We have a camper that needs storage space. Any ideas as to how we could make more room? We will be traveling and selling our product "on the road".
By dan ward
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I lived in a school bus off & on for many years. You'll naturally come up with a strategy as the weeks go by. Buy some of those new portable space bags, called "Space bags 2 go". These have a one-way valve that won't let air back in when you squeeze it out:
www.spacebagtogo.com/
Also, buy the smallest things you can. For example but a "travel-size" blow dryer instead of the regular size. Take showers at camp grounds & keep lots of quarters to do it (also quarters for the Laundromat). Buy every size of zip-locks you can because you'll use them a lot. For drying wet clothes, buy one of those retractable clothes lines that coils up then goes back inside itself. You can clip this across the RV to dry things while to sleep (get some plastic clothes-pins). Those netting bags (that breathe) they sell at the dollar stores are wonderful to store dirty clothes in & other junk in!
It goes without saying that you want things that can serve double-duty. Lets say you want to go into a nice restaurant. For females: You can wear a dress & sandals that serve as day or fancy wear. Bring wrinkle resistant clothes & only one of each. For summer, I'd pack a fleece light weight jacket, several pairs of shorts, & a pair of jeans along with sleeveless, short sleeve & long sleeve tops & 2 or 3 of each. You''ll most likely need long sleeves even when it's hot when the mosquitoes are out, so bring 100% cotton long sleeve T-shirts. Only bring 2 pairs of shoes, sandals & tennis shoes. Shoes take up LOTS of room! Bring rain gear & an umbrella. You can get more clothes in a space if you roll them up instead of folding.
If you have a Microwave then that's VERY cool! If you're using a camper stove, I always used stainless steel bowls (or pans) to cook in & I brought 2 cast iron pans. Both of the same size. This way you can turn one on top (inverted) on the other on to kinds of "bake" with or at least melt cheese on burgers etc. Try to never have leftovers & only cook what you'll need. I purchased mostly dried foods & canned. (I had no refrigeration).
Netting. You can buy netting to attach across you space to store things in. This easily folds up! ...Sometimes you can find it in kids areas (to store their toys in). Attach everything you can to the underside of cupboards (like your radio, etc). This gives additional space. Make sure you have a board that covers your sink (like a cutting board) for extra counter space. You can also cover your stovetop with a fold-down stainless cover so you have even more counter space. Take lightweight folding chairs & several card tables to live outside. I'd also bring a piece of Astroturf rolled up to set outside the RV to keep mud & dirt out. Store it rolled up in a large plastic bag. Cover your seating areas with cotton towels or easy to wash covers.
Flash lights, bug spray & sunscreen & blowup mattress's. These go without saying, but be sure to purchase them at a dollar store instead of needing them in a small town at quadruple the price! Many Walmart's will let you park for free for 1 day in their lots & B.L.M (Borough of Land Management) will let you stay for free for up to 30 days. Google these before you leave so you don't always have to pay for campgrounds. Maps. Have good maps of everywhere you go & a list of the local "news" radio stations so you can listen to traffic info & weather. Be prepared for anything, especially a flat tire!
Lighting. Buy yourself several head lamps. These are Wwonderful for reading or crocheting & you'll have both hands free! ... Buy rechargeable batteries & a charger for your lights, etc. Use florescent lamps or LED's because they use much less power that regular bulbs. Bring a camping ax & a folding saw for campfires. Be super careful where you light a fire! Obviously, you'll need a cell phone for emergencies on the road or medical. It can pay to have AAA for help with your vehicle or some other towing package. Also AAA offers free maps of place all over the US & they have branches everywhere in to USA.
In your cupboards, you want pull out boxes or pull-out boards on rolling bearing strips so you can easily get to the things in back. If you have room, bring a light weight step ladder. Save all your "burn garbage" in a separate bag so you can use it to start fires. Buy organic dish soap (& other cleaners) so you can throw out your dishwater with no guilt. If you're bathing in the camper (I used to bath in a large stainless bowl) Use baby shampoo, or baby-wash. It rinses out much, much faster & easier than other body soaps or shampoo. Stop drinking 2 or 3 hours before you go to bed, or you'll be up all night! Keep your shoes & a flashlight right next to you for nighttime use. Bring some good nylon rope.
Find a craft that takes up little room. Be it computing with a laptop, crocheting or knitting, watercolors or pencil drawing. Also, several good books. This way you'll not ever be bored! Bring a digital camera to snap photos of your're trip. You'll be glad you did!
Go to an RV show. They have ALL KINDS of great ideas for space saving stuff! As you drive around, you'll naturally rethink things you've brought with you. Just pack them up & send them home or to a friends' house! Anything you forgot you can probably find at the thrift store. This is all I can think of for now. I'll post you a note if I can think of more.
For really great wash and dry with no wrinkles, try travelsmithoutfitters.com
They sell some great clothes that pack neatly, don't wrinkle, and they have lots of collections that go together, so you can mix and match and still have nice, comfortable outfits.
In our camping trailer I hung shoe organizers in different areas of the trailer. In the bathroom and I put shampoo and toothbrushes and paste, in bedroom, scissors, remotes.
It is possible to find storage space in a camper that may not have been thought of. If you have steps up, like in a fifth wheel, you can open those up, put a hinge on the step, and use that for storage. If you do not already have storage under the bench seats by the table, you can put drawers or doors there. Check out above cupboards, above the built in couches and so on. There may be unused space that can have a door built in, and then you have extra space. If you have open decorative shelving in the bedroom, perhaps you can make that into a cupboard, or find some sort of special containers that would fit there.
There are often storage spaces accessible from the outside for things like BBQ's and lawn chairs. Be sure you are taking advantage of all that sort of space, and again, check to make sure all empty spaces have doors built into them, so you can use that space. If you have a large area for a TV, and you do not intend to install one, make that into a cupboard. Look around and you will likely find a number of areas that you can convert to cupboards.
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