Star55 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 We are downsizing - quite dramatically! - and wondered if anyone had ideas on how to store the essentials such as water hose, electric cable, levelling blocks etc. We have gone for a van with good washroom and kitchen and the lack of outside storage is our compromise. At the moment our idea is one or two tall, narrow plastic boxes which travel (secured somehow) by the main sliding door and when parked are moved to the door footwells in the cab. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Just some off-the-wall ideas.......... Can you fabricate (or get fabricated) any sort of shelf/shelves under the floor/chassis of the van, into which things could be slid from the sides or rear of the van outside? Roof-box? Back-box? Use a jack instead of ramps? Use a reel of that folds-flat water hose instead of the ordinary hose? Cut a bit off the leading edge of the ramps to make them a tad shorter to store? Plastic boxes in the shower when travelling, shoved under the van when static? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Star55 - 2013-06-28 12:38 PM We are downsizing - quite dramatically! - and wondered if anyone had ideas on how to store the essentials such as water hose, electric cable, levelling blocks etc. We have gone for a van with good washroom and kitchen and the lack of outside storage is our compromise. At the moment our idea is one or two tall, narrow plastic boxes which travel (secured somehow) by the main sliding door and when parked are moved to the door footwells in the cab. Many thanks Sorry can't help, having gone with the downsizing thing and found it just didn't fit with our style of camping, with similar problems to you, which we never solved to our satisfaction, so we upsized and guess what.....no storage problems. As my mum would have said...."you've made your bed now lie on it". It was tough love in those days! We learnt by our mistake....it can sure cost to learn. The Judge will be along shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 What make/model of van is it, possibly another owner may have solved the same conundrum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Personally I have no idea how anyone manages without a garage ?? :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star55 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thanks for your ideas. We're getting a Murvi Pimento - we needed to have a vehicle no longer than 5.4m as it will be our main vehicle as we are selling my car. For that reason we have excluded roof and back box. The quantity of items is not such a problem - we have a flat water hose and very neat fold flat trolley. We are not keen on storing anything outside as items may be stolen or end up quite dirty (even float away) in some of the weather we have experienced. We realise we have to make a compromise and just wondered if anyone had thought of something different. Not sure about the external locker - we'll check that out, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 ips - 2013-06-28 1:42 PM Personally I have no idea how anyone manages without a garage ?? :-D We have a semi garage under our French bed but also have huge internal storage under our twin sofas in the lounge, with external access. Also not hampered by internal fresh water tank, ECU gubbins, batteries, heater as all are elsewhere in the van. This is why most Continental vans need a garage as internal storage for large items not so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 we have 3 large plastic storage boxes (80/90 L each I think) they sit under our king size double bed that flips up. Its easily accessed from within the van or from the rear twin doors...To the side we have chairs tables and a fitted safe and other outside stuff. All neatly out of sight, nothing under foot... a comfortable and convenient layout with no faffing about.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCC Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Why don't you get some shaped storage bags? For example, the mains lead will fit into a slim round bag and would probably slide behind the driver's seat when travelling. A 'curly' water hose is easy to slip into a cupboard or draw. Is there space behind the rear door for the levelling blocks? We use a number of different sized 'pack-it' cubes for clothes which enable us to store a remarkable amount in very little space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star55 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Murvi provide a bag (which looks pretty substantial) for the electrical cable so as you say, this could be stored somewhere else - just need to ensure OH keeps the bag clean! Water hose is flat so doesn't take up much room but could be wet which is why I wanted it kept in a plastic box. There is no space behind the rear doors for any storage. Thanks for ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star55 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Actually I have just had a brilliant idea - a couple of the large woven type material garden sacks - really cheap - only problem is any ideas how I can keep these closed to stop the contents rolling around whilst travelling - they don't need to travel upright. Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Trailer. Sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star55 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Also decided we will put velcro on these bags so all sorted - anyway it was good to get ideas. Now we just need to sell our existing van! (see earlier post) thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Who Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Here are a few thing that might help Get a van with an underslung LPG tank preferably 30 litres. Presto No Gas Locker Extra Storage No.1 Have a water filter/purifier installed. No need for bottled water Extra Storage No.2 Don't use electrical appliances like kettles, toaster or Frypans - you've got a hob and grill use it. Extra Storage No. 3 Get the fold down storage boxes Judge mentioned. We have three and they work a treat - in the bathroom when traveling and under the bed when camped. Don't take half you household with you like so many do. Travel light and travel smart. Don't have a dog. Don't take too many clothes. - Pack a suitcase with everything you think you need then take half out. Don't overstock with food. No mater where you are in Europe or the UK you're never more than a days drive or less from a ASDA, Morrisons, Carrefour, Aldi, Lidl, Mercadona, Alcampo or the local village and town produce markets. Don't waste your time and money buying camping equipment in the UK it cheaper in Europe and that includes hookup cables and adapters. The UK standard 25metre CEE Blue three pin hookup cable is a waste of space. I use the standard Euro rig that virtually every Continental motorhomer uses - a 45 metre cable reel with 4 built in earthed continental sockets and overload switch, a 1.5 metre hookup cable with Blue CEE 3 pin plug on one end (to the Van) and a standard continental male plug on the other (for the reel) and a