We’ve been asked about how we travel and what the RV looks like inside, so we thought we’d spend this post covering that subject.  We figure that reading about all the beautiful places we have been to might get tedious – though we are sure the pictures don’t – so it’s time to change the pace.

Some of the subjects we discuss here may have been covered in previous posts, but it might be good putting everything in one chapter.

First, the van itself:  Our Dodge Promaster extended cargo van, 21 feet long, is a pleasure to drive.  It does not feel too different from our old mini-van of the 90s.  There are two mirrors on each side of the front so that there are no blind spots, and though we have minimal line of sight through the back windows, we do have a backup camera.  When backing into a narrow camping spot, Sima gets out of the van to let me know when the van is getting too close to an inflexible object.  This may not always be necessary, but it’s a system that feels more comfortable.  The turning radius of the front wheel drive is impressively short for an extended van.  The van runs on regular unleaded gas and we usually use one level above.

The real negative is the navigation system that came with the van.  It is mostly useless; we are thankful that we have Waze on the cell phones, but it does go out when we lose reception, which happens often in the areas we are traveling.  We have found that the car’s GPS is good only within a limited radius from where we are but even then it has left us in the middle of nowhere instead of our destination.  We should, perhaps, be downloading maps but we have yet to figure out how to do that.  However, the compass on the GPS works very well, so at least we know in which direction we are traveling and we always know which way is east.

There were some rattles in the beginning, but we’ve figured most of them out.  All in all, it is a quiet drive.

Next, the Winnebago part of the Travato is impressively thought out.  Always keep in mind that there is only a limited amount of space in the van, so everything is a compromise.

Storage: It seems that every available space has been designed to use as storage.  We have six overhead cabinets that are similar to those you find on an airplane, two kitchen drawers, a book shelf, a large over-the-cab storage bin, two shelves in each of the driver’s and passenger’s doors, some in-the-floor storage, an under-the-bed storage area, a clothes cabinet for hanging with three drawers beneath it, and an under-the-cabinet plastic storage area – accessed from behind the van – for water hoses, tools, and an electrical hook-up wire.  (At least that’s what we use it for.)  When we buy things, they always seem to fit.  I don’t think we’ve used the capacity of the storage yet as we are still finding unused spaces where items can be put out of the way.

Kitchen: Small, very small, but usable.  There is no shortage of 110 electrical outlets and there are also numerous USB outlets all over the RV, but not much room for the appliances to plug into them.  There is a two-burner stove, a small stainless steel sink, a convection/microwave oven which we hardly use, a 4.3 liter battery powered compressor refrigerator, and two tables that slide out from hidden areas.

We bought an electric tea kettle, as well as a normal tea kettle for those times when we don’t have an electric hookup and must use propane, a bread machine (makes great bread), frying pan, pot, silverware, dishes, and other kitchen utensils (spatula, can opener, potato peeler, measuring cups…).  We have kept the pot and many of the utensils pareve; the frying pan, dishes, silverware, and other utensils are dairy. Though we have a fleshing knife, the only meat we have eaten has been vacuum-packed cold cuts brought from Chicago or Montreal and kept in our freezer.

In addition to the counter, the two tables that slide out offer more work space.  The two cabinets that are above the kitchen work area are for storing non-refrigerated food items.  There is also a large table that can be set up between the two couches.

Sleeping: The two twin beds are really not wide; however, the large table does lower and can be filled in with the two couch cushions to turn into a queen-sized bed.

Bathroom: The bathroom is slightly larger than the bathroom on an airplane.  It is called a wet bath which means a shower curtain surrounds the room so you can take a shower.  If the campground showers are nice – and some have been very nice – we shower there.

Outside the van:  There is an awning, 110 electrical outlets, input for the fresh water tank and city-fill water, and a dump tank pipe.  (You hook the pipe from the black tank (waste from the toilet) and grey tank (water from the shower and sink) to a hose and run it to a waste receptacle in the ground found at most RV parks.  This is called a dump station where, in addition to dumping, you can usually fill up on fresh water (different hose of course).

Power:  In addition to the engine battery, the RV has two 100 watt AGM batteries which are the power source for the living space and  which are charged by: a 100 watt solar panel on the roof, the alternator from the engine as the van is driving, and/or the gasoline powered generator.  In addition, in many campgrounds there are electrical hook-ups that also charge the batteries.

Water:  There are two sources for water: the holding tank, and city water that can be connected directly to the RV.

For all intents and purposes, the RV can be self contained with food, water, and power without any outside assistance for at least three or more days, depending on how frugal we are with water usage.

Shabbat:  Though we learned about making an eruv, we have not yet done so.  I use a Shabbat belt for the non-electrical car key which we had made specifically made for this use.  The rear van door can be disconnected from the automatic door locks so that opening and locking the back door does not affect the system.  This allows us to walk around the campground; often our campgrounds have been in beautiful areas (on the shoreline, for example) and we just sit and watch.

That is all for the mechanics, but in the actual use of living in the RV it is a must to follow the old adage, “there’s a place for everything and everything in its place.”  We can’t imagine being able to function in such a small space in a mess.  Each of us has their own jobs.  I do most of the driving, taking care of the dumping, and most of the RV’s needs.  Sima does the cooking , navigating, keeping track of our needs, and all the finances.

We’re happy on the road as we discover new challenges and explore new places.  This is a grand retirement adventure.  We miss the family and friends and look forward to being back home, but for now we are following a dream.