outside storage bins

http://s479.photobucket.com/user/FIRE-UP1/media/IMG_0335.jpg.html
What is the black plastic wrench looking thing above the WD 40/electrical cleaner? I found this in my coach but don't know what it's for.

I like the hinges on the side and use the Rubbermaid covered totes for storage. You can organize easier with them. keep the need to use everytime you park all close together. Just use common sense.

After driving Class A's for 15 years, my concerns about basement storage are:

(1) Which way to the bin doors open? I prefer sideways.
(2) When the slides are extended, how easy is it to access your storage? Do I have to crawl under the slide to get to the bin? (hint: that's the reason for (1).
(3) When the slides are extended, is there easy access to bins that contain immediate needed items such as water hoses, electric cord, sewer pipe connections. I can crawl later, just want to get the coach setup first.

I find that the coaches with the doors that swing to the side to open are easier to access than the ones where the door hinges up.

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
I am planning to move from TT to Class A within the next couple of years and looked at several new MH's at a couple of dealerships yesterday trying to begin to decide what is best option for me. Looking at mid 30's length GAS models. When I looked at different brands, I saw that the outside storage bins were different. On one I looked at (a Winnebago I think), I noticed most of the doors along the side opened into a single continuous bin that was 3-4 doors wide. On another model (a Bounder?), I noticed that each door opened into a single bin.

At first, I thought the longer bin would be better, because it gave you a place to store longer items. Then I began to wonder if it would be harder to organize, because things could shift. (keeping the large front pass-through bin in my TT organized is challenging).

While the configuration of the storage bins will not be a show-stopper (I don't think), I am very interested in pros and cons of each. It could help me make a decision once I get closer, especially if the prices and floor plans are as close as the two I looked at yesterday.

Having individual cabinets/compartments, to me, is a much better arrangement. I personally don't have anything that's that long, that I'd need "double sized" compartments. Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT, has two slides. The galley slide is about 11'-12' long or so and, is basically three doors and one long compartment. You'll see that in the pics below.

But, as for the rest, individual compartments work out great, for me. Organizing them is part of a carry-over from an overtime assignment I had as a fireman. I did it for decades on fire trucks. So, my compartments are setup sort of close, in organization and ease of access etc.

Each person sets up their coach in a manor that appeals to them and works for them. I like organization. I know where each and every item I carry is. That includes all nuts and bolts, oils, cleaners, tools, rope, fishing pole(s), and a whole lot more. One thing I've never liked is, taking an hour to do a 5 minute job, due to the fact that I'm looking for something to do the job with that I know I have but, I can't find it.

So, that's just me. Take a look and if you're interest in doing something like this, to help make a choice in your new coach.
Scott

I had a Bounder with many compartments, and now a Journey. Lived full time in the Bounder for 12 years, and I liked being able to categorize my stuff in the different compartments. But even then, I often lost stuff for days or weeks until I happened upon it while looking for something else.

My newer Journey has the larger compartments (deeper too), and it started out looking like I'd never be able to find anything, ever. But over the 6 months I've owned it, it's starting to get categorized.

I'm starting to like my newer and larger compartments. As I get them organized. There are still a couple that are a mess but I'm working on getting them straightened out and eventually, it won't be too bad...I hope.

My Bounder slideout doors open individually and has a door at the end of the slideout that opens through all bays for full length items.
But past experience has shown me it really doesn't matter much, you pack your stuff in what you've got and suit your convenience.