Where to fit everything???

[PattySprinter]

I sectioned off a part of my bedroom and set what I want to take in the area that is the size of the van I am planning on buying.
This is anxiety-ville! 
I have cabinets that I could bolt to the floor and walls but the weight of everything - it seems overwhelming.
Half-tempted to just throw it all in and figure it out as I go  :-/
I am curious if you all are planners like me or just learn and do it as you go?

 

[lenny flank]

Indeed, living in a van forces on to learn quickly what is a necessity, what is a luxury, and what you can do without.

Follow the wisdom of the backpacker---take what you need, and need what you take.

 

[waldenbound]

Where to fit everything?
That, my dear, is the $64,000 question!

It helps to think like a minimalist, ultralight backpacker. Lightweight, multiple uses, everything has a job to do. If it doesn't have a job to do, a purpose, it can't go.
Really, you need a bed, a kitchen, and a place to put clothes. If your living in the wild, your outdoor space is an extension of your indoor space. That's the major stuff though. There's also the little things like water cans, batteries, propane, Buddy heater, camp stove, toilet, yeah, where does it all go?!?!?

After you built your bed, kitchen area, clothes receptacle, then you're fighting for nooks and crannies. Think of it as getting the major stuff in, then look for the nooks and crannies to store stuff.

As far as weight, my cedar bed and clothes chest is the heaviest things I have. After that, it's all lightweight REI gear.

 

[Almost There]

I planned out every square inch of my van.

The first part of the plan was determining what, exactly, my priorities were and are. Mine are: functioning kitchen including fridge and freezer units, comfortable bed for one, room for a toilet and storage for all my stuff.

I managed it all.

Storage was an integral part of the design.

Was it my first rodeo...of course not. But the principle is still the same, whether it's your first van or not. Storage is precisely one of the reasons why I chose to build my own interior...all the Class Bs and C's I've ever seen lack adequate useful storage.

BUT, I have the 24" hightop on the van with both the front and back areas left with the original roof intact.

I think the most important part of making everything fit is constantly being organized and being neat...having a place for everything and putting everything in it's place.

Have I seen people who are completely disorganized and live on the road...of course I have! I'm just not sure how they manage to find anything and I know that they spend way more than needed time looking for something because they have no idea where it was last seen...

 

[SoulRaven]

Living in a space that is overcrowded can be very frustrating. Having to move things back and forth to access things gets old very quickly, I know this from living it.

Patty, I suppose you know this, and I'm not familiar enough with your particular unit that you hope to acquire, but there is a weight limit when it comes to loading a van. You may be well under it, but it will really strain a vehicle that is overloaded. Seems like you were talking about taking some heavy furniture if I remember correctly. And, don't forget an allowance for the wheel wells, they take up a lot of room in our trailer, we have dual axle, a chunk of space on each side.

 

[PattySprinter]

Living in a space that is overcrowded can be very frustrating.  Having to move things back and forth to access things gets old very quickly, I know this from living it.  
Patty ... Seems like you were talking about taking some heavy furniture if I remember correctly.

Snow Gypsy, yes I am having issues with giving up some antique furniture that I bought when I was 16 - I was hoping to use some of it ... but it is looking like that might not be very practical - I will work it out.
Right now the only stuff I am taking for sure are propane camp stove, cooler, dishes, pots, pans, food, bedding, clothes and shoes, lantern, portable solar and battery, water containers, maybe a travel berkey, maybe an ottoman that turns to a bed ... baskets for storage and mason jars for food.
I really want a van but maybe will look at very short rv's  :huh:

 

[WalkaboutTed]

Pinterest has many photos of space - saving ideas for vans and RVs.

You may want to head over to sailboat or other boating forums. They, too, have very limited spaces and have good ideas, especially for nooks and crannies that are useable even when the boats are underway.

I grew up and lived on boats, so I had no problems utilizing areas down to a few cubic inches. My kids always laugh at me because I never leave any spaces unused when living in sticks&bricks. They joke that our home was set up like a boat. I can make private bedrooms out of nothing, usually with bookcases. In the van, I've left some areas open for now, as I'm not quite sure how to organize them yet.

Living in an area cut out about the site of your van is a good idea. Keep in mind that the living area will be outdoors much of the time.
Ted

 

[WalkaboutTed]

It's funny, but I just got an email about space use in tiny houses and a skooly. We bought a Nature's Head in 2006 and they still send us emails.

Please ignore the advertisement within the email, as I'm not sure if the legality of copying and pasting text out of an email verbatim:
NH-Logo5b 4

"We send monthly newsletters to our customers and friends to share ideas and solutions, to alert you to news and new developments and to provide other relevant information. We hope you will find this informative and useful. If you have something to share, we welcome your input.

♦♦♦
turbyfill sign small 5
The Latest Trend in Tiny Homes/RVs --
A Beautiful Transformation

Customer Amanda T. allowed us to share their adventure with the family's upscaled school bus Spirit the Skoolie. This is a beautiful example of a great design tailored for their family. She also made an impressive sign to post for visitors, and agreed to let us share it with you. You can check out more on Instagram, on Facebook or on YouTube at In His Spirit Adventures. Thanks Amanda!

