storage tricks

[Wrasle_Castle]

We will picking up the New RT this weekend and of course already thinking about what we need to pack/store in it.

Any cleaver storage tricks and absolute must take ideas?

[drsolo]

In our 1992 conversion RVan the riser (roof bulge) over the "cockpit" was occupied by the old analog TV flanked by 4 small shelves with flap doors for VCR and storage for tapes, I guess. When the TV was removed (to be replaced by a surface mount LED LCD) we found all this room being wasted. We unscrewed the 4 "boxes" and unhooked all the DC hookups. There is a huge 52" x 48" open shelf now which is, I believe, the original roof of the van. I am going to put down a liner and use this area mostly for bedding and other light weight items.

I seem to keep finding places to put things more efficiently. Like the plastic stack between the cockpit chairs. I think that is part of the fun for me yet. I dont rearrange furniture at home, just in my RVan.

[drsolo]

I decided to reserve frig room for what had to be cooled. Ordered a bunch of these individual size, mostly condiments from here http://www.minimus.biz/

[Fastpaddler]

We use two outdoor type sleeping bags which can be zipped together or used individually.Inside, we have a folded sheet to fit inside and is removeable for washing.THis obviates need for blankets, quilts,covers and such bulky items. We store the rolled up sleeping bags and two pillows in the overhead long cupboard at the rear of our PW Plateau TS. We downsized the condiment containers in the smallish fridge by putting Cheez Whiz,peanut butter,jam,mayonaise and other such things into small plastic containers/with covers with enough for one week. THis frees up a lot of space in the smallish fridge compartment for other goodies. As noted, the Dollar Store has these.We have a separate inventory of clothing needs dedicated only to the RV--which get washed of course as needed. This way we can put socks,shirts etc into small storage containers, placed into respective overhead cupboards.In fact,we have unused storage space in our little PW Plateau TS!! We do have a huge Gearspace 34 storage container for our rear hitch which we use to carry bikes,chairs,the gazebo or large but light items etc for longer rv trips.

[deborahsheik]

I found a clear plastic hanging shoe holder that just fits in our wardrobe ...2014 Era 70a.
Planning on using it for small items that I want easy access to.

[NCWriter]

It's fun to find creative storage solutions.

Laundry: Adds up, has to be stowed somewhere. We use a black, very lightweight, cheap mesh square laundry basket from Walgreens.. Flat but pops open in a second. Fits in our wardrobe closet, very handy for toting the clothes to the laundromat, too.

Dish Drainer: I found a 12" square OXO brand silicone drying mat that fits perfectly on our limited counter space. Doubles as a de-rattle aid because it lives under the metal stove cover. Serves as a hot pad too up to 400+ degrees.

Cookware: I've winnowed this down based on what we really use. Found a square sauté pan at TJ Maxx with a handle that folds flat against it for storage. I wrap it in bubble wrap and stow it under the sink vertically next to a plastic bin that has a saucepan etc.
I also keep a square Pyrex dish with little handles and lid in the microwave, padded with our extra dish towels and tablecloth for the picnic table.

You'll find various size plastic bins at dollar stores to suit you, your stuff, and your cupboards. One is just the right size for vitamin and other pill containers for us. Another is the size of a notebook, and serves as our "office" with misc. supplies and electronic cords. A see- through plastic zipper bag holds my small camera gear - charger, cards, etc.

You'll want quick-dry towels. We have used Rick Steves travel towels (extra large) and also have found a low cost option. Go to an automotive or dollar store and get large microfiber yellow car washing towels. Sew a few together to whatever size you want. They are absorbent and dry very fast, launder well.

Must take: a fire starting clicker (Bic)...to light your propane stove and for the campfire.

Gail, those hangers are a smart idea. Got to go find some.

[GailS]

Like PSW, we have been using ebags Packing Cubes and also Eagle Creek Packing Folders since purchasing our B eight years ago. They keep folded clothing neat and organized. For hanging items in our wardrobe closet we use flocked cascading hangers to conserve space. We can hang three garments in the space of one.

