| Travel Tips: The Van: The Ford Club Wagon we traveled with was retrofitted with a 4KW generator with an auxiliary air conditioner. We have a graphic arts business and needed to keep the printer and computer cool while we traveled. When we travel for pleasure, this auxiliary air has been a blessing keeping our 3 small poodles in the van worry free while we eat or shop. Custom Sun Shades: In the sun the air-conditioner does not cool efficiently to compete with radiant heat. To maintain a relatively cool interior when parked in the sun, Aleada devised removable window sun shades that double as privacy shades for sleeping in the van. She first used brown sheet paper (you can use any paper wide or long enough) to make a template of the shape of the windows from the inside, including the windshields. She fitted the paper into the window and drew the outline with a pencil and then cut out this template, almost every window in our van is a different size. We purchased aluminum foil insulation rolls (metallic bubble-wrap) from our local home center store, and using the paper templates, cut out the shades. Aleada found that one layer was not adequate to prevent heat build up so she cut two layers of the insulation per window and then taped the layers together at the edges with metallic duct tape used for flexible ducts. The finished shades are either simply pressed in place around the window well or Velcro was used on the inside of the windows along the edges. They were very easy to put on or take off. We could not have survived without them. Even in the 100 degree plus day-time weather we experienced, the air in the van was cool. At night, we really didn't need the air, as the temperature mercifully dropped a comfortable 30 degrees. Custom Screens: We also made screens using mosquito netting from our local Army Navy store, This you buy by the yard. We cut out approximate rectangles to fit all the windows and side and back doors when opened. We also cut a screen to fit into the back of our trailer where the ramp is. The front windows were a bit tricky as the screen needed to maneuver around the side mirrors, we just cut and used extra magnets around the mirrors arm extension . We spent about $1.00 per magnet. These are strong rectangular magnets sold at hardware stores. We got a bit of a price break buying a case. It was worth the cost to us to be bug free. We were very impressed with the lack of mosquitoes in New Mexico. At night we used reading lights in the van so little moths tended to invade, the netting kept them outside where they belong. The Bed: For installing the bed, we removed all but one bench seat from our van and installed custom wood platforms over the wheel wells in the back, the size of a queen size bed. The platform consisted of six separate 'tables' constructed of solid lumber boards, which are stackable. Over the rear bench seat, a set of two more 'table' platforms were installed, also stackable when not in use. On the platforms, we placed air mattresses. Our daughter slept on the bench seat mattress, and my wife and I slept on the queen size mattress in the back. The space under the rear platform housed a pair of bins on rollers for added storage. This worked out very well. When at the campsites, we simply used commercial power to the van for the air conditioner. We could have used a tent, but having the bed in the van meant we could drive all day and set up very easily at night. The air conditioner kept us cool when needed and the large air mattress made us feel at home. Outfitted Cargo Trailer: We also pulled a tandem wheeled 12 foot insulated and retrofitted cargo trailer. I outfitted it with small refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, ice cooler, TV, cages for our three poodles, and three towers of bins in which we carried our clothes, cooking utensils and many other things. I also installed lots of electric outlets and florescent lighting. The trailer is air-conditioned so we were able to leave our dogs there often during the day. I fitted the door with a screen door and we have mosquito netting for the back ramp door.We are going to install a Coleman Camp Kitchen, which has a camp sink and we need to upgrade the electric service from 20 amps to 30 amps. We'll let you know how these improvements work out. Accommodations: We stayed mostly at KOA's but also at State Parks. Traveling this way kept the cost of our trip down. We used the Internet to secure all our reservations in advance. We have the camp sites web sites bookmarked on this site's home page for your convenience. Traveling and planning ahead worked out very well, especially considering that we we're traveling with our dogs. We can't wait to return again to the New Mexico and to travel the USA. Traveling the Speed Limit: Aleada was driving down the mountain after the bat show at Carlsbad Caverns. She was doing the speed limit for night travel, there was a line of cars behind her, most cars go fast driving these mountain slopes. Being unfamiliar with mountain driving and a bit uncomfortable with the twists and turns, especially at night, the speed limit is plenty fast for us. As we drove, a large Ring Tail darted in front of our car. These are very rare and we consider it a privilege to have seen one. If we had been traveling over the speed limit we would of killed this rare animal. When we got on the highway angry drivers darted in front of us the first one honking, I didn't care. I was thankful the Ring Tail was alive and I wish those drivers could understand about night vision and consider the time it takes to break for the animals. Any Questions or Comments? If you have any questions or comments about our travel tips or other aspects of our trip please let us know. |
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| email: siragusa@gte.net |
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