♦♦♦

Lofty Ideas from California Tiny House

california_tiny_house_topAnyone who lives in a tiny house or is in the process of building one is always looking for creative ways to maximize space. Pat Mosley from California Tiny House knows about maximizing the available space in a Tiny House.

Over the last several years, California Tiny House has built a reputation for building tiny homes that are small in size but big on features. “We suggest that people consider building a shed style roof when building a tiny home,” Mosley explained. “A shed style roof doesn’t always look as cool on the outside as other styles, but it maximizes head room in the loft of the home so people can move around easier in their loft/bedroom area. Not everyone wants to crawl around in the loft.”

To access a loft, many tiny homes only have a ladder. Mosley suggests building a staircase. “We build staircases that people can actually walk up. We maximize spaces by putting drawers below the steps so space isn’t lost. A staircase makes getting into a loft easier than a ladder.” Learn more about California Tiny Homes at www.californiatinyhouse.com.

♦♦♦

Your Questions Answered - How often should we empty?

The composting section holds approximately 60 to 80 uses. The time frame to empty the solids bin varies with number of people and the time period.

The toilet is designed for 1 to 4 people full-time. Generally, two people full-time people’s usage will require emptying approximately every 3 weeks; additional people will shorten the time. If using just on weekends with 2 people, that can extend time to 2 months or more. Just a couple of days of non-use extends the period of time. Usually, the level of the compost will not increase; if it does it will be minimal.

The urine bottle holds 2.2 gallons and will require more frequent emptying; two people might need to empty after 3-4 days.

♦♦♦

Thanks for being part of our community!

Larry
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[PattySprinter]

Pinterest has many photos of space - saving ideas for vans and RVs.

You may want to head over to sailboat or other boating forums.  They, too, have very limited spaces and have good ideas, especially for nooks and crannies that are useable even when the boats are underway.  

Thank you for replying. 
I do like the idea of the lightweight cabinets in boats. I am wondering how heavy some of the van build furniture is. Fiberglass seems like a viable option ...

 

[grandpa pete]

I have the tools and knowhow to build my own custom cabinets but have read MANY posts on how people have changed their layout after a couple of months of use . I think I will go with the plastic three drawer wall mart cabinets to start . later I can make more permanent set up as needed .
initial plan is for a passenger side fold up "Murphy Bed " and driver side shelf with sink ' aptartment fridge and two three drawer plastic shelves ...front passenger seat with a swivel base is a must .
don't box yourself in with a non flexible layout .

 

[OutdoorFT]

I remember a member here said "most people in a van started off with nothing. Its hard to take everything from your house and try fitting it in the van" or something like that. A van, unfortunately cannot hold everything you want, but can support the necessities

 

[lenny flank]

 A van, unfortunately cannot hold everything you want, but can support the necessities

I like to remind people that they are living in a space that is smaller than the average prison cell.

That sorta puts things into perspective.

 

[GEAUX- PRIUS Cowboy]

I like to remind people that they are living in a space that is smaller than the average prison cell.

That sorta puts things into perspective.

I met a Prius Dweller that is fulltime he is Robert Q Prius on FB. His strategy is he will get a 5x5x5 storage unit unload the excess out his car then he will go do his things visit the people he wants live it large in his small car. He has what he needs when he needs it. Tools , winter , summer clothes, you know the usual junk we need to have. Just budget it into your plan is it going to kill you to pay $40 a month for the use of a storage unit in the area you decide on? He will rent for the TCF then leave that event area go to another area rent storage. The only time he is cramped is when he is moving from one zone to another. HOPE THIS HELPS. BQP did not take the seats out his car like I have. When I attnded the TCF I had all my seats but to attend the RTR I took out passenger seat console the 60% out the back. Face the truth folks most of us are the last owners of these cars hack them to suit our life. Evaluate your life if you never carry a passenger then change your ride to suit you. When you think about it you are not keeping all your eggs in one basket when you do this. I know a young man that had his RV stolen in So cal Corey the moody traveler was fresh out the ocean all he had to his name was a wetsuit a surfboard and a pair of shoes. They got all of it computer cameras tools RV very sad day,

 

[accrete]

; ) what they said

My wife and i started out with "nothing in the van" (_image link_) and spent a few months getting things mocked up with simple wood framing knowing we would have a pro-shop redo the interior a year or two after using it and making tweaks. We live full time in a large 5th wheel so the van is wife's-daily-driver/adventure/get-away rig. Yes we could "Live" in it for extended times if needed as it is a fully functional (in our minimalist style) home-on-wheels. 

On keepsakes to keep...it is a tough one. My wife went through some tearful times when we downsized from our farmhouse to a 5th wheel ( but this was sooooo her idea!) Now (6 years later) she is not missing any of it except to a moment or two over a year's time when she goes melancholy for a few minutes...then she just opens up her digital photo album and then looks around at the elegant simplicity/minimalism and says something like; "I luv this place".

: ) Thom

PS. Just remembered, she had a beautiful refinished hope chest that she sent packed with crystal and keep sake items to our daughter. Also inside there are my ~1960 era G.I.Joe items and Lionel Train Set. Other than that it is all gone. But even those items are for our kids at this point, and if they downsize and sell them off it is ok from both of us this many years down the road.