Hi all, am after ideas on how you have addressed the cloths line ordeal.
I want something that is fairly strong and light, not something you might use once then delegate to the rubbish bin.
It must be suitable for full time Grey Nomading.
One idea is to put eyebolts through the awning struts, but the struts on our van a 6 meters apart. So I am not considering this idea.
Maybe an aluminium frame and attachment brackets to the wall of the van, with stainless cable across at intervals.
So what have you done?
Treecrest14 said
09:25 PM Mar 7, 2017
We purchased the foldup one (like a coast to coast one) and used it when travelling around Au. Just used some good long coach screws to stabilise it
blaze said
09:32 PM Mar 7, 2017
Every thing in a caravan needs to be multi use
clothes line = a bit of rope strung between the annex/ awning supports
It has lots of uses and folds up small
cheers
blaze
rockylizard said
09:33 PM Mar 7, 2017
Gday...
Ian, I have been on the road full-time for the past eight years.
My clothes line is a bracket on each awning strut with a length of QUALITY plastic coated clothesline. The distance between my awning struts is a little over 6 metres (23ft van).
However, often when camped in the bush I simply string a line between two trees and use that.
I had thought from time to time that one of those 'hills hoist copy' portable clotheslines would be handy ... but I find it is very much easier to store and carry some rolled up clothesline rather than the large-ish frame of the 'hills hoist copy' type
Cheers - John
the rocket said
09:47 PM Mar 7, 2017
Hello iana, we string up a line under the awning but i saw an interesting one not long ago. It was 2 lines under the awning but at each end there was a plastic pipe about half inch wide and at the top n bottom there was a hole for the rope to go through n knotted. This plastic pipe wrapped around the awning arms. Quick to put up n take down. I will get strop onto it now u reminded me. Thanks.
also, we had a hills hoist type design only smaller. Only lasted bout 12 months n the lines broke. In the bin.
-- Edited by the rocket on Tuesday 7th of March 2017 09:49:44 PM
Dougwe said
09:24 AM Mar 8, 2017
How, Ian,
I use same line as Rocky and wrap it around the top arm of awning and use small plastic guy rope clips to keep it each end. Instead of trees I have one end on awning and the other on the roof rack of the car. Both work well for me.
Happy washing.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
leajoy said
09:38 AM Mar 8, 2017
We use a stainless steel line x 2 between the arms of the awning. They have a hook each end to hook onto permanent D shaped eyes that are on the arms of the awning. Each one has a swivel one end to tighten the line and no sagging of the line when in use. The lines are light and roll up for storage.
iana said
09:57 AM Mar 8, 2017
Thanks for the input so far, I'm hopping to read about where someone has moved outside the square and has a novel idea.
The Belmont Bear said
10:35 AM Mar 8, 2017
Sorry iana but I can't get the picture out of my mind of the chief driving down to the shops with his freshly washed jocks and socks trailing behind the Colorado
pomme said
10:35 AM Mar 8, 2017
iana wrote:
Thanks for the input so far, I'm hopping to read about where someone has moved outside the square and has a novel idea.
"Sky hooks" !!!!! that a novel idea for you,
Sorry, Pomme.
Cupie said
10:54 AM Mar 8, 2017
I use two types ..
One is the mini rotary clothes lines that I situate in the best position to catch the sun & out of the way. I drilled holes in the base of each foot to take light stainless steel tent pegs to stop it blowing away in strong winds. Extremely light. Much to SWMBO's annoyance I leave the pink pegs on the line after use.
The other line is one of those roll up plastic covered lines stored on its reel thingo. (Retractable line? circa $12). I use a stainless steel hook to secure its spring end to one of the annex brackets on the van wall. Then I run it diagonally across under the awning to another hook on the awning center bracket on its external tube. (this allows washing to get access to breeze without hitting on annex walls if fitted) It then runs along the tube to the final hook around a suitable awning bracket at the other end or if I choose, again diagonally to the front van wall bracket of the annex assembly. The storage reel has a bracket designed to tension the line by pulling it tight & wrapping it around that bracket with any excess line wound back into the reel by its spring action. This line gets most use to air/dry the bath towels each morning with or without the annex fitted.
Edit .. After looking at the following post ... I have fitted a short length of curtain rod across the inside of the 4 seasons hatch. Can be used during travel for the almost dry washing or for hanging creases out of shirts too. Also fitted a modified wire hanger to it for my beaut akubra hat so that I don't ruin its bash.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 8th of March 2017 11:09:52 AM
Dougwe said
11:00 AM Mar 8, 2017
The Belmont Bear wrote:
Sorry iana but I can't get the picture out of my mind of the chief driving down to the shops with his freshly washed jocks and socks trailing behind the Colorado
Ian, I also have a line fixed from one end of van to other end inside van for when travelling. Is that outside the square or inside It is inside the van so maybe not outside the square after all. Tha van is sort of square
Phil C said
11:56 AM Mar 8, 2017
Dougwe wrote:
How, Ian,
I use same line as Rocky and wrap it around the top arm of awning and use small plastic guy rope clips to keep it each end. Instead of trees I have one end on awning and the other on the roof rack of the car. Both work well for me.
