Whoa!!! Look what I did!!
So my friend, Kristen…yeah, this one. She influences me to do things, like buy motorcycles and camper vans. 😂 But, I mean, can I really be that mad?! It’s awesome!
This is something I’ve been contemplating for several years now. Testing it out last year with a rental. Despite a bad experience, which did make me hesitant, the idea still lingered…
I missed out on one, but for the best, as Turkato showed up just a week or so later! And gave me even more of what I wanted in my van!
So the name…my T was being delivered with some other vans, when a large, and clearly drunk-ass turkey flew up from the ditch and pummeled himself into my van. So the T got some love to fix its Turkey boo-boos and thereby earned its name! (Turkey + Travato = Turkato for those that are a little slower.) 😉
I have been occupied with adventuring on short trips visiting friends, learning the overwhelming amount to learn about the van, and of course…making it my own!!!
I have spent HOURS researching, searching, and pondering ideas for Turkato. So I put together a list of things I’ve purchased in hopes it either saves you a ton of time or gives you some great ideas to make your van your own!! I will continue to add on as I find new things for the T. And please share your favorite must-haves for your van!!
Basics
A dog. Obviously. You definitely need a dog. A really freakin’ cute one like Joey. 🙂
Super absorbent entry rug! Trying to maintain some level of cleanliness. Ha! This size fit perfectly in the door space!
Must-have cover for the “Carefree” 😛 awning so Joey doesn’t go accidentally sending the awning out!
It’s #20 on the diagram. Part # SR0115.
I opted for a divider to keep Joey from coming up into the front seats. When he gets scared, he thinks he should climb up into your lap so we can’t be having that while I’m driving this beast! Plus these leather seats are reeeeeeeally nice and soft, and I don’t want him tearing them up.
I only hooked the divider around the outer headrest posts to get it a bit lower to the floor. So there is a few inch gap at the bottom. The middle is mesh so we can see each other and then he can get some airflow from the front, too. The pockets that are on the back of the seats are so handy to stash his leash, harness, and poop bags!
And for some reason, Joey REALLY wants to ride on the wine cellar (the little step behind the front seats). This space is 22 inches at its WIDEST! He’s 75 pounds. What a goof. But no matter how much I try to convince him that there are more comfortable spaces to ride, he has his mind made up!
So I bought this crate bed with elastic corners to attach somewhere, but they are so weak, they will rip right off when the bed slides. So if you have any awesome ideas for me on how to keep this bed on this step, yet still be able to access the wine cellar, I’m all ears!!!
But as soon as I put the bed on the step, Joey hopped on it so fast and laid right down! He loves it! And he’s happy I finally came to terms with what he wants. I mean, they always win, don’t they?! 😉
And if you need some adorable attire and accessories for venturing in your van with your dogs, check out my bestie’s cute threads! Yeah, Kristen’s, the one I mentioned at the start of this! The tri-blend t’s are my FAV! So comfy and soft, but she’s got all sorts of great stuff!!
https://dogsanddetours.threadless.com
I tried numerous clips before finding (temporary) success with this one to hold my curtain rod for my privacy curtains. The wall is slightly curved by the door so the taller clips I tried first didn’t work because they didn’t fully adhere due to the curve. These were small enough that they did! And still big enough and strong enough to hold my curtain rod!
However! They lasted maybe a month before the adhesive started to peel off. The clips held great as the curtain rod was still in the clips, but the adhesive failed.
The search continues for a good way to hang the curtain divider. Sigh. So if you’ve found something that works, I’d love to know what it is!! Thanks!! 🙂
But these curtains rock for an easy, quick separation for privacy and stellar thermal blocking!! They make such a difference when you want something quicker than the windshield shade. And I love how the color (light beige) blends right in with the rest of the van.
I went with the 54 inch in length because I didn’t want them hanging on the floor and getting full of dog fur and dirtiness. 😛 But certainly keep in mind how long you want them depending on where exactly you will be hanging them from!
Kitchen and Bath
These magnetic ties are great for quickly holding back both the above privacy curtains as well as the bathroom shower curtain!
I’m undecided on this trash can…
Likes: brush to clean toilet built in, narrow, space to keep extra garbage bags.
Dislikes: Lid is not terribly secure, bag is a pain in the butt to get in and get lid on.
Soooo…it’s okay, but I’m not in love with it. Hence, why I haven’t found a permanent home for it yet.
Need some cute decor!! It’s slanted because it’s only attached in the middle, and I’m parked on an incline. 🙂 I put some felt bumpers on the top/back corners until I figure out if I want a different attachment at the corners.
And the short screw set on this was great for a snug fit for the hanger on the back of the Adventure Awaits sign! These fit in the Ram Track and I hung it above the sink!
Also, these babies seem to be a decent replacement attachment for the Ram Tracks!
I am loving these clear plastic bins!!! I really wanted them for the bathroom to keep everything from falling off the shelves. They also stack 3 high in the upper cabinets and are a snug fit going across the drawer below the microwave. I keep my utensils and bag clips in them. They could be good for using in the fridge as well!
Handy set of knives with sheaths that are stored in my little bins!
And these adorable mini utensils that are small enough to fit in the bins, yet still functional.
Sticking with the cooking theme is this induction-compatible pan that is shockingly light and has a very comfy rubber-like handle. I have yet to actually cook with it, so cannot provide a review on that as of this time. It stacks in nicely between the plates and bowls if you can see it hiding in there in the above picture!
Must-have protector for the induction stove, plus it’s a nice grippy place to throw sunglasses and keys and not worry about them sliding about!
And to eat all the tasty food goodness, picked this dish set for its lack of rattling and the super coordinating, cute colors! 🙂 Hehe!
