ReadyToGo
Minnesota
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Joined: 11/17/2002
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Good Sam RV Club
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Just to let those know who might have some questions about my questions.
First of all, we have done a lot of planning, so it isn't a spur of the moment thing. And as I mentioned, we have been doing this traveling for many years.
Next, I had my own answers to all of my question but wanted unbiased suggestions of what to do about them. I can honestly say that there are very few new ideas posted. That isn't a bad thing, just reinforces our own ideas.
The one thing I can't do and wished I had thought of it, was the back seat of the truck. I should have taken it out and put a wooden platform there and put a rug on it. The biggest security concern is the computer, but I have a backup of everything I care about. But I would still hate to loose it. Everything else I could less about as everything is replaceable at minimum cost. After all if some one wants my clothes or portapotti have at it.
Thanks everyone, I will relook at these posting once in a while and refresh any ideas posted here. Thanks again
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rhode trip
Rhode Island
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2006
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We have one of these for laundry:
Wonder Wash
It actually works quite well. The problem for us is that where we go it is way too often cold, wet, and rainy. As soon as they come up with the "wonder dryer" we will be all set, but until that happens we can't dry the laundry in an acceptable length of time. I think if you boondock in the desert or where its hot and dry so you can put things out on the line, it would be great.
2002 Dodge 3500 CTD/DRW/
2000 Northern Lite 10-2000cd
www.LapelPinPlanet.com
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silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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WonderWash:
Wow, pretty sweet item! This could extend boondocking to 2-weeks + out in desert areas where no water is available, many miles from civilization 
Drying the clothes would be pretty easy. Just tap off your furnace's floor duct with a Y, and aim it up into a drying rack. Cap the Y when you are not drying clothing...
Thanks,
Silver-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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Kidoo
Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada
Full Member
Joined: 03/27/2004
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Truck camper, go anywhere, park anywhere, the way to go
Kodiak 1998, K99, F350, 2006, Diesel, black, 4x4, long box
Kodiak 1998, K99, F250 1991, Diesel, 33" tires
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BirdSongPlace
San Diego County, CA
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Joined: 11/08/2004
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Here is the biggest problem with taking the back seat out ...... Where do you store it?????? I'm telling you..a back seat is heavy and bulky. I have been known to gripe about storing the thing but I must admit that on the whole it was a really good idea.
PS Of course storing the tail-gate is a problem all of it's own!
One more thought. Last year we met some campers who were using one of those portable little washing machines. They were really pleased with the results. They actually had two of them . One to wash and one for the rinse cycle. My opinion ????? Not a sensible thing to pack into a TC.
2000 Ford F350
2004 Adventurer
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btggraphix
Golden, CO
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Joined: 03/08/2005
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silversand wrote:
Drying the clothes would be pretty easy. Just tap off your furnace's floor duct with a Y, and aim it up into a drying rack. Cap the Y when you are not drying clothing...
Actually, Sleepy has a pretty good setup for drying - he liked his Fantastic fan so much he put a second one in his bathroom, then cut a big vent in the bathroom door near the floor, He can set the main cabin FF to pull IN, and the one in the bathroom pushing OUT, and the towels that hang on the door rack dry very fast. You could probably extend the idea to a clothes hanger in the bathroom.
The other thing that comes to mind is the nethod John Steinbeck used in his Travels With Charley (which I just finished reading) where he puts the clothes ini a sealable 5 gallon bucket and let it slosh all day while driving. Then the next day he put clean water in for the rinse cycle. Then just dried the clothes with a clothes line.
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sleepy
Oak Ridge,Tennessee
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Joined: 04/07/2003
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We carry 2 sets of sheets, 14 sets of underwear, enough shorts and tee shirts for 14 days, and some winter clothes. Plenty of towels.
Seem like a lot to you... not really we are gone a long time. Usually 5 to 6 months.
You only have one chance to make a first impression! We don't want to be seen as homeless living out of a camper.
We keep the camper clean, inside and out and the bed made. We keep us looking that way too!
We go to a (nice, clean) laundy mat about every 2 weeks... 1hr 45min we are through... everything folded and stored or hung on hangers.
Home depot orange cloth bags make good laundry bags... pre sorted too!
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You can be as successful at boondocking as us... but not better... we are near 100% at avoiding campgrounds.
California is the hardest state in the union to urban boondock... there are so many working poor... that have lost their houses and are getting by on minimum wage or unemployment payments. Many of them arein older Class C MH's and vans... and of course some in other RV's. They try to park where ever they can. And the Cities and HOA's just go crazy when they see them.
Being able to park, and use our camper with the slide in made it a lot easier to "look" like we are just parked... not living in our TC. It is easier to park on a city street than it is to hide.
Good luck to you... we'll be looking for updates.
Sleepy
2003 Lance 1161,/slideout/AGM batteries/255W Solar/propane generator/Sat dish/2 Fantastic Fans model 6150/AC/winter package
AirFoil, Trimetric, LED lights
2003GMC K3500 LT/Crewcab/duramax diesel/allison/dually/4x4/OnStar/front reciever mounted spare
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B. BOOMER
lost somewhere in america
Senior Member
Joined: 07/10/2004
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Go to your local outdoorsy store (or wallyworld) and pick-up a few of those freeze dried meals. They are usually enough for two. Good to have a "backup" that doesn't take up much room and doesn't have to be refrigerated or frozen -- no fuss, no muss (prep just boil water), clean up is a breeze, and no leftovers to keep!!
The key is to only get 2-3 unless ya really luv'em not to mention that they're kinda spendy -- anyway the chicken & rice and beef stroganoff are okay (the spaghetti not so good and skip the breakfast ones). We usually add a small salad and are good in a pinch. Likewise we would take some of those cup a noodles BUT they usually take up more room than we have if we're going to be on the road for any length of time (although we have the "luxury" of a small pantry and a large cupboard over the sink)
Be flexible - sometimes we have a big "breakfast for dinner" if we had cereal in the morning.
If you haven't done so already, stick up at least one of those sturdy hooks by the door to keep ALL your keys on.
Also if you haven't invested in those nonslip mats/or liner rolls buy some -- they work (Unless we're traveling some REALLY potholed/washboarded roads, we can usually open our camper door & cupboards without having an avalanche of our worldly goods ...  and souvenirs)
Lastly get some rolls of quarters before you leave -- you'll need plenty to do laundry in most laundromats (and if you should happen upon a fairly cheaper one - wash everything in sight )
Oh and if you happen to be members of the Elks, Eagles, Moose, etc. sometimes they have RV hookups at their lodges (usually FREE/or nominal charge for fellow members) AND often they have food for reasonable prices too.
AND we also downsized from a 35' fiver 5 yrs ago for the exact same reasons!! (and the DD decided she didn't want to go camping w/US anymore & is off to college anyway -- so now we take the huge pooch instead  think "cozy") We love it ...
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