It is possible to find storage space in a camper that may not have been thought of. If you have steps up, like in a fifth wheel, you can open those up, put a hinge on the step, and use that for storage. If you do not already have storage under the bench seats by the table, you can put drawers or doors there. Check out above cupboards, above the built in couches and so on. There may be unused space that can have a door built in, and then you have extra space. If you have open decorative shelving in the bedroom, perhaps you can make that into a cupboard, or find some sort of special containers that would fit there.
There are often storage spaces accessible from the outside for things like BBQ's and lawn chairs. Be sure you are taking advantage of all that sort of space, and again, check to make sure all empty spaces have doors built into them, so you can use that space. If you have a large area for a TV, and you do not intend to install one, make that into a cupboard. Look around and you will likely find a number of areas that you can convert to cupboards.
In our camping trailer I hung shoe organizers in different areas of the trailer. In the bathroom and I put shampoo and toothbrushes and paste, in bedroom, scissors, remotes. In the common room and kitchen it was a godsend. It really works. If you sew you can sew them and it looks pretty. The kitchen I had one just for spices
For really great wash and dry with no wrinkles, try travelsmithoutfitters.com
They sell some great clothes that pack neatly, don't wrinkle, and they have lots of collections that go together, so you can mix and match and still have nice, comfortable outfits.
I lived in a school bus off & on for many years. You'll naturally come up with a strategy as the weeks go by. Buy some of those new portable space bags, called "Space bags 2 go". These have a one-way valve that won't let air back in when you squeeze it out: https://www.spacebagtogo.com/?mid=579629&gclid=CPWM9Lby7JsCFRwpawodxRNj5A
Also, buy the smallest things you can. For example but a "travel-size" blow dryer instead of the regular size. Take showers at camp grounds & keep lots of quarters to do it (also quarters for the Laundromat). Buy every size of zip-locks you can because you'll use them a lot. For drying wet clothes, buy one of those retractable clothes lines that coils up then goes back inside itself. You can clip this across the RV to dry things while to sleep (get some plastic clothes-pins). Those netting bags (that breathe) they sell at the dollar stores are wonderful to store dirty clothes in & other junk in!
It goes without saying that you want things that can serve double-duty. Lets say you want to go into a nice restaurant. For females: You can wear a dress & sandals that serve as day or fancy wear. Bring wrinkle resistant clothes & only one of each. For summer, I'd pack a fleece light weight jacket, several pairs of shorts, & a pair of jeans along with sleeveless, short sleeve & long sleeve tops & 2 or 3 of each. You''ll most likely need long sleeves even when it's hot when the mosquitoes are out, so bring 100% cotton long sleeve T-shirts. Only bring 2 pairs of shoes, sandals & tennis shoes. Shoes take up LOTS of room! Bring rain gear & an umbrella. You can get more clothes in a space if you roll them up instead of folding.
If you have a Microwave then that's VERY cool! If you're using a camper stove, I always used stainless steel bowls (or pans) to cook in & I brought 2 cast iron pans. Both of the same size. This way you can turn one on top (inverted) on the other on to kinds of "bake" with or at least melt cheese on burgers etc. Try to never have leftovers & only cook what you'll need. I purchased mostly dried foods & canned. (I had no refrigeration).
Netting. You can buy netting to attach across you space to store things in. This easily folds up! ...Sometimes you can find it in kids areas (to store their toys in). Attach everything you can to the underside of cupboards (like your radio, etc). This gives additional space. Make sure you have a board that covers your sink (like a cutting board) for extra counter space. You can also cover your stovetop with a fold-down stainless cover so you have even more counter space. Take lightweight folding chairs & several card tables to live outside. I'd also bring a piece of Astroturf rolled up to set outside the RV to keep mud & dirt out. Store it rolled up in a large plastic bag. Cover your seating areas with cotton towels or easy to wash covers.
Flash lights, bug spray & sunscreen & blowup mattress's. These go without saying, but be sure to purchase them at a dollar store instead of needing them in a small town at quadruple the price! Many Walmart's will let you park for free for 1 day in their lots & B.L.M (Borough of Land Management) will let you stay for free for up to 30 days. Google these before you leave so you don't always have to pay for campgrounds. Maps. Have good maps of everywhere you go & a list of the local "news" radio stations so you can listen to traffic info & weather. Be prepared for anything, especially a flat tire!
Lighting. Buy yourself several head lamps. These are Wwonderful for reading or crocheting & you'll have both hands free! ... Buy rechargeable batteries & a charger for your lights, etc. Use florescent lamps or LED's because they use much less power that regular bulbs. Bring a camping ax & a folding saw for campfires. Be super careful where you light a fire! Obviously, you'll need a cell phone for emergencies on the road or medical. It can pay to have AAA for help with your vehicle or some other towing package. Also AAA offers free maps of place all over the US & they have branches everywhere in to USA.
In your cupboards, you want pull out boxes or pull-out boards on rolling bearing strips so you can easily get to the things in back. If you have room, bring a light weight step ladder. Save all your "burn garbage" in a separate bag so you can use it to start fires. Buy organic dish soap (& other cleaners) so you can throw out your dishwater with no guilt. If you're bathing in the camper (I used to bath in a large stainless bowl) Use baby shampoo, or baby-wash. It rinses out much, much faster & easier than other body soaps or shampoo. Stop drinking 2 or 3 hours before you go to bed, or you'll be up all night! Keep your shoes & a flashlight right next to you for nighttime use. Bring some good nylon rope.
