How We Made Our New RV OURS! Settling Into The Unity
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- We've been organizing, adding accessories, figuring out storage and generally settling into our new RV. Here's how the process is going so far.
Here are links to the products and accessories we show you in the video:
-We bought our floormats from the Sprinter Parts Depot at www.sprinterpartsdepot.com
-The shelf liner was from Contact amzn.to/2LirUbl
-We found the fruit bag on Amazon at amzn.to/2LkiFHM
-The rail system that held the paper towel holder and the spice rack is from a company called Baldacci and is available here.www.baldacci.it/Categorie/EN/g...
-Mike uses a coffee press that takes K-cups similar to this amzn.to/2DE7hjx
- This is the indoor/outdoor thermometer clock that we have amzn.to/2VciByi
-The GT50 Air Purifier is available here amzn.to/2LisJAX (NOTE: We found ours for $100. They now list it for considerably more)
-The tick remove tools were a 1( Tick key at amzn.to/2LgDYKk and, 2) a pair of Tick Tweezers at amzn.to/2PFuHKh
-The emergency automotive glass breaking tool is at amzn.to/2PFuLcZ
-The inexpensive picnic table covers can be found at most dollar stores
-The Blackvue DR 900 S 2 Channel dashcam is available at amzn.to/2vvp08F
Here is the Leisure Travel Vans Unity FX that we own: leisurevans.com/unity/?...
You can spec your own LTV here: leisurevans.com/build/?...
Check out our RV Travel Guides:
Seven Day Adventure Guide to Colorado shop.rvlifestyle.com/pages/co...
Seven Day Adventure Guide to Utah shop.rvlifestyle.com/pages/so...
Seven Day Adventure Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula rvlifestyle.com/up
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We're journalists Mike and Jennifer Wendland, and we travel the country in an RV doing RV travel videos about the RV Lifestyle. Please subscribe to our channel for more RV Lifestyle videos! We like to virtually take you with us and regularly do lIve reports from our RV travels and also post new RV videos a couple times a week. Pleas subscribe so you'll know when there's new content here.
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Love the organizing tips you shared. Have to say the dash cam is pretty cool showing us all where you're driving and what the roads look like. One of the best ideas is the window emergency breaking tool. Ride on folks
I’ve been following you for a long time, and I have to say, this video is one of your best ones...great ideas abound! Cheers to you three!
Get the masking tape lint rollers. Before you go inside, roll yourself to remove ticks on your clothing before they dig in.
Never thought of that... good idea!
Thank you so much for the great tips you have covered here!
Your best video yet. We are just about to own our new RV and your hints in this video are worth their weight in gold. Thank you many times over.
You have some wonderful idea's, I have to tell you that I just love the two of you, you are so much fun to watch!
What a great video. Thank you for all the valuable information. My husband and I are actually looking at purchasing the RTB model next year once our youngest graduates high school. We definitely want to invest in the dash cam! We have always had a popup, which we love for weekend getaways. But it won't work for the full time lifestyle. The only tip I have is to get a diffuser. I used to be a candle addict... which as we know is not safe for popups! The diffuser is great for getting that smoky or musty smell out of our camper with Lemon oil or Purification oil. It's also great to diffuse eucalyptus for those seasonal issues. I love to diffuse peppermint in our truck when we are on trips... or just rub a drop or two on my forehead. Very invigorating! Oh... and Lavender on our dog's ears is soothing.
I have a referral link... but I didn't want to post it here without your permission. So let me know if want more info. But I know you will love the diffuser.
Thanks again for all your valuable videos. I'm addicted to them. :) I have learned so much and can't wait to hit the road!
Thanks for the tips. Your Unity is 1st class. So enjoyable to see you two enjoy your RV.
We have just started looking at all the info. about RV touring. There are so many things to think about. All the information we are viewing is so very interesting and informative--things we just did not think about.
I love your new camper!
