Fleet inside storage planning

[hoyden]

(not sure if this topic belongs here, but seemed best option)

This evening I popped the top and measured most everything I could think might be usable space. I don't necessarily want to use it all, but at least I have ideas.

Like a slide-out drawer on the left side of my under-stove storage area maybe. Perhaps a collapsable hanging clothes storage to hang from the ceiling? I asked my local FWC guys about that, and they said it'll be fine to hang items from ceiling as long as not too heavy.
Yea? Nay?


I took pics, and made captions in them with measurements (Sorta. Apparently, my note to photo taking wasn't terribly accurate. Pugsly was not a very good helper doggie tonight.)

https://picasaweb.google.com/112361382853861765934/CamperMeasurementsForStorageSpace#

What solutions have you done in your small spaces?

 

[billharr]

I got 3 drawers across my cabinet under my stove and to the right of the sink. Use full slides so you can use the space to the wall. Also add a cabinet rear right side.

Rear cabinet. Note on my first Hawk the cabinet top was under the FWC cabinet.

 

[hoyden]

Nice! Did you build those drawers out yourself, or have them put in?
That rear cabinet is very do-able!

 

[billharr]

I had a cabinet shop make the drawer boxes, I wanted them to be square. I installed and up the fronts panels on. See my blog on the build for more info.

 

[hoyden]

I had a cabinet shop make the drawer boxes, I wanted them to be square. I installed and up the fronts panels on. See my blog on the build for more info.

Nice build! I'm really liking the pull-out drawers and that extra cabinet

 

[JaSAn]

I put one drawer in my build mostly to see if I could make one. Not that hard. Mounting it is a different matter. I used a soft close slide because it holds the drawer closed without any latches and those were difficult to get right (shimming). Note that with drawers you loose some storage. If I were to do this again I would make all my shelves sliding. The one drawer is OK, wouldn't want any more.

I have pictures of the solid model I did of my Grandby on my build thread, in case you are interested.

jim

 

[hoyden]

I put one drawer in my build mostly to see if I could make one. Not that hard. Mounting it is a different matter. I used a soft close slide because it holds the drawer closed without any latches and those were difficult to get right (shimming). Note that with drawers you loose some storage. If I were to do this again I would make all my shelves sliding. The one drawer is OK, wouldn't want any more.

I have pictures of the solid model I did of my Grandby on my build thread, in case you are interested.

jim

Looking now!

 

[DonC]

Here's a few simple things I've done to my Fleet, not all storage related

I see my pictures are small so select to enlarge...

Trimetric and digital thermostat


Fridge thermometer - has two sensors - one for fridge one for freezer. The display has a magnet which attaches to the fridge or if its blazing hot and you want to watch your temperatures you can have in your truck cab - its wireless bluetooth. It also tracks max and min temps - very handy


Cooler - I am often in bear country at night (shooting star pictures) so have to unload my food and fridge into the nearest bear locker - sometimes a few miles from where I park. I put my fridge stuff (not drinks) into this along with a frozen water bottle and all is good for a few hours. With all my food and spices in bins, I can empty my truck of smelly stuff in 5 minutes, and go. I have been doing this a long time and have come across many cars and trucks that have been broken into so I take no chances. I'll sleep in the camper with all my stuff in bear country because the the small Calif bears are easy to shoo off, but I won't park and leave it for hours at night. I keep this behind the couch so its never in the way and its there when I need it.


Paper towel holder - does not need to be removed when lowering roof. Attached using velcro hooks


Food storage - usually good for a week. Sits under lowered roof. Kept in place with a few felt tabs. Has never fallen off on hard dirt road driving.


Spices - soap, lotion, meds, etc. held with velcro so easy to remove


Dishes - easy to remove and set on bed for easy access to everything when cooking


Put a little rim around the small storage cabinet and the rubberized no slide stuff - handy for coins and really small pocket stuff


Collapsible trash can - keep another in the back of the cab


Shoe and other junk storage


I also only carry one bottle of propane, this saves me 25 lbs at the very back of the truck. One bottle lasts me a long time. I strap it in nice and tight.


I keep first aid, fuses, camper docs, etc in the small area in the battery compartment

Always interested in efficiency ideas...

 

[hoyden]

Here's a few simple things I've done to my Fleet, not all storage related
<snip>

Great ideas!

Did you take the hinges off your stove and sink-tops?

 

[DonC]

no, I have the flush mount sink and stove, a very worthwhile upgrade as counter space is at a premium. When I pull out the upper bed I just move the food box over to the top of the stove

 

[longhorn1]

Curious why you remove food from your fridge and camper. There isn't a National Park that I'm aware of that requires food to be removed from your fridge. All other food is stored in containers and in cabinets. Published National Park literature doesn't call for that and not one ranger has suggested that. Every National Park we ask about food storage and Pets when we arrive.

This is from the National Park Service FAQ for Glacier National Park:

All food, caught fish, trash, and any equipment used to cook, serve, or store food must be stored securely at all times (except when these items are being transported, consumed, or prepared for consumption). Safe places include sealed in a vehicle or solid, non-pliable camping unit. Most campgrounds have NPS designated storage lockers and bearproof trash cans available as well.


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[DonC]

most of my time is on the east side of the Sierra. All rangers I talk to say do not leave your camper unattended at night with food or anything with a fragrance in it. OK during the day, but not at night. Regardless, I don't care what anyone tells me or what the literature says, I have seen lots of break ins and talked to many people about this. I often park at very remote trail heads far up a dirt road from 10 pm to 3 am and go off hiking to take pictures. When I am passing bear lockers on the way, and it only takes a few minutes, I am not going to take a chance.

not wanting to take this thread off topic...

 

[longhorn1]

Considering what you are doing, it is hard to argue with ones choice.

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