I highly recommend van camping as a cheap way to take a fun vacation! Don't get me wrong...We love a nice motel as well as the next person...but our budget would only let us go for a week-end if we had to stay in motels. This way we can travel for a couple weeks!
1. our walking sticks tucked along each side of the bed (just in case we get the urge to hike:)
2. folding chairs also tucked along each side of the bed (more likely to be used when we sit at the beach)
3. Bed: On the floor of the van are 2 floating foam pool pads tapped together with duct tape (from a yard sale)...improvise with what ever you have! Next is a sleeping bag just in case it gets REALLY cold and our heater isn't working! Then a folding foam mattress that I made a giant pillowcase for by sewing a sheet together up two sides. It actually was part of a couch/bed that was designed for the back of a pick up truck...we just use the mattress part. I bet a twin mattress might work too. Next a comforter ... so far that's all we've needed to keep warm but I do have an extra one tucked under the bed if we need it.
4. Fan clipped to the back seat belt. Have to have white noise to sleep! And it works as a place to hang my headphones and glasses at night! You can't see it here but the cup holders in the back make a great night stand!
5. Reflectix (you buy it at Lowe's in rolls...I think it's insulation for pipes actually) cut to fit the windows for privacy. Don't be as cheap as me and spend the money to buy the wider roll. I had to tape mine together with duct tape because it wasn't wide enough. We labeled each one (did you know that none of the windows in the back of a mini van are the same size??!) and the reflectix just squishes into place on the window. I know...seems like they would fall out...but they don't. Easy to put in and take down each day.
6. Pillows! I love lots of pillows! Perfect for leaning against the tubs in the back to read, watch a movie or play on facebook if the weather isn't fit for sitting outside at night!
From the back looking inside. It's really long enough for Dave to stretch out...he's 5' 10".
1. Seat Pockets hold our laptops and books.
2. Hard to see but this is a privacy curtain I made from an old piece of corduroy...you could use what ever you have that has a dark side. We hang it on a tension rod in front of the seats at night for added privacy and take it down during the day. You can see the hooks we use in a different picture.
The Back
1. Shower Bag
2. Laundry bag
3. Kitchen Tote (coffee maker, mugs, paper plates, hot plate, backpackers pan set, etc.)
4. Clothes Tote (we each have our own)
5. Clothes Tote (hint: roll each day's outfit together and you can fit more in!)
7/8. Junk Drawer Tote:) Heater, extension cords, flashlights, candles, lighters, tools, etc.
9. Tent...we've never used it...but I always throw it in! It's one of those kinds you unzip and throw up in the air and it is free standing. Figure we could use it to store stuff while we sleep if we buy too much! LOL Came from an auction...not even sure they still make them.