How to survive in a Tiny house on the road

Organize, Organize, Organize....

• Something I learned at the family lakehouse - keys are returned to a very strong magnet on the refrigerator. A bonus for us in our Eureka, roughly 7 x 10 – the largest one they make, is that the refrigerator is located right next to the door. (I think this is true in many small campers.)
• Everything has a place, and this place does not change.
• There needs to be a system for doing everything. Our system for changing the bed into sofas is that I do it every time while Kerry walks the dogs. The reason is that it takes a lot of crawling over the bed which is easier for me than him. Pillows, night clothes, etc. are always placed in the cabinets above the bed and air conditioner.
• As Kerry is 6 feet 4 in., we had the sofas raised 18 inches instead of the more regular 12. This was good in so many ways, but not for me sitting and doing things on the bed as I am only 5' 8”. Therefore, I roll up our comforter every day and tie it with an old shoe string. This is the perfect size to put behind my back, put my feet on the opposite sofa and read or write or whatever. (So far, we use the comforter over the cushions and under us. If we were without a heater in the cold, we might change that.)
• If we didn't have a really tall person, I would suggest 15” for the sofas/bed so that the underneath the bed space can be used for storage. Almost all of our stuff is in storage under the bed/sofas. As we have 18”, we can carry so much! Also, it is good to put food and kitchen stuff closet to the sink. Everything needs to be in a container, preferably clear.
• In the Eureka camper, the sofas convert to a bed using three almost square boards. One direction fits between the sofas and one direction fits nicely under the sofas. I immediately marked them as they are almost square and hard to distinguish. Also, we always leave the last one under the air conditioner for a table. This is really nice as we move things from the space beside the sink back and forth, again in a container – this time an old Coca-Cola open tray. This leaves that space beside the sink empty for cooking items. (One of which I recommend is an electric kettle – hot water in a matter of minutes is really convenient!) This also leaves another storage space under the “table”.
• A narrow rug between the sofas is really good, especially if you have dogs as we do. However, you should sweep every day, and vacuum at least every other day. If you don't have a hand vacuum, you need to immediately invest in one. And keep it plugged in all the time.
• I keep twin sheets on top of the sofa cushions when the bed is not made. They are easy to tuck in and easy to wash.
• Some people put a shower across from the galley but as most places we go provide showers (and a sink bath is doable short term) we made this more storage. We have about a 12” top shelf and on the bottom we have a storage box for more stuff (mostly kitchen) and beside it our porta-potty. They never meet, but you might want to put something different in the box. Under the top shelf we put a shower rod so that we can hang things and this is where I keep the broom and the vacuum plugged in.
• Also, I use a travel bidet instead of toilet paper which solves two problems. First, you never have anything solid in it. (Most places have flush toilets and those that don't are good enough for poop.) Second, it acts as a natural flush. It is available on Amazon and I'm sure other places.
• Hangers, preferably the padded kind your grandmother used to make, is also essential. You are going to have wet clothing. That is a given. Your choice of where to hang them is individual. If you have room for the old fashioned fold out, that is probably best. We use the rack on the Eureka that is for the privacy curtain. Eyelets inside make great places to hang clothes hangers when it's raining.
• Always be charging one of your devices. We have two smart phones, two tablets and two computers. Some battery is low all the time.
• Invest in a kindle or other e-reader. Get over needing the feel and smell of a book. You can carry a whole library in your hand. Yes, some campgrounds have a lending library, but do you really want to depend on that. Public libraries lend e-books for free, and you can really supplement your library on book-bub with cheap or free books of quality. Just make sure to have a good selection on your device and not depend on the cloud for those times you don't have access to internet.
• Propane devices for dry camping should be stored in the corners as they are usually used less. Things that you use the most should be the most accessible.
• A milk crate or other box outside the door means less sand/dirt inside and more space inside. The rule is take your shoes off before getting in the camper. Or if it's really wet, put it beside the door and take your shoes off as soon as you get in.
• Save your plastic grocery bags for inside trash (and poop picker-uppers if you have dogs.) I put them in a cardboard box that I get crackers or cereal or something else in.
• Disinfectant wipes are a must. At home I use cloth (and cloth grocery bags) but you need disposable cleaning as you don't have a washer/dryer convenient and your laundry bag small.
• Take easy to dry clothing and wool clothing. Thin wool clothes can be worn for weeks without stinking. Yes, I said weeks. And they are as cool as cotton. Also, instead of bulky jackets, layer. Several thin layers of clothes will keep you as warm as a thick jacket, and those other layers can be worn for other days/times. But splurge and take a rain-proof jacket or poncho. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
• Put things back in their place immediately. You don't have the space to leave things lying around to be put away later. And remember the golden rule, everything has a place and it doesn't change.
• Know how to unplug. If you don't read, bring cards, board games, a harmonica, whatever. Not everywhere has internet, and electricity can go out.. So flashlights and plenty of batteries, and/or hand-wound devices. Or better yet, talk to the person or people you are with.
• Travel with a roll of quarters and replenish them whenever you run low. Laundry, carwash, and air pumps all require quarters. And if you have kids that want to play arcade games....
• Always buy local fruit, whatever is in season by the road. Same for vegetables.
• Invest in Yeti-type cups. Beats reheating coffee, or using all your ice, or drinking warm beer. Just be sure to rinse them as soon as you're finished. Or, like us, label one for coffee and/or get one per person and put their initials on it. You don't want your ice water smelling like coffee or stale beer.
• Always carry extra water
• Liquids need to be stored upright. Those little plastic baskets that are like two for a dollar can help with this.
• A minimal tool kit and first aid kit is necessary
• Pack a fishing pole. The good places sell daily or weekly licenses.
• If you are 62, there are many perks. National parks sell you a pass for ten bucks that let you and up to three others in free. Also, half price camping at many locations. State parks, and even some private parks will also give you discounts. Some of these are Sunday through Thursday because that's when non-working people can come that others can't. Plan your trip accordingly.
• Gas up when you aren't hooked to your camper. I don't care how good you think you are. It's just easier without that load behind.
• Decide beforehand HOW (and if) you are going to communicate with the person parking the camper
• Also, make turns like you are hauling something bigger, the small tongue makes turns more difficult.
• Stop at every Welcome Center. Walk at least five minutes, get a map (GPS doesn't work without service) and check out the inside. Free coffee, juice, entertainment is often inside along with information about the state.
• More to come