OK...I need to organize the clutter in my storage bays...would really like to hear (and see...pics would be great) what others have done to put some organization into their storage bays.
Any ideas you can pass along would be greatly appreciated.
Ken
Fulltimer presently living and working in San Diego
1998 Fleetwood Discovery
2001 Nissan Sentra in tow
I did do a bit of organizing in one bay with plywood shelves, and no you can't see the pictures....pretty crude work on my part .
But one thing that I found that really made a big difference was a 7 drawer plastic chest that just fit into the bay nicely. Each drawer is about 16" square and 4" deep with a lid on each one. They are somewhat see thru and hold just a bunch of the small stuff that you normally can't find in plastic tubs and such.
Target, COSTCO and I'm sure others handle the unit.
hershey - albuquerque, nm Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
Beyond that, small items are contained in plastic covered stackable containers with contents grouped by general purpose. Each end of a bay is dedicated primarily to general purpose common frequency of access, and size of item (ie hose and cords, patio stuff, tools and repair, TV and beverages and vacuum; and two dedicated miscellaneous.)
The goal being stackable, identifiable, easily retrievable and subject to change.
Dean
95 CC Magna Jeep GC
(Vietnam Vets may be eligible for medical care and disability compensation. Contact the VA if you have prostate cancer or type 2 diabetes.)
hershey wrote: But one thing that I found that really made a big difference was a 7 drawer plastic chest that just fit into the bay nicely.
+1 on the plastic storage drawer setups. They come in many different sizes, and configurations. I took 2 separate units, bolted then together, and bolted that to a piece of 1/2" plywood that I covered with indoor / outdoor carpet and bolted that to the storage bay floor. Works great, and the drawers can come out if you need to carry entire contents with you. Lightweight also. Take some measurements and have at it !
Ken, Dawn, Rebecca,our 2 Goldens, Penny & Tucker
2001 Coachmen Santara, 3602 KS, F53 (purchased 7/04)
2002 Ford Explorer XLS, Falcon 2 Tow Bar, Brake Pro
FMCA Member F350314
Good Sam Member
States we have visited and camped in
I use plastic tubs (with lids) that will just pass through the bay openings to store larger items (water & drain hoses, tools, etc) and made the draws & slide tracks for plastic divided trays for small item shown below (WD40, multi-tester, nuts, bolts, screws, wire nuts, pop rivets, etc.).
Plus New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island & Nova Scotia
It was about a year ago now that I started from scratch to organize the motorhome bins. I picked up a 3 ring binder & a package of small stick-on numbers. Started on the passenger side & numbered the bins all way round. As I loaded each bin I recorded the bin number & contents in a 3 ring binder. P in front of the number meant passenger side & D meant driver's side. I had to do it this way to make my life more simpler. I get very upset with myself when I can't find things so my bin inventory list has come to my rescue over & over. No more stumbling around in the dark & rummaging through bins to find stuff. Check my book first...aha, bin #14 for the doggy's pooper scooper bags. However, there is a down side....forgetting to keep the inventory list up to date. I'd send you some pictures but I can't remember which bin my camera is in & I've misplaced my inventory book.........again!!
Kelly & Al
2003 Damon Challenger, model 329 Chevy Workhorse 8.1 & Allison transmission. Towing '03 Hyundai Santa Fe.
3 lovable doggy guys. Max, Checkers,& Cora..aka, Buddy Bear, Swamper, & Motormouse
Thanks dbates, great ideas there, and food for thought...exactly what I was looking for.
And Beyfield bunch, good idea about the inventory book, but, I too would probably misplace that book. Very funny though....
My 06 Phaeton came with one slide out tray and last year, I added another and LOVE it. I don't care that I take up a little storage with these two trays because the advantages for me are really, really good.
Another vote for the plastic drawer-type containers! We have several different sizes, determined by the space available and what's to be stored in them. They don't add much weight and drawers can be removed for easy access to what's in them. It's a good idea to make sure the drawers are designed in such a way that they don't slide out too easily--could be a disaster when you open the compartment door after a trip on a winding road! We also have some of the tubs (mostly without lids) for places or things that don't work as well in drawers, such as water hoses, charcoal grill, etc.
The compartments on our passenger side contain the most-used items and the things that we don't use as much are on the driver's side (under the slide). We only have one joey bed (with the plastic drawer containers on the front and tubs behind), but would love to have a couple more!
"Time passes but memories remain"
Fulltime since Jan. 2004
40' Allegro Zephyr
Offline
& Darlene
& Cajun 
(Our 4 Legged Kids)
. 
We also have some of the tubs (mostly without lids) for places or things that don't work as well in drawers, such as water hoses, charcoal grill, etc. 
