|
|
10-01-2011, 04:33 AM
|
#1
|
airperson
2006 25' Classic
Ft Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
|
What do you carry in your truck and how do you organize them?
Help, my truck bed is a mess. Any and all tips on what you carry in your truck and how you keep it organized such as types of containers. It seems that what is needed first is always in the far back of the truck. I know someone out there has a plan. Airperson
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 05:04 AM
|
#2
|
3 Rivet Member
2013 30' Flying Cloud
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 159
|
Systematic packing
Right. We're still learning how to do it but we have a plan. Before leaving I put everything I need in the front of the bed and everything I don't need in the back. Upon arrival I change everything from front to back. Before leaving I change everything back again. It works every time but it does take planning.
__________________
Skip
Speed is Life . . . guidance is optional . . .
The Traveling Circus: 2013 Flying Cloud 30A; 2006 Chevy Duramax Crew/LWB
Air #42313 TAC VA-7 WBCCI #1290
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 05:25 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Loganville
, Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,741
|
The way I figure it is people are to busy admiring the airstream to even look in the back of the truck. Ha Ha. On my big trips I will be gone for about 5 weeks. I have learned to weed out many things. I carry my tools coolers, generator, spare tire and an extra pair of steps I made (Dogs are old and struggle).
Brian
__________________
Brian & Adrienne
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 06:22 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
We travel pretty light. Bicycles, generator, gas can, all with chain and lock. Sewer Solution hose/connector, chocks, that's about it, good for six months.
No topper makes a more usable bed I think, especially at home. The modern extended cab pickups certainly have protected space inside for stuff.
doug k
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 06:34 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1959 26' Overlander
Western
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,468
|
Milk Cartons
We have a row of milk cartons that really helps us organize. Easiest to grab is the one that contains coiled hose and power cables so we can make or break camp quickly. Keeping like stuff together allows to grab and root through one square foot of stuff rather than many.
John
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 06:42 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
|
Not sure if your truck bed is open or closed? We have a Leer cap, put on specifically so we can maximize use of the truck for storage to keep teh AS less cluttered.
It is still tough to keep the truck bed looking tidy though, but to help, I carry a number of large rubbermade boxes in there, each with duct tape labels to make things easier to find. we put extra boots and shoes on one, bicycle gear in another, and a couple of boxed for misc. stuff. As well, we put garden chairs, drinking water, soft drinks, beer, folding picnic table, a couple of toolboxes, folding ladder, gennie, gas, cleaning supplies, toys such as metal detector, etc. etc.
It is still a bit of a mess and can be a hassle if I need to climb over everything to get at some buried item. but really does help us to keep the trailer tidy.
Equally, since just the two of us travel, we load up the back of the crew cab with a couple more rubbermade boxes of extra food supplies as well as camera bags, computer stuff and the like.
Just can't seem to get the hang of traveling light!
Brian
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 06:52 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1993 34' Excella
York
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,417
|
Truck Bed
This is the way I do it. A place for everything and everything in its place.
__________________
John
WBCCI #268 Palmetto State Airstream Club 22
Region 3 Past President....come with us, you will like it.
Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson
Are you kind?..... Uncle John's Band
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 06:54 AM
|
#8
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
|
We have a little different system.....
Rule #1... If you think of it, you pack it.
That way when the question is asked you have the answer.
If the answer is "no" it better be there when needed.
Rule #2... See rule #1
Think about it.
Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 08:19 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,145
|
My wife believes that if there is room, we can take it. I told her it is weight NOT volume as to what we can take. I told her that we would have EVERYTHING weighed, AS, TV, eqpt and supplies and including her. That changed her way of thinking.
Now it is easier to get organized and we carry less.
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 09:01 AM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2011 25' FB Flying Cloud
Peculiar
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 531
|
We use a combination of milk crates and plastic bins with covers. The milk crates are good to hold 'stuff' that doesn't need too much protection from the weather, (dog chains, rope, tarps, etc. The can also serve as 'camp chairs' if needed. The plastic bins are for stuff we want protected from the elements. These are marked/labeled. These can either stay in the truck (open bed) or stacked along the trailer side. At home these bins get cleaned, restocked if needed, and stored on shelves in the garage ready for the next trip.
A spare milk crate also allows us to sort out anything recyclable.
If you have pets, we also clean and reuse kitty litter cans to store dog food, easy to store and keep sealed. We also use the kitty litter cans to store charcoal briquets. These also can be stacked. Nope the cats stay home
It's just me and the wife (and either 2 or 3 dogs)who travel so we know what we usually need. We try to keep everything we really need in the trailer between trips (makes it easy to hook up and go).