Happy washing.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Yipes Dougwe, jocks, sox, and wife beaters on the colly...
We have a simple yet effective set up. 3 quality plastic coated lengths of cloths line hang on the sail track either end of the awning.
When free camping I have sailtrack on the mighty Ford works a treat.
Hope you are well old mate.
Phil C said
11:58 AM Mar 8, 2017
Just thought about this...
In the early days I spent $300 + on a Mrs Pegs line. They work a treat but the under awning and van to mighty Ford works too.
Cheers
Meredith said
12:15 PM Mar 8, 2017
We seem to be firmly within the square as we also have our clothesline under the awning. We have one of these rvtowingsolutions.com.au/products/d-i-y-smart-line fitted. It may not be very novel but it works well, is easy to use, very secure and it means we don't have to carry anything extra.
Possum3 said
12:24 PM Mar 8, 2017
Rocket - You must have seen mine or copy thereof - I actually have two such double lines; I can either do a large wash and have four lines to hang on - or have one below the awning and one above when I need to have a de-flapper in windy conditions.
The PVC pipes are actually 12mm conduit cut to 30mm long (4 from 1.2M), drilled 3mm holes 25mm from each end the line is yellow Nylon cord from $2 shop. When finished - I wrap cords around the end sticks and store in a plastic (sliced bread) bag. Keep in boot less than 1 Kg total.
The idea comes from a quick fix hammock fixture, that can be dismantled in seconds for action stations.
I have been showing GN's this idea for over 4 years now and have made and given away quite a few out on the Wallaby.
Birdy1710 said
04:38 PM Mar 8, 2017
G,day, I use 2 tent poles, length of clothes line as long as you want, each pole is supported with a double guy rope and two pegs, clothes line between poles.
you can use a third pole in between to prop the clothes line up in the middle. As clothes lines were before the (Hills Hoist). for those of us that can remember
that far back. Cheers
TheHeaths said
05:48 PM Mar 8, 2017
We have the same as Meredith.
Rolls up into a small bag that fits easily in a kitchen drawer. Holds plenty on our awning (21 foot van), easily installed and made from decent stainless fittings. We used it all the time on our 3 month trip last year. takes 3 minutes to fit and take down and put away.
Highly recommended. No affiliation to company.
meetoo said
12:18 AM Mar 9, 2017
Meredith wrote:
We seem to be firmly within the square as we also have our clothesline under the awning. We have one of these rvtowingsolutions.com.au/products/d-i-y-smart-line fitted. It may not be very novel but it works well, is easy to use, very secure and it means we don't have to carry anything extra.
I have similar to this, from a kit bought at Bunnings, but the stainless cable I used is clear plastic coated.
Cheers, John.
kiwijims said
06:16 AM Mar 9, 2017
Aldi have a folding cloths line on sale at the moment, it's designed to attach to the side of a caravan,
It's not that big, probably be ok for a few things like a couple of towels and a few other items, but it looks strong enough to do the job.
$ 69.99
K.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Thursday 9th of March 2017 06:22:07 AM
PeterD said
01:06 PM Mar 9, 2017
Treecrest14 wrote:
We purchased the foldup one (like a coast to coast one)
I have selected one reply to feature. However most of the replies are a bit hard to fathom. How about a picture or link? There is only one of each in the whole thread.
Phil C said
12:02 PM Mar 11, 2017
Here are some photos of what we have... works a treat. Sail track clips from ebay. Shimpuls.. eeekkk
-- Edited by Phil C on Saturday 11th of March 2017 12:03:16 PM
Thanks for the pictures Phil C, it is obvious that this method is the popular way to go. The caravan has fiberglass panels, and screwing into them is not a good idea, so the Aldi style, which I had eyes for is not a good way to go.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:59 PM Mar 11, 2017
Sometimes with large items I lay them under front windscreen on motorhome.. Having clean carpet dash its fine . The sun behind glass dries them quick with side windows open.. Our littles are often dried this way ..
sandsmere said
07:17 AM Mar 12, 2017
leajoy wrote:
We use a stainless steel line x 2 between the arms of the awning. They have a hook each end to hook onto permanent D shaped eyes that are on the arms of the awning. Each one has a swivel one end to tighten the line and no sagging of the line when in use. The lines are light and roll up for storage.
We use much the same as this.
Materials cost around $20. Took me 15 mins to put together. Have used it consistently for over 5 years.
Hi all, am after ideas on how you have addressed the cloths line ordeal.
I want something that is fairly strong and light, not something you might use once then delegate to the rubbish bin.
It must be suitable for full time Grey Nomading.
One idea is to put eyebolts through the awning struts, but the struts on our van a 6 meters apart. So I am not considering this idea.
Maybe an aluminium frame and attachment brackets to the wall of the van, with stainless cable across at intervals.
So what have you done?
clothes line = a bit of rope strung between the annex/ awning supports
It has lots of uses and folds up small
cheers
blaze
Gday...
Ian, I have been on the road full-time for the past eight years.
