Papers in the RV piling up? Corral those owners’ manuals, receipts, and warranties. There is an easy way for paperwork organization! We have been collecting receipts and owner manuals for the last six years in our motorhome. They were bulging out of a bag that came with the RV. Not only had the information outgrown the rather cute Tiffin bag, but it had become totally disorganized and very hard to move. There were even had bungee cords to keep it shut!
I was over it. I dreaded having to search for any papers and found this simple, easy-to-access and organize file tote.
Paperwork organization: A tote!
First, I measured the space I intended to stash it in. I have found out the hard way that measuring first is really important in a space-strapped RV. I started searching online and found what I wanted. Could have used about 1 1/2 inches more file room, but it wouldn’t have fit between the closet support and the dresser drawers!
This is the one I bought, but there are plenty of other options to fit your needs and space.
I used hanging files and file folders to corral the owner’s manuals, receipts, and warranties. It is easy to store and easy to transport Now I can simply retrieve the tote and the files I need. I’m just hoping we don’t buy anything more!
##RVDT1881
We have either scanned or downloaded our manuals, receipts, warranty documents, important papers such as RV purchase documents, insurance, wills, medical docs etc. and store on our hard drive and duplicate in the cloud. All password protected of course.
Like Tommy – I started with a large 3 ring binder – but it was cumbersome. I have all my equipment and operating manuals in categorized 1″ binders. Since I have a GM chassis with the “Auto-Brake” system – I have saved all of Ken Freund’s articles (former MtrHm Mag), on that system in a 1″ also. Works great. Need info, just pull that book – not all the manuals. All the paper receipts I keep at home in a box. Also, I have scanned all the critical info. and receipts to my PC for backup which also has a backup!
Also, I have a “Go-No Go-Deferred” maintenance book in a 1″ binder. I record and follow up with items noted as needed. No Go means NO! Critical means proceed with care and caution depending on what it is – i.e., a small water leak won’t stop travel but a squealing fan belt requires very soon replacement or tightening as required. This provide a comprehensive maintenance record. I also use checklists!!!!
I ordered up a soft brief case that has a magnetically secured flap. $20.00 ish. I put all the info and manuals that came with the coach. And all the additional things, replacements and mods I’ve done go in here too. I keep it in the coach at all times so if we’re on the road and there is a hiccup i can access them. I’m not worried about losing them in a fire since I’d likely be getting a new coach if there was a fire anyway
I had all my manuals and receipts in a file box. All the manuals I could find in PDF were stored in the cloud. A motorhome fire a month ago destroyed the motorhome and toad. We lost everything except my tablet, wife’s purse and our weeks pills. The valuable lessons learned was – convert all receipts to electronic form and store them in the cloud; check your insurance to see that the values are up to date (vehicle and contents). We lost about $40K on motorhome and $20K in contents. We’ve been rving for about 10 years and no longer drag a lot of stuff back and forth, just fridge contents and personal care items. We were really surprised how hard it was to create a list of lost items and how much they were worth.
We just purchased another used RV and are still looking for a toad.
Remember this word: Dropbox. In the cloud document, file and information storage system. You can upload anything from anywhere, from your phone, tablet, computer, and it’s accessible from any device. It has a scanning feature for input via phone pic. Can even download docs/files/info to a device if worried about internet access. There’s a free version, and pay versions if you need tons of space. I’ve been using it for years. Save files, docs, music, photos, etc.
I also use a tub for manuals, etc. Getting ready to full time, I got Canon ImageFormula R10 scanner for document control for those items that can be scanned and not saved in hard copy. The scanner is very small and is plug and play with its software. It scans 12 documents a minute which I think quite fast for a small little machine. Its scans both sides of a document at the same time. It scans landscape from a vertical input. Documents feed upside down come out rightside up. You can find it on Amazon like everything else in life!
On a previous article it was stated that all important documents should be stored in a fireproof box or bag. Another space saving option with a little bit of effort is to digitize as many documents as possible. Then there is less of a chance of fading, or maybe even mouse destruction. Maybe not the owners manuals but all your receipts. But then again with smart scanners and smart phones, maybe it’s not that big of a chore. Just my nickles worth.
(not 2 cents anymore, inflation). 🙂
I downloaded all the manuals for my TT. If they weren’t available online, I scanned them. Same for important receipts. Categorized everything in separate folders.
Everything fit on one thumb drive. And another for a backup.
I did the same thing, except they are all on my iPad.
That was then, this is now, depends on what she’s going to write about, besides you’re not supposed to remember that.
We keep every scrap of paper about our trailer (manuals, guides for every part that came with a guide, etc) in a HUGE three-ring binder under the bed. Dividers for every section (electrical, plumbing, solar, charging systems, etc. So far it’s been working fine.
I like that Tommy.