Storage in the overhead compartments--how?

[Belbein]

My wife wants to organize the overhead compartments so that her stuff doesn't get all out of order. She proposes to do so with baskets. I pointed out that the back of the overheads is curved, and baskets tend to have vertical sides: ergo, there's going to be wasted space behind the baskets. But, as she says, everyone must have this problem. So I'm appealing to y'all. What organization tools do you use to organize personal stuff (clothing, socks, underwear, etc.) in the overheads?



I, personally, am in favor of just throwing it all in there and figuring it's a small space, I'll find things eventually. But I'm a guy. She, a non-guy, wants actual ORGANIZATION organization. Go figure.


Anyway, help would be appreciated.

[rmkrum]

We use a bunch of shallow basket-like containers to hold stuff in place. The baskets are not tall enough to hit the back curved walls.

The other major storage is a bunch of open topped collapsible crates that are just tall enough to fit under our front bed. These are plastic with no exposed metal parts to cause issues with the 12 volt power stuff on the front wall. Clothing and the like goes in them.

We carry a couple folding medium size dog crates under the desk at the rear of our 22 foot 2007 International CCD. That particular feature was last installed that model year. We use the crates for occasional dog control on the road. There is one crate permanently mounted in the backseat of the truck to control the three little ones that would get in the way on our laps. They sleep a lot on the road.

The bigger 22 pound dog has a safety harness tied to the seatbelt on the passenger rear seat for his safety and comfort. He sleeps most of the time on the road.

For long trips, suitcases and other stuff in containers goes in the truck bed under the one-piece tonneau cover.

[skyguyscott]

Some helpful threads. Almost every problem possible in an Airstream has probably been solved many times in many different ways:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ts-175796.html

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f38...ml#post1944367

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f39...ons-51071.html

That should get you started. Happy reading, Happier Camping!

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Organizing is half the fun!
My wife is constantly rearranging. We use baskets and bins. Usually shallow kind and then the curved part ends us getting backpacks or other items stacked on top of the bins.
We have had some rubbing on the aluminum that has left a mark. Be careful on that.

Let me know if you guys wanna see pictures of anything. We full time and would love to share if it would help you.

[JayTheCPA]

Find a SquareStream

[waninae39]

we use the sticky mats so stuff dos not slide around

we use the expandable cup holders so that mugs dont clink

[ROBERT CROSS]

For my clothes in the curved overheads...
I use the push & stuff method, you will be surprised how much stuff fits.🥴
Get used to it...we did.
We store some towels wrapped around breakable stuff.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Trowbridge]

My wife has used wire baskets that but we've clipped (good old wire clippers from my tool cabinet) the backs and sides to taper them down...full height in front and lower in back to miss the curved inner wall.

A brilliant solution she found for the baskets and for larger loose items we put into the overheads is spring loaded lockable curtain rods. She runs them across the front of each cabinet about three inches up from the lower lip. No pressure from baskets, blankets, etc. on the cabinet doors. Nothing moves during travel!

Organization is good!

[dhroberts]

We purchase wire (with legs) shelves from Container Store. The shelf height is about midway. You could use a basket under and/or on top of the shelf. Efficient and takes up minimal space.

[inthralled]

We use cloth washable shopping bags for just about all storage. They come in different sizes, are collapsible and have handles so they are easy to pack and take in and out of the storage.

[slpiotro]

I, personally, am in favor of just throwing it all in there and figuring it's a small space, I'll find things eventually. But I'm a guy. She, a non-guy, wants actual ORGANIZATION organization. Go figure.
I agree with you, my stuff is stacked and gets moved around as I pull out clothes etc during the trip. My wife uses plastic baskets and keeps her stuff in one overhead in back, I keep my stuff in one overhead