How large and heavy is your larger (more extensive) survival kit?
Wich pack do you use for it and why? Does anyone vacuum-bag it's contents?
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mine larges is packed in a 30liter backpack. The pack is a Karimor sabre 30, because it's used for more than just emergency's. And suits the requirement i needed for both jobs. I have some things in a bag, which you can roll to remove the air.

However this kit is at the moment just temperaly. Mine emergency kits will proberbly change very dramaticly in 6 to 9 month time.

Mine is in a large plastic tub, but because of the weight and size, I have made a smaller one to supplement it in a backpack. My concern is in having to leave, and having insufficient time to drag the kit out. Two scenarios where this is feasible are forest fire (unlikely) where I have to head out on foot because the roads are blocked in some manner, or earthquake (socal - who knows) and the tubs location in the garage is compromised by some structural damage.

My equipment is in several places -- not one kit. A BoB, plastic tubs, kenel, tools, water are all components, ready to use or go

TRO

IMHO, there is no limit to the size of an emergency preparedness kit. Some have pocket kits that are carried daily, others carry larger kits in their cars. Some have vehicles with enough stuff to last a month and others have out-of-town-cabins outfit for a long term stays.

I've spent the last 5 months acquiring the right quality equipment for making four large bug-out bags. Their primary design is to help a young family of four, get out of the city quickly with food and other emergency equipment all in one bag. Each kit is in a roll-around backpack and weighs forty pounds, inside the roll-around is a backpack and belt packs so the materials can be split up into smaller groups should the need occur. These bags include water, food (MRE's) for three days and hardware to set up camp for longer term (weeks). All of the bulky stuff, like the poncho liners) have been vacuum encapsulated. Everything is marked in groups within heavy zip lock bags.

My guess is a lot of people can't afford several backpacks; they use their main backpack for most of their needs.

I use an Osprey Switch 40+5 backpack, which has been designed for snowplay. I use it for snowshoeing mostly and when I get back from my trips, the pack gets emptied completely.

When I get called for a SAR deployment, I simply transfer my SAR items from a small box into my backpack. My goal being that I want to know exactly what I have available when I put my pack on my shoulders, wether it's a SAR operation or a snowshoeing trip.

So there is no limit to the size of your kit, really. It depends on how you wish to work with your gear. I am comfortable having an empty pack, with nearby items to fill it up. I have deliberately chosen not to have a full pack ready 100% for a bug-out.