We are planning upgrading our van over the next couple of years preparing for retirement. I have been wondering what those on the road for long periods or permanently do to keep their clothes stored and neat. Presently we are only away for a few days at a time and tend to live out of the suitcase. Interested to know how everyone treats this problem.
Rod.
Dougwe said
02:26 PM Jun 9, 2015
I am in the playground full time and have a full size CV. It has a wardrobe, drawers and overhead cupboards suitable for cloths in the bedroom area (front). I keep 3 of everything only and as I tend to follow the warmth as much as possible live in shorts, T shirts and good quality thongs (for the feet) before bigB makes a smart comment I also have a pair of jeans and tracky dacks, also a thicker top if ever needed. All works extremely well for me but I am Solo so no need to share space. That said, there is heaps of room for two people in my van.
I am sure whatever van you get will have storage for clothes. A minor problem I think.
Enjoy your retirement as I know you will but most importantly, keep safe.
Granty said
03:12 PM Jun 9, 2015
Thanks Doug, Sounds like keeping clothes to a minimium is the go. Thats ok with me but might could a bit of concern for my wife.
Dougwe said
07:36 PM Jun 9, 2015
Mmmm, there is a solution.
Join a nudist club. Plenty of beaches etc.
No, I'm not a nudist, bigB. I would clear the beach for sure.
Dav4Cris said
09:35 PM Jun 9, 2015
We roll our clothes and they fit well into the cupboard. I put shelves in as hanging takes up to much room. As Dougwe says less clothes but good warm clothes and summer clothes. Vinnies can be your friends, just buy clothes as needed in the area you are in.
villatranquilla said
09:52 PM Jun 9, 2015
we've been in our van permanently for 4 yrs and only have shelves in the wardrobe. Ditched the iron after a year and generally have non-crushable shirts. We roll our clothes and the few wrinkles soon drop out. I have one good outfit (blouse, slacks and cardigan) that hangs on a hanger in a dust proof bag usually in the shower or on the TV bracket
Granty said
09:38 AM Jun 10, 2015
Thanks for all of the advice. Rolling the clothes , hanging a good set in a bag in the shower and using Vinnies are good tips. The main thing it seems is you don't need a lot of clothes. I suppose having always lived in a cold climate and needing fresh clothes for work each day you tend to need a selection of suitable clothes. Just need to adjust to the fact that you no longer need so much, one of the joys of retirement. Rod.
Bruce and Bev said
08:27 PM Jun 11, 2015
Doug - you wouldn't clear the beach - they'd all be falling over laughing LOL !!!!
I agree with Doug though about the amount of clothes to carry. When you do your 1st long trip (several + months) you will take miles too much (unless youre planning from driving to Tassie from Cape York in June)
My wife always has more clothes than me - but that's expected )
I have 3 T shirts, 3 synthetic cloth shorts (wash them and theyre dry within a couple of hours), 2 jeans, 2 trackies, 3 heavy sweat shirts, 2 heavy water proof jackets that stay in the ute, 4 pairs of runners and 2 pairs of thongs (the feet ones). Bout 5 pairs of undies and a mixture of socks (the last two don't take up much room).
Many nomaders on a long trip will go into Vinnies or the Salvos when they move from a hot climate to a cool one or the other way round. Give them what you don't want and buy what you do need cheaply (check out the various charity shops in the town to find what you want before dishing out your own gear to them). Often the clothing is brand new and dead cheap. If using these places is down market for you, do what I do and wear a large paper bag over my head with eye gaps cut out so I don't fall over the kerb or walk into the shop window haha. Small towns have heaps of charity shops. I bought a new and thick hoodie for 50c !!
Hendo said
03:49 PM Jun 18, 2015
If you have more than one on, one off and one in the wash you've got too many clothes!
Dunmowin said
08:02 PM Aug 4, 2015
As we are on the road permanently, we keep two wardrobes, one winter one summer. The opposite wardrobe lives in vacuum storage bags under the bed. If we buy new clothes, vinnies or similar gets a donation. Ditto for shoes.
We do believe however, that you get what you pay for. To buy hiking shoes from, for example, Rivers, is not the same as buying good quality hiking books from a recognised hiking/camping shop.
the rocket said
04:06 PM Feb 6, 2017
villatranquilla wrote:
we've been in our van permanently for 4 yrs and only have shelves in the wardrobe. Ditched the iron after a year and generally have non-crushable shirts. We roll our clothes and the few wrinkles soon drop out. I have one good outfit (blouse, slacks and cardigan) that hangs on a hanger in a dust proof bag usually in the shower or on the TV bracket
Have never rolled our clothes. Will give it a try thanks everyone
We are planning upgrading our van over the next couple of years preparing for retirement. I have been wondering what those on the road for long periods or permanently do to keep their clothes stored and neat. Presently we are only away for a few days at a time and tend to live out of the suitcase. Interested to know how everyone treats this problem.
Rod.
I am in the playground full time and have a full size CV. It has a wardrobe, drawers and overhead cupboards suitable for cloths in the bedroom area (front). I keep 3 of everything only and as I tend to follow the warmth as much as possible live in shorts, T shirts and good quality thongs (for the feet) before bigB makes a smart comment
I also have a pair of jeans and tracky dacks, also a thicker top if ever needed. All works extremely well for me but I am Solo so no need to share space. That said, there is heaps of room for two people in my van.
I am sure whatever van you get will have storage for clothes. A minor problem I think.
Enjoy your retirement as I know you will but most importantly, keep safe.
Join a nudist club. Plenty of beaches etc.
No, I'm not a nudist, bigB. I would clear the beach for sure.
I agree with Doug though about the amount of clothes to carry. When you do your 1st long trip (several + months) you will take miles too much (unless youre planning from driving to Tassie from Cape York in June)
My wife always has more clothes than me - but that's expected )
I have 3 T shirts, 3 synthetic cloth shorts (wash them and theyre dry within a couple of hours), 2 jeans, 2 trackies, 3 heavy sweat shirts, 2 heavy water proof jackets that stay in the ute, 4 pairs of runners and 2 pairs of thongs (the feet ones). Bout 5 pairs of undies and a mixture of socks (the last two don't take up much room).
Many nomaders on a long trip will go into Vinnies or the Salvos when they move from a hot climate to a cool one or the other way round. Give them what you don't want and buy what you do need cheaply (check out the various charity shops in the town to find what you want before dishing out your own gear to them). Often the clothing is brand new and dead cheap. If using these places is down market for you, do what I do and wear a large paper bag over my head with eye gaps cut out so I don't fall over the kerb or walk into the shop window haha. Small towns have heaps of charity shops. I bought a new and thick hoodie for 50c !!
As we are on the road permanently, we keep two wardrobes, one winter one summer. The opposite wardrobe lives in vacuum storage bags under the bed. If we buy new clothes, vinnies or similar gets a donation. Ditto for shoes.
We do believe however, that you get what you pay for. To buy hiking shoes from, for example, Rivers, is not the same as buying good quality hiking books from a recognised hiking/camping shop.
Have never rolled our clothes. Will give it a try thanks everyone