I switched to bamboo spoons, forks, and butter knives.
I wouldn't hang anything wet over anything electronic. Fruit can get drippy as it ripens. Hang it over the sink.
Love the very clever solutions!
Don't drill! The command strips can do most wall support solutions. Just add more or bigger as needed.
Agreed! We love them. I have picture mounted in our bedroom with 4 of the heavy weight velcro/command strips...its pretty heavy and boy, when I was trying to install and get it straight, that velcro is powerful!!! It locks tight.
Thank you for reviewing your processes in quieting the kitchen noise. I have seen others use rubber bands on the silverware as well as thick rubber tubing. Walmart has singular silverware holders (by type) a little taller than what you show in the video they work well. Thanks again. Can't wait until you get into the garage storage. Thanks again for all you do.
Get the round magnetic spice tins for the metal back splash, then you don't need the rattling glass spice jars. Love the LV unity!
Got those on my list for our new FX.)
That stainless backsplash is not magnetic so disappointed!
Thank you for sharing your RV storage tips. I got several good ideas! One I’ll share is for your utensil drawer. I was able to find individual divided trays in several sizes at the dollar store. They have a soft insert that keeps things from rattling and you can literally customize every inch of space in your drawer. They even snap together so no movement. I’m also a big fan of idesign cabinet and fridge organizers for our RV and clear plastic divided boxes for fuses and batteries. Love your channel!
That is a beauty. Great tips, tfs.
You guys are on point, and very polite
Spices can be put in vitamin/pill containers. The kind of containers that have a compartment for each day of the week with a snap down lid for each compartment. There are other kinds that are circular stacking pill containers that work also. There are quite a few styles and sizes available that are plastic and unbreakable. Walmart has a pretty good selection as do the large chain drugstores. You can certainly put the same spice in more than one compartment if you use a lot of a particular spice. They can then go in a drawer or cabinet instead of on the wall in a glass jar.
I also have seen some nice magnetic ones. 😉
'Creativity RV' also just got a new Class C RV and has done some great personalization videos. She used clips to hang her broom in the shower area which I thought was clever. and check out the paper towel 'coins' to save space. Personalizing & Decorating starts with changeable options like colorful pillows, throws, and photos on the walls, colorful shower curtain, rugs, etc.. A small succulent plant held down with Velcro gives a 'human touch' of caring bringing a little of the outside world in. Using command hooks and picture putty and who can forget Velcro to keep countertop 'things' in place ? A sign for outfront of your parking spot when you want to save your space while gone for the day. Using the wire racks inside your cabinets to more efficiently use lost space from the top down. 'From She To Me' after deciding what they were taking made shelf dividers to better organize their space in a Class B. That fruit basket can't hang in the kitchen, but it can hang on a hook in the bathroom to toiletries, or can hang on the inside of a door to hold wires, remotes, gloves, sun glasses, door leashes, snacks , etc The fruit could maybe rest in a hanging wire rack or a wire horizonal basket that would fit in a shallow but wide space fastened by command hooks. Don't forget the cloth shoe holder that can be cut to fit the back of car seats, hanging from inside a door, and even off the side of a bed. Thank you for sharing and have fun with new challenges which is what keeps us young.
I just was looking at that RV online weeks ago. It looks awesome lots of great features. Love to see one in person. Maybe at a show. Hope you guys have a great time with it.
Love your videos! Thanks for all the good tips. 😃
Jennifer I am stealing the paper lid idea. I use paper plates between the sauce pan and the frying pan that it sits in but have the lid just sitting on top upside down like yours. Slides around but no more! lol! Good one!
I am an 87 year old solo woman full time rver but still learning new tricks.
The paper plates sound like a good idea between pans. I only take two pans. One person told me she only uses the Copper Chief deep square pan. I have to bring a sauce pan as well.
Love you guys, have safe travels 👍
I second the idea about the 3M Command system. I use the large brushed nickel Command hooks for some pretty heavy coats in my trailer...4 years and still holding! They also make many other doo-dads for all your stuff.
