RV Storage and Organization Guide: How to Maximize Your RV Space
Is your RV bursting at the seams due to the amount of baggage you are carrying? Due to the limited space in the RV, you must have a knack for organizing things to keep your RV well-organized and neat. Proper storage and organization of your RV is essential for maximum and proper utilization of your space during adventures. You have to be clever and strategic in organizing your RV storage space.
Today, let’s discuss various RV storage and organization ideas to keep it looking organized and tidy. Let’s dive in!
Plan Your RV Storage
When organizing your RV storage spaces, you must first plan. Also, find creative solutions for various spaces, such as narrow areas and multifunctional spaces. Here are tips to help you plan RV organizing effectively.
1. Understand Your Space Limitation
Ensure you understand the space limitations in your RV before you purchase anything. For instance, most RV drawers and cabinets are usually custom-sized. They are designed to maximize limited space. Therefore, for instance, typical kitchen utensils may not be appropriate for RV use due to storage limitations.
Before purchasing anything for the RV, take detailed measurements of the drawers, cabinets, external storage, and other storage spaces to help you choose the right items based on your storage spaces.
2. Decide and Prioritize Essentials
What essential items must you have in your RV? Prepare a list of essential items to avoid packing unnecessary items. Here are some pointers to help you pack crucial items effectively.
- RV Basic Essentials— Some of the basic RV must-have essentials include the paperwork, such as documentation, the vehicle's registration number, and insurance. Others include Renogy solar panels and batteries for generating power on the go, generators, electrical extension cords, and adapters.
- Safety Essential Items- You must prioritize packing safety tools and equipment. Also, remember to update your emergency kit and have emergency contacts ready.
- Winter/Cold Essentials- Canada is mostly cold. Therefore, pack winter or cold-weather essentials such as winter coats and warm blankets.
- Maintenance and Repair Kit—Remember to include simple repair and maintenance equipment such as RV essential tools, RV cleaning supplies, and roof repair kits in the essential items list.
To effectively pack for the essential items, refer to comprehensive packing guides for your RVs.
3. Zone Your RV
Mark out specific areas in your RV and dedicate them to particular items. Defining the storage zones within the RV will enable you to quickly find items and keep them organized.
For instance, you can use the bedroom spaces for shoes and clothes only, the kitchen area for foodstuffs, the living area for entertainment and toys, etc. In addition, you can label the drawers and cabinets for convenience and efficiency when finding items.
Expert Tips to Maximize Storage and Keep it Organized
Before organizing your RV, establish the space available and the amount of stuff you have. Carefully plan your RV storage efficiently, considering weight distribution. The following RV storage tips will help you maximize and organize space.
1. Maximize Vertical Storage
As you already know, RVs have limited storage space. Therefore, you must be smart and strategic when storing items in your RV. One excellent way of utilizing RV storage space effectively is using vertical storage space.
Vertical RV storage enables you to use the wall blank space effectively. You can mount hooks, shelves, racks, hangers, or baskets on the wall to maximize the vertical space.
2. Use Under-bed Storage
The underbeds are excellent and practical storage areas for your RV. Use bed risers to elevate the height of the bed to create more storage space for bulkier items and organizers.
3. Go Foldable
Invest in foldable and stackable items to maximize your RV storage space, especially kitchen items. For instance, consider using collapsible silicone bowls.
Additionally, consider purchasing pans and pots that can easily and neatly stack above each other. Other collapsible items include trash cans that fold nicely when not in use. You can consider other collapsible and foldable items to maximize your RV.
4. Use Multi-Purpose Items
Consider using multipurpose items, such as furniture that serves multiple purposes. For instance, consider using sofas that you can convert into tables, beds, or storage. An ottoman is a good example of a multipurpose item. You can use it as a seat and as storage.
5. Make Use of the Wall and Door Storage
The wall and the doors can offer additional storage in your RV. Just get creative about it and see how much space you can create. Some of the ways you can use the doors and walls to create space include:
- Hanging Baskets—Hang baskets on the wall and doors with adhesive hooks. You can store toiletries, spices, and other items in them.
- Door and Wall Hooks—The wall hooks can hang dishcloths, towels, and chopping boards, among other convenient items.
- Strip Caddies—The caddies can be stuck on the cabinet doors to store smaller items such as snacks, cleaning supplies, and bottles.
Although the walls and doors help you create additional space for storage in your RV, avoid overloading the doors as the hinges could break.
