Every day I am learning more about this truck camping.
At times I have yearned for a cooler , but have found that an icy stream works pretty darn well. (When you have one!)
The bug screen that Susan helped me construct needed some reinforcements. Susanna, in Taos, did a magnificent job of sewing on reinforced webbing with Velcro. I can now rip it down quickly and am not worried about tearing the Velcro off.
Above is the strap from an old bag that Susanna sewed onto the curtain cloth. Below is one of the five Velcro patches.
In the last blog post I mentioned that I was needing a shade that 1) I could put up and take down quickly 2) that protected me from sun. This is how it is starting out. I may switch to Velcro since I love the bug screen set up so much. I know the “Command” hook will not last with the extremes of temperature.
The pvc in the picture below is holding the excess material down. Easy, quick and that is where I store the pvc anyway.
I liked the white cloths that were up there first. I will look for some material to do it up right in the future.
Useful Odds and Ends:
The picture below is my collection of straps. I use them often. I sometimes buy a crummy bag in a thrift store if it has a good strap. Many, many uses.
Then, of course, is the industrial strength Velcro. Works even in the extremes of temperature changes and being stuck to aluminum. That and duct tape hold everything together!
Helpful Odds and Ends:
A collection of magnetized clips (I think for potato chip bags) are surprisingly useful. A fistful of medium size carabiners are extremely useful for hanging up keys, whisk broom, hats, anything!
Medicine:
I have used only 3 bandaids and a bit of Neosporin. I have a fist full of antibiotics, aspirin, Advil and never touched then in 2 years. I think living outdoors keeps one healthy.
Mice:
Mice in the engine compartment are evil. I have tried WD40, essential oil of peppermint, dryer sheets. Nothing works. The latest suggestion has been ammonia, sprayed all over the engine and the tops of the tires. That has worked so far, but I do hate to carry a single use item like ammonia.
Washing up:
I have found that I am totally allergic to washing dishes. I tried spraying dishes with vinegar and water. Did work, kinda. Have segued to hot water in a solar bag. When the sun is out it works. No sun, no dishes. Works for me!
Truck Camper Hints 
On one trip that we took, we had to keep the hood open the whole time that we were parked, and I don’t like the thought of doing that.
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I came across some mouse proofing advice on a blog that I was thinking of trying out. It consists of building a barrier of aluminum flashing around each tire so that they can’t climb up them.
Here is the blog page, there is a picture about half way down and the guy who sent in the tip talks about it in the accompanying podcast:
http://roadtreking.com/rt58-no-mail-no-mice-how-to-have-no-rv-problems/
If you do try this, please let us know if it works for you.
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I found that spraying ammonia on the tires really works! Phew. It smells bad for about a half hour, then only the mice notice!
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oh, good to know! I just came back from a trip where we got nightly visits of the rodent kind – they ran around and around inside the body panels and the undercarriage of the truck for a while at around 4AM then scampered off. They made strange gurgling sounds when they danced on the gas tank. It was quite alarming the first night when we did not know what manner of creatures we were dealing with!
How much of each tire do you spray with the ammonia? I will include some in the supplies for future trips.
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Rodents are evil. .. They eat food. Bad. Bad for truck campers. They chew wires. I am not very precise when I spray the tires, Ming. I imagine a mouse/rat calmbering up the tire and spray there. Especially on top. I spray in the engine area also. I reapply after a week. So far its been great, except for the first few minutes after spraying when everything smells of ammonia.
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Let’s see, you can hook a metal grill over the engine with two connectors to your solar power and shock the little buggars off the wires ! Bill did that with the bears getting into the freezer at the bakery and it was quite effective. But it wasn’t solar. Two feet to make contact would be easier with mice than a big bear.
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I may try that suggestion if the ammonia doesn’t work. It really scares me to have mice near wiring. I will call for advice! Thank you.
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Ya, would agree with Fred, mice -cute as they may be- can cause a lot of damage! They LOVE electrical wiring! Stinky mothballs in cloth bags, in various places, and replaced regularly might also work as a deterrent. Or how about a CAT…😄
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Tried moth balls, oil of peppermint, dryer sheets. The ammonia is working. I just spray the tires, ‘cuz that seems how they get in. I also spray around the engine compartment. So far it works.
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Oh, a live cat? Hmmm.
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Your nomadic life has challenges which you are managing. The mice issue in the engine compartment is a scary prospect I would think. I would not under estimate a deterrent however disagreeable it may seem up front. Electrical issues in vehicles are so difficult to diagnose and repair. Glad things are working out well overall.
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So right you are, Fred. I don’t have much fear of mechanical problems, but electrical problems give me the willies!
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