Just found you, just subscribed!! Yes the organization and layout is EVERYTHING!!!
Whatever makes the ride & trips easier, quieter & less chaos! Not to mention pet friendly!
I'm seeing an RV in my future, I want to see more North America in my twilight years. Great to see how you did these things. I do that in my home, so carry over to the RV makes sense.
Chicago Renee thanks you! Cant wait to see more!
To cut down on cooking and silverware noise if possible we band them together with rubber bands or elastic hair bands. We also use a couple big rubber bands around the silverware tray to hold things in the tray. The rubber band on the bottom also helps to anchor the tray.
thank you for sharing you learning experiences...
These are my absolute favorite kind of videos! You guys are really making it feel like home. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful gear with us. I feel like if anyone would know the latest and greatest it would be you both. Jennifer’s designers touch on the inside and Mike’s knowledge on the outside. Will you please show us the completed look? I can’t wait to see how this beautiful coach is decorated and organized! You both have great taste in all you do. I’m looking forward........
Wow! Latada, you made our day with the kind words. Yup... we will share what we do with it on a regular basis. Now we're trying to figure out how to break up that boring background of the underside of our Murphy Bed that you see behind us when we do on camera videos.
I use styrofoam plates between my glass plates and my pots that stack.
One of the first things we do with any trailer we have had is put my home made quilts on the bed. Even in our pop ups our beds always had quilts on them and now that we have a couch, there is one on the back of that. In our new trailer, it was things like towel bars and tp holders...haha...why don't they put them in? Throw pillows and some rugs, make it homier. In our old trailer, we switched out the dumb "reading"lights over the bed. I am still looking for ones I like and can afford for this trailer. I am an avid reader so I have a shelf in a cupboard under the tv for books. We installed pegboard in one of our outside trunks, makes for neater organization. I dug through my husbands stash and found two plastic magazine holders. I sat them on their backs in the pantry to hold saran wrap baggies foil, etc.
Love your camper!!! Love how tidy you both are!!!
Here’s my best tip. I fillow the rule of having nothing loose in a drawer. A right size bin for everything. I have a 6 “ wide tray basket for the most used cooking items next to the silverware tray and in behind are three small square trays for clips, and other items. My knives are waiting for a magnetic bar to get installed, which I had in my old rig. Loved that..
Second drawer has more fitted basket trays. (all white plastic) to hold the rest of my utensils and cooking items not used as often
Third drawer is pots and pans. No Instant Pot.
My Nutri Bullet mixer is in the under dinette drawer along with extra items that go in the frig to chill as space allows.
Nothing moves or rattles in the drawers.
Same for upper cabinets. All in bins except the dishes over the sink. It already has a lining and nothing moves.
Bedroom drawers have dividers and bins.
This new one has a bathroom drawer which I love and it has trays.
Did the same in my old sticks and bricks and every motorhome since then.
Agreed! Do not drill. The command strips come in different colors and weight restrictions! Once you drill you have made a modification to your rig and that depreciates the value even more!
Great ideas!❤️
Great video.....well done!
Great idea to wrap the spice jars so that they don't jiggle while you drive!
We are getting our first big van (what you guys call a class B) after 10 years of having a VW camper van so it's interesting to see the similarities. My wife bought exactly the same mat material for in drawers. We are in the UK and it's a Hymercar Free which is 5.99 metres. It's great that over the pond you have kept feet and inches. We are stuck with metric here.
You've probably thought of it, but Command Refill Strips are great alternative to drilling holes. They come in different strengths and you'd be surprised how well they hold.
And you’d be surprised at how often they let go after a while especially with temperature and humidity changes. Wouldn’t trust a computer to them.
I like the strips. I have to watch Mike because he is part woodpecker. He loves to make holes.
I, too, wanted to minimize the rattles while traveling in my motor home, but my solution was a little different.
