Storage compartment organization
I spent a lot of time over the years modifying my storage plan as we moved from a popup with a front storage compartment, to a travel trailer and now to a toy hauler. Storage is almost always at a premium in a camper so tips to maximize it along with make it easy to find what you want is what I was striving for. Nothing lights my fuse more than knowing I have something but not being able to find it. Just imagine how many times my daughter heard "A place for everything, everything in it's place"! LOL!
When we moved from a popup to a TT, I measured the dimensions of the passthrough doors on each side along with the interior dimensions of the compartment. I went to my local Walmart and found a combination of the plastic storage containers that would fit through the passthrough door and then be stackable inside. These containers would stack three high and two side by side, using almost the entire dimensions top to bottom and side to side. I believe I was within 2" on each. So using 6, I took up half of the front passthrough storage area, 3 high, 2 columns wide. I put all these on the drivers side.
We recently got a Toyhauler which has a Genny Prep Storage cage on the drivers side and about 2/3's the trailers width passthrough only to the passenger side. So a little reconfiguring had to be done along with buying a few different size containers to fit the new dimensions.
I now have 1 each labeled Sewage, Water, Electrical, Tools/lube, Kitchen, Misc.
Contents below
SEWAGE (Thin)-2 Rhino hoses, a few adapters, clear adapter. Anything that has dirty water flow through it goes in the container after it's rinsed out. No chance of contamination that way.
WATER (Tall)-Clean Water supplies (Regular water hoses, elbows, water filters and regulators).
ELECTRICAL (Tall)- Power cord, the surge protector and a 30 amp extension cord along with the electric dog bones.
TOOLS/LUBE (Thin)-WD-40, Silicone, Dry lube, hitch grease, a few wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, socket set, drill bits, Gorilla Tape, Aluminum tape, Electrical tape.
KITCHEN (Tall)-2 lanterns, tongs, spatula, fork, propane quick connect hoses, 6 small propane tanks, grilling gloves, mantels, a propane tree that connects to a 20lb propane tank and allows multiple feeds to appliances.
MISC (Thin)-tent stakes, small 5-lb sledge hammer, claw hammer, rope, rubber bungees, misc stuff.
The Sewer, Water, Electrical and Tools all stack in my generator prep storage on the hookup side of the camper since we did not get the Onan genny. Works out well since that's the side of the camper I need everything in those tubs generally. Fit nicely with room for the crank arms for the manual slide out/spare tire and a few small odds and ends.
The Kitchen tub comes out during setup to go under a folding 6' table I setup to use for the campstove and Weber Q220 grill.
The Misc tub stays in the storage area unless I need to fix something.
This method has worked out well for me after some adjusting and deciding what I needed to have and what I just needed to have available IF. When we go somewhere to camp thats power only, I just grab the kitchen tube and the power cord and everything else stays where it is. I also like the way the plastic tubs slide on the floor of the storage area making them easy to get out.
We have done the same thing with the storage under our bed by putting the sheets, pillow, blanket and comforter for the happijack bed in a single tub for when we have guests that will be using it. Out of the way but ready at a moments notice. We have plenty of room for other things there also but area leaving it half empty for the time being.
Looking forward to hearing everyone's organizational tips so I can borrow a few and step up my game to the next level! Hope this spurs ideas or solutions to others as its all about making camping easier and more enjoyable.
When we moved from a popup to a TT, I measured the dimensions of the passthrough doors on each side along with the interior dimensions of the compartment. I went to my local Walmart and found a combination of the plastic storage containers that would fit through the passthrough door and then be stackable inside. These containers would stack three high and two side by side, using almost the entire dimensions top to bottom and side to side. I believe I was within 2" on each. So using 6, I took up half of the front passthrough storage area, 3 high, 2 columns wide. I put all these on the drivers side.
We recently got a Toyhauler which has a Genny Prep Storage cage on the drivers side and about 2/3's the trailers width passthrough only to the passenger side. So a little reconfiguring had to be done along with buying a few different size containers to fit the new dimensions.
I now have 1 each labeled Sewage, Water, Electrical, Tools/lube, Kitchen, Misc.
Contents below
SEWAGE (Thin)-2 Rhino hoses, a few adapters, clear adapter. Anything that has dirty water flow through it goes in the container after it's rinsed out. No chance of contamination that way.
WATER (Tall)-Clean Water supplies (Regular water hoses, elbows, water filters and regulators).
ELECTRICAL (Tall)- Power cord, the surge protector and a 30 amp extension cord along with the electric dog bones.
TOOLS/LUBE (Thin)-WD-40, Silicone, Dry lube, hitch grease, a few wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, socket set, drill bits, Gorilla Tape, Aluminum tape, Electrical tape.
KITCHEN (Tall)-2 lanterns, tongs, spatula, fork, propane quick connect hoses, 6 small propane tanks, grilling gloves, mantels, a propane tree that connects to a 20lb propane tank and allows multiple feeds to appliances.
MISC (Thin)-tent stakes, small 5-lb sledge hammer, claw hammer, rope, rubber bungees, misc stuff.
The Sewer, Water, Electrical and Tools all stack in my generator prep storage on the hookup side of the camper since we did not get the Onan genny. Works out well since that's the side of the camper I need everything in those tubs generally. Fit nicely with room for the crank arms for the manual slide out/spare tire and a few small odds and ends.
The Kitchen tub comes out during setup to go under a folding 6' table I setup to use for the campstove and Weber Q220 grill.
The Misc tub stays in the storage area unless I need to fix something.
This method has worked out well for me after some adjusting and deciding what I needed to have and what I just needed to have available IF. When we go somewhere to camp thats power only, I just grab the kitchen tube and the power cord and everything else stays where it is. I also like the way the plastic tubs slide on the floor of the storage area making them easy to get out.
We have done the same thing with the storage under our bed by putting the sheets, pillow, blanket and comforter for the happijack bed in a single tub for when we have guests that will be using it. Out of the way but ready at a moments notice. We have plenty of room for other things there also but area leaving it half empty for the time being.
Looking forward to hearing everyone's organizational tips so I can borrow a few and step up my game to the next level! Hope this spurs ideas or solutions to others as its all about making camping easier and more enjoyable.
