After only three nites in our new unit I’m thankful that we were somewhat experienced as long range part timers. All the little cubby holes & stowage spaces have filled up fast with a commonsencical approach. For example- my big heavy tool bag has found its way to the very bottom of a compartment beneath the dinette booth seats. Whereas before, with our expo trailer and old Landcruiser is was kept handy. Why? I’ll very rarely be using anything in that bag as we now have a brand new truck with a very long warranty. The same can be said for my electronics tool bag. A few tools I keep handy- pliers, screwdrivers, side cutters, pocket knives, hatchets etc. We are a little taken aback at the quality, or lack thereof the mattress. Even with the Froli system beneath it, it remains as hard as a rock which is good for back sleepers, which we are not. I’ve ordered a HEST mattress, with confidence that it is money well spent for a good nights sleep. So far- so good.
It's a house more than a vehicle
. I remember when a friend of ours, on a Pan-Am specific group, had recommended a fridge over long travel and was flamed by members who had never driven through even one of the countries that encompass the Pan-Am (let alone a foreign one). I'm not saying they didn't have any "experience" but they definitely didn't have any experience necessary to advise others about full-time or multi-year travel. This is true for the vast majority of "professional" builders of Overland rigs. It's easy to find people who've had no problems with their rig that only rolls around the US but it's also easy to find those whose rig fell apart south of the border. Assumptions don't cut it no matter how smart someone thinks they are, you'd think they'd hire former long-term overlanders as product developers.
When we started out we had our gear separated by type, within 2 weeks we had rearranged and jumbled everything together by usage. You can tell the length of one's trip by their organization system. Those beautiful, perfectly segregated, and clean set-ups in videos are just for YouTube. If at some point you ain't digging for that item you know that you have (had an excuse to keep), you haven't been out that long...or are completely disorganized. We've helped, and have been helped ourselves, to rummage through every bin and bag to locate that long lost but (in that moment) essential item. After a period of time, it's different for everyone, a "nevers" bin is established. It's great fun in camp to go through and have to explain the reasoning behind everything in each couples/persons nevers bin. Even though we have pulled off the road, we still keep the essentials tool kit in the console of the van. On a recent project I had to go to the van to get a wrench that lives in the essentials kit. It took three years but I finally realized I can buy a duplicate wrench to keep with my main set of tools, no limit of space or weight...what.
It's great to hear you're off to a good start. Best advice is to go slow.