I bought a cheap pair of earplugs.
Works quite well......
My future RV! Thanks!
I like the pot cover idea and spice wraps to prevent rattling. Love the dash cam, go pro and do you have a rear view cam as well?
A friend of mine has the magnetic spice containers, they look great and are really accessible while in their RV, think she got them off Amazon.
Nice reviews thanks
I finally saw Bo! Some great ideas!
If you watch our videos regularly, you'll see Bo usually making a cameo appearance or two in every one. When we start videoing, he comes running and always seems to be strategically placed to be in the shot.. I think he's a publicity hound.
Man I don’t think I could keep up with dashcam selections. You guys are geniuses
Great work and nice suggestions for personal customization. As fun as it may be to drill holes in that brand new RV , its far better to hold off and find non drilling solutions. Best of luck that RV is top notch .
Yup...so Jennifer has instructed me!
Re Computer storage: they make command strips that can hold 5, 10, even 50lbs. And these days, they have pull tabs at the bottom that allows you to take them off the wall without taking the paper on the wall with it. I have seen them at Walmart, Target (I think) and hardware stores. That would allow you to use the system you liked without drilling holes or ruining the walls. With your spice rack, you can put foam tape around the interior of the rack and around the bottles. The foam tape comes with 2 sides tape but if you keep the protective paper on the outside of the tape to keep the outer adhesive covered. Your system is great, this would just let the padding stay in place. The suspension on your RV seems fantastic. Awfully smooth and steady cab for Michigan roads.
i found it so funny the mrs ask how expensive is it and Mike said let me show how we installed it!..good one Mike! lol
Great ideas
Thank you for the video..
Velcro that has the loop end on one side and the softer side on the other, all on one strip, and you can wrap each of your spice jars with their own and then they won't touch. I use this method to carry wine bottles or any size mason jar etc so they won't touch and they are reusable too.
I would use the expanding cutlery tray for the utensils, ck out container store or bed, bath & beyond
Nice Vid I hope you have a good alarm system..!
Love your videos. We live in MI too. One idea I got from someone else is for the microwave. Every time we got to our destination, the microwave glass dish was off the wheel and it took a long time to get it all realigned. I took a foam swim noodle and cut it the size needed to fit firmly against the top of the microwave and the glass plate. A perfect solution.
Another idea is to use the plastic shoe boxes for storage in fridge. It's great for meats/cheeses, veggies and fruits and stackable. I then use cafe curtain rods to make sure all my shelved items stay in place.
For my fruits and veggies not in the fridge, I bought a shower caddy with baskets for my oranges, apples, lemons and limes and pegs to hang bananas. I used a large over the door hook and it hangs on the bathroom door that faces the kitchen area. Could use on cupboard door too. Has suction cups to hold it in place.
We don't have recliners, but a couch in our unit. I got a padded ottoman with storage which is great for extra coats (which I roll up and put rubber bands around so they don't take up so much room), blankets, etc. I also use blankets to fill my couch pillows instead of a pillow form. Never know when you need an extra blanket out at the campfire or when temps drop and you don't want to switch on the heat. Just some of my ideas!
Keep on making videos. We love them. Thank you.
Hey grammy8x... those are great ideas! Thanks for being a fellow traveler of the RV Lifestyle!
For your spice jars, get a small length of vinyl tubing of appropriate diameter, slice into rings, and cut once through the ring. Now slip around the jar. It’ll stay put as long as you want it to. Would take up a bit of room when all jars have this kind of “bumper” but easy, durable, no fuss (when done) and looks nice because they’re hardly noticeable!
