Myrtle has storage space outside on her head

Cruising Granny · Guru

RE: Myrtle has storage space outside on her head

jules47 · The Happy Helper

That was my thoughts as well Granny - anything made of plastic or fabric will surely be damaged by the wind and elements, that's why I thought of something like a tool box - lockable and secure, and waterproof.

As to the lead for dog - a screwdriver is ok - but you can buy a spiral type of thing that the lead fits on, won't get tangled up - sticks into the ground lead goes up and down the spiral, maybe available at the markets.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks guys. Yes CG, had been thinking of the carrier for on top storage, would have to be not too high to avoid wind drag as well as not having any flapping bits likely to cause a hazard etc. It might be something that takes time finding the right one, can probably manage first trip without it but if I come across the right one will grab it.
The peg for the dog, I used to have one years ago so know what it looks like, will think on that too.

Smokeydk · Guru

I bought drinking hose from bunnings......what I got was white with blue stripe with "WATER DRINKING HOSE" printed all over it......wrong hose will contaminate your water tank......leaving plastic taste...I know my van water isnt drinkable.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks smokey, will pop over to Bunnings when it stops raining. I won't use the tank water for drinking. Will carry water in van for drinking, cooking, washing etc. Keep tank water for anything that doesn't require hygenic water.
Too hard on my arms trying to fill tank with a watering can, hence need the hose.

Smokeydk · Guru

We are lucky I guess....I've put 2 jerry can holders on back of our caravan.....giving us 40 ltrs of drinking water......we use the tank water for washing dishes..

Sheba · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I won't use the tank water for drinking. Will carry water in van for drinking, cooking, washing etc. Keep tank water for anything that doesn't require hygenic water.

Me too Marj. At the moment,I carry a 10 ltr Water Container for drinking, and when I'm on the road for longer periods, will take another container, and the Plastic Filter Unit for when I need to fill them on the road. [ See previous thread about useful things.]

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 11th of April 2011 09:15:02 PM

elliemike · Guru

Hi HW.

When we had the Hi Ace, it had the same moulded pop top as yours. We were very fond of "St George" as you are of "Myrtle"

That storage area is very usefull. We kept our Awning Side Walls and groundsheet, Water hose, Tent Pegs, Short (Bull Dog) shovel, and assorted guy ropes.

They were stored in bags, made with Green Shade Cloth. Ellie made these to fit.

The lot was secured with an occystrap "Boot Cargo Net" This hooked up perfectly to the Six existing tie down hooks. Carried the gear like this over a lot of Kilometres on Highway, and Bush Roads with never a problem.

However. Storing "heavy" or "high profile" gear up there might create problems if you have to brake hard.

We hit a kangaroo up in "Cape Range NP" at 65 Kph, braking hard, and nothing stored on top moved. The Kangaroo unfortunaly didnt move either.

Have freinds who hit a pothole in their van, on a bush road doing 50 kph, and witnessed their spare 20 litre jerry can full of water flying down the road ahead of them. And yes, it was tied on with rope. Ripped the tie downs out of the roof as well. Oh and like the Kangaroo, the Jerry can was a gonner.

Also another reason to not put heavey items up there. You will have to climb up there to secure, or load gear. Done by standing on the front wheel arch (with the door open) and a bit of a ballancing act.

When the soles of your shoes are wet the chances of slipping are realy good.

I can verify this can be dangerous. Having slipped off once or twice. Might be worth having a set of small kitchen type steps for doing this. Have a go at home before buying containers and bags that you have to lift up and down. Try putting bags and boxes up ther by yourself.

Also, unless a drain hole is installed, it does hold/dam up water. If say parked on a forward (nose down) driveway/slope. Quite a bit can pond there. Does not cause any problems inside the van. But as you drive away, it cascades down the door post and window. Frightned the life out of me the first time it happenned. Lovely sunny Perth day. Had not moved the van for a week. But it had rained during that week.

So as you can see storing stuff up there that will not be affected by sitting in water for long periods is essential.

Hope this is usefull to you. Keep the reports on your progress flowing.

Regards

Mike and Ellie

P.S. Just re-read your original post. See you have access to the area from the inside of the van.

That will be a great help, and a lot more safer than clibing upover the front wheels and trying to secure stuff while hanging on with one hand.

