What I Want to Do Today... but Not Sure How?

[Lexicon7]

Hi Guys, when I picked up my 1995 Lance 4000 I thought I had some good ideas on how to keep stuff from dancing while on the road. Most of my ideas failed and this has become a real quandary!

What are you all doing to keep the kitchen items used most that you like on the counter.. to stay on the counter? (or do you just keep them elsewhere?)

How to utilize that overhead cabinet over the bed that is so long but so narrow? (thought about fabricating some very small cardboard boxes to partition that odd shaped space but need some feedback first!?)

Same thing with the "wells" both sides of the bed? Shallow but very long space???

That one cabinet on the fridge side of the camper and just ahead of it near the bed? Has many handy shelves and a sort of "well" but stuff falls against the doors and dumps out! Thought about fixing some large velcro straps on all that type of door and even the fridge door which opened and then shut again once! Also thought about using the "fridge shelf telescopic keeper" type devices on the front of the shelves so if the door does open, nothing can jump overboard...?

Well, you get the picture. I'm very surprised this has me so stumped because as a retired contractor, I'm generally great at all things fabrication or shall we say "technical manufactureres adjustments!??"

[billyg]

Hi having a small camper we bring only what is needed. Our fridg. came with a strap to help keep the door closed. We use shoe box bottoms to keep things in place then subdivide using plastic lunch meat containers for small items. Bill

[sue_t]

I searched out plastic storage containers of various sizes for the various cupboards. Walmart is a good source of plastic of every type, size, etc. Some are covered, some not.

Also found plastic containers that fit inside the fridge on the shelves. Keeps things contained and also makes it easy to get stuff out, for instance I put all the sandwich making stuff into one of the containers and just pull it out to have everything handy for our lunch stops.

The Coleman Party Stacker Coolers are a great storage facility. Very lightweight. They fit well in that narrow area each side of the bunk too, and can be stacked two tall there. Have never had them tip or slide, but I do put that non-slip drawer liner stuff underneath the coolers. They also make a good step up to the bunk, with a 1/4" piece of plywood in the dip in the lid to distribute your weight. There's one that's half the height of this taller one, and between the two sizes you can stack and fit just about anywhere.

[Lexicon7]

Steve, I really enjoyed your wit and your ideas. I see I may have opened up the "Pandora's Hook & Eye" file here!
As a rookie TC owner I had hoped to learn how to keep things in place but I see that even more seasoned RVers still have some questions or issues in this area. I'm glad this string is still alive..
Thanks to everyone for all the great posts..

[sabconsulting]

Here are a few things I did:

Catches and things

I also bought some brass hooks, screwed them to the wall behind the stove top and attached bungee between them. That keeps in place a set of small tins Sally bought in France to keep tea, coffee, etc. in held securely against the wall. So far none of that has escaped.

We also try to avoid too many glass containers, not because of smashing when driving offroad, but because when it drops below freezing in the camper and the contents of the containers freeze the glass tends not to be very happy.

We also learned in Germany once not to lay bottle of wine on their side in the fridge - apparently they aren't very good at being bounced around like that. I could tell as soon as I opened the camper door :(, but at least it wasn't syrup :E

[mlts22]

I use clear plastic tubs with lids of varying sizes for everything. From the tiny containers that are only two inches by two inches that are intended to hold SD cards to containers that I stash my macerator pump in an outside compartment.

I then use plastic bags for all bottles, and then they go into a plastic tub. This way, if one ruptures, I toss the bag. If it ruptures violently enough to destroy the bag it is in, I clean out the plastic tub.

As for the countertop, I wonder about museum putty and as above... a plastic container. I am not a fan of laying down Velcro everywhere because it looks ugly after a while, but a small bits here and there are not too bad in places. I personally just only use the sink for storing items like dish soap (in plastic bags, of course), and don't bother with countertop space. Instead, I put what goes on the countertop in a plastic tub, and slide the tub under the dinette table.

In a pinch, if storage space is still at a premium, there is dropping some type of rubber mat (if the floor is not carpeted), or a rug (if it is carpeted), and using wheeled plastic toolboxes. It may take some engineering, but one might be able to wedge the toolboxes somewhere inside... then when you hit your destination, pull them out of the TC and toss them outside, perhaps using a security cable so they don't walk off.

[whizbang]

Dirtpig nailed it. The first time you crack a cupboard or the frig, something IS going to fall out no matter how well you packed.

[RickW]

Other thoughts:

I use a sturdy "display box" with no top and a front cut-out to hold counter stuff. The whole box is transferred to the floor with the opening facing the wall when traveling. Check empty boxes at Costco/Sams.

I use stuff bags for bulky soft stuff and hang them from the (popup) lift bars with ball bungies. (Eyelets under cabinets would also work)

I also have door shoe hangers with deep pockets cut to size and hanging on the lift bars along the walls. They are great for holding utensils and small stuff. They sway but never dump.

A bungee cord stretched from the handle of the pantry cabinet across the fridge door to the furnace keeps them from opening.

Also have strategic Velcro straps and eyelets mounted to hang various stuff.

Hanging stuff never dumps-very often. 😉

[Super_Dave]

We make the dinette into the bed and secure stuff on that large, flat surface in boxes, rubbermaids and just locked in with other heavy items.

[Dirtpig]

Absolutely nothing left on counter. We drive rough roads and after arival we prepare to catch things first time opening cupboards or fridge.

[clikrf8]

One more for stuff that slides around in the fridge. We go off road a lot so things really get bounced around. I like small containers of yogurt so bought THIS
There are many sizes to choose from and they work great. I can just pull out a drawer and my yogurt cups are in one place, not jumbled all over.

I also found an old wire basket in the garage and we put plastic bags, zip locks, etc. in it, whatever wouldn't be a catrastrophe if it did slide off. . It lies on a towel on the counter and doesn't move around much due to towel.

[Lexicon7]

That's all good stuff! I have some other new ideas too! I'll get back soon with a full report!

[mockturtle]

I don't keep anything on the counter but if you really want to, 'industrial strength' Velcro will hold it in place. In fact, you will be able to remove it with some difficulty.

For cupboards, rolls of toilet paper are good for filling gaps between items. These plastic bins are useful, especially in the refrigerator, as they allow air to circulate.

[clikrf8]

We have a pop up so storage is more of a premium. I bought THESE for hanging behind dinette. Kinda pricey but I use them for packable towels and maps. They come in different sizes. Or, something I am research like THIS

We had a fridge spillage but thankfully it wasn't sticky, just oily salad dressing with vinegar on vinyl floors.

[whizbang]

I agree with the other posts --- nothing on the counters.

I am surprised you have a problem storing stuff in the odd shaped compartments. We never had a problem filling and using them.

Plenty of things will fold to size: cloths, bedding, pillows, outerwear, rain gear, etc. We always used those odd size bedside bins as hampers for dirty clothes.

Take up fly fishing. That long skinny overhead above the dinette is perfect for rods and nets and such.