When Mike cut that tree it looked like Bo was thinking “My human just broke my favorite toilet! 😉
Thank you for that info on the camera. My son is looking into dash cams and forgot about that gadget for cars. I had gotten a pocket knife some years back that had a glass breaker on the end not as fancy as yours but supported local firefighters. Anyway, I know you guys are not FT but when you do travel at length how do you organize all Bo's stuff? I'm sure he has a large bag of food and other accessories. I'm always looking to see what others do in tight quarters although you do have more room in this rig. Thanks again! Happy trails and God bless you guys!❤🐶
I go along with the Command Strip systems. So many different styles and sizes. 2. The spices - rather than having to fidget the jars in every time you use them, I'd try cutting "belts" for the bottles about 3/4"-1” wide worn just under the word(s) that I.D. the contents. Using different color duct tape for sweet vs: savory to secure the belts. 3. "Make it your own" - Paint! You may not want to do entire walls, but accent pieces or items. The seating you use while talking to us looks so industrial umm I mean bland no, no no, I mean Grey! 😉 ☺️. Regards from N.H., Patricia 👵🏻 P.S. I lived in Marquette for 4 yrs back in the 80’s and I still miss it!😍
A rubber-band around each spice jar will stop the rattle.
Great idea! I'm going to try the rubber-band around each spice jar. Can't wait to try it.
Also maybe use rubber bands to secure silverware at least when travelling between camp sites
Hi Mike and Jennifer. I hope our travels cross in the future, love to meet you both.
As for the indoor/outdoor thermometer clock, where do you install the outside transmitter to get a valid temperature?
Warmest greetings from Manila Philippines 😍😍😍
Command strips are my remedy!
Faye
I have watched and enjoyed many of your video's. I also love the wonder RTB. just wondering, does 188 hp seem to be enough?
Hi! What a great video! We're total newbies - actually picking our Roadrek up this weekend - woo hoo!! I am so curious about what topper you use for your bed and how you store it? I've been searching online and can only find toppers that don't seem to be made to store. Thanks so much! Tina
You are the first person who has actually shown the inside of a Unity cabinet in great detail. I just ordered an RL- soooo excited! I want to order plates, etc ahead of time and saw on the specs the cabinets are only 10" deep. Looks like you had some great, unbreakable plates in yours. I know you have aWonder now., but do you remember the dinnerware brand you had in your Unity? Many thanks!
You both give us so many ideas, I’m delighted to share one with you. For your silverware rattle that makes Bo nervous, I wonder if Nite Ize Gear Ties might work? They come in different colors and lengths, are quick to use, and they last forever. I’m still in a sticks-and-bricks, so my experience has been to use them for wayward electrical cords, earbuds, etc. As a side note, the longer ties might work to secure cabinets and drawers that have handles. ☺️
Nice tip Kat! -- Team RV Lifestyle
QUESTION: We got a 2019 Unity Corner bed. It’s on a 2018 Mercedes chassis. Still personalizing it with mats, etc. Not thrilled with the navigation system. On your new rig, did you swap your radio for the Alpine 9 like you did in your previous Sprinter van?
You can get so many accessory items like your silverware holder in thrift stores.
In your live podcast tonight there was some discussion about changing house batteries from lead acid to lithium. I do not like the lead acid batteries in my Leisure Wonder RTB model. You mentioned in the podcast that you had found an excellent aftermarket source for lithium batteries would you mind sharing that source with me?
May I ask what Smart Watches you use? I'm on Verizon and need a watch, phone, fit bit, so I figured a Smart watch would be perfect yet the choices!!
Where did you find the FX with the 2019 Mercedes chassis? We’ve not had any luck finding the 2019 chassis in the FX, new or used.
Have you done of video of cold weather/freezing temp operation of your unity? (for all year around operation)... enjoy your videos...
Help. I want to get some floor mats exactly like yours. Do you remember the website you ordered from? Please share :)
Awesome
Hello mike and jenn my wife and I enjoy you so much !, hope to meet you guys someday.
What a relief. I thought you might make it the guy down the streets.
Love, love, love you guys. My husband are just now planning our first RV experience and are looking for a similar van to what you just purchased. Would love to hear how you like it in 6 months and what you would do/order differently. My hubby is 60 and I’m 50 so just beginning to be empty nesters in a couple of years.
