Pare it down. Have just enough clothes for one week, one or two good outfits fit for any season, one pair of good shoes, tennis shoes, flip flops;
I am no expert on full-timing, but we have been in our TT since the early part of June and I am quickly learning what we do and don't need.
We have 2 skillets, 1 large pot and 1 medium pot. We utilize paper plates most of the time along with paper or plastic cups. I have a couple of platters for serving food and a couple of large bowls for serving, all purchased at Walmart.
We each have 2 bath towels (white for bleaching), but identified by color coding (Sharpie the Id'ing color) and 1 beach/swimming towel, which is also color coded. We each have shower caddies (purchased at Dollar Tree), also color coded and stocked with everything each person needs to shower or bathe.
We each have a chair and they are according to color, also. If we have company to join us, we always remind them to bring along a chair, but we usually have a picnic table wherever we are.
We have a blue tote full of toys for each of the girls. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't go. I have a Kindle, DH has a Kindle and we have a laptop with a WIFI enhancer (booster).
I go to the laundry in a campground once a week to wash EVERYTHING that is dirty, including sheets, towels, blankets or whatever. Today happens to be laundry day....YUCK!
Both girls have a storage place for clothing - 3 drawers. One is built in and the other is plastic and all their clothes MUST fit in them. We have a small wardrobe for jackets and rain gear.
We utilize plastic totes, either clear for easy identification or use the colored Sharpies for personalized storage.
So far, so good on our travels. We will be back home the Monday of Labor Day and we will unload some of our things. We plan another couple of weekend trips in October and then a 5 day Thanksgiving trip, then we will put the TT to bed for the winter. We'll head out again sometime in March.
From what I gather on another post, you will be stationary for a few years. So weight, only space will be a concern.
We organize most of our things (by use) in totes in the basement. Most of the cabinets have baskets or plastic shoeboxes for small items. Since you'll be in a TT, you won't have the same large storage we have in a 5th wheel. But depending on what part of CA you're in, you could put waterproof totes outside for overflow of toys or clothing.
You'll also find each one of your children may need their own private drawer space. We carry All Season clothing, so we've got everything full. You could rent a storage locker for some of the overflow, but if you really want to save, find a closet in the home of a family member.
We have pared down our items to a few excess boxes in our daughter's home. We pull things out and put things in it that we save for the future.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3 (38RSSB3)....our custom home w/2011 upgrades
2010 Ford F450 KR CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
A guy I met lives in a TT and also keeps an old U-Haul truck he bought used. He doesn't drive the truck much, he uses it to store his Harley and other overflow. He also has a PU to use as a daily driver and move the TT with.
Steve
We've been full timing for a little over a year now. I liken organization in our TT to living on a submarine. Everything has it's spot and always goes back in that spot. It really eases the stress of searching cabinets for things. With the kids obviously they'll need bags or clear plastic bins to store their things in, and within those they can make their own organization that works for them. Make them responsible for keeping track of their own things. But the submarine comparison may be a fun way to emphasize the importance of keeping the organization in the common areas.
Plastic beach sand pails might be cute containers for certain things like toiletries - if they will have separate ones. We use plastic open top bin type containers in the kitchen to make it easy to pull out a bin and find small items, instead of rummaging through lots of loose items in a cupboard.
The main item that we have learned in 6 years: There is NO room for clutter.
It has to be a "place for everything and everything in it's place."
If you use something, put it back in it's storage place right away.
Camping Rig:
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
2006 Outback 27 RSDS
We also have with us two "fur babies". A Basset Hound and a Chihuahua mix. Both are rescue dogs.
I agree. You might want to rent a storage place for thoes things you just don't want to give up but won't fit, especially if you plan to eventually move back in a stick house eventually.
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