For now, the available space in the truck bed is dictated by the number of dog kennels we have. These also help keep us focused on what do we really need.
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 09:19 AM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
|
We have a cap on the truck and the bed is always full.
In the past we experienced the problem of it always in the back of the truck and you can't reach it.. I put a hook on the end of a long shovel handle and it was very handy for snagging things like lawn chairs.
When I replaced the cap I got one with lift up side windows and we can pretty well reach everything now
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 09:21 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
|
Our TV is a convertible. I sometimes suggest to myself that perhaps I should use a pick-up. Soon as that thought creeps into my head I realize that the more carry space means more stuff. We do have to place some 'important' stuff in the Airstream. So I bought 2 plastic storage boxes about 2' x 4' with a hinged cover and has a pair of wheels on one end. That makes them easy to roll like a wheel barrow. They wheel easily to quickly place into the coach then remove from the coach and rolls nicely under the coach. It sorta like having a basement.
Neil
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 09:27 AM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
|
I use a combo of old plastic milk crates and plastic buckets. Cords and hoses go into buckets.I have a short handled sledgehammer,jack handle/winch bar for the WD hitch,jumper cables,36inch breakerbar,little giant ladder,2 spares,2 Honda genni's,charcoal, charcoal grill (small wheeled model) Lots of blocking for leveling.
Full tool box.I know there is alot I have forgotten.Im pretty much prepared for anything. There is no rime or reason to the way stuff is loaded.If I need it,its always up front anyway,LOL My cap has no side windows,so OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND,I always say.
__________________
Roger & MaryLou
___________________
F350 CREWCAB SW LONG BED
7.3 liter Power Stroke Diesel
1977 27ft OVERLANDER
KA8LMQ
AIR # 22336 TAC- OH-7
May your roads be straight and smooth and may you always have a tailwind!
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 09:36 AM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
1999 23' Safari
Perrysburg
, Ann Arbor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 916
|
What Roger said. Only thing I do differently is (having only a hard tonneau cover) I put in two bed dividers made out of 2x12. At the very front go shovel, high lift jack, t-lugnut wrench, 1 13/16 open end wrench for hitch ball, jumper cables, axe, 20 ton hyrdraulic jack, come-along.
Middle (largest) section holds tool box, propane tank for gas grill and/or generator, 2400 watt generator, hoses and tow ropes and electrical cords in buckets, pie irons.
Rear section holds leveling blocks, combination snap-up tool for the hitch / hdraulic jack pump handle, spare hitch ball, homemade "socket tool" for the coach's stabil. jacks, hitch lube, extra trailer bearings and grease.
Fore/aft on top of the bed dividers ride flag poles and fishing rod cases. Sometimes I add a bicycle or two (though I usually put a folding Dahon in the back seat of the cab) and maybe a case of extra clothes.
I HATE emptying it out! Too much stuff? Maybe, but I've used it all on at least one occasion.
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 10:01 AM
|
#15
|
Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
|
When I bought the truck it had Leer topper and factory plastic bedliner installed. With Rubbermaid totes or other, it's a matter of sliding them around. Or stacking. I use a load lock bar to keep things secured underway.
I cannot emphasize enough how easy this is due to being able to slide heavy totes around, not at all like spray-on liners.
.
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 10:29 AM
|
#16
|
4 Rivet Member
1973 27' Overlander
Southport (Panama City)
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 426
|
My solution is empty the house into the truck and then your ready to go camping for the weekend or at least thats my wife's idea of it and you know who is always right...
__________________
Your Friend Sam In (Southport) Panama City Florida
Air#15607 TAC FL-2
Good Sam (LifeTime Member)
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 11:33 AM
|
#17
|
3 Rivet Member
2009 19' International
Woodinville
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 191
|
I have an F150 with Snugtop. The answer to accessibility is Bedslide.
__________________
DonS
"It's like magic, only real"
(Bud Light commercial)
Women and cats can do as they please, while men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.(R. Heinlein)
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 11:58 AM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
Gotta watch impact of topper, bedslide, or storage compartments on payload, and what's left for trailer tongue weight and gear.
doug k
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 01:42 PM
|
#19
|
airperson
2006 25' Classic
Ft Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
|
John, The milk cartons are a great idea. I saw some at Wall Mart the other day but did not make the connection. They sounds like a perfect fit for hose and extension cords and the best part is the ones I saw only cost $3.00. Isn’t this a great outlet for super ideas?
CU, AP
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 01:46 PM
|
#20
|
airperson
2006 25' Classic
Ft Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
|
Brian, we have a Leer top as well. I really like the idea of the Rubbermaid boxes for larger things. You have got this thing down to a science. Thanks for your input.
CU, down the road, AP
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|