how to secure everything in a rental van for rtr...

[doublegregg]

i'd like to rent a van for the rtr.... so i'll have a ice cooler, bed, stove, i guess shelves... maybe a sheet of ply for the floor.... heater and propane tank... a total newbie w propane... oh......two fire extinguishers, lol........ half a dozen luci lights, lol again........

how do i attach everything, such as shelves, a battery, ......STUFF in boxes i guess, to the sides of the cargo van? it'll be a cargo van... all i can think of are buying a bunch of those little ratchet tie downs... i'm figuring home depot has some cheap... 1" by 15 feet... is that the best thing to do???  not sure if it's doable to bolt or screw things down in a rental van.... i have no experience with vans.......i just know they have ribs, and seem like it'd be doable to secure things to them. 

rtr or bust......i guess....... i do have ....... pwoer tools to screw things......

TY

 

[maki2]

you can't put screws into a rental van. You can get some sturdy cardboard boxes and from the home stores or Uhaul rental stores and buy some of the non skid padding they use under rugs. That will keep the boxes from sliding around in the back. Keep it simple, don't spend money you don't need to. Get a big pack of bungee cords, they are easier to pack home than heavy ratchet straps. Your stuff is not so heavy that you would require ratchet straps. Bungee the boxes together in a big cluster instead of spreading them all around. They will be easier to keep in place than having a lot of small, lightweight boxes shifting around inside the van.

 

[MrNoodly]

You'll only need enough supplies for a few weeks. And you can refresh supplies as you go. Avoid overpacking, keep things simple.

Rather than shelves, use plastic bins/tubs and stack them if necessary, or use them as the base for your bed. Bins might shift around (things shift less than you might expect) but it won't hurt anything, and they're not likely to tip over. Or use duffles.

For the floor, layer some throw rugs.

 

[doublegregg]

thanks, makl2... makes sense to keep it simple... i'll head over to home depot and get a bunch of bungees... i'll have a couple shelves or three --- i guess i will use a cheap ratchet strap on that.... but most other stuff, i'll put in big boxes...bungee them...

 

[doublegregg]

TY.......... bins sound good.... i was, or will still, put in some bookshelves... but then stuff will fall out... i was going to somehow cover the front of it, but for this trip, that seems a little overkill. maybe just one shelf... maybe it'll be my kitchen. how high do people stack bins?? i guess i'm thinking of the big bins.... 62 qts...... a few big duffels.... i'd like to keep it all as simple as possible, which you guys are giving terrific advice about.

 

[crofter]

I use bins and bungees. There are many holes in a cargo van for attachment points for the tie downs, and also a couple of D rings that can be used. If you have a minivan, there may not be attachment points and D rings.  -crofter

 

[highest_vision]

I would live out of my former pickup for several months at a time, mostly with three sterilite 32 quart tubs for storage and a couple strong cardboard boxes (12 glass bottle size). Secured the tubs to one side of bed with rope and a bungee, slept on the floor of the other side. Had some stuff that would be on the floor when I wasn't sleeping, and on top of tubs when i was. Tub tops were like shelves! If you have a whole van, I figure you could even have a cot.

 

[Stardust]

Also remember it can be below freezing on a Winter’s night in the desert. You’ll need adequate bedding, including padding to lie on that will block the cold.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes it's been below freezing most nights this year. but it's a dry cold. LOL highdesertranger

 

[VanForNow]

This is an interesting topic. Building on other people's suggestions, here are some low-cost options on how to fly to the Southwest, fit out a rental van and do a trial run of the nomad life:

1. Zip ties (buy a package with an assortment of sizes)

2.Bungees cords (ditto for assorted sizes and lengths.) For storage, use stackable boxes and cheap sterilite drawers from Walmart. Fasten them down with the bungees and zip ties.

