Hi Linda it's me again.

I guess what I would think most people would like to learn is what size of containers are being used to store specific things in the rv. Whether it is inside or in the basement. Approximate size of those containers and what things (gear) would fit into specific size containers. Things of importance that we all pretty much have to take with us.

Some times we have so many odds and ends and don't know quite what to do with all of it. I guess the rule like with like comes into play here.

I leave the basement to my hubby and I take care of the inside. I am the neat freak and he has his own way of storing things; sometimes I help him with how to store things in the basement; but the odd sizes of somethings and the mixture of things we have, is mind boggling to deal with. There are so many different sizes of storage containers which is another problem. You don't want one to big or too small.

I know that taking too much with us is also a problem; so cutting back and taking only what we need is what we try to do. 2 bath towels per person, 2 beach towels per person etc. Would be another way to keep things in prospective. One to use and a spare.

I think organization in a small living space is the key; but being able to put your hands on what you need very quickly without having to empty out the space each time to find it is also a good thing.

Take care
Kathy Rousseau
Windsor, Ontario Canada

I'd like to have a list of the basic essentials that must be carried, organized by "system" or area of the RV.  For example, basic essentials required for the water system, sewage system, electrical system.  Or basic essentials for the kitchen.  I'd like a list of questions that I should ask myself before going on an extended trip, so I can be sure to have everything I need.

Cindy T  

One thing I have found to be critical to life on the road is a good tool box. Not only tools for working on the engine/chassis, but just the basic tools for maintaining all kinds of things just like you would if your home did not have wheels. Maybe a list of must have tools, might need tools and tools for the handy man/woman.

Linda

Have pictures of basement storage in different types rigs and how they have been set up. Tubs make storing and finding things in large compartments much easier. If the compartment is high they can be stacked, if it deep you can have two or three row. Mark the end of the tub with contents, tubs are easy to remove and stack outside of the compartment when cleaning or looking for something!

All tub are not created equal when purchasing tubs check condition of the tubs, I have seen many cheap brands that don’t make it thru shipping to the store. (broken lids and tubs)   Also if all the storage spaces are filled will you be over your weight limits.  

Wire closet shelf can be cut and installed in interior cupboards to add a shelf, install the front lip up to help keep things from sliding off the shelves. 

Tom & Cheryl

 

Just to follow up on my earlier post about tubs, Jo and I were at different places today looking at bakeware, pots and pans, and tubs.  In looking at many of the clear tubs (best for seeing what is inside...even a list taped in the end on the inside with a list of contents), I found that Sterilite brand tubs have the most robust looking latches on each end.  Some of the others we saw weren't half the size or thickness of Sterilite's latches.

Perhaps you could visit stores like Lowes, WalMart, and Target and photograph different tubs and their lids and latches.

While the long ones are tempting, we will probably go with several of the shallow (six inches?) clear ones and maybe two or three (depending on what bulky items need to be stored) taller ones.  Shorter tubs will give us more flexibility, and in some cases the short, shallow ones will even fit under the bed.

Another possibility would be to fasten "tubes" to the ceiling of the basement for such things as fishing poles or other types of poles.  Always considering the weight of those items, of course.

What have others done with their portable waste tanks?  As you are in campgrounds, try to see how others have set theirs up for storage and photograph them.  Somewhere, I have some pictures of one where the owner of the RV has stored both a "Blue Boy" and his step ladder on his rear bumper.  You can see those pictures at the link just below, and if you want copies of the photos, let me know and I'll send them to you.

https://s1190.photobucket.com/albums/z458/TerryandJo/Miscellaneous%20Images/

Terry

We were at the presentation in April.  In additon to all the great lists and info provided, we would have liked more specifics on how to make better use of the limited space and how to store things so they don't get damaged.  (I am thinking wine glasses). Pictures of how people store things to make the best use of the space would be great, especially in a venue without the opportunity to walk through other RV's.

Ckerr wrote:

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Hi Linda,

I'd like information on how to store canned goods, etc so they don't come flying out of the pantry when you open the door after a move.

