Best Storage Containers For RVs? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

hogsheartrvs · RV-Dreams Community Member

Best Storage Containers For RVs?

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Don't know if you have your RV yet but I would advise against that approach....Every RV has different sized compartments, additionally you will find that your entire organizational process will change many times as you travel and begin to refine your personal system....wait....

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

I concur with Gene, wait until you know which rig you'll have to purchase containers. We don't have a rig yet, but I'm already researching storage ideas from places like IKEA, BB&B and the Container Store. Seems to me, mice would love their new cardboard condos so I'd advise plastic. Don't want to scare you about the mice, but they've been mentioned as an issue so why make things easy for them.

Cindi

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would not use cardboard in the RV as spiders and other critters like them and they draw moisture and soften. We used the totes and use them in the house now but they are not space efficient if your storage is tight. If you can store in "soft" containers, they can be "stuffed" in spots or stacked on other containers. I would go for see-through containers this time or at least different colors because the labels I put on fell off. In your place, I would go ahead and get things boxed up and once you get an RV, you can figure out where and what size to use and just move the stuff from the boxes at that time. More of a hassle but much more likely to get it right and as you said, the containers are not cheap.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Agree with Gene and Brian, wait to buy plastic containers until you have your RV. We're on our 4th RV and while we've been able to transfer some storage containers with each one, not all containers fit. The last transition was most difficult, we went from a lot of deep cabinets to several that were fairly narrow, ended up donating a LOT of containers to Salvation Army and then buying different ones that fit our current, FT RV.

We use some soft sided containers in the linen closet, rigid containers under the bed and soft sided ones in the overhead cabinets in the living area. Tried to re-use as much as we could and even carried some around with us trying to figure out a purpose for the first couple of months and then donated any unused ones right before we sold the second vehicle.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Definitely go with plastic tubs, but make sure that the lids FULLY cover the tub and "lock" into place. I had a few tubs where they had two part lids, with each half hinging over on opposite sides of the tub. We had a leak in the basement and a couple of those tubs ended up half full of water, ruining some items.

I use mostly clear plastic tubs that we bought from Target, and they are of varying sizes, although most are about 22"x15"x6". In each one, I take a sheet of paper and write down everything that is in that tub and place that sheet of paper in the end facing out so that I can see what is in each one without having to remove every tub to look for stuff. I have one larger tub that is large enough for seasonal items (electric heaters in summer and electric oscillating fans in winter) for storage. I do have a few longer tubs, again clear plastic, for longer items.

Here is a picture of our front storage space under the nose of our fifth wheel. I've used the above mentioned (22"x15"x6") tubs

Terry

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow Terry LOVE the clear bins with the signage in the front. We are using tubs but my major complaint is I don't know what's in which box...showing this to Lee :)

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Trace,

Another option, one I have problems with maintaining, is to number each tub and then have a document on the computer that lists each item, and perhaps in what area of the RV it is located. That option does require more "updating" as things move, so I don't go with it. A lot of times, I remember that item "x" is usually with item "y," so if I see item "y," I know "x" is nearby.

Just remember if you have a tub out for some reason to keep the lid on so one's note doesn't blow out. We had that happen the other day while we were working on building a step and landing for our coach.

Terry

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Except for our red and green Christmas tote, all of ours are clear plastic as well. Don't have the rig yet but know which one we're getting so have measured the storage space (and crossed our fingers).

Thanks Terry for the heads up on those hinged totes, will stay away from those! The drop in "labels" are great too, easy to update as needed

Have tried to purchase only square items including dishware and dry goods storage to avoid wasted space in the corners. We shall see how much that helps as well.

Jodee

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

I plan on building a topper for my truck (as I will be pulling a TT and not a 5er.) I will be using the center area carrying a couple of small motorbikes and building a shelf on both sides for storage. In the front of the topper, near the cab, the shelves will be narrower (about 10 inches.) The topper will incline toward the center, following the cab as it rises. Its walls will gradually widen at the rear, to about 7 inches. The rear the camper will be squared off and the shelves will be 14" wide. So I guess I'll be looking for a series of tall, narrow plastic bins (or boxes) starting at 10" to 14" wide for off-season clothing, linen, camping gear, hobby supplies, fishing gear and such. The height is not critical; nor is the length. I plan to secure them with bungee cords/nets so they don't move around.

Does anyone know of a source for tall, narrow containers such as this? I'm thinking of containers that resemble military surplus mortar round boxes or "fat 50" ammo cans. I plan on keeping fishing poles, ladders and the like up high, while a pair of Honda EU2000s, fuel, and heavy items like: tools, spare parts/fluids, food storage, ammo, belt-fed heavy machine guns, hand grenades, LAW rockets, etc. (sorry, I got carried away) will be carried in the truck bed, against the walls under the shelf.

Chip

WillandKrista · RV-Dreams Community Member

Quick question about the Storage areas on the outside of the RV, Are they usually a secure locking door? I don't want to travel through the wrong neighborhood and someone tamper with stuff on the outside. We don't yet have our own RV and are in the Process of researching some so I know little about this sorta stuff.

Thank you in Advance!

Will & Krista

Glenn West · RV-Dreams Family Member

All I have ever had any dealings with were universal locks. Actually using DRV key on my Teton. Really a secure lock is overkill. Anyone could break in if they wanted to. Most doors are .5-.750 thick. You won't stop a thief. Keep small kids out.

WillandKrista · RV-Dreams Community Member

Glenn West wrote:
All I have ever had any dealings with were universal locks. Actually using DRV key on my Teton. Really a secure lock is overkill. Anyone could break in if they wanted to. Most doors are .5-.750 thick. You won't stop a thief. Keep small kids out.

Hm thank you, I was just curious, I guess i'll just store small stuff out there, nothing really majorly important.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

For the most part, we don't even lock our compartments unless we are traveling from one site to another, and that is more to prevent accidental opening instead of preventing theft. If a thief breaks into your compartment, more than likely they will do more damage to the door and door frame, with regards to dollar amount, than the dollar amount of the stuff we keep in the compartment.

Terry

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Make sure you get a container that can support the weights. most would not work for me. as they will collapse from the weight over time. Even filled with just clothes. Most of the stuff I carry in the cargo area is big stuff, pressure washer, metal detectors, display cases, compressor, lots of heavier tools..I use walmart produce bins for my heavy smaller stuff, cause I had them. they work well, and can support heavier weights. 30-50 lbs

I've bought many, many storage units at auctions and seen it all the time... You want containers that will last for heavy weight.. if you are a "tool guy" or have heavier stuff.
I think you want breathable containers as well?.. Humidity is crazy here in FL., some stuff may rust right in the container, or start to stink..

if your worried about water damage.. just take a piece of plastic and staple it to the roof of the cargo compartment...done.

-- Edited by The Junkman on Monday 8th of December 2014 07:50:39 AM

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

On the locking of doors. We have been fulltimers for 15 years. I have NEVER locked compartment doors. I'd rather have something stolen than fix the side of the RV and repaint it. But we have never had an issue.

On the bins, follow the advice to wait until you have your RV....but we use the 10 gallon rubbermaid containers with lids that are one piece. A leak will not get water into them and they stack well. The size is large enough to be useful, but small enough to handle easy.

Bob and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use the "Really Useful Box" from Staples. They coming in many sizes & shapes for jewelery to 64 liter for tools, hoses & whatever. The unique thing about them is they do not nest inside of each other when empty, but stack on their wall tops. This minimizes the tops crumbling or breaking from stacking heavy boxes.