Enough about my misery, on to happier news - minivan camping!
I am finally going to clean the interior of my minivan so that I can test out curtain redux part 20,123. This version is cutting some fuzzy fabric to fit one of my windows, attach the loop part of Velcro, and see how that holds up over the weekend. If it stays up, then that is my plan for privacy curtains. If that doesn't work, I am going to the home improvement store, buying the huge roll of reflectix that I saw when I was looking for window screening, and cutting it a little larger than my window. Might not be pretty, but it will work.Another version of bed platform
For the first couple of short trips, I am going to remove my second row seats (third row folds down) and put a full sheet of plywood in the back. This will act as a flat surface to put the twin sized mattress topper on (4-inch foam mattress topper from walmart). By not cutting it down, I will be able to use the sheets without any worries. I figure for a weekend adventure, this will be easier to deal with than the over-engineered platform that was built earlier.Yes, I do have a tendency to over complicate a solution
I already have an old camping chair that I plan on taking. A plastic bin to store clothing and food. I am keeping things simple this time around. I think I was suffering from choices paralysis. I just need to book a tent site at a local (i.e. <2 hours away) and take off for the weekend.Hopefully I will report back with the final pre-trip version of my minivan window privacy curtains. I am sure that it might change after my first trip.
You sure had a nasty winter health and weather wise.
ReplyDeleteI had some trouble hanging curtains too. The 3m sticky stuff was ok on the frame of the window but wouldn't stay on the curtain. In a desperate measure to it the road I used super glue and glued the other piece of 3m to the curtain. So far so good. If they fall off I will sew them on.
I can't imagine your new lay out so will wait for pictures. Hope you get out soon.
I have a 2000Dodge Grand Caravan that I camp in with my 3 kids. For the bed I fold the back seat down forward, one middle row captain seat forward and leave the other captain seat at home. Behind the back seat, in the hatch area, I use 3 16" rubbermaid totes and a 4th 16" Rubbermaid tote sideways on top of them. We store our clothes, food, etc in the Rubbermaids. These 16" Rubbermaids are the same height as my seats when the seats are folded flat forward. The 4th tote is placed between the back seat and captain seat to support the mattress and my MobiCool cooler supports the other corner of the mattress. I use an air bed as a mattress so it can be stored during the day while driving.
ReplyDeleteAs for where we all sleep, my 15 yr old and I each use a sleeping bag on the air bed, my 11year old sleeps on foam on the floor(this is a tight spot to sleep with her head between the back of the front seat and the captains chair but she's small and sleeps curled up so it's no trouble for her and she lives the coziness of it :-) ). My 9 year old sleeps on a bunk I made that fits between the front doors. The bunk/cot is made from 3/4 galvanized steel pipe using elbows and union joints. I sewed a cover out of canvas that the pipe cot slides into. She uses a blue closed foam pad and her sleeping bag. She loves this bed! She can put her glasses case and lantern on the dashboard and our cat who travels with us seems to prefer her bed so she always snuggles with the cat. :-)
We use screening and magnets on the outside of the front windows so they can be left slightly open for ventilation, and screening and Velcro on the inside of the back vent windows so they can be left open a bit for ventilation.
I have a rooftop carrier to store the camp chairs, stove, sleeping bags, etc.
I use Reflectix for privacy, depending where we're camped. I'd like to make curtains, but haven't found a good solution for this yet.
The reason I use the Rubbermaid totes and air mattress is because I need the seats in for travelling during the day as there are 4 of us and a cat.
I have a Reliance LugaLoo for nighttime potty emergencies. I'd love to get the Reliance Camp Sink, but so far that's still on the list of wants. I'd love a Tail Veil, that's sort of like an SUV tent only it doesn't reach the ground. This summer I plan to add a tarp and poles ti make an awning for the side as it's a drag to stand outside the van in the rain packing everything up in the morning (been there, done that in WalMart parking lots).
Oh, I forgot to mention, the cot I made for the front comes apart and stores in pieces during the day.
Whew... this got long! I hope there's sone useful info in here for you or one of your readers. I would love to post pictures so you could see how it all works. We've camped in it many times, it's comfy at night and not cluttered during the daily driving. :-)
I'm looking forward to seeing what you do fir privacy curtains. I really want one behind the drivers seats for when someone needs to change during the day when we go to the lake.