Questions for the FT experts

[Night Sailor]

I have a few questions for the experts.

1. I need more towel racks. Any recommendations?
2. Does anyone use the output of the furnace for drying cloths?
3. Is anyone using electric blankets while boon-docking?
4. Propane consumption while boondocking. How long does a filled 20lb bottle of propane (not a Home Depot short fill bottle) last for refrigeration, hot water, and cooking? (when the furnace is not needed)
5. Anyone doing rainwater collection? If so what do you use to collect water?

[Eddie Longest]

This stainless rack holds four towels and can fold out of the way when not in use.
GRUNDTAL Towel holder with 4 bars - IKEA
Eddie

[blodn1]

I could spend $1,000,000 in Ikea saving so much money on less expensive "necessities".

[Jim Bennett]

1. We just use hooks, as you can get way more towels along a given length of wall if required. We have one bar of hooks on the outside of the bathroom door, and a whole bunch of individual ones that hook over cabinet doors.
2. We don't use it direct, but it is not far from where we hang things. You do have to make certain you exhaust any moist air created.
3. Never used and electric blanket, and don't really like the idea. Besides, I boondock mostly and don't want to spare the power. Instead we use comfy sheets, a woolen blanket, and a fluffy down duvet. Or of course, any combo of those depending upon temps. We set our nighttime temp for the furnace at 8°C, and would go lower, but condensation becomes an issue. I MUCH prefer snuggling with momma to warm up, than the idea of an electric blanket.
4. Hard to say how long a tank will last, it all depends on usage, including furnace, hot water, and cooking. I would say we get an average of 10 days out of one. We have two, and it seems like we only fill a couple times a year, tops.

[Donna D.]

Now don't laugh, but I bought Martha Stewart Dog Towels for myself... even came with wash cloths. They've got cute puppy feet on them and I don't own a dog! But, they dry quickly. Far quicker than a terry cloth towel. They're soft. The ONLY problem, is it feels like drying with a chamois. But they do what they're supposed to do and I like the fact they're bone dry in a couple of hours. Even when it's damp and cold out. YMMV

Here's a link to a diferent brand (30" L X 48" W): Rinse Ace Microfiber Towel and it doesn't look they're imprinted with dog paws

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by Eddie Longest

This stainless rack holds four towels and can fold out of the way when not in use.
GRUNDTAL Towel holder with 4 bars - IKEA
Eddie

IKEA has tons of stuff, not only for outfitting but for remodeling FGRV's. Here's some of the IKEA items I have used.
Counter tops
Round s.s. sinks
single handle kitchen faucets
laminated flooring
curtain tracks & trucks
mattresses, pillows & cushions
bedding
upholstery fabrics
drawers
LED Lighting

[David B.]

I second what Donna said about the micro fiber towels. We picked up some from a backpacking store. They take up very little room, & dry very quickly. They even have quick drying wash cloths. Having a small 13' scamp requires us to save space & weight whenever possible. We installed an IKEA towel rack on our entry door.
Dave & Paula

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Night Sailor

I have a few questions for the experts.

1. I need more towel racks. Any recommendations?
2. Does anyone use the output of the furnace for drying cloths?
3. Is anyone using electric blankets while boon-docking?
4. Propane consumption while boondocking. How long does a filled 20lb bottle of propane (not a Home Depot short fill bottle) last for refrigeration, hot water, and cooking? (when the furnace is not needed)
5. Anyone doing rainwater collection? If so what do you use to collect water?

Not a FT but do a lot of boondocking.


Umbra makes some pretty nice hooks of hanging towels. You can find them at most home decorating type stores.

I have used the furnace for drying clothing if its not nice enough outside to hang them from the awning. Here on the wet coast the furnace is used often to dry off coats etc.

No electric blanket for me.... to power hungry .

Propane consumption is going to vary from trailer to trailer and person to person. I have gotten by for 2 weeks and still come home with some left over in a 20lb tank. My fridge is pretty small and it is easy on gas. I do cook morning meals inside but evenings are 50/50 as I like to use the BQ (has a separate 10lb tank) if the weather is good. I do use the hot water tank for showers & dishes everyday but tend not to leave it running 24/7. I also use the furnace sparingly.

[Gilda]

I like to use "mechanical"suction cup hooks to hang towels and other things. To dry our towels we put them on top of our supplies in the back seat of the tow vehicle. On sunny days they dry quickly.

[Gina D.]

I will echo the Ikea recommendations. I have found many inexpensive space saving things there. The only problem I have with Ikea is

"Help, I've gone to Ikea and I can't get out!"

[frankcfx]

I have a RV sleeping bag.It has velcro sheets inside that can be easily removed to wash. This bag is made with two different thicknesses of cover. One side is thin down for the summer and the other is thick for winter. I bought it at the RV show in Quartzsite a few years ago. I was there last year and they still sell them. I have never been cold in it while camping on the high dessert in the winter. If you want I can get the name of the company. It is not cheap, around $150, but it works. We don't use the heater at night!
Frank

[Night Sailor]

Lots of good advice here--especially the towel rack info--because need that the most.

[Raz]

For reasons I can't explain I've found the suction cups fail when the temperature drops. I've had better luck with the 3M Command hooks. Raz

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

For reasons I can't explain I've found the suction cups fail when the temperature drops. I've had better luck with the 3M Command hooks. Raz

I haven't had great success with the suction cup type either. Noted they did fall down over the winter as well as when traveling in the summer. I do like to use them on the outside of the trailer on a temp bases when set up in camp though for hanging dog leashes and dirty towels etc.

A product that a lot of people in this area are starting to use instead of the suction cup type are called Jimmy Hooks. They leave no marks on the walls and I have not had one fall off yet. I have found them to be able to hold more than what the packaging suggests as well.

[Kudzu Asheville]

Originally Posted by frankcfx

I have a RV sleeping bag.It has velcro sheets inside that can be easily removed to wash... It is not cheap, around $150, but it works. We don't use the heater at night!
Frank

I would be interested to learn about these. The ones I have seen are more expensive. Thanks!

[Glenn Baglo]

Cheaper is to buy two sleeping bags that are the same so they can be zipped together, one a 3lb. and one 5lb. Gives you a choice of what's the top.
Doesn't have sheets, but easy to throw in the clothes washer and dryer.
Should cost you less than $100.

[Kudzu Asheville]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Cheaper is to buy two sleeping bags that are the same so they can be zipped together, one a 3lb. and one 5lb. Gives you a choice of what's the top.
Doesn't have sheets, but easy to throw in the clothes washer and dryer.
Should cost you less than $100.

Thanks Glenn. I really like the idea of the removable sheets though. I was thinking of trying to make something myself, but by the time I buy all the parts, $150 sounds pretty reasonable.

Leslie

[blodn1]

I really like the idea of the removable sheets though.

An inexpensive duvet cover ( KRÅKRIS Duvet cover and pillowcase(s) - Twin - IKEA ) pushed into a sleeping bag would give you the same feeling. And you could use the duvet on a bed when not camping.

[Carol H]

You can buy sleeping bag liners of many types at REI.

[Steve L.]

Drying towels?

I say "Air Dry". Used to be called "streaking".