3. Buy a cheap one-burner propane or butane stove with gas cylinders.

4. Yes, winter nights in the desert get cold. Upper 20s can happen. To sleep comfortably on the floor of the van, put down a plywood sheet. On top of it place a $7 walmart blue foam sleeping pad. On top of that place a thermarest-style inflatable pad. This combo is comfortable and very effective. The inflatable pad is a bit pricey, but you can take it home in yr luggage. And for most comfort, inflate the thermarest pad just enough to raise you above the base foam pad.

5. Buy a cheap sleeping bag, a cheap down comforter and several cheap fleece blankets. Use a wool cap & wool socks. 

6. For food, search this site for non-perishable foods. For small amounts of food that need to stay cold, buy a cheap styrofoam or plastic cooler. Search YT for videos on how to use duct tape or glue to add layers of foam to the cooler, converting it into an ugly but efficient supercooler. To keep yr food from getting soaked by melting ice, place it inside sealable, hardsided plastic containers from Walmart. Buy used silverware, pots & pans from a thrift store.

7. For washing dishes, search YT for videos on how to use paper towels to wipe dishes. Then use 2 spray containers containing vinegar & water. Don't make the newbie mistake of using lots of water, detergent & a scrubbing pad to clean dishes.

8. Have loads of fun as you use these shortcuts to fit out a rental van in order to try out the nomad life! You have a beautiful continent to explore, and hopefully these suggestions offer a low-cost way to do it.

 

[doublegregg]

i think i like the bins --- sterilite bins are cheap and you can see what is in them... i'm figuring the bigger bins, 58 qt..... i'd like to try to organize them so they hold related things.... maybe one will hold kitchen and washing things? i haven't started packing, nor purchased the bins... i think it would take... 4 of them? and i'd be probably on the floor of the van, with a small thing to sit on, and put a board on the bins to cook or read... a collapsible chair....

i have some 36" duffels, two of em. they seem ungainly and messy to me, and maybe i'll just toss soft things in them, like clothes...

i guess everything will be on the floor. maybe i'll get some thin plywood to have something on the floor... i'll be bringing as much water as i can --- to save me going to get some, and i'm a health nut, so prefer, well, my own water... so - only around 20 gallons. i guess that's not that much, actually.

and i'll have a propane tank... in the van... i no this is a controversial subject..... it's for a wave 3 heater... a new one. an ice chest, and some little golf cart batteries simply to run an inverter to charge things... and run a raspberry pi computer.....luci lights for light. two fire extinguishers.......lol...this is just a partial list......

pretty nervous about this adventure............ so nervous that i'm coming after the upcoming opening weekend...on monday.

thanks for all the suggestions. very helpful.

 

[becida]

Too much stuff is easy to do, keep it simple.
There has been some good advice, and you're only looking at the RTR. Remember a camp chair when you're getting stuff, it will be important, so will a headlamp.
Have fun!

 

[highest_vision]

I am sorry, I meant 32 gallon. 32 quart is like a kitchen drawer haha. Mine were opaque, but my camper shell was not so I liked that extra security.

 

[tamewolf]

For two weeks, and an air flight, why have more than fits in your backpack?  You are camping, not setting up housekeeping.

 

[maki2]

Maybe just for two weeks but then again maybe it this really amounts to being a trial practice run for living in van. People do like to test things by having them a bit closer to what real van life will be like. If budget is not an issue then why not give it a go?  If they have the funds to try a bit of living the dream then why not now?

 

[rokguy]

Isn't this RTR out in the desert somewhere. Do they like renting vans out knowing you'll be taking it out on dirt roads.  I know here rental companies aren't.

 

[highest_vision]

I don't know about Arizona, but in New Mexico dirt roads are just a way of life. There are dirt roads with fancy houses in the city limits of Santa Fe. Dirt is the great equalizer, and we wash it off with chile.

 

[rokguy]

Yes, red dirt roads are a way of life here in country Australia.

 

[highest_vision]

I hope you are staying safe there with the fires.

 

[crofter]

On the edge of our seats, how is the saga of the rental van going for you? I have seen a couple vans with the big graphics, is that you? Did you have to purchase camping kit after landing due to restrictions on carrying the stuff on a plane?   Hope all is well and fun is happening. 
-crofter