-- Edited by elliemike on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 08:14:07 AM

Happywanderer · The Master

Thank you so much Mike and Ellie. A very informative post and will take note of it all.
Yes I do have access through the zipped front of the pop top so that makes it easier. But great to hear all your stories good and bad. If I can get the right bag will be a good place to put my awnings and ground sheets etc.. As you say nothing that can shoot off the front in an emergency.
Will be interesting when I go out today, Has rained heavily the last couple of days, Myrtle hasn't been out so will be watching for a spray of water.
It is so good to read of others experiences so I know what to do and what not to do. Thanks again.

Happywanderer · The Master

I bought my human consumption hose today from Bunnings, and the tap connectors. So much easier and quicker than trying to do it with a watering can.
I also bought a canvas hanging storage thing with 9 compartments for 9.90. Will hang at the end of cupboard, between cupboard and back door. Will be able to store cleaning bottles, shampoo, conditioner, soaps etc in them. Might get one for the other side as well, fills in that space quite nicely. Won't be hard to fill them up with something.

Did notice a rush of water over the passenger side window as I backed out this morning. Presume it came from the above storage well. It wasn't much though.

Sheba I have two 10 litre water containers for drinking water, they are heavy enough to carry out to van, could never carry a 20 litre one.

Vic · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I have two 10 litre water containers for drinking water, they are heavy enough to carry out to van, could never carry a 20 litre one.
Good thinking HW, not only less water to spil if one splits or leaks, but also you only lose 1

Beth54 · Guru

Vic wrote:
Happywanderer wrote:
I have two 10 litre water containers for drinking water, they are heavy enough to carry out to van, could never carry a 20 litre one.
Good thinking HW, not only less water to spil if one splits or leaks, but also you only lose 1

I carry 2x10lts too. That's enough for me to lift. I also just swapped my 20lt porta loo for my daughters newly acquired 10lt. It'll be easier for me to handle.

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes Beth, my portaloo is only a 10 lite as well. Since breaking my arms in a fall about 18 months ago I have no strength in either of them, they ache a lot anyway so don't need to lift anything far too heavy. Was told I shouldn't carry anything heavier than a 2 litre but that is crazy, would spend all day walking back and forth just to get there.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

We use a jiggler syphon tube, stand the water container on a table near to the water fill hole and just jiggle the tube and wait for it to fill. just another option 4 u HW.

Happywanderer · The Master

Do you mean to fill the water tank under the van? and from a water container.?
I have a tap right next to the van but didn't want to use the garden hose, hence bought the hose for human consumption with garden attachments.

The 10 litre containers of water are for drinking so I don't have to use the water tank for the hygenic things.

Don't have a table near the van as it is out in the car park 4 units away from me, not near my unit at all which is a bugger when loading up.

I'm Excited!!!!
Wandering the shops this morning and doing a bit of shopping. Went up to the pet shop to get tie up lead for Punky. On the way back called into Salvation Army op shop and what should I find. " A rip curl surfer board bag" Perfect for my outside up top well storage. $10.00 Really strong, good quality, perfect size. Couldn 't believe my eyes. The other shoppers came over to discuss my great find. It was the talking point in the shop for a little while and of course they all wanted to know what I was doing and they all went "Ooh, you are game. I would be too scared/frightened/old etc to do something like that. Good luck and hope your trip goes well"
You just don't know how your day will turn out do you? It was so cold and grey here this morning I didn't even want to go out, so was nearly lunchtime before I braved the weather.
My next exciting find was exactly what I wanted for my sister for her birthday, will get it in the post tomorrow.
Then went to get groceries and got enough to get 7 cents a litre of my next purchase of petrol, pleased with that with the price of petrol going up all the time.

Firefly · Guru

Good for you mate. smile

Make sure your next fill up is on a full tank with that sorta discount. wink

That bag does sound like it is the beez kneez Marj, the right place at the right time. biggrin

Beth54 · Guru

Well done Marj.

I scored a good bargain yesterday too. My son found a cargo barrier for me on ebay for $10! The size is almost perfect, with a few adjustments by son. I'm off to the other side of Brisbane to collect it tomorrow. My friend and I have been wanting to go over the other side to Chermside shopping centre for awhile, so now we can kill two birds with one stone.

It's amazing what you can find in the 2nd hand stores. I scored a lot of my camp kitchen that way.

Sheba · Guru

Good one Marj. Never know what you're going to find, do you ? Sure can't beat the Op-shops.

