Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I'm wondering how the folks who've been on the road a while pack their "basement"? I know that some things come in a nice convenient box that will fit nicely with other right-angle type containers. What I'm wondering how you pack the the stuff, like maybe rope, electrical extensions cords (not the shore power cord), hoses, your rug for under the awning, and who knows what else. In other works anything that doesn't have it's own squarish storage container. I'm thinking that totes may be a good option although I've seen what happens to them in race trailers and the life expectancy doesn't seem to be too long. If you do use totes what style or brand seems to hold up the best. Heck I've even thought about making some custom made wooden crates but that would have to be done before I sell all of my wood working tools. Any thoughts or suggestions?
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.
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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
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 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.
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.
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Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
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
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
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.
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Breathtaking Alberta. Her Mountains Draw You But Her People Bring You Back
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
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
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
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
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
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.