Update and Weight Distribution When Moving into the RV
Rosie RV Thumper and Dog Dog said
08:28 PM Jul 22, 2012
Somehow we're down to 54 days until we hit the road full time. Needless to say, we have been incredibly busy going through all of our belongings, having garage sales, selling on Craig's List and giving to family and friends. Most of our furniture is gone and what is still here is spoken for. The house is still on the market but our bank has agreed to a short sale so there is light at the end of that tunnel. It has been very emotional and difficult at times but we know we are doing the right thing and are looking forward to the future.
I'm about ready to start moving our things into the 5th wheel. Should I be concerned about weight distribution or cabinet doors flying open due to items shifting?
Most of our available storage space is up high around the top of the living space. I'm very organized and everything will be in containers but it seems like bumps and jolts could cause the items to knock the doors open. I'd hate to find things all over the floor when we stop for the night.
Does anyone have any suggestions or experience in this area. Tips are always welcome!
Thanks Everyone!!
Rosie
Bill and Linda said
10:50 PM Jul 22, 2012
I am sure you will get a lot of replies; here are a few observations from a couple who has been doing this for well over 30 years:
Naturally you should be concerned about weight distribution.However, the problem is, due to functionality, most RV’s have most of the weight – the kitchen – on one side and not as much as the other.It depends; always say that, on the design of the trailer but anything you can do to keep the really heavy stuff down lower and opposite the kitchen is a good thing – within practical reason.Think about just how much “extra” food you must carry – but also dishes.Do you really need service for 12?(Just kidding)If you don’t use it for a year, why do you carry it is one rule some use.
Cabinets need to be stocked – filled – as best you can so things can’t shift as much as that is possible.Depending on the door design, some use bungee cords to make sure they don’t open.Some need it, some don’t. There will be other suggestions to this door latching point – 10 different ways to do it, pick the one you like.
We found it important to bungee the microwave door just to be safe.On a really really bad road it came open once.That won’t happen again.Make sure you don’t overload any of the shelves in the fridge.Easy to do and when you hit a bad bump that extra weight can bend a shelf.I actually put extra center shelf supports in the fridge just to be safe as we have been known to take some really bad roads – like the Interstate in Connecticut which almost broke a shelf due to a bad repair of a road patch that wasn’t marked and dropped the rig 6”.Bad roads come in all places, not just in the boondocks.
Many RV’s have storage under the bed.A good place, but it may put extra weight on the tow vehicle.Clothes are much heavier than you think.But maybe this is a good place for those “extra” staple items you don’t need very often.They may take lots of space but don’t weigh much.
Finally, make sure the basement area is loaded as well as possible on the opposite side from the kitchen.That is, put the heavy stuff opposite the kitchen.That’s not a perfect solution, but at least it moves some of the weight to the other side.Like the joke about the dinner service, how many different socket wrench sets do you need to carry?You do need tools, but evaluate them carefully.
If at all possible after you’re loaded up, try to get the rig weighed wheel by wheel, including the tow vehicle. I.e. find Howard and Linda. If you can’t do that, at least go to a truck stop that has a scale and make sure you axles aren’t overloaded.It only costs $9. Naturally make sure the tires are properly inflated. That's the #1 reason tires fail - improper inflation - as well as overloading.
Most of this is just common sense and you’ll figure it out.
Rosie, heed the advice given above. Our solution to the cabinet doors is the little toddler cabinet door locks. Easy to install and remove--you needn't worry about light weight things, it's the heavy things (that could break something) or things that could break, that you might need to somehow secure the cabinet doors. We have had a few come open in our travels, it seems it has always been ones that face toward the front or the back of the trailer. Things tend to shift fore and back when you apply the breaks hard. I can't remember one coming open that faces the side of the trailer, in other words parallel with the side of the trailer. Definitely put something on the food/can cabinet especially if it faces the the front or back end, and don't forget the medicine cabinet in the bathroom if it faces front or back.
Flyone
Jo And Craig said
07:57 PM Jul 24, 2012
I don't see why adjustable curtain rods would not work on everything, including the fridge. They come in all thicknesses and lengths and are very inexpensive. I don't know... just my 2 cents worth... if it's worth that!
Rosie RV Thumper and Dog Dog said
05:40 AM Jul 26, 2012
Thanks everyone for your help. I did start moving some of our things into the RV and was mindful of weight distribution. I added some no slip drawer liner between items to keep them in place. Flyone - Thanks for your comments about cabinets facing front and rear. I hadn't thought of that. Kiddie locks may be the way to go. Thanks again, Rosie
Workinrvers said
03:19 PM Jul 26, 2012
most of our cabinet doors are side by side and open opposite of each other. When closed the handles are next to each other and we use one of the small ball bungees to tie the handles together when we travel.
