New purchaser Pleasure Way Plateau TS 2006

What Neechies said!

Container Store (dot com) is fun to peruse even if it's just to get an idea of what is available. Same with an RV supply store, WalMart, etc. Consider it "research".

While you're buying the shelf lining, pick up one of those butane lighters with the extended barrel with which to light your stove; and, a cigarette lighter adapter to charge your electronics. Garmin has some great GPS units in the Nuvi category. And you can never go wrong with a First Aid kit, toilet paper, paper towels.

Now, go forth and spend. ;)

Something else to buy: are you fortunate enough to have a Camping World nearby? Their Road Atlas--a large thing with large enough print that I who am farsighted can assist in navigation with my regular distance glasses--is the best road map on earth. It shows a lot of camping opportunities including Good Sam parks, state parks and such AND rest stops on interstates. You won't believe how happy you'll be in your road trips to know when the next rest stop might be. We travelled a lot of miles before we discovered that book and it made an enormous difference!!

Anyway, re the bins: the one I put the dishes in wasn't built for that purpose. It has no hooks or anything inside. It's just an empty bin, but because what's in it is unbreakable that matters not. If I can upload images here, and I presume I can, I'll take a pic and show you.

Thanks so much for the great advice, Neechies. Yay, something to buy, the draw liner stuff!! Big help! Can you give a little more detail about those vertical storage things, like the one for wine? Having trouble visualizing.

Gigi, I was lurking here and actually joined the site just to be able to give you some additional input to the excellent advice you've already been given. I owned an 07 TS and recently traded up to a 14, so I've been through what you're about to go through--TWICE! (The layout is similar but the cabinetry is not 1:1 identical in some significant ways!)

As others have said: you have to live in it a little. BUT there are basics you will need to get started, and too you will have a personal way of dealing with certain things that will make sense to you and you alone. Here's something I did both times and highly recommend to you: drive your new van to a store specializing in storage solutions, like Storables or The Container Store. Park it in plain sight of the front of the store, and once inside explain to a manager that this is new and you're just outfitting it. They should then allow you to take a cartful of stuff out to your van that you can test for fit and combinations of fits to get the most out of your storage options.

One thing I discovered this way that has been INVALUABLE? Some tall narrow bins for the bottom shelf under the sink to take best advantage of vertical space. One holds six plates and six bowls all laying on their side with enough room leftover for four stacking iced tea glasses and eight stacking juice glasses. It didn't come with those things, I bought them elsewhere, but all are a soft plastic so if they move or rub there's no clatter whatsoever. I'd rather eat on china, BUT. And it's real easy to bend over and pull out the bin, like a drawer, to get what you need or put stuff away.

Also, just for instance, I bought a shorter bin that will hold four bottles of wine upright and a narrow bin that just fits behind the rail in the bathroom and holds cleaning supplies. Another cool item: small bins that I could put next to each other in one of the upper bins to divide the space and provide better support for vertical items. In these stores you'll see solutions to problems you didn't know you had yet.

Here's something you can shop for now: a roll of this soft Rubbermaid mat type stuff (sometimes sold as shelf liner and to put under little rugs so that they won't move)--most hardware stores carry it--that can be cut or ripped into squares to go between items in the stack of pans/lids/salad bowl/colander which kills any rattles otherwise possible. I put it on the bottom of each of the drawers so that utensils were quieter when jostled by uneven roads. And extra of that is always on board to stuff in voids to keep new or repositioned things from rubbing or moving.

And one more piece of advice: if you run into another Class B owner, always stop and chat. It's always interesting to see others' storage solutions.

My apologies for my seemingly negative input, I just wanted to describe my real world storage experience.

Aside from having to work around the storage issues, I would not give up my 06 PW! I've enjoyed every minute of it, as I'm sure you will too. I especially love being able to stand up straight walking from front to back; and the 600 mile gas tank range is huge comfort; not to mention averaging 21.5 mpg!

If, like I was, you're just itching to get started, consider assuaging your shopping urge with the purchase of a road atlas and plotting out a few trips; or review and collect links to blogs for which you feel an affinity; and or join some PW Sprinter specific groups to become familiar with tips and techniques re: your B.

GiGi215513 wrote:
Escargot, thank for the detailed and time consuming response! Everyone all has been so helpful. I will try to curb my enthusiasm until we get our Pleasure Way.

Escargot, thank for the detailed and time consuming response! Everyone all has
been so helpful. I will try to curb my enthusiasm until we get our Pleasure Way.

NCWriter's response is right on the money!

I have the same year and model and storage presents unique dilemmas, especially after owning a 2003 PW Excel TD (twin couches) by comparison. The Excel had tons of storage, and the pantry was a particular treat.

The interior design of the Sprinter seems to have been a matter of form over function.

My advice: Aside from FW hose, water regulator, DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING in advance.

Not to rain on your enthusiasm parade, nor to throw a wet blanket on your spirits, I feel obligated to prepare you. :)

The exterior and interior shapes of the shelving and cabinetry are not standard. The galley storage was / is especially a challenge. The hanging closet is also not rectangular / square with an annoying utility chase on half of one end and side.

I actually removed the built in coffeemaker and cabinet insert 2 weeks ago (I use a Melitta single cup coffee system), just to create some usable storage space in the galley to accommodate standard size dinner plates, and some pantry items.

The rear cargo space taken up by the electric couch frame and motorized mechanism also presents some storage challenges in terms of common sized plastic bins.

I've had my 06 PW for a year and am just now figuring out the best ways to use the existing space, what will and will not work, etc.

I know you've got to be excited, but just hold off a bit longer, purchase the absolute minimum you will need to get by, "learn" your PW, and then go shopping.

Other than the above mentioned challenges, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE YOUR NEW RV!!!

NCWriter wrote:
It's going to turn out to be trial & error - most B vans have cabinets fitted into curves, around pipes and tanks, and odd available space (not many square boxes) so probably would be tricky to give real-world dimensions without drawings.

Your first couple of trips will reveal what really works for placing your stuff. Part of the fun for us was adding hooks, a shelf or slide-out drawer to maximize deep storage, or finding a plastic bin that exactly fit.

Thank you everyone for your responses! You have nene a great help!!

The plus is your 2006 Pleasure-way Plateau TS will have decent storage all around for a T1N Sprinter Class B. The only storage missing was the lack of custom cabinetry in the cab area over the driver and passenger seat that some other companies put in.

It's going to turn out to be trial & error - most B vans have cabinets fitted into curves, around pipes and tanks, and odd available space (not many square boxes) so probably would be tricky to give real-world dimensions without drawings.

Your first couple of trips will reveal what really works for placing your stuff. Part of the fun for us was adding hooks, a shelf or slide-out drawer to maximize deep storage, or finding a plastic bin that exactly fit.