I suppose we need to clean up, too, after eating! Love this for dual purpose on the right side of the kitchen counter! 1) Hold crap. 😆 2) Block the slot between the counter and wall that if anything falls if you will never see again!! 😂
And I put this small one on the left side of the counter to hold my hand soap and to block that slot between the wall and counter! Also have two of these in the bathroom to hold toiletries!
I have yet to hang my paper towel holder, but I purchased this one for its ratcheting mechanism to avoid the whole roll of paper towels from unrolling while driving, and Joey having an absolute hay day shredding them as we venture! lol.
Moving Along to the Bed Space!
These fabric pockets are adorable to hold stuff and add a splash of color! They JUST fit between the windows by the beds! I also put a set by the sink cause they’re waterproof! There are other colors and patterns, too!
I used this double-sided foam tape to hang the cute and colorful pockets. So far, it seems like they are attached to the wall quite well. Time will tell if it holds up!
The pockets should come in handy by the beds! For Joey’s bed, I got a water resistant, quilted cover that I wrapped around the entire mattress to keep in place. I put him on the driver’s side bed as there are seatbelts there to buckle him in, but he doesn’t like to ride there anyway! Silly guy. Too far away from Mom. But he sure does seem to love his bed for sleeping!
Underneath mine and Joey’s bedding, I kept the original mattress covers as they add a decent amount of padding. I added waterproof (non-crinkly) mattress protectors for the beds – Twin for the driver’s side bed and Twin XL for the passenger’s side bed.
For my bedding, I scored this cute bed in a bag set for a great price! I did buy two so I have matching sets for both beds and do have the sheets on the other bed under Joey’s bedding. I folded the comforter in half the long way so it doesn’t hang down and then it’s great for extra warmth! I was so surprised at how comfy and soft this bedding is! I love it! And there are a ton of colors to choose from!
Hoses and Cords
Here comes the glamorous part!! Dumping! lol. I purchased this clear “poop tube” as I lovingly call it. Haha! Super handy, though, to see what is coming out and when it’s done rather than checking the end of the hose and potentially having a very unfortunate situation! Eek!!!
And I replaced the dump tube cover with this one with a handle! MUCH better!! The original is SOOOOO hard to get off, and I’d just rather not have my hands that close to the tube! Haha!! I wear gloves…but still…
The gray Zero-G hose for a black tank rinse. These are awesome hoses that take up minimal space and are really light!
Keep separate from the BLUE Zero-G for filling your freshwater tank! Don’t mix those up. 😉
And filter that water before you put it in your rig!
Hose quick connectors are nice so you’re not always twisting hoses on and off.
Hose shutoff valves also makes life a lot easier, especially if it’s just one person on water duty!
A water pressure regulator is a good idea while you’re filling as well, to protect your RV plumbing!
This fresh water drain plug is on my list of things to purchase in the near future! It’s not awful to drain the freshwater tank, but this plug by Alien Enterprise makes it a whole lot easier! And they’ve got some other great items as well!
Travato Exterior Fresh Water Tank Drain Plug
For electrical goods, it’s wise to have a dog bone adapter, in case you don’t always have 30 amp to plug into, as well as a surge protector. Your van wasn’t cheap! Spend a little to protect it! Lots of options, but these are the ones I purchased.
Adapter: https://amzn.to/447eSl4
Surge protector: https://amzn.to/3r0SISL
Random Items
This handheld stick vac is amazing for sucking up messes! Compact and has a decent charge. It’s a must-have!
Mini magnetic ties to wrap up and hold cords and other random things!
A great multi-tool in a compact case! I’m guessing this’ll come in handy! For opening beer bottles if nothing else! 😛
Always good to have some basic flashlights on hand!
Other basics good to have on board…extra fuses!
I’m liking this phone mount as it’s quite adjustable and so far has stayed put nicely!
And I’m a shorty and my dog doesn’t always like jumping, so a very sturdy stool with as big of a platform that could fit where I needed it was a necessity! Fits between the beds and a couple good storing options are behind the front seat and under the passenger bed in the deep storage space.
Outdoor Shtuff
Bike lock cable for when I need to leave the bike…
After biking I need a comfy spot to relax and enjoy a beverage. Note that this Kelty lowdown loveseat is a lower than normal chair! And that’s why I love it! The storage cover around the chair can double as a dog blanket. And it JUST fits under the passenger side bed!
And the best can cooler ever always keeps my drinks cold and fits EVERYTHING! The Frost Buddy 2.0!! It fits skinny cans, regular 12 ounce cans, 16 ounce cans, and bottles! It’s seriously awesome! And this link can save you 10% on your soon-to-be-favorite koozie so you’ve got extra money to buy even MORE van goodies!! Haha!
https://snwbl.io/frost-buddy/TERESA80011
Outdoor rug for lounging! Extra nice for Joey to be able to lie down and not be in the dirt. Not that he minds, but I might. 😜
And before heading back inside, this shoe cleaner comes in super handy! It’s like it was made for my running board! It is a perfect fit and has stayed in place solidly through my travels so far!
Can you spot the turkey feathers?! 😀
Thanks for Touring Turkato!
I hope you’ve enjoyed wandering through my van with me! And maybe you found some good ideas for personalizing your own van! If you’ve found something even better, or have some super fun ideas, please tell me below!! I would love to hear how you’ve made your van extra awesome!
Stayed tuned as I can’t wait to share some of my adventures as Joey and I venture about!
Safe travels! Cheers Tventures! 🙂
That is awesome it comes with an induction cook top.
It is pretty slick!
Fabulous comprehensive mods !! Live your writing style and appreciate your time in putting this together! Happy adventures!
Thank you Michelle! Appreciate it! Enjoy your travels!
Wow – great ideas!! Now have a list of things to buy for my Travato!
Yay! I’m so glad you found it helpful! Thanks for stopping by!! 🙃