Expanding Your Storage Options

Somehow we always seem to have more stuff to carry around than we have room for.   Eventually we run out of storage space even in huge RVs with expansive "basement" storage compartments.  The first thing to do when that happens is to re-evaluate what we're carrying around. Over time we tend to accumulate stuff that is seldom used and is best left at home except on trips where you KNOW you're going to use it.   The exceptions to that rule are tools and emergency supplies.  With any luck, we won't need our tools or emergency supplies on most outings so they may fall into the seldom used category, but it is still a good idea to make room for them.   More likely candidates for reduction include souvenirs from previous trips and seasonal clothing and equipment that only needs to be loaded up for appropriate outings.  Some souvenirs from previous outings might be unintentional, like heavy mud deposits in the wheel  wells or the frame.

Storage is a concern when tent camping too.  You need to make efficient use of available space in your tent, your camp site, and your vehicle.  You also need to consider how you'll store your equipment at home between outings.   If you need to carry more equipment than fits in the trunk of your car or the back of your truck or SUV, you may need to consider getting a small utility trailer. Roof pods and storage racks or trunks that fit into the hitch are also viable options for both tent camping and RVs.

Your first priority should always be to make do with the space you have.   Many times simply organizing things better will improve storage capacity.  You may have to make trade offs to choose which things are most important and make the best use of the limited space you have.  Try hard to adjust what you bring along to fit within the space and weight limits you have.  What if, after I've eliminated unnecessary items, I still need more storage?  Two external storage options come immediately to mind.   Outside storage isn't the most convenient to use but is the easiest to add.  One is the external trunk, a box that attaches to your trailer hitch to provide extra storage space.   Or just a hitch mounted storage rack.  These can be used on motorhomes, SUVs, pickup trucks, cars -- anything with a tow hitch.  You might be able to add a hitch to the back of your trailer to mount an external trunk or storage rack. A second option is a roof pod.  Roof pods can add significant storage space to just about any RV or other vehicle IF the roof is strong enough to support the load and tolerate being walked on.   Some RVs have areas that have been specifically reinforced to accommodate storage pods.  If you don't know if yours is so equipped, carefully walk the roof and see how much it flexes when you walk on it.  If it flexes a lot, it probably won't support a storage pod. Mounting a pod requires locating rafters to secure it to.  If you not sure of where the rafters are, you should seek professional installation to make sure your pod doesn't come off and to avoid permanent damage to the roof.   Roof pods are best used for light weight items.  Heavy items are difficult to carry up the ladder and put more stress on the roof.  You also want to limit the amount of weight you carry that high as it will raise the center of gravity and make your unit more unstable in cross winds and in the blow by from passing trucks.  Soft-side roof carriers can be added to most passenger cars and SUVs and are good for transporting tents, sleeping bags, duffle bags, and suitcases.   I prefer to place hard items like stoves and lanterns in the car trunk or the cargo space of an pickup or SUV.

If you are tent camping or your RV is a motorhome and you live and travel in a state that permits multiple trailers, you may be able to solve storage problems by towing a small utility trailer.  This is an especially good solution for temporary needs, such as hauling extra equipment and supplies for a large gathering or special gear for a specific activity.  If you need more storage for all your outings, towing a trailer may be an added inconvenience and ultimately you may be better off seeking other solutions, such as storage pods or even getting a larger RV, perhaps one designed with the extra storage you need for a particular activity.

Extra interior storage. Most RVs have already made pretty good use of every available nook and cranny but sometimes you may find some hidden storage or may be able to make better use of available storage.  Sometimes adding shelves to large cabinets can give you more usable space.   I once discovered some dead space in a Class A motorhome near the bed, under what served as a night stand.  By removing the top I gained access to a compartment big enough to mount a "pancake" air compressor without sacrificing any other usable compartments.  An alternative use of the space might have been to put a door on the compartment so the space inside could be used as an additional cabinet.  I saw an idea for storing cutting boards in the galley that was pretty clever. The owner simply cut vertical slots in the front of the cabinets between the doors to allow him to slide the cutting boards into unused space between cabinets. If you want to try this, make sure there are no obstructions (like plumbing or wiring or structural elements) in the way of where the boards will go before you start cutting. In addition to cutting the slots you will need to provide supports for the cutting boards inside the cabinets.   Another neat idea I'm planning to implement is making kitchen knife holders that attach to the inside wall of a cabinet to hold the knives securely out of the way.  If you use this idea. store the knives with the sharp edge up so they aren't dulled by travel vibration.  Or use a magnetic knife holder to keep them safe and easily accessible.

Wire racks and shelves are an easy way to add space for books, magazines, maps, manuals, spices, cleaning supplies, and sundries.   They can be mounted just about anywhere there is adequate wall space or, sometimes they can be used to good advantage inside cabinets to improve storage options and efficiency.

Space bags can compress bedding and clothing so it doesn't take up so much room in drawers and cabinet.  While they don't actually add space, they make better use of available space.   You might even use them in closets to capture bulky clothing you don't use frequently.

Organizers.   There are a number of organizers for automotive and home closet use that can be adapted for your RV.  Check out the trunk organizers for cars and behind-the-seat organizers for pickup trucks.  You may find a place to use them in your RV.   The cloth shoe caddies that hang on the back of a door can be adapted to hold many things besides shoes and can be used effectively on closet and bathroom doors.  Spice carousels can enhance storage and convenience in your kitchen cabinets and might be adapted to organize medicine bottles in the bathroom.   Be creative!

Plastic tubs can be used to corral loose items that otherwise tend to bounce around and often take up more space than necessary.   I like to use translucent tubs so I can kind of see what is inside. Plastic baskets can likewise be used on shelves or in cabinets to organize items and make it easier to get to things that aren't right up front.   Baskets and tubs also keep things from sliding around during vehicle maneuvers.

Be creative.   Look for unused spaces that can be adapted.  I make use of the gaps between the 1" steel frame of my motorcycle trailer and the roof to store folding aluminum chairs, my "Desert Rat" outing sign posts, and my collapsible flag pole. They remain secure, out of the way, and convenient to use when I need them, without sacrificing other valuable space.

A word of caution: Do NOT try to store things inside the furnace or refrigerator access panels nor against power converters or inverters or water  pumps. The clear space around them is there for a reason!   These devices have clearance and heat dissipation requirements that, if compromised, will lead to problems, such as over-heating that can damage the equipment and even set your RV on fire.  Avoid storing heavy items in overhead cabinets where they could become unguided missles during unusually violent maneuvers.

A recent article in Highways (The Good Sam Club Magazine) had an "outside the box" solution for a couple who was looking for ways to bring along a motorcycle and a scooter on their planned full-time trip.   They were debating whether to get a bigger tow vehicle or add an extra trailer. Bob Livingston aptly suggested getting a toy hauler but it was his second suggestion that was "outside the box": simply rent a one-way truck (or trailer) to transport the machines between destinations since they were planning to spend 3-4 months in each location. If you need extra capacity for a single event, do consider an extra vehicle for that one event. If you find yourself frequently renting extra equipment, consider buying.  Owning your own stuff makes sense if you use it regularly.  It may save you money and will definitely be more convenient but if you only need it  now and then renting (or borrowing) is the better option.

Stow it!