6. Optimize Kitchen and Bathroom Spaces
RV bathrooms and kitchens are usually small. However, you can still create additional storage spaces in these limited spaces. Again, make use of adhesive hooks to hang towels, baskets with toiletries, and clothes in the bathroom. You can attach the toothbrush holder on the bathroom wall, among other bathroom essentials. You can do the same in the kitchen to store some utensils, such as cutlery. Use the fridge walls in the kitchen by suspending smaller items, such as a water bottle organizer. Generally, get clever with the unutilized spaces in your RV to maximize the available storage.
7. Efficient Use of Storage Bins
You can store various items in the RV using bins, baskets, and buckets. The storage bins come in assorted sizes and shapes to accommodate the RV's contents. You can store the storage bins under the bed or in the basement.
When packing items in the storage bins, keep the least used item at the bottom while frequently keeping items at the top. Additionally, consider using double open-sided storage for easy access to the items.
8. Use Renogy Slimline Lithium Batteries
The Renogy Slimline lithium batteries are suitable for RVers looking for practical solutions to minimize the weight and space issues in their RV. The Renogy batteries are large capacity, relatively lightweight, compact-sized to occupy less space, and last longer compared to typical batteries. Some of the Renogy Slimline batteries we recommend for your RV include Renogy 12.8V LiFePO4 and 12.8V 100Ah.
Core Mini - 12.8V 300Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
The Renogy 12.8V 300Ah LiFePO4 battery is lightweight and relatively small, almost 31% smaller and 57% lighter than other batteries. This makes it suitable for use in limited spaces such as RV.
Although it is compact and lightweight compared to most ordinary batteries, it has a high capacity of 300Ah for adequate for powering several appliances and devices. Additionally, it has enhanced safety features such as low-temperature cut-off making it safe to use inside the RV and during freezing temperatures.
Here’s a list of appliances you can run for a day with 2 packs of 12.8V 300Ah LiFePO4 batteries with a combined capacity of 7680Wh.
Appliance | Renogy 12.8V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery Run Time |
Refrigerator 33W | 24h/day |
Electric Griddle 60W | 2h/day |
Microwave 1000W | 0.25h/day |
Coffee maker 900W | 0.25h/day |
Spacer Heater 600W | 6h/day |
A/C(15K BTU) 15000W | 4h/day |
Navigation Electronics 60W | 24h/day |
Core Mini - 12.8V 100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
The most compact LiFePO4 battery you will ever experience for your RV is the Renogy 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery. It is up to 50% lighter and smaller than other battery types, making it ideal for limited spaces such as RV. Additionally, it has excellent safety features, such as the in-built low-temperature cut-off. This means you can use it safely inside the RV and in freezing weather or winter. Here are some appliances you can run with two packs of 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries with a total capacity of 2560Wh.
Appliance | Renogy 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery(×2) Run Time(2560Wh |
Laptop 60W | 12h |
Fishfinder 26W | 8h |
Fan 50W | 4h |
Light Bulb 5W | 5 weeks, 3 hours |
Spacer Heater 600W | 6h |
Freezer 33W | 24h |
Trolling Motor 240W | 5h |
Final Thoughts
Regarding RV living, the fewer you have, the better. Good organization of your RV will keep it comfortable and homely. As discussed above, you can optimize your RV storage by using space-saving essential items such as collapsible bins and adhesive hooks for vertical, wall, and door storage.
Consider bringing only essential items in the RV and decluttering often. You can experiment with different storage styles to figure out what best works for you. Also, consider using space-saving, lightweight, and reliable RV powering essentials such as Renogy Slimline Lithium Batteries to maximize your RV storage spaces.
FAQs
1. What are some of the practical tips that will keep my RV well organized?
There are several ways you can keep your RV organized. For instance, instead of folding the clothes, roll them up. Make use of the vertical spaces and walls. Be minimalist and declutter regularly. Also, consider using multipurpose items and keeping items in their designated spaces within the RV. Additionally, consider using pop-up trash bins and cleaning the RV regularly.
2. How can I declutter my RV effectively?
Another tip for properly utilizing storage space in the RV is decluttering regularly. Start by emptying the RV's drawers, cabinets, and other storage spaces. Categorize each item, such as kitchenware, clothing, toys, gadgets, etc. Then, decide what is essential for your survival and comfort in your RV. If you haven’t used an item in the RV for months, get rid of it.