There’s plenty of advice out there about organizing an RV’s interior. However, there is way less guidance when it comes to great RV basement storage ideas. Yet, the items your rig’s basement holds are no less important. Thankfully, this post will help you upgrade your storage smarts with inventive advice on organizing your RV’s outside storage compartments.
Regardless of the size, shape, or style of your cargo areas, these brilliant RV basement storage ideas will bring order to the chaos, save you space and make your belongings easy to access. Here’s what you need to know.
First, What is an RV Basement?
An RV basement is a storage compartment situated under the main floor of a camper. It’s accessible from the outside through baggage doors on the sides of the RV. A few basements can be accessed from the inside. Unlike a home basement, it’s usually no more than a couple of feet high, so you can’t actually walk in it.
These storage bays are a common feature in larger rigs like 5th wheel, travel trailer, and class A RVs. Generally, an RV’s basement storage space is intended for keeping large gear items. That includes outdoor furniture, BBQ grills, portable fire pits, fishing poles, portable generators, and coolers. But it’s also a great place to stash holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, and other smaller items.
7 Great RV Basement Storage Ideas
To help you organize this valuable storage area, here are seven great RV basement storage ideas to consider.
Get a Sliding Cargo Tray
If your travel trailer or fifth-wheel has a pass-through storage area — the type of compartment that goes from one side of the rig to the other, have an expert build you a cargo slide tray that matches your RV’s dimensions. A cargo tray that slides out can be very helpful in accessing items more easily, rather than having to dig through a pile of items to retrieve what you want.
A lightweight cargo sliding tray solves two problems: access and space. It slides in and out just like a dresser drawer, allowing you to quickly retrieve items that could otherwise be out of reach. On the other hand, you get to utilize every inch of space in the compartment. Lots of space usually goes to waste as RV owners prefer storing items close to the door for easy access, leaving the center empty.
Stack Storage Bins
Organizer bins or storage tubs with lids are another excellent RV basement storage idea, whether you have a pass-thru bay or a small compartment. Instead of just stashing all items together, use transparent plastic storage bins to group like items together and see what items you have stored in each bin without having to open it. Even better, if your camper’s basement is tall enough, you can buy stackable plastic totes to get the most out of the compartment.
Just make sure you label them to make it easier and quicker to find what you want. Bins and totes can be used to store anything from dry packaged food, books, seasonal clothes, shoes, small outdoor kitchenware, cleaning supplies, maintenance tools, and toys.
Add Plastic Drawers
Another great tip for RV basement storage is to incorporate see-through plastic drawers. If your baggage areas have decent height but are limited in length, this RV storage system is a must-have. They work best for securing small items that could otherwise be tough to find when lumped with other stuff.
Drawers will also save you lots of time compared to stacked bins, which you have to remove one at a time and stack all over again after finding what you want. For drawers, it’s just as simple as pulling an individual tray. Use the drawers to organize things like batteries, pencils, scissors, board games, and school supplies. Notably, they may open during bumpy camping trips, so you’ll need to secure them with a bungee cord.
Install Hollow Pipes
One more good idea for an RV cargo bay is to mount a hollow PVC pipe to the wall or roof of your rig’s pass-through. This will allow you to store your extra sewer hose or long items such as fishing poles, flags, mops, and umbrellas, clearing up space, and bringing some order to the chaos. Thankfully, there are vented sewer hose carriers with lockable door caps available in the market, so all you need is to screw it to the walls or roof. We like this hose carrier. If you don’t want to mount it in your RV basement, you can mount it under the camper where it’s out of the way.
If you prefer the DIY route, work with a hollow PVC pipe, but first, measure the diameter of your hose. Hollow fence posts made of PVC can work fine, too. PVC pipes come in a wide range of sizes are light, durable, and easy to work with. This method is best for storing a spare hose as you don’t want residue fluids leaking in your storage bay. For your main hose, the best way to store it is to attach the carrier beneath the RV.
If you must keep your main sewer hose in your RV basement, we recommend something like this rugged storage tote with a lid.
Use Command Hooks
After maximizing the vertical space in your rig’s interior, don’t forget to make use of that under-used wall space in the baggage compartment. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to do this is through command hooks. With no screws or nails, command hooks allow you to hang items without damaging the surface you attach them to.
You can stick them on the walls, roof, or even the doors of the basement cargo area. They can hold a lot of stuff from helmets to grilling utensils. Of course, you can also place your stuff inside nets before hanging them. Due to the rigors of the road, you’ll want to get quality command hooks with strong adhesive. Also, make sure you wipe the surface and wait for it to dry before sticking.
Hang Tools on a Pegboard
For those with a shallow or awkward storage compartment, consider installing a pegboard. This is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective tips for organizing your RV basement storage areas. First, measure the compartment where you will hang the board, then cut your pegboard down to that size. Next, screw it to the camper structure, but first confirm what you’re drilling into. Finally, use S-hooks to hang tools or weave bungee cords throughout the pegboard to create various-size holding locations.
Bungee cords will hold the items steadily during those bumpy rides, preventing them from shaking loose or banging around. A pegboard will give you easy access to frequently used items like hand tools, duct tape, extension cords, and small water hoses.
Use D-Rings
Last but not least, here’s our personal favorite! Adding D-rings to your RV basement is a great system for securing items, especially larger ones, like a tabletop BBQ grill. Start by choosing the right size of D-rings; they come in various sizes to fit different needs, such as 1/4-inch D-rings or D-ring picture hangers with screws.
Once you’ve decided on the size, mark the spots where you’ll install them. For the actual installation, you’ll need a drill, suitable screws, and the D-rings. Drill pilot holes at the marked locations, then screw the D-rings in place, ensuring they’re tight and secure. To maximize the utility of your D-rings, use bungee cords that can be hooked to the rings or you can also use straps. This way, you can easily secure different items, regardless of their shape or size.
FAQS
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about RV storage bays.
What Should Not Be Stored in the RV Basement?
Most items can be safely stored in an RV’s basement as long as you secure them correctly. However, it’s best you avoid storing perishable food items, flammable fluids, breakables, and valuable electronics. Also, avoid running a space heater in the RV basement. Instead, use a heat lamp bulb.
Are RV Basements Sealed Against Water?
RV basements are well-protected against rain and leaks. However, periodically check the door seals to make sure they are not damaged, which could allow water in.
Make the Most Out of Your RV’s Cargo Bay
The ideas above will help you maximize and organize the extra space in your RV’s basement. However, with these solutions, you’ll still need a way to find what you’re looking for at night. To avoid fumbling in the dark and rearranging everything, add LED lights to each compartment so you can quickly and easily retrieve what you need.
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Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
