My transformation to full-time travel-trailer vagabond has moved to a new phase.
As I continue to sift through my possessions (keep? give away? throw out?), I automatically evaluate every item for its usefulness weighed against the space it occupies. I’m proud to say I’ve become quite ruthless. Six months ago, during one of the early sorts — and there have been many! — I methodically handled each precious possession, each article of clothing, recalling memories, pondering its role in my life. “Gee, I might need this someday.” Now, if I even think “might” or “someday,” out it goes with a toss! You mean nothing to me you useless piece of clutter! Get out of my life! Be gone forever! How liberating! I’m free!
The PTV is also going through transformation.
So far I’ve placed behind the bench seat eight, large, see-through plastic storage boxes, stacked two high. At first, every time I went around a corner the boxes slid from one side to the other and popped open. I found some straps and lashed them together and that helps a lot. I figure once I have everything in there, things like the ladder, folding table, bedding and lawn chairs, the bulk will help hold it all together. I’m going to try to leave a plastic box to serve as a food pantry.
Behind both front seats are floor-to-ceiling metal grills. These were installed to keep a desk, chair, cabinet, and computer in the back from hurtling forward to the front seats in an accident. (The PTV was a mobile insurance office in its former life.) I’ve hung tote bags on hooks on the front and back of these metal grills. One bag for van upkeep items, another for maps, guides, and manuals, another for dog leashes and supplies, and so on. It’s fun organizing the PTV. Nesting instinct, I guess.
My space greed has me eyeing the bench seat.
I thought it would be a good place for the crew to sit and look out the window as we travel. However . . . I could take it out and sell it on Craigslist or something, and then, if I pack right, I could create an elevated, comfy place for the crew. Better utilization of space?
Well, that didn’t last long . . .
Always get as close to the fan as you can. This keeps you cool, plus it keeps others from hogging the breeze.
A thunderstorm two nights ago had a cooling effect on this part of Georgia. Of course, that didn’t last long. We are paying for it now with temps back in the 90s and high humidity from the wet ground and vegetation. I take frequent breaks to cool off from packing and getting the house ready.
Remember, no A/C here!
Thank you, Spike, for explaining how to keep cool on a hot, summer day.
rvsue
Sue, you are really getting organized and identifying spots for what you’ll need. Helps to be organized when you travel, believe me. Total weight might be something to look into for your PTV, as it might change the height of your ball hitch for the trailer. I don’t know that much about this, but you might want to check with an “expert”. I have also gone thru 2 sets of tires in the 6 years of truck ownership, getting only between 35,000 to 38,000 miles on tires guaranteed to last much longer, kept at proper pressure and rotated on a regular basis. One suggestion was heavy loads while pulling the trailer often; but I have not received a substancial answer yet. Don’t want to overly worry you, but it’s often something we don’t think about.
Hi, Emily!
I will keep weight in mind. I admit some of what I’m putting in these storage boxes will seem silly to experienced fulltimers. A substantial amount is clothing. Now before you laugh, let me explain . . . The clothes are practical, good for camping, and lots are duplicates. Like last fall I saw a sale on white knit pants with elastic waists. They were $1 each. I bought 6 of them in a loose size for me. . . voila! six years of lightweight pajama bottoms! I have 3 rugged, hooded jackets I got for next to nothing. I don’t throw shoes away . . . I make them into slippers. Stuff like that. Not heavy.
Now my inflatable canoe (50 lbs.), ladder, some kitchen things, tools . . . that kind of stuff adds up fast. When I go to pick up my Casita, I’ll have the PTV loaded, of course, when they put a ball hitch on for me. I’ll be curious to know if you ever confirm that weight caused the low miles on your tires.
I just got a Fan-Tastic 12 volt fan that plugs into the cigarette lighter. It’s small, easy to store, and it really works great. It would be good for you and the dogs to help keep you all cool. No A/C can be brutal!
I do have A/C in the PTV, front and back. I’m planning on bringing an oscillating fan for the trip to Texas. I’ll pay for electric hook-up (egaaads! paying for electric!) in a campground and run the fan at night. I’ve looked at those cig. lighter fans. Wondered if they were any good.
I have a 10 inch RoadPro 12volt/battery fan that I just love, use it more than my roof Fantastic Fan. It’s very light weight – without the batteries – stores under my bench seat nicely as it isn’t very wide.
So you use it in your trailer. . . You use it more than the Fantastic in the roof? It must be good.
I have one of these fans and they are great plus they seem to be easy on power. Good luck on throw aways… My rule is if I have not used it in 6 months, good bye! ….Rubbertramp
Hi, Jack! I’ll look for one of those fans.
I have no doubt you will be able to modify your space exactly as you want it. I’m sure a great deal of that is trial and error. The more I think about it, a large-size van would be a perfect tow-vehicle for a full-timer.
Time will tell whether the PTV lives up to its name. Like I said in one of my posts, every tow vehicle I looked at before this van, I wanted to rip the seats out to make more room. Have you ordered your Casita? That’s what you want, right? I’ll have to go over to your blogspot and see what’s happening with you.
Don’t be surprised if after a period of time on the road you will find yourself jettisoning gear you’ve packed away in the PTV long ago thinking you would need it. On my recent trip to Texas I found myself going through things and tossing. “I’ve been hauling this around for years and have never used it.” It is a process, but a fun one.
Hi, John . . . Yeah, I can see that happening! It happens in a stationary house, so it’ll happen in a home-on-wheels. I’ve looked in closets and realized its the first time I’ve seen the stuff in years!
I ran across this picture of a homemade door protector:
https://picasaweb.google.com/GlendaLaine/OurCasitaTravelTrailer#5535476697749690146
In fact there are several good fixinmycasita pictures in that album.
Bob
Thanks, Bob.
I recommend that you keep the bench seat.
Noted. Just an idea. If I ever have weight problems (with the VAN, not me), removing it would allow me to shake up the distribution of weight.
Sue,
Did you ever consider slowing down while turning corners ? LOL
I think I will go hide now.
Bill Kelleher
Ha. Ha. Ha. I eventually figured out what you meant.
I wish I had a cartoon drawing of the PTV going around a corner on two wheels with the Casita off the ground. It’d make a great header for the blog.
Sue,
Did you ever consider slowing down while turning corners ? LOL
I think I will go hide now.
Bill Kelleher
I guess I should have put this quote in so you would know what I was typing about.
” At first, every time I went around a corner the boxes slid from one side to the other and popped open.”