Find a craft that takes up little room. Be it computing with a laptop, crocheting or knitting, watercolors or pencil drawing. Also, several good books. This way you'll not ever be bored! Bring a digital camera to snap photos of your're trip. You'll be glad you did!
Go to an RV show. They have ALL KINDS of great ideas for space saving stuff! As you drive around, you'll naturally rethink things you've brought with you. Just pack them up & send them home or to a friends' house! Anything you forgot you can probably find at the thrift store. This is all I can think of for now. I'll post you a note if I can think of more.
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Request: Space Saving Tips for a Camper or RV (07/23/2009)
My husband and I just purchased a small camper. I would love to hear your space-saving and organizing ideas for in a camper or RV. Also any camping tips in general that you might have.
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Request: Space Saving Tips for a Camper or RV
Archived on 07/23/2009
My husband and I just purchased a small camper. I would love to hear your space-saving and organizing ideas for in a camper or RV. Also any camping tips in general that you might have.
April from Knoxville, TN
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RE:Space Saving Tips for a Camper or RV
Hi, April! Congratulations on the purchase of your camper. We have a pop up camper ourselves and find that, although it's wonderful to be able to store most of our cookware and camping gear in one place and not have to unload it every time we come home, there's certainly a limited amount of space. We have friends who also own a pop up and they bring along one of those plastic Rubbermaid three or four drawer systems for storing their clothes.
We use a large plastic tote and keep it in the camper to store paper towels, popcorn, aluminum foil, cooking spray, etc. We store our towels in a smaller tote which we also leave in the camper. Sheets (which we bought at the thrift store) are left on the bunks until they need cleaning. We have bought all our camping cookware, flatware, etc at yard sales and so we leave those in the camper so that we don't have to stock up before each trip.
Have a great time with your new camper! (07/01/2006)
-Use under the bed Rubbermaid tubs that will fit into small areas.
-Plastic Ziploc bags
-Hanging shoe organizers to hold bathroom items.
-Baskets
We have camped for over 30 years and I use lots of Ziploc bags and plastic tubs of all sizes to hold items. Our trailer has an under the bed compartment that I store a lot of things in tubs - label everything. I store all my decorative items together (party lights, wind chimes, or anything decorative for the outside), all the cooking items are stored together and labeled. I found a hanging laundry bag that is mesh and has a hanger on it; it can hang outside or inside (if space is available).
Check at your local Dollar stores and Walmart stores for plastic tubs and storage units that might suit your needs. The RV section of some stores are expensive on items for camping so I improvise or create an item that will work for our camping experience. Plans for a portable picnic table can be found at http://www.Familyfun.Com, we have two of these tables and they are very handy at the campsite.
First off, never throw away a plastic container till you've looked it over twice to see if it has other uses. I save kitty litter containers and cut out the front, saving the handle and the "bucket" part. Lots of small items will fit in there and are very portable (like bathroom items you may want to take to the shower house in a campground or store away after use), they are good to store toilet paper in a steamy bath too. The whole ones, cleaned well, will hold flour, sugar or other dry goods that might get bugs otherwise.
Those mesh bags produce come in are great to hang onions and potatoes on a hook inside or out. They are also good for a bar of soap to hang in the shower. That way they are a combination scrubby and soap, or just a place to keep the soap dry when not in use. Laundry detergent boxes are good to store stuff too. Ziploc bags and plastic boxes are great but this stuff has been paid for already, use it till it can't be used any more! (07/06/2006)
By carla bledsoe
RE:Space Saving Tips for a Camper or RV
My best idea is for storing/organizing the kitchen. We do all of our cooking outdoors so I wanted my kitchen items outside. I purchase two of the Sterlite 4 drawer wheel carts. All of our kitchen items fit neatly in these (plates, cups, silverware, kitchen gadgets, plastic baggies, tin foil, napkins, etc). When we get to the campsite, we just pull them out of the camper and put them under the awning outside. Makes unpacking and packing a breeze. (07/26/2006)
By Donna Z.
Organizing for a Camper or RV
We have a very small fifth wheel so storage is always a challenge. Our interests, archaeology and biology, take us far and wide and we are often far away from stores for days or weeks so we try to stay organized and prepared. We use soft side briefcases, bought at garage sales and thrift stores for $1-5, to organize and store many necessities in the truck and trailer. They are durable and very easy to stash. We have the basics: first aid, picnic, tools, etc., bags in the truck and trailer. We also store reference books, maps, camera gear, biology and archaeology materials, grand kid toys, etc., in the bags, as well. Each bag is tagged with it's contents.
This storage method is certainly not decorative or "cool", but is incredibly useful and serves our needs very well.
(01/06/2008)
I just found a canvas zip bag at the thrift store. It was originally made to hold one of those NuWave domed cookers, but it is just the exact size and shape of an ottoman. I'm going to store extra towels, sheets, etc and use it as a foot rest. I also stuff all my throw pillows with sweaters or other out of season clothes and soft items. You might leave a little note inside a cupboard listing what each pillow is full of. (01/01/2009)
By Debbie
RE: storage in pop top
I have a collection of large and small handbags. I store things in them and hang them from the vanagon metal bar that raises up when you pop the top. It is a great vertical storage system. When I lower the top and all are slid to the side behind the driver's seat, there is no vision block for driving. (02/15/2009)