My clothes line is a bracket on each awning strut with a length of QUALITY plastic coated clothesline. The distance between my awning struts is a little over 6 metres (23ft van).
However, often when camped in the bush I simply string a line between two trees and use that.
I had thought from time to time that one of those 'hills hoist copy' portable clotheslines would be handy ... but I find it is very much easier to store and carry some rolled up clothesline rather than the large-ish frame of the 'hills hoist copy' type
Cheers - John
Hello iana, we string up a line under the awning but i saw an interesting one not long ago. It was 2 lines under the awning but at each end there was a plastic pipe about half inch wide and at the top n bottom there was a hole for the rope to go through n knotted. This plastic pipe wrapped around the awning arms. Quick to put up n take down. I will get strop onto it now u reminded me. Thanks.
also, we had a hills hoist type design only smaller. Only lasted bout 12 months n the lines broke. In the bin.
-- Edited by the rocket on Tuesday 7th of March 2017 09:49:44 PM
I use same line as Rocky and wrap it around the top arm of awning and use small plastic guy rope clips to keep it each end. Instead of trees I have one end on awning and the other on the roof rack of the car. Both work well for me.
Happy washing.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Sorry iana but I can't get the picture out of my mind of the chief driving down to the shops with his freshly washed jocks and socks trailing behind the Colorado
"Sky hooks" !!!!! that a novel idea for you,
Sorry, Pomme.
I use two types ..
One is the mini rotary clothes lines that I situate in the best position to catch the sun & out of the way. I drilled holes in the base of each foot to take light stainless steel tent pegs to stop it blowing away in strong winds. Extremely light. Much to SWMBO's annoyance I leave the pink pegs on the line after use.
The other line is one of those roll up plastic covered lines stored on its reel thingo. (Retractable line? circa $12). I use a stainless steel hook to secure its spring end to one of the annex brackets on the van wall. Then I run it diagonally across under the awning to another hook on the awning center bracket on its external tube. (this allows washing to get access to breeze without hitting on annex walls if fitted) It then runs along the tube to the final hook around a suitable awning bracket at the other end or if I choose, again diagonally to the front van wall bracket of the annex assembly. The storage reel has a bracket designed to tension the line by pulling it tight & wrapping it around that bracket with any excess line wound back into the reel by its spring action. This line gets most use to air/dry the bath towels each morning with or without the annex fitted.
Edit .. After looking at the following post ... I have fitted a short length of curtain rod across the inside of the 4 seasons hatch. Can be used during travel for the almost dry washing or for hanging creases out of shirts too. Also fitted a modified wire hanger to it for my beaut akubra hat so that I don't ruin its bash.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 8th of March 2017 11:09:52 AM
Ian, I also have a line fixed from one end of van to other end inside van for when travelling. Is that outside the square or inside
It is inside the van so maybe not outside the square after all. Tha van is sort of square 
We have a simple yet effective set up. 3 quality plastic coated lengths of cloths line hang on the sail track either end of the awning.
When free camping I have sailtrack on the mighty Ford works a treat.
Hope you are well old mate.
In the early days I spent $300 + on a Mrs Pegs line. They work a treat but the under awning and van to mighty Ford works too.
Cheers
The PVC pipes are actually 12mm conduit cut to 30mm long (4 from 1.2M), drilled 3mm holes 25mm from each end the line is yellow Nylon cord from $2 shop. When finished - I wrap cords around the end sticks and store in a plastic (sliced bread) bag. Keep in boot less than 1 Kg total.
The idea comes from a quick fix hammock fixture, that can be dismantled in seconds for action stations.
I have been showing GN's this idea for over 4 years now and have made and given away quite a few out on the Wallaby.
G,day, I use 2 tent poles, length of clothes line as long as you want, each pole is supported with a double guy rope and two pegs, clothes line between poles.
you can use a third pole in between to prop the clothes line up in the middle. As clothes lines were before the (Hills Hoist). for those of us that can remember
that far back. Cheers
Rolls up into a small bag that fits easily in a kitchen drawer. Holds plenty on our awning (21 foot van), easily installed and made from decent stainless fittings. We used it all the time on our 3 month trip last year. takes 3 minutes to fit and take down and put away.
Highly recommended. No affiliation to company.
I have similar to this, from a kit bought at Bunnings, but the stainless cable I used is clear plastic coated.
Cheers, John.
Aldi have a folding cloths line on sale at the moment, it's designed to attach to the side of a caravan,
It's not that big, probably be ok for a few things like a couple of towels and a few other items, but it looks strong enough to do the job.
$ 69.99
K.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Thursday 9th of March 2017 06:22:07 AM
There are three on this page. Which one do you mean?
I have selected one reply to feature. However most of the replies are a bit hard to fathom. How about a picture or link? There is only one of each in the whole thread.
-- Edited by Phil C on Saturday 11th of March 2017 12:03:16 PM
We use much the same as this.
Materials cost around $20. Took me 15 mins to put together. Have used it consistently for over 5 years.
Takes 1 minute to attach when needed.
Perfect.