Phil
Bill and Linda said
06:01 PM Jul 26, 2012
Linda has found these to be very useful in the refrigerator to keep items, like milk cartons, from moving around when the shelves are not full.They are fairly easy to adjust and not very expensive.They have saved a bunch of spills, especially from containers that don’t seal well and can topple over.
Somehow we're down to 54 days until we hit the road full time. Needless to say, we have been incredibly busy going through all of our belongings, having garage sales, selling on Craig's List and giving to family and friends. Most of our furniture is gone and what is still here is spoken for. The house is still on the market but our bank has agreed to a short sale so there is light at the end of that tunnel. It has been very emotional and difficult at times but we know we are doing the right thing and are looking forward to the future.
I'm about ready to start moving our things into the 5th wheel. Should I be concerned about weight distribution or cabinet doors flying open due to items shifting?
Most of our available storage space is up high around the top of the living space. I'm very organized and everything will be in containers but it seems like bumps and jolts could cause the items to knock the doors open. I'd hate to find things all over the floor when we stop for the night.
Does anyone have any suggestions or experience in this area. Tips are always welcome!
Thanks Everyone!!
Rosie
I am sure you will get a lot of replies; here are a few observations from a couple who has been doing this for well over 30 years:
Naturally you should be concerned about weight distribution. However, the problem is, due to functionality, most RV’s have most of the weight – the kitchen – on one side and not as much as the other. It depends; always say that, on the design of the trailer but anything you can do to keep the really heavy stuff down lower and opposite the kitchen is a good thing – within practical reason. Think about just how much “extra” food you must carry – but also dishes. Do you really need service for 12? (Just kidding) If you don’t use it for a year, why do you carry it is one rule some use.
Cabinets need to be stocked – filled – as best you can so things can’t shift as much as that is possible. Depending on the door design, some use bungee cords to make sure they don’t open. Some need it, some don’t. There will be other suggestions to this door latching point – 10 different ways to do it, pick the one you like.
We found it important to bungee the microwave door just to be safe. On a really really bad road it came open once. That won’t happen again. Make sure you don’t overload any of the shelves in the fridge. Easy to do and when you hit a bad bump that extra weight can bend a shelf. I actually put extra center shelf supports in the fridge just to be safe as we have been known to take some really bad roads – like the Interstate in Connecticut which almost broke a shelf due to a bad repair of a road patch that wasn’t marked and dropped the rig 6”. Bad roads come in all places, not just in the boondocks.
Many RV’s have storage under the bed. A good place, but it may put extra weight on the tow vehicle. Clothes are much heavier than you think. But maybe this is a good place for those “extra” staple items you don’t need very often. They may take lots of space but don’t weigh much.
Finally, make sure the basement area is loaded as well as possible on the opposite side from the kitchen. That is, put the heavy stuff opposite the kitchen. That’s not a perfect solution, but at least it moves some of the weight to the other side. Like the joke about the dinner service, how many different socket wrench sets do you need to carry? You do need tools, but evaluate them carefully.
If at all possible after you’re loaded up, try to get the rig weighed wheel by wheel, including the tow vehicle. I.e. find Howard and Linda. If you can’t do that, at least go to a truck stop that has a scale and make sure you axles aren’t overloaded. It only costs $9. Naturally make sure the tires are properly inflated. That's the #1 reason tires fail - improper inflation - as well as overloading.
Most of this is just common sense and you’ll figure it out.
Enjoy the adventure.
Bill & Linda
Nonskid shelf liner helps. Camping stores sell refrigerator bars that also work in cabinets, like these http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/refrigerator-bars/3441 . As Bill & Linda said, "Most of this is just common sense and you’ll figure it out."
Rosie, heed the advice given above. Our solution to the cabinet doors is the little toddler cabinet door locks. Easy to install and remove--you needn't worry about light weight things, it's the heavy things (that could break something) or things that could break, that you might need to somehow secure the cabinet doors. We have had a few come open in our travels, it seems it has always been ones that face toward the front or the back of the trailer. Things tend to shift fore and back when you apply the breaks hard. I can't remember one coming open that faces the side of the trailer, in other words parallel with the side of the trailer. Definitely put something on the food/can cabinet especially if it faces the the front or back end, and don't forget the medicine cabinet in the bathroom if it faces front or back.
Flyone
I don't see why adjustable curtain rods would not work on everything, including the fridge. They come in all thicknesses and lengths and are very inexpensive. I don't know... just my 2 cents worth... if it's worth that!
Thanks again,
Rosie
Phil
Linda has found these to be very useful in the refrigerator to keep items, like milk cartons, from moving around when the shelves are not full. They are fairly easy to adjust and not very expensive. They have saved a bunch of spills, especially from containers that don’t seal well and can topple over.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/fridge-brace-set-of-2/47878
Bill