Also tips for making the most of limited refridgerator/freezer space.

Currently I'm struggling with seasonal clothes, jewelry and hats!  Any ideas for those areas would be greatly appreciated!

---

 I had this question a few months back, (about storing canned foods) forget where I asked it now, but I do remember the answer I was given, and thought I'd pass it along.

When you buy food, veggies, fruit, soups, sauces, etc, in cans or glass jars, dehydrate them. If you don't have a food dehydrator (I don't), spred the contents of the can/jar onto a cookie sheet (drain juice from fruits & veggies first!) and "bake" in the oven at low temps (250-ish) for and hour or two, untill the food is completly dry.

For soups and sauces, you'll end up with a sheet that looks like fruit leather. Use a knife to cut the sheet into squares.

Store dried food in ziplock bags or plastic tubs.

To rehydrate, just add boiling water and cook/serve as usual.

If fully dryied with zero moisture, the dried foods will keep idefiantly (as long as they don't get wet).

I have no idea why I did not think of doing this myself, but once I found out about it, it's just amazingly the best way to store food. An in a motorhome you you don't have to worry aboout dented cans or broken glass jars, AND dehydrated foods cut down on weight A LOT and storing them in zipper baggies means you can tuck a whole patry full of food into a counter drawer so it's huge on space saving too.

Hope that helps. (I know it helped me when I was told about doing this!)

 

Ckerr wrote:

---

Hi Linda,

I'd like information on how to store canned goods, etc so they don't come flying out of the pantry when you open the door after a move.

Also tips for making the most of limited refridgerator/freezer space.

Currently I'm struggling with seasonal clothes, jewelry and hats!  Any ideas for those areas would be greatly appreciated!

---

 As for seasonal cloths, I have that problem too. I do a lot of sub-zero winter boondocking myself, plus I like the summer beaches too, so I've got to have a heavy duty winter wardrobe and a lightweight summer wardrobe.

The answer to storage is: layers. Because of my culture/religion I don't wear pants and wear really long floor sweeping dresses/skirts, my biggest one has 7 yards of fabric in the skirt alone, so these take up quite a bit of room. In the winter I kind of wear everything all at once, dress on top of dress ontop of skirt on top of skirt. Keeps warm, saves space, but that only works in the winter. In the summer the layers come off and have to store someplace. My answer to how to store winter layers (including a huge and heavy full leangth mink coat that belonged to my husbands grandmother) is this:

First get rid of the bed that comes with your RV. Next, get a bunk bed to put in it's place. Next get those big 5x3 rubbermaid roll-under-the-bed storage bins and put all your seasonal cloths/bedding in those. Sleep on the lower bunk and use the top bunk and the space under the lower bunk to store boxes of cloths and winter bedding.

For jewelry, I used to wear a ton of it. Lack of space made me change over the years and so, today I pretty much am jewelry free, just a couple of pendents. No earrings, no rings, nothing.

I used to be a hat collector. Big hats. Old hats. Hats with huge feathers. Top hats. Fancy hats. Today all my hats are "crushable" made of felt or canvas, and I can just mash them all together into one hat box, except for my #1 most worn hat of all which is a 1858 beaver skin top hat which I practically live in and usually spend more time on my head than in storage, lol!

Anyways that's what I do to save space. Hope it helps you out.

-- Edited by EelKat on Friday 8th of July 2011 12:53:28 PM

Thanks Eelkat! Those are some great ideas. Especially the food dehydrating... Never thought of that...

I'm getting great ideas from all you wonderful people!  We deal with very limited storage since we live in a Big Foot pickup camper.  I am continually rethinking - reorganizing - and tossing more stuff.  That's what it comes down to, no matter the size of your RV - clearing out the unnecessary stuff.  It's finding that balance between what you absolutely must have and what you want to live comfortably.  Who knew the old saying I heard my grandma repeat over and over "there's a place for everything and everything in its place" would become my mantra!  

Looking forward to how you put this all together for a valuable resource.