[loggenrock]

Sounds like you are going to be towing - you list a couple ATV's...! You will find places for the "stuff" you need and want. In our 190, my wife and I each use a duffle-type bag for our clothing - one goes in to the compartments on each side of the rear AC unit, along with water shoes, extra fleece blanket, etc. The little cabinets over the sink/stove area hold cups, bowls, plastic bags, etc. Tableware and cooking utensils in the (ONLY) drawer; all food, 2 cooking pots, a wok (yup!), small stovetop percolator go in the under-sink cabinet. We keep 2 Pyrex dishes with plastic lids IN the microwave (padded with a small neck pillow). The wardrobe cabinet gets raingear, fleece jackets, Camelback pack, small outside folding table and compact stepladder, along with Dirt Devil vacuum, dogfood and extra softdrinks ( two 12-pack "fridge boxes" fit perfectly on the bottom of ours). You don't have the 3rd seat, but the drawer under that in ours holds some birding and flower books, and table games like Scrabble). Toolbox and vehicle maintenance stuff, along with small gas grill are under the bed from the rear (no electric bed/sofa to take up space in ours). We leave the bed set up out back all the time, and store hiking boots, fishing gear, dog pack, etc under it from inside. Bike rack hauls our "toad", and the hitch rack (yup, use a dual 2" receiver!) carries our inflatable canoe (we like to play outside too!). If you want it you can make it happen - just get creative! Good luck with the new RT! ST

[PSW]

We have an assortment of these for use in our Roadtrek and also for suitcases when we fly:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_5/182-4971988-8574127?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ebags%20packing%20cubes&sprefix=ebags%2Caps%2C298

They really help to keep clothes orgnized, neat and folded. We actually took out the hanging rod in our RT closet,replaced it with shelves and use these things for our clothes. We have several in various sizes for trousers, shirts, blouses, etc.

[mlts22]

There was a similar question posted on the class B forum. One thing which I've found immensely useful are well sealing plastic tubs, as well as glass/metal ones for foodstuffs. For bottles of soap and caustic stuff, I put those in a Ziploc bag first. With everything in tubs, it helps with space usage (especially when sticking), minimizes trouble if a door pops open and stuff falls out, and contains spills, so an "oops" doesn't turn into a messy cleanup. The glass/metal containers are mainly for rodent resistance.

[charles]

Figure out exactly what you must have and leave half of that behind as you propably won't use it. I've had 5 Class Bs, will be packing number 6 this weekend and have a work bench full of items I pulled out of the last one most of which was never used. Example, I've been hauling around a rechargable lantern for the last 12 years and except for charging it every six months or so, I've never used it. I'm hoping to have the courage to leave it on the work bench but I'm afraid I'll need it. Forget what I said, just fill it up.

Nick
B-less until tomorrow

[mlts22]

I would driveway camp with as absolutely little as possible, or maybe even camp at a WM. That way, if you need anything, you can go in and get it.

A "B", it is better to not have it and buy it than have stuff taking up valuable cubic feet.

Of course, for longer trips, one can get a hitch mounted cargo carrier, or even a trailer, but for short trips, it is nice to not have to worry about additional length.

[1775]

Storage in the Roadtrek is art. Decide on what you absolutely need to have with you when you travel beyond your clothes and personal items. Stock some things into the RT that you use at home so that you do not have to pack everything when you go.

We use the cabinet under the sink for kitchen related items and have a storage box that is a slide out drawer for the bottom shelf which enables some things to be put on top and still have access to the draw and a storage box on the upper shelf that fits below the sink basin. These hold dishes, cups and utensils for two - no more than that are needed.

We have two small storage boxes that fit in the forward cabinet over the bed (next to the microwave) that hold each of our personal items that we use before bed and in the morning - comb and brush, toothbrush, razor, etc. Each is labeled with our name. In that cabinet we pack other similar items that we bring out to the RT from home for a trip.

Clothes go into the front wardrobe cabinet and I put soft side hanging shelves that are sold to help organize closets. A little looking (we found ours in Target) will find ones that fit in width. All will be too long so the extra shelf or shelves just sit folded on the bottom of the cabinet. When we are on a longer trip we pack half of the clothes in the wardrobe and the other half in a laundry bag under the bed. When we get to the point that we need clothing, the laundry bag gets unpacked into the cabinet.

Food items go into the two cabinets over the sink. All food items are in airtight sealed plastic storage containers to keep out pests.

Bottom line is be creative. And then don't carry what you won't need.

Take a look at my site linked below about life in a Roadtrek 190.

Enjoy your new Roadtrek!!!

[Wrasle_Castle]

Thanks Marvin

This is our 4th RV but the smallest. We do plan on doing a shake down and are going to dry camp at a full hook up site to see how everything works out.
I'm sure there will be a bunch of, I guess we can live without this moments.

[Horizon170]

Having a new camper, IMO, calls for a shake down cruise to see how things ride and to make sure everything is operating properly.
Are you going from a B to a new B or from a larger unit to a B?
If the latter, you will just have to think small and decide "Do I really need this". 🙂