CEE to continental female adapter for the campground outlet. The whole lot plus 15 metres of hose with all the snap fittings and tap adapters fit into a 50x40x30 plastic storage box (with lid) I bought from Ikea for €5. Most camping grounds we've stayed at just have standard continental power outlets usually 10amp. And even if they do have CEE 16amp the Euro rig will work perfectly. It will also work perfectly well in the UK as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Our van, a Cavarno 2, is even smaller than yours. The flat hose reel lives on the washroom floor, where any water leakage doesn't matter, and is moved when the washroom is used. 25m cable is not wound onto a reel but is loosely coiled and kept in a heavy-duty long-life carrier bag. It squashes down on top of a sleeping bag under one of the seats. I dry it off through a rag as I coil it before storing. The ramps just fit in a compartment at the back of the raised floor. Pillows and any miscellaneous soft items also go in the washroom. We bought some excellent Coleman folding chairs which fit in sausage shaped bags. These fit over the cab. We only buy the food that will fit in the space allocated. Clothes go in the thicker type of carrier bags so that T shirts, socks and pants etc. can be stuffed into odd corners. It all works well but you have to be organised, and think before you buy. What do you think of the Pimento? It's on our shortlist for a possible up-size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 BGD - 2013-06-28 2:57 PM Trailer. Sorted. Was going to suggest that but you beat me to it! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pampam Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 You beat me to it too I'd have one of those small ones (trailer i mean)with a lid and shove everything in it and then your not carting it all about when using it everyday .pp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Who Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Pampam - 2013-06-28 10:40 PM You beat me to it too I'd have one of those small ones (trailer i mean) with a lid and shove everything in it and then your not carting it all about when using it everyday .pp If you need to buy a trailer to carry all your extra stuff you should have bought a caravan and move to the other forum on this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HymerVan Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 We can get all we need for a two month trip into our 5.4 metre Fifer. Actually we reckon that apart from an extended tool and spares kit, e.g bottle jack, and a some spare bedding you don't need any more than for a two week holiday. You need to ruthlessly go through what you need and don't need. For example do you need a long hose? We only use a short flat hose and a rigid 10 litre water carrier. OK so if you have to walk to the tap more often so what ? You can even use a folding carrier and a folding bucket which will take up very little space. For bedding we use Duvalays which sit on the cab seats when on site and on the floor of the rear when traveling so our bedding effectively uses no storage space at all. A metal file box £10 from Tesco holds a very comprehensive set of tools and spares but its regular shape fits exactly in our under-bed locker. A folding "toy box" made of canvas (cost £5.99) holds spare clothes and bedding in an accessible way but its large and regular shape allows use to utilise space which would otherwise be "dead" For us the key is to utilise all available space and imagination and adaptation of storage media helps. You don't need to spend a lot of money on this and you can often adapt stuff you already have in your garage or shed. "Staples" stationery store (they also have a website) is a good source of plastic boxes and crates in various shapes and sizes. What you can achieve will depend on the exact layout and whether you have underfloor storage but it will be possible !! Oh and we use Eagle Creek packing cubes for clothes. They can then be stashed in overhead lockers. Camping towels take up very little space dry much more quickly and are nicer to use. We hope the above will give you some ideas and that you enjoy the additional mobility that a smaller van gives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Who Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Before you decide to spend £20 on an Eagle Creek Packing Cube or £20 on a Staples plastic storage box take a trip to your local Ikea and explore their storage solutions first. They have everything you'll need at a vastly lower price than the above two product and the quality is just as good. For the price of ONE Staples storage box you could kit out the entire van - we did and it all works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Mike B. - 2013-06-28 8:02 PM BGD - 2013-06-28 2:57 PM Trailer. Sorted. Was going to suggest that but you beat me to it! :-D Ditto :D.................for an extended trip to Spain and staying put for the winter ideal............and when you want to go touring, leave it in storage on site with all your unneeded clobber in it ;-)............flexibility is the key to the best outfit B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul M Who Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 pelmetman - 2013-06-29 6:22 PM Ditto :D.................for an extended trip to Spain and staying put for the winter ideal............and when you want to go touring, leave it in storage on site with all your unneeded clobber in it ;-)............flexibility is the key to the best outfit B-) If it's unneeded clobber why bring it in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crinklystarfish Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Yup, If you regularly find that a trailer is the solution you are probably using your motorhome as a caravan. Nothing wrong with that but it may be that a caravan would be a better solution. The trick with smaller 'vans, as has been said, is to ditch the clutter. It's no bad thing in larger 'vans either, your 'van will love you for not running it at, or over, it's MAM permanently. Peter and Eileen Crichton are just superstars, they have little difficulty with clutter and aren't persuaded by bling or tat. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-18034246 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star55 Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Hi Paul Van will have LPG, we usually drink the tap water, have hob kettle, don't have a dog, suitcase! don't have enough clothes! hook up cable have already, Trying to anticipate as we don't yet have the smaller van, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star55 Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 We don't yet have the Pimento - trying to be organised as we will be collecting it with stuff packed into a car and trying to think of suitable places for essentials. Difficult when you don't have the vehicle. We'll report back in a month or so when we have had a chance to find a place for things, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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