One of the first things anyone says when they visit us in our Avion is how “homey” it feels, comfortable, cozy and not sterile like many “off the lot” modern RV’s today.
Often, the next question we get is…
“it must take you a long time [when setting up camp] to put out all of these décor items (some would say clutter or chachkies! ) and knickknacks and then store them all away again”.
Actually—no! Everything you see in our coach stays in place where it is displayed. I do not have to move anything except dish soap bottle on the kitchen counter, our authentic cuckoo clock, and the soap dispenser in the bathroom!
In the photo above you will see I have opted to keep the upper and lower curtain rails in place and just have narrower side curtains. These curtains are wide enough to create privacy for the curved front windows when the center pull down shade does the rest at night. Notice I use the bottom curtain rail to store some things during travel time too! ( I DO take down the white vintage ’70’s swag lamp and it sits in the left corner of the front counter when we roll down the road)
HERE IS A QUICK LIST OF TIPS & PRODUCTS I USE TO KEEP THINGS IN PLACE IN YOUR RV—EVEN WHEN TOWING DOWN THE ROAD!
A 6″ wide shelf behind the sofa creates a great storage space with metal framed fabric bins!
See purchasing link below.
The photo above shows three of the five storage bins I purchased at Bed, Bath & Beyond in 2021. They have a wire frame for durability and are perfect for storing those things that we use routinely when traveling including: TV and other remotes, LED lanterns and flashlights, Binoculars, Travel Journal, Travel brochures, etc. and a vase of artificial flowers I often put outdoors on our dining table. We are still able to pull out our jack knife sofa when we have guests staying over. * I left about 5″ in between two of the bins. This is where I tend to put my beverage water bottle or travel mug of coffee when relaxing on the sofa when we are set up at camp. Source, 2021
Using forms of “anchor” putty’s to hold things in place are perfect for RVs. Read on to read ‘my reviews’ on three products I have used.
The photo slideshow above shows various items in our RV we leave out and do not move during towing. Things like a ceramic beer stein with flowers that sits on our front kitchen counter, our mid-century modern looking table organizer (link) with a vintage 70’s table lamp and other items set in place. In our bathroom, my mother’s china cup and saucer- now a home for a gnome sits on our bathroom vanity and back in the living room/salon even our faux “stag head clock” in our living room–all stay out and stay put every day we travel.
We have clocked multiple trips over 3000 miles each, up mountains of 17-24% grade roads to 5K elevations (and back down) as well as dirt roads, washboard roads and surviving way too many roads with pot holes and frost heaves!
Review of THREE putty brands I have used: and my recommendation!
Quake Hold (Museum Putty)
This is my “GO TO” product! It is great and what I have used successfully on the ceramic beer stein, the gnome in the tea cup, the dinette table shelf organizer and our faux (plastic but very real looking) stag head wall clock. I also put this behind each corner of any framed pictures I put up on picture hooks. It keeps the pictures level and keeps them from potentially swinging and marring stained walls or wallboard.
Pro’s: Terrific holding power, re-useable, no smell, no staining on walls. Holds up well under all interior temperature conditions we have been in so far (-10 to 95 degrees). It allows you to remove items from their hold by twisting and pulling at the same time. You will truly be impressed by how secure it makes things and how hard you have to twist/pull to release its hold. I have not had any issues with its color staining any surfaces.
Con’s: it is a light off-white in color )they call it “neutral”- so it is not completely invisible when used under items. You can see this from my photos as little white stuff sticking out from underneath Honestly, it is really hardly noticeable. Through trial and error I have found the best holding power is when you allow some of the putty to be on the outside of the edge of your item as well as underneath for those items that sit on flat surfaces. For framed photos, etc. held vertically you do not need to do that. I simply put pea sized blobs under each frame corner.
Rock N’ Roll Clear Gel Putty
As the packaging says, this GEL is really only for glass and china type stuff. They do also now make a putty similar to Quake hold but I prefer the quality of Quake Hold better. I have tried this Rock N Roll Gel and found it does not hold as well as the Quake Hold. Also a real ‘con’ is that this stuff MELTS when your rig gets hot inside (aka if you are away for the day not using AC/or when stored at home when not camping and temps rise above 80 degrees. Source* (*note, this is not where I purchased from so I cannot validate reputation of online source)
Pro’s: it is clear, highly pliable. Does work well on glass or mirror items (not sure how many of us have crystal figurines on display in our RV’s though)
Con’s: It melts when temp inside RV gets hot. It melted and puddled under some items on our dinette table. Does not do well on vertical applications in my experience. (yes, I tried to use it behind corners on picture frames, only to find it melting and running down my wall one summer day!- ugh) Because of its propensity to melt, I no longer recommend this for RV use.
Museum Putty Wax
I have used this on a variety of surfaces from metal to wood to ceramic and it does work but I find it not as convenient as the white putty Quake Hold above- nor does it have the same holding power for heavier things, especially those made of wood and/or sticking to a wood surface.
Pro’s: it is somewhat clearer and less conspicuous when used than Quake Hold putty. It does a decent job of holding not too heavy items. Somewhat easier to twist/pull items you need to reposition. Does not stain finishes.
Con’s: Due to its consistency, I find it harder to get out a blog from the container- I use a bottle cap with its serrated edges to dig into the container to get out sufficient for use. It is simply too hard to dig any out with your fingers. It is a wax base and therefore may also have a tendency to melt in hotter environments. For this reason I would not recommend a vertical application either. In my experience it does not work well on wood items but works ok on plastic, ceramic and glass.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST….WHAT TO DO WITH “RUN-AWAY” PAPER TOWELS!
How many times have you opened the door of your RV after a day of travel to find your paper towels have unrolled and are strewn across your kitchen floor?
These ARE THE ANSWER!
Viva Paper towels do cost a little more but they will not unroll after a day of road travel. They are also darn good paper towels and very absorbent so in truth you will use less overall. We currently have this vertical paper towel holder but in our old ’73, 28 foot LaGrande model we had a traditional horizontal holder above the counter and we never had unrolled paper towels with Viva brand– AND I did road test others like store brands and Scott’s brand and other name brands and none did the job of staying on the roll on the road!
PARTING TIPS….. FOR HANGING PHOTOS, FRAMED ART, ETC and other WALL DECOR ITEMS:
Most folks already know that 3M stick on hooks are a Godsend for RVers. We use them all the time!
BUT I have found that if you really want pictures or things of any weight like barometers, framed art, etc. I use these stick on Velcro strips. Specifically, the type that have the lock-n-grip type, not the traditional type that has soft fuzzy on one side and teeth on the other. I use the heavy duty type of Velcro that have teeth which interlock when put together. I always purchase the one that is rated for heavier than my item really is. These work really well and so far (knock on wood) I have found that I can also peel off the Velcro strip I may have secured to our Avion wall board since it is a vinyl composite board, not paper applied to wood. I have also used the Command Brand similar type too on less heavy hanging items, apply as directed.
DISCLAIMER: As with all the products we have discussed here, it is best you test out products first. For wall applications, your interior walls may have had some sort of after market application that could make it different than ours. Please don’t send me a bill for any broken item! [smiling]
Well, that is my review of keeping things in place! We all love to have a homey feel in our home on wheels! Hope you have found this little article helpful!
Let us know what types of tricks/products you have found help with this issue! To be sure, a simple search on Amazon nets many companies touting great sticking power of their putty’s and other products.
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-Luise
ThePewterPalace-Our Love Affair with Avions 