We do two videos a week here... our main Thursday one like this, and our live Sunday night "Ask Us Anything" show where we answer questions live... so come back often for updates and tune into the live stream to ask any questions we can help you with as you contemplate choosing your RV. Have you discovered our podcast? Every Wednesday we release a new podcast episode with lots of RV info. Just search for the RV Podcast on whatever podcast app you use.
Love the view of Mich. Made me homesick. We live in OK now. What part of Mich? We lived over by the pinky area lol. 80 mi north of Grand Rapids. Thank you for all the cool helpful info you give us in your videos. Safe travels.
We're in southeast Michigan when we're at our sticks and bricks home...but most of the time we are on the road traveling.
In your video of the Leisure Travel factory. Your were given a Ford Transit to try. What were the reasons that you bought the Mercedes? Love your videos.
Rubber-band the silver ware, cuts down noise and easy organization .
How does the MB, Unity, chassis drive compared to the Wonder? Thanks!
Hi Mike and Jennifer- We purchased the BlackBue 750 as well, and are loving it, but i have also purchased the Magic Wiring Harness and am finding it difficult to determine which fuse to hook into for AC1, Power, and Ground. Did you use this harness as well or are you just using the camera by powering it through the 12V cigarette lighter port? Neither the Blackvue tech support or our Sprinter dealer have been able to identify those fuses and the diagrams in our manuals are very sparse with information here. Any feedback you have would be appreciated. We enjoy following you ~ Red Moon RV
Small pony tail bands for silver ware.
This was very informative. Also check out 'Changing Lanes" ..they are also RVers .....they just did their video on Lyme Disease ..(since you mentioned ticks)... be careful out there ...
Like the easy-going pace of your videos. Practical and helpful. You explained the three cameras up front, but do you have a back-up camera? Don't think you tidied up the fruit bag idea. Where did you hang it? Do you use Command strip hooks? Does that fruit bag prevent fruit flies/gnats? Do you use an extra screen door closure (maybe the magnetic kind as seen on TV) on your exit/entry door to help prevent flies, etc from getting in the RV? Please include the RV features you don't like and/or will modify to suit your lifestyle. Thanks for all your help, Mike and Sara, Portland, Oregon
Yes, we have a backup camera. We showed that a couple videos back about the Mercedes 2019 Sprinter dashboard. We have not yet found a place for the fruit bags... we have a screen door that keeps the bugs out... a real screen door and we will have future videos on some big mods we're contemplating for the electrical system.
have you tried hair tie elastics around your silverware to stop rattling on the road?
Great idea. I'll give it a try.
I saw it on Facebook a few days ago. The person posting had 9 or 10 ticks on the roller. He said he was tearing off the ticky piece and going over himself again!
You could have used the extra drawer liner for in between your plates and bowls.
With the new Mercedes Benz
Chassis, Can you drive on the highway and let the RV stay in the lane without your hands on the wheel? In other words, does the lane assist keep the RV in the lane without your assistance?
RV commandment: Drill no holes!
Love your channel! Sorry if I missed this somewhere but why did you not keep this model for that long? I thought you enjoyed the Murphy bed. Or was the slide kind of annoying? or the lack of separation that you can achieve with the current model of Class B RV that you have...
How do you do your intro and extra graphics Mike?
Me and my wife thinking about getting an RV we are both retired now I want to travel a little bit
Maybe put your laptop on a small pad to protect it from bumps and vibrations while moving.
I thought you bought the 2019 Wonder.
Aww, u folks from Michigan 😁
Out the back camera would be cool 😎
Consider keeping the seatbelt cutter secured in the cab, just in case you need to use it yourself.
Bo should be on every video!
I'm fascinated by this Leisure Vans you're surrounded by cleverness how I will manage 5 pets Boxer breed???