Finding things in the RV

[ctpres]

Open Office 4.1.1 to the rescue!
With so many devices, fuses, breakers etc. hidden in in various areas and our own stuff, it can be a real challenge finding things. First I numbered outside storage compartments starting at door and going clockwise. Like B-1, B-2 etc. Then something similar for inside storage.
Then as I find things - like washer low point drain it goes on an Open Office text document in random order like B-1 right side. Once list getting useful just use Open Office PDF export feature to create a searchable PDF document. Now all I do is using PDF search feature type "drain" and it will display:
Washer low point drain B-1 right side
Freshwater tank drain B-3 bottom right corner
Drain for black tank B-7 lower left side just below white panel
Time consuming Yes - worth it YES

[Scooter]

For us low tech folks......I drew the RV and numbered the compartments as above.

Using pencil and paper each compartment showed box numbers inside. (1 thru 26)

Contents of each box was listed on paper and gets inventoried once a year.

Inside the coach, contents of three drawers with important goodies are listed.

If something is too large for a box...it still make the list in another page.

Time consuming....yes - but worth it

[Rusty years]

I can recognize former military RVers. by their charts.

[R2Home]

Did 'load plans' for years and still do them for the MH. Plain, simple and quick to look at. Guess that I am still 'old school'.

[ronspradley]

I do not organize and do not make a list. I like the hunt. And of course, when I cannot find it, I buy another. That is why I own at least two of everything. And buying another means I then find the first that I could not find before. By the way, has anyone seen my Craftsman 3/8th drive socket wrench? ☺

ronspradley

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by ronspradley

I do not organize and do not make a list. I like the hunt. And of course, when I cannot find it, I buy another. That is why I own at least two of everything. And buying another means I then find the first that I could not find before. By the way, has anyone seen my Craftsman 3/8th drive socket wrench?

I DO organize AND make a list. Then, lose the list, hate hunting for the list, then make another list, then find the old list, and have two lists.

Your Craftsman 3/8th drive socket wrench is in the same place mine is so I'll let you know when I find them. In the meantime, see you at Sears.
.

[Mentor]

I have no trouble finding stuff, it's always in the last place I look. Occasionally I look there first.

[Firebug5]

Originally Posted by Scooter

For us low tech folks......I drew the RV and numbered the compartments as above.

Using pencil and paper each compartment showed box numbers inside. (1 thru 26)

Contents of each box was listed on paper and gets inventoried once a year.

Inside the coach, contents of three drawers with important goodies are listed.

If something is too large for a box...it still make the list in another page.

Time consuming....yes - but worth it

OK, you guys are making me feel like I do not carry enough crap! Granted, we are not full-timers, and I am not sure if any of you folks are, and that does make a difference, I think. .

Scooter, do you have 26 compartments loaded with boxes, or do you have 26 boxes in all of your compartments? Help me out, what am I not carrying that fits into 26 spaces? I just looked, and I actually have several empty compartments! I am curious, and hope some of you will share your lists with me. I just hope you will not embarrass me tooooo much. . .

Bruce

[Scooter]

Bruce, I have 16 boxes (large and small) in 7 outside compartments. (26 was a typo).... Plus some bulky stuff, not in a box. I am too inept to cut and paste my list(s). If you want to PM me with a fax number for you, I will let you see this highly classified list.

[Firebug5]

Originally Posted by Scooter

Bruce, I have 16 boxes (large and small) in 7 outside compartments. (26 was a typo).... Plus some bulky stuff, not in a box. I am too inept to cut and paste my list(s). If you want to PM me with a fax number for you, I will let you see this highly classified list.

Thanks, I am interested since it appears we have the same chassis and similar coach. A highly classified list eh, excellent. I will PM you.

Bruce

[Ray Stooksbury]

Organized people are just too lazy to hunt for things!!!

[Damon Diva]

• ctpres and scooter: What do you call the person who would combine both your ideas?
• rusty years- my first thought was: "or they are a bit OCD"
• ronspradley: this is fine as long as you don't send the DW to your favorite hardware store to pick up the new item.... PS- Your Craftsman 3/8th drive socket wrench is where you left it last!
• Bullitt & Mentor: You both made me laugh out loud!
• Firebug5...please pass the bottle of aspirin
• Ray Stooksbury: Maybe they just appear to be organized

Thank You guys for the last chuckle of my night!

[greg6746]

I simply remember !
Tools... In tool bay
Cleaning supplies ... Wet bay
Other stuff ... Other stuff bays
I have an extra 3/8 ratchet. (Somewhere)

[Boatnik]

I too have some empty bays. But I'm always concerned about keeping the weight down to save on tires, fuel, etc. That's why I switched to cans...