtain, installing temporary bug netting, etc. I love them because they don't leave marks (if you are careful), so they are great for putting up temporary things.<br><br><strong>Hemostats</strong> (aka surgical clamps)- I've used these for everything you can imagine: holding together a piece of beadwork or small braid in progress, a substitute for tweezers, chip clip (THAT will get you some looks, lol), cleaning dust bunnies from the blades of a fan without removing the cover, retrieving small objects from places too tight for hands to reach, clamping small objects until the glue sets and much more. VERY handy things to have around, esp if you get good ones rather than cheap knockoffs.<br><br><strong>Binder clips</strong>- made for keeping stacks of paper together, these are very strong and useful little buggers. Can be used for some of the same things as hemostats (chip clips, crafts, clamps) but come in various sizes, therefore better for larger projects or securing heavier objects. Can also be used for things like securing a tarp to a rope when making an emergency shelter. Staples sells a variety pack with various small sizes, and I also have some extra large ones. The clips are steel, so they work well with the magnets mentioned above if need be.<br><br><strong>550 Paracord</strong>- Both thinner and stronger than rope, this is great stuff! Can be made into a belt to have it literally on you in case of emergency (I make these). Other than that, it takes up much less space than traditional rope, making it great for vandwellers. Uses are mostly the same as rope, but if you get the (military grade) good stuff, the breaking&nbsp; point is 550lbs!<br><br>On the tool front, my former MIL got me one of these for Xmas years ago:<br>http://www.amazon.com/Floral-Print-Hammer-Screwdriver-Set/dp/B0087OWEZ0<br>and it is great to have. No need to drag out the toolbox for something that takes a few whacks with a hammer or turns of a screw to fix. Also handy of you need to break a window in an emergency. <br><br><br><br>

 

[bk2valve]

Hey Kates.....isn't being a gear-head and being a minimalist kinda oxymoronal??????<br><br>Hahahaha,,,it is for me...I am a stove slut and finally sold 4 on ebay, have two more to sell, I have another 5 or 6 and recently made another woodburner, and have plans to make a folding solar stove...and I'm a minimalist.....not!<br><br>You are a minimalist and I know it....I'm just hassling you.<br><br>I'm just glad I live on a third of an acre...lol. It's an experimental laboratory!<br><br>Hugs,<br>Bri

 

[Seraphim]

When we got our current camper, it seemed like there was less counter space tan we'd lke, especially with a double sink.&nbsp; Rather than build a flip-up counter, we found two plastic cutting boards to lay over each side of the sink; instant counter space. To keep them from slipping, I used a rubber drawer liner and adhered it to one side with spray adhesive. In addition, we found they make excellent lap trays, serving trays for inside and out; flip them over with the rubber side up and they are great for laptops or iPads. They can also be used for cutting boards; and other possibilities, I'm sure, where a small portable workspace is needed.<br><br> <br><br>(Also hides dirty dishes...)

 

[Lostinspace]

Another use for the hemastats is tick removal. Use one of the small ones and don't clip it closed. Pull straight out by resting your hand on the part of your body next to the tick. Use a steady pull straight up, away from the skin, and the tick will let go. Do not, I repeat do not jerk it out. That will leave the head in.

Of course finish up with alcohol dab where you pull it out. And then consume a little alcohol, but not the rubbing alcohol. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

This works very well.

 

[twokniveskatie]

Some great new ideas here! And yes, BrI it is quite the oxymoron. I can say that certain good pieces of gear help me reduce significantly. I'd say more but I need to go rearrange the van and downsize

 

[caseyc]

<h1 class="parseasinTitle "><span style="font-size: x-small;">Progresive International Collapsible Tub</span><br><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QP30S0/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i04?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QP30S0/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i04?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1</a><br></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I recently purchased the above item through Amazon. I love&nbsp;items that are&nbsp;collapsible!&nbsp; This tub when collapsed can be used as a tray on your lap for eating while sitting. When you un-collapse the tub, you can use it to wash dishes. Heck, you can probably use it for washing your hair too!<br></span><br><br><br></h1>

 

[Stargazer]

Casey,

I have that tub and love it! And I used it two days ago to wash my hair, dishes, and laundry. Also good for hauling small items around; i.e., stuff from van to picnic table, or shower room or ?? Never thought of using it as a tray, though. Thanks for that idea!

 

[Stargazer]

Unchained,

I use the binder clips as a substitute for clothes pins to hang laundry, to close food bags instead of the chip clips, which take up a lot of space, and other things that I can't think of right now. They are a must have in my van!

 

[twokniveskatie]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kevindanger/54-uses-for-binder-clips-that-will-change-your-lif-555z?s=mobile

 

[Stargazer]

Katie,

The pants leg dilemma!! That one I will definitely use! And the trash bag clip.

Woo hoo! Thanks!