RV Wish List help needed

[Bethers]

You call 30 gallons small? OMG, I'd love to have a 30 gallon grey tank. Mine is 20 and I can comfortably go up to 3 weeks if I have to. One week is a cinch. You do have to learn how to conserve, yes. To have a small rig like I prefer, you don't get big tanks. Those with the big rigs, usually have larger tanks. I'd be in heaven with a 30 gallon tank and just hope my tanks are never smaller than what I currently have in any other rig - as I've got this size figured.

[asirimarco]

When we got our last RV we had the manufacture change the set up a little. We would never use the dinnette for sleeping so we kept one bench seat for the storage and have two chairs on the other side. Makes it great when we have company - extra seating. And I like the bench seat when I'm working on my laptop. I sit with my feet under me..... Have only used the oven once or twice in ten years in the RV. Mainly use it for storage. But then I don't do a lot of cooking either.
electric awning we love, satellite TV and levelers make life easier.

[Roadweaver]

i sent the manufacturer a list of things that I had in mind based on what i think I need and some things from this forum, I told him that this was only a wish list and I needed to know price and whether it could be done in my small RV. We will see.

[sistert]

Also, I noticed you were looking at units that were relatively short, height-wise. Are they taking height space out of "basement" storage soace? Make sure you check every underneath compartment and that you have at least one pass-through or long area where you can store poles and longer things.

Yes, the B+ RV that mom is looking at is a low-profile design, so no true "basement". It does has several individual storage areas along both sides. The upside of this configuration is the company has included lots of interior storage space.

What kind of longer things do you keep in your exterior pass-through?

Thanks,
TeAntae

[Bethers]

Most small rigs don't have pass through storage or places for "long" items. It's the price those of us who favor small have to live with. I can put that kind of thing in my overhead storage (overhead bed - that I prefer over an entertainment center). I sure wouldn't give up what I have for that storage. Again, we all need what we must have, would like, and don't need - and it will be different for everyone. Hate coming back and making it sound like I'm saying someone else's post is wrong - just prefer we say what WE'd like, and not that it's something everyone else must have - in most things.

[JudyJB]

I have two bunk bed ladders and a step stool that has two steps and a handle to hold onto, so it is about 40" long. I need it to wash windows and reach my awning arms. I also have one of those 6' by 9' plastic ground mats. It folds down to about 18" by 48". All of the above fit into an almost-pass through above my propane tank. (It is 7" high by 30" wide and about 6 feet deep.)

I have two other areas that are wide but only about 7" tall pass throughs. They each connect two deeper regular storage basement bins and are about 36" wide. I use them for my folding rocking chairs and a lot of smaller boxes of things like extra books and cooking things.

I have three large basement bins and three smaller ones for storage. There is also a utility area for hookups, and a 7th area where I store all of my water hoses, extra electrical cords, and "clean" things I use for hookups. I also have an underneath-my-bed area that is accessible from the outside, and I keep my extra 90-day supply of pills and all my extra bedding.

Because I am full-timing and carry a bike, one of my basement storage areas contains an air compressor, bike helmet, bike basket, and things for bike riding. I probably take a lot more things than most people, but I have the space, and I like conveniences, so I do. It was one reason why I bought a Class C that was 31'6" long.

Don't forget that you will also need to take legal papers and bill paying stuff with you. Mine is in a plastic bin with hanging folders and has all of my insurance and medical stuff, plus stuff I need to do my income taxes, etc. I keep copies of my rv titles, and my will, etc. I also take some business-type clothing in my underneath storage area in case I get some work that requires me to visit a client.

Inside I have good kitchen storage and overhead cabinets in my living room which store my electronics and briefcase, DVDs, and stuff I never knew i needed to store when I started out.

Full-timing is a LOT different than camping, even if you are camping several weeks and months a year. consider that you may need that underneath storage for things that you won't admittedly need very often, but will need when you need it.

[Roadweaver]

Thank you Judy for all your good information. A lot of stuff like mail, doctor, bill paying, copy of eyeglass prescription, etc., I have been doing this on the road for 16 years. I also have learned how to pack my van with everything I need including my crafts when I could be gone for up to a year at a time. It has taught me how little I need to make me happy. I now travel all over the country by myself for my job. I realized when I went to a seminar on living on the road fulltime, I found that the first part of his seminar I have been doing for years.

