tips for pimping out a Chevy Traverse

[Chris Anne the Mum]

Hi, I'm Chris Anne from Iowa and am planning to take a test run as a snowbird in Jan/Feb 2020.  I'd like to start out at the RTR and head to TX south of Houston to visit various beaches.  I have a Chevy Traverse (2009).  I can put the seats down and get enough length to sleep my golden retriever and me.  I won't have a lot of extra room so I want to travel as minimally as possible.  Got a Napier 84000 tent to attach to SUV.  That will take up a lot of space in the vehicle.  I plan to do a lot of stealth camping in parking lots so I don't see myself using the tent except at RTR and maybe several days at various beaches.  Concerned about having enough water for dog and me for entire length of RTR.  Any suggestions on that?  Also, any suggestions for storage would be appreciated.  Finally, I would love to hear of success stories from those using a Traverse.  Looking forward to making new friends in this community!  Thank you!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Chris Anne! Check out some of blog posts from this longterm small vehicle dweller - https://nomadfornature.wordpress.com/2018/05/02/sleeping-in-my-car/
She makes the most of every bit of room but she doesn't have a dog so you'll be a bit more cramped.

Water has been easy to get at the RTRs because town is just a short drive away but since the location will probably be different for 2020 the drive may be longer.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[ckelly78z]

Lots of neat overhead storage bags, and hard sided cargo boxes available for being mounted on the roof (cargo rack/rails), You can also mount a rear trailer hitch, and install a hitch mounted (removable) cargo box. All of these are weather proof, but not necessarily crime proof, so care should be taken when stealth camping.

You may also want to remove the rear seat completely for more storage room.

 

[WanderingRose]

As to carrying water, I found a collapsible water carrier online a few years ago, for maybe 3 gallons?, that has been very helpful when I needed to carry extra drinking water.

It is one used by the Red Cross, and very inexpensive.

You can safely drive out onto the beach at Padre Island National Seashore, and camp for free, which is a glorious experience.

Have a great time!

 

[B and C]

If you drive on the beaches you will want to stop at a car/truck wash and spray off the underside of your rig. We used to take our '77 Dodge van to the beach all the time. I always stopped at a car wash and sprayed the underside and later in the week I actually got under it and hand washed it. Never any rust on that van we put +250K miles on in about 15 years.

 

[Chris Anne the Mum]

Great tips on the overhead storage.  That's something on my to do list.  I didn't think about the hitch mounted cargo box, so I will look into that as well.  Thank you!

 

[Chris Anne the Mum]

Water has been easy to get at the RTRs because town is just a short drive away but since the location will probably be different for 2020 the drive may be longer.

Since I'll be attaching a tent to my SUV, I would have to break camp to go to town.  Would I keep my tent set up so I wouldn't lose my spot?  Do people change spots often if they go to town (because someone takes their spot)?  Do people go in groups into town?  Thanks!

 

[B and C]

You will get to know the others around you. They will hold your spot if asked. In those smaller groups there is usually someone going to town for food, water, trash dump etc. that will offer to take your trash or bring something back. You could be one of those people too. Think of a small neighborhood in a larger town.