Every space in your RV is valuable. But there’s a black hole in your RV that we need to talk about. It’s the place where things disappear in your RV. The dark scary tunnel that gives your children nightmares. It’s…the basement.
You dread having to find things in your disorganized RV basement. You were using it for tools or outdoor gear, but it has become a catch-all for things that you don’t use inside.
- Cleaning supplies
- Septic treatments
- Bug repellant
- A random soccer ball
- Caution cones
- Extra electrical chords
- Sewer hoses
- Garden hoses
- Emergency food supply
It’s all down there, but you can never find it when you need it. It doesn’t have to be this way.
It’s time to get organized. By adopting simple RV basement storage ideas, you’ll not only maximize space but also make locating and accessing your belongings a breeze.
As a full-time RVer myself with three kids, let’s talk about the art of RV basement organization.
Part 1: What Do You Store in Your RV Basement Storage? And What Not to Store…
First, take everything out of your basement or pass-through storage and sort what belongs in your basement storage and what doesn’t.
Let’s start with what doesn’t belong down there.
Things NOT to store in the basement…
- Perishable food storage: this is food storage like bags of flour or oats, boxed items like cereal and crackers, and even plastic oil and peanut butter containers.
Warning: I’ve had mice and rats eat through cardboard and plastic containers to get at the food.
It’s not that food storage is a bad idea–especially in case of emergencies. You just want it to be in a place where you’ll notice if rodents are trying to get into it.
- Household Items: Household goods like toilet paper, paper towels, extra hand soap, etc., shouldn’t be stored in your RV basement. You need to store these essentials inside where you’re planning to use them (and where rodents are less likely to find them and use them as raw materials for a nest.
- Batteries or electronics that need circulation: Pass-through storage doesn’t get a lot of air circulation, so batteries or electronics that need air to cool down should not be stored here.
Now let’s talk about what should be in the basement…
- Outdoor Supplies: These are things you use outdoors, like awnings, outdoor rugs, and patio furniture.
- Tools and maintenance: Every RV needs some tools in case of an emergency, and most choose to keep common household tools in RV basement storage. Cleaners that you use for maintenance can also be stored here.
- Emergency Food Storage: “But wait, I thought you just said no food in the basement?” Some food storage is safe down there like canned goods or food stored in heavy-duty, sealable containers.
- Recreational Equipment: All the fun stuff you plan to do while you’re camping? Yep, that takes gear. And it’s less expensive to bring your gear than to rent it when you get there.
Part 2: Organize Your RV Basement Storage
Now that you’ve removed everything that shouldn’t be in your basement, you can see what’s left to store in your basement. Here’s where you have to use your judgment. I’m going to share a few different types of storage solutions. You have to choose which one best fits your needs.
Solution#1: Install Cargo Trays
If one of your biggest problems is losing things in the back of your basement storage, then these trays are an upgrade worth the money. These cargo trays are made to slide out so you can easily reach the storage in the back.
Solution #2: Choose the Right Storage Bins for the Job
Durable plastic bins, particularly those that seal, protect your belongings from the elements and the bumps of the road. Unfortunately, these same bins can quickly hog up the limited storage space in your RV basement.
Because some equipment should always be stored by itself (i.e. anything that touches your sewage.), you might end up with a sizable collection of storage bins stowed away in your RV basement. The worst part of all? You’ll have to take out these bins one by one–just to get to the right one.
There are two ways to combat this.
First, pack your plastic bins so that the least used items are in the back and on the bottom. Second, use open-sided storage bins where possible, like these open-front storage bins from Uline.
With the open side, you can stack these bins on top of each other and still access your stuff without having to unstack your bins.
Solution #3: Create a Custom Storage Space for Recreational Gear
If recreational gear poses the biggest problem to you staying organized, it’s probably because it’s specialized gear that needs a unique solution. If you’re a cross-country skier, for example, you don’t just need a long skinny place for skis. You need space for…
- Ropes
- Backpack
- Crampons
- Ski poles
- Ski boots
- Carabiners
- Safety gear
And no, you can’t just throw it all in a bin and call it a day. It would get tangled together and some of it could get damaged. So don’t be afraid to use a combination of RV storage ideas to customize the space to your needs. You need…
- A bin for your crampons and ski boots
- Hooks for ropes and carabiners
- Space to store your backpack
- Long slim shelf for your skis and poles
And you can incorporate all of that into your pass-through storage.
The picture below is a good example from @HostCampers on Instagram. He’s got a sliding tray installed with two bins in the back and his hunting and fishing gear in front where he can easily get to it.
Part 3: Categorize Your Gear
Now that you’ve got some solutions for inspiration, organize your gear into categories for easy access. Here are some categories that some resident RVers use
- Create a Section for Tools and Equipment
Whether it’s an awning that detaches while you travel or the standard tools you need to change a tire, all RVers travel with some tools. You have to have them even though you hardly ever use them. So give them their own space that’s out of the way like @GeorgeandChris did here.
He mounted his tools to the side so he could reach them. The hooks ensured they wouldn’t roll around and get lost in there.
If you don’t want to use a pegboard like he did, you can use command hooks or heavy-duty Velcro for the same purpose.
- Access Outdoor Patio Furniture
Every RVer I know has a patio that they like to set up when they get into camp. Some folks go all out with party lights and a fold-up foosball table, while others set up a few camp chairs. Either way, dedicate one of your cubbies to your outdoor patio gear.
- Allocate Space for Recreational Items
Recreational items like kayaks, skis, hunting or fishing gear, PFDs, inflatable SUPs, and paddles need their own space. By using these storage ideas and designating space, you make it easy to say “yes” when your kids ask to go kayaking because you know the stuff is there and ready to go.
- Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies
Sure, your RV undergoes the winterization process every year. But every time you take it out of winterization it will need a thorough cleaning. So in one of those bins at the back, keep your cleaning and maintenance supplies stored within reach.
Bonus Tips: Find What’s in Your RV’s Basement Storage Faster
You’ve got everything put away, nicely organized, and easy to get to. You know what goes where so that everything fits.
But what happens when you’re not the one putting things away? Does the rest of your family know where things go?
Here are two bonus tips to make sure you’re all on the same page.
Tip #1: Use Clear Storage Bins
With clear storage bins, you can see exactly what’s inside at a glance—no guessing games and no excuses. And lazy searchers don’t even have to open lids. They can just look.
Tip #2: Label Everything Clearly
A well-labeled storage system makes it easy to find things when you don’t know where to look. And it makes it easy to put things away when you’re not sure where they go. Again, erasing excuses from lazy teenagers about “not knowing” where something goes.
Summary
Now that you’ve done the hard work of reorganizing your RV storage compartment so that everything is stored properly in its place, you have one more thing to store properly: Your RV.
You need a place to keep your RV safe from theft, pests, and severe weather–all of which risk ruining your next excursion.
You could store it in your home garage, but then you won’t have any room for your daily drivers, lawn equipment, or power tools. If you store it on your open driveway or RV pad, you run the risk of storm damage and oxidation, reducing the lifespan of your RV.
So, here’s a better idea. Store it with Neighbor.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers RV storage up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states, some even in your very own neighborhood. Find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Prevent Items From Shifting in My RV Basement During Travel?
To prevent items from shifting in your RV basement during travel, use tie-downs, bungees, non-slip mats, and heavy-duty storage bins that lock. This will minimize movement and reduce the risk of damage to your belongings and the RV.