I also travel for a month with just one bag that could fit in an overhead bin, this includes some knitting. I need a lot less than some and did look at the features of the RV to the way I live. I have lots of stuff to get rid of but it is because when I start a new craft, I go all out. When I get out of that craft, I don't get rid of the things, I just store them away. I have thought a lot about what I really love and have been doing for years and how much space I really need. My recumbent bike will come with me and I will have room for the things that I will need for it.

One thing about the RV I have chosen is a hidden compartment that we checked out and determined that it is large enough for a small safe.

Another things is that I will be buying a Honda Fit so if there is something large that I need to store, I have no idea what, I will just throw it in the back.

If you think of anything else, please let me know. It helps me think about whether i have covered this in mind.

[avalen]

I agree with solid of floor, I hate carpet, it gets dirty and just doesn't clean well. I choose throw rugs cause they can be tossed in the
washer. I did buy a small washer for my fifth wheel, its a Haire, hooks up to the sink and drains in the sink. Sits in the corner when not
needed. Best addition I ever made to my fifthwheel. I'm just not a laundrymat person. I can't imagine the little dinette bed being big
enough for two adults, the only dinette I've seen that was big enough for two adults would be the big Ushaped dinette.

[Gentleladybear]

In the travels this summer, I saw signs in some parks that prohibited the use of heat strips for heat. Also if you have 50 amp, some parks charge you extra. My gas oven can be used whether I boon dock or not. Be careful of depending too heavily on electric. If you stop in Walmart, or other boon dock locations, then electric will not be high on your list.

[Echo]

In the travels this summer, I saw signs in some parks that prohibited the use of heat strips for heat.

OK, have seen heat strips mentioned before. Now I have to ask, what the heck is a heat strip???? And how is it used for heat? Where is it in an RV?

[sistert]

In the travels this summer, I saw signs in some parks that prohibited the use of heat strips for heat.

OK, have seen heat strips mentioned before. Now I have to ask, what the heck is a heat strip???? And how is it used for heat? Where is it in an RV?

Ok, after some research I think I now understand (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). I think what people are talking about are stip heaters not heat strips. Heat strips are those coils used in radiant floors in a house. Strip heaters are those small heaters that typically look like home baseboard radiators. Some you can actually see the heat strip which turns cherry red/orange and produces serious heat. The concern is that it could be too easy to have something near it or it produce enough heat to cause a fire. You definitely need to be present and mindful when using one.

[Bethers]

In the travels this summer, I saw signs in some parks that prohibited the use of heat strips for heat.

OK, have seen heat strips mentioned before. Now I have to ask, what the heck is a heat strip???? And how is it used for heat? Where is it in an RV?

Ok, after some research I think I now understand (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). I think what people are talking about are stip heaters not heat strips. Heat strips are those coils used in radiant floors in a house. Strip heaters are those small heaters that typically look like home baseboard radiators. Some you can actually see the heat strip which turns cherry red/orange and produces serious heat. The concern is that it could be too easy to have something near it or it produce enough heat to cause a fire. You definitely need to be present and mindful when using one.

There are actually rv's that have heat stips included in the ac units - and there are kits to add them. It makes the heat run on electric. Same as there are cg's who want extra if you run the ac, or use electric heaters - in most cases, they'll never know. Just like the water heaters now are getting pretty standard coming elec or gas, I think more and more rv's are having the heat strips combined in the ac units to make them work to heat, also.

[mitch5252]

..
I added a heat strip to my Polar Cub a/c unit; it cost an additional $40.
I've been told it's good for around 40 degrees, but not serious cold weather.
I wouldn't know because I have my own, personal built-in power plant.
I wish I could heat the entire house with me...think of all the money I'd save.

..

[rvgrammy1953]

Beth is right....our A/C has electric heat strip in it....which works great....but with our thermostat, if the room temp is colder than the temp set by more than 5 degrees, it also kicks on the gas heat, too...