Cheers,

Sheba.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

HW, Do you mean to fill the water tank under the van? and from a water container.?
I have a tap right next to the van but didn't want to use the garden hose, hence bought the hose for human consumption with garden attachments.

yep thats what I did mean, but easier for you to use the hose (not garden one)

keep up the bargain shopping and you will need a bigger tug. lol

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks wombat, understood. Plenty of room in Myrtle yet. I will just keep stacking as long as I find room. Have another fortnight to work out what I need then I am on the road.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

WOW, only 2 weeks, who are we all going to talk to when you are not here? biggrin smile

Happywanderer · The Master

I will come in for updates as often as I can. Might not be every day but will be regular. Will be away 3 months this first trip.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I am sure you will enjoy yourself

Cruising Granny · Guru

How are you going to attach the bag to the roof?
I had to assemble roof racks and attach them to the gutter to hold my "escort" sign.
As for the "you're game" comment, I get it all the time. They are even more amazed when they learn I'm towing a biggish van. You should see their expression when I tell them I can reverse it into place. Men and women have been flabbergasted by my travel exploits.
I'm not unique. I'm just another shiela who wanted to do it.
What is an achievement for us is a challenge for others. That's life.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

HW, what you don't get b4 u go u can always get along the way, plenty of op shops out there.

now make sure u leave room in Myrtle for you to lay down and sleep, do you have a list of the places you will visit or will it just be get up and go?

Beth54 · Guru

I've also had those comments of 'you're brave'. I don't see it as brave. I want to see more of Australia,,I don't have a man,, so either I go it alone or stay home and vegetate. Mind you, I'd prefer not to travel alone, because I'm a REAL people person. But I also don't want to travel with anyone who wants to go too fast or isn't willing to stop when I need to.

Happywanderer · The Master

CG, there are hooks up in the well to hook occy straps to. I bought a bag of them on special at Bunnings a while ago so will criss cross as many as needed.
Bought another storage hanger yesterday as well for the back wall, this one has two big compartments so will be good for shoes. Will take photos when neighbour puts the 2nd one up for me.
CG mine is a cross between a challenge and an achievement. Think it will stay a challenge till I'm out on the road, then hopefully will turn into an achievement. Its that waiting that does the nerves in.
Thats the thing Beth. I moved to Aus because I have always loved it, came and went many times in my younger days. Now I want to see more, have to do it on my own, no other choice. Its either that or sit watching TV with a book on my lap and little Punky running around at my feet and waiting to get old.
When I've stayed home for long periods and not travelled I've ended up in hospital with so many problems since 2005. Its a new year, I'm not going to allow my body to slow me down any more. I am fit and healthy, take no medication. When I have got sick, the offending bit has been removed and I've moved on, still no medication.
Was talking to my son last night. A chap in his 70s in the same town and a friend of his partner, bought a campervan a few weeks ago. Yesterday dead. Hadn't even taken the campervan out. Sad.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
CG, there are hooks up in the well to hook occy straps to. I bought a bag of them on special at Bunnings a while ago so will criss cross as many as needed.
Bought another storage hanger yesterday as well for the back wall, this one has two big compartments so will be good for shoes. Will take photos when neighbour puts the 2nd one up for me.
CG mine is a cross between a challenge and an achievement. Think it will stay a challenge till I'm out on the road, then hopefully will turn into an achievement. Its that waiting that does the nerves in.
Thats the thing Beth. I moved to Aus because I have always loved it, came and went many times in my younger days. Now I want to see more, have to do it on my own, no other choice. Its either that or sit watching TV with a book on my lap and little Punky running around at my feet and waiting to get old.
When I've stayed home for long periods and not travelled I've ended up in hospital with so many problems since 2005. Its a new year, I'm not going to allow my body to slow me down any more. I am fit and healthy, take no medication. When I have got sick, the offending bit has been removed and I've moved on, still no medication.
Was talking to my son last night. A chap in his 70s in the same town and a friend of his partner, bought a campervan a few weeks ago. Yesterday dead. Hadn't even taken the campervan out. Sad.

Oh that's so sad. My ex brother-in-law was only 46 when he died. He had set himself up financially, and was planning to go tripping with his wife. He was in the building industry in Christchurch and had for a few years worked at going around lecturing the industry on the danger of asbestos. Sadly, that's what he died from,,asbestos related lung cancer. He'd never smoked a day in his life. When he was dying he said to his brother, my ex, whatever you're planning to do, do it now. Don't wait, just do it.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

it's about time we had some more pictures of Myrtle, please.

not long to go now HW

Happywanderer · The Master

Ok, Have had a busy day, but managed to get some photos of the new storage space. Also the cupboard under the fridge holds the hoses, electrical lead and watering can. I'm wondering if I should put the hoses and electirical lead in the bag with the awning and ground sheet to put up in the outside well storage space.