Storage Hints

Will be getting our Trailmanor probably this weekend...would love some hints as to how others handle storage in these trailers...there seems to be many pluses to the Trailmanor, but storage doesn't seem to be one of them....how do you handle the clothes closet opposite the bathroom that must be taken down each time to take off? Do the clothes have to be taken in and out each time...if so, where do you put your hanging clothes "in transit"...Can't wait to "get going", but don't want to make too many mistakes...can always learn from more experienced travelers! :-*

[Denny_A]

[quote author=Eleanor link=board=18;threadid=1660;start=msg11723#msg1172 3 date=1076029460]
....how do you handle the clothes closet opposite the bathroom that must be taken down each time to take off? Do the clothes have to be taken in and out each time...if so, where do you put your hanging clothes "in transit"...
[/quote]

We just leave everything hangin' when we breakdown for departure. The clothes pile-up, of course, when the closet goes horizontal. If they're hanging straight at the start of the operation - wrinkling is usually a non-factor. Just keep the "good, Sunday-go-to-meetin' " stuff to the rearmost (closest to the bed) side of the closet and they will be on top of the pile.

HTH - Denny_A

Thanks so much for the great hints....will certainly use them...and hope more keep coming! ;D

Eleanor, what model will your new TM be?

It's a 2619...just hubby, me, and a 7 LB. Bichon and a kitty....we should be "snug as a bug in a rug"...

[dcrdark]

What we do with the wardrobe is: Slide the hanging clothes all the way to the right, next to the bed. I put a spring clamp on the pole so the hangers won't slide. Next we take the pillows and any other "fluffy" blanket and place them in the wardrobe on the left side. So, what this entails is when the wardrobe is laid down the close will lay flat on the pillows and blankets and tends not to wrinkle as much as well.

Hope you have fun with your TM. We have had our 3023 for almost a year, and think its great.

[G-V_Driver]

Smiley,

One more suggestion, since this will be your first trailer. When you take delivery, whoever sells it to you will probably demonstrate how to take it down and set it up. When they do, be sure you have both the manufacturer's check list and pad and pencil (or your laptop.) Some of the other check lists that have been posted on this site may be helpful as well.

Be sure you understand how the sequence works, and what may or may not be on the list that you will want to consider. Every trailer has its little tricks and traps, and it's easier if you have the "hows and whys" on paper before you start. Make note of each and every step, and the sequence, no matter how obvious it may appear. Also, each person who demonstrates the trailer may have some of their own techniques or helpful hints incorporated into their procedures. If they do something different, be sure you understand why.

Once you think you're ready to go, hook up to the trailer to your tow vehicle and pull it into a quiet corner of the lot and go through the entire process yourself without any help from salesman or prior owner. Put out the leveling blocks, extend the awning, hook up the electricity and gas, just as you would your first time out. I'm always amazed at the questions that arise and how much we can miss when we're doing it alone, even after going through it with somebody else.

Then, if it's practical to do so, go spend a night at a campground within a few miles of where you bought the trailer. Use the stove, heater, terlit and other systems, just so you know what you know and don't know. Again, you will be amazed what you can learn in just one night. And, if there's a question or problem, you can shuttle back to the seller for help.

We keep a camping checklist on an excel spreadsheet, subcategorized by areas and individual responsibility. Some of our subheadings are:

Planning: Routes, Destinations, Itenerary, Reservations, etc.
Campground guides and other reference information

Tow Vehicle:
Maintenance, mechanical, tires, oil change, etc.
Contents and security
Paperwork--registration, current insurance, etc.

Trailer:
Mechanical
Contents
Expendables--propane, etc.
Furnishings
Systems
Paperwork and dealer directory

Dining and Food Prep
Menu planning for at least some of the meals
Inventory

Bedding & Linens

Toileting

Audio, video, cameras etc.

Medical Dental supplies, cards, etc.

Campsite equipment and supplies

Activities and equipment.

Reading and communications

Other documentation as necessary

Each of these has a number of line items that correspond to our current need and equipment, so we have some historical reference and basis for trying to get out of town. Even so, I'm pretty sure Walmart stock goes up every year when we leave town due to the increased sales they anticipate while we're on the road.

Storage is at a premium in all trailers, not just the TM.

You got some good information about hanging clothes. As a long-time pop-up camper, we just never got in the habit of hanging our clothes up! We keep them in soft-sided suitcases, rolled to minimize wrinkles. If I need something fancy, I'll hang it up on one of those over-the-door hangers for a while.

Another storage recommendation is to subdivide the other storage compartments that are in your trailer. For example, the kitchen cabinets are pretty tall, so my husband built slide-out drawers that fit our pots and pans. I basically got twice the storage space! Other folks buy the wire mesh baskets and install them. You'll find references to this in the archives.

Have fun!

Pam

Hello Elanor, A good way to be educated about the TM is to camp with a group of Manorites. You didn't specify which state you live in but there might be a chapter of the TrailBlazers in your area. It is nice to be with a number of similar trailers as you will see how many great ideas people have put into use in a trailer just like your own. Our chapter (Mile High) camps at least six times a summer. Our schedule is printed in the national newsletter The Tidings. This goes or anyone else who might be in Colorado during the months May thru October, please feel free to join us. Heck, if you are just passing thru Colorado, let us know. There probably are Manorites who would join you while you set your trailer tongue down for a couple days.

Hal

Elenor:

I'll send you a cy of my checklists to your email address.

Ed