How to do you pack your RV basement? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

How to do you pack your RV basement?

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Totes or five gallon buckets for most everything with the most unused items in the middle. I guess they could wear out in a race trailer but they haven't in my TT. Some of mine are short and stacked; others just barely slide in.

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are in a motorhome but still, I use totes for small stuff like electrical & plumbing items and misc. other things. I just measured the space available and bout totes to fill the space and worked from there. I have a harder time with things like golf clubs.

Barb and Frank · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use stackable plastic storage bins for most everything. Our rectangular bins are shallow, so there is no chance of something getting buried. We sort items by category (extension cords and adapters, extra hoses, grill accessories, etc.) and label each bin. These smaller sized bins are much easier to lift than bins that are deep and heavy. We lay our folded outside carpet on top of the bins. Our Weber grill and stand fit nicely - our basement is an “L” shape and the grill and stand fit in the short part, while the stackable bins are in the large part of the compartment. We try hard to keep the bins organized, so every few months we do a complete clean out and reorganization of the basement.

Barb

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hdrider wrote:
We are in a motorhome but still, I use totes for small stuff like electrical & plumbing items and misc. other things. I just measured the space available and bout totes to fill the space and worked from there. I have a harder time with things like golf clubs.

We ended up putting a carrier on top of the toad for the golf clubs - - it was such a hassle getting them and in the car each time we wanted to golf - with the carrier the clubs/shoes were always with us, ready for a game.

We us clear plastic containers with lids - some of which are long enough so that they have wheels on the bottom to help slide in and out of the basement. We group things together - everything that has to do with wet bay is over by the wet bay.

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb and Frank wrote:
We use stackable plastic storage bins for most everything. Our rectangular bins are shallow, so there is no chance of something getting buried. We sort items by category (extension cords and adapters, extra hoses, grill accessories, etc.) and label each bin. These smaller sized bins are much easier to lift than bins that are deep and heavy. We lay our folded outside carpet on top of the bins. Our Weber grill and stand fit nicely - our basement is an “L” shape and the grill and stand fit in the short part, while the stackable bins are in the large part of the compartment. We try hard to keep the bins organized, so every few months we do a complete clean out and reorganization of the basement.
Barb

X2

Someday · RV-Dreams Family Member

Same as Barb and others regarding tote boxes, mats etc on most items.

For hubby's fishing rods we put up grab type hooks on the longest stretch of wall and they are stacked neat and tidy one above the other (5 total), easy to grab and go for him. His accessories are all in tackle boxes or otherwise.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

With regards to plastic tubs, I recommend the clear plastic ones. Also, make sure that the tub has a lid that fully covers the top of the tub. I had some books in a couple of other kinds of tubs that had split lids that hinged to each side and "overlapped" in the center when closed. If one has a water leak in the basement, those tubs with split lids will let water into the tubs.

I also take a marker and a small yellow legal pad sheet of paper and write down what is in each tub. With the yellow sheet facing towards the door, I can see immediately what is in each tub.

Terry

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

I like it. I never thought about the tubs with the split covers but fortunately I have a bunch of totes already with full coverage lids. They're bigger (deeper) than yours but I think I may replace them as it becomes necessary. I'll also have to label them on the outside as they're opaque but none of that is insurmountable. I think will need to get some shorter ones to fit on top. We'll see when we get our coach. Just wondering if your entrenching tool (army shovel) came with an unpainted handle or if you were so energetic you wore all of the paint off of it.

-- Edited by arcaguy on Saturday 27th of October 2018 08:38:10 AM

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Labeling is really important, because while you THINK you remember where you put the thing you need, your memories will play tricks on you!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

arcaguy wrote:
Terry,

I like it. I never thought about the tubs with the split covers but fortunately I have a bunch of totes already with full coverage lids. They're bigger (deeper) than yours but I think I may replace them as it becomes necessary. I'll also have to label them on the outside as they're opaque but none of that is insurmountable. I think will need to get some shorter ones to fit on top. We'll see when we get our coach. Just wondering if your entrenching tool (army shovel) came with an unpainted handle or if you were so energetic you wore all of the paint off of it.

-- Edited by arcaguy on Saturday 27th of October 2018 08:38:10 AM

Dave,

Well, while that entrenching tool goes back to my "much" earlier days, I've not really used the shovel that much. However, it has been going camping with me/us for decades. I never have paid attention to the handle, but it could also be the lighting when the picture was taken. Now I'm going to have to go look tomorrow.

Oh, and as an aside, in addition to the entrenching tool, I also still have my original Boy Scout Handbook in one of those tubs in the picture. Second tub up from the bottom on the right. (I never know when I might have to be reminded of how to tie a knot.)

Terry

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I too have had an entrenching tool for years, it started out in life as my dad's (surplus), but came to me with the family camper. The camper has been passed along to my step-daughter but some of the stuff stayed with me. Like you, I also have my Boy Scout Handbook but when I was going through the camper I also found my dad's Boy Scout Field Book from the 40's I think and an official BSA hand axe. Funny how those things stick around.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Boy Scout Handbooks are great to have. I refer to mine often when I see animal tracks, plants, birds or need to tie a particular knot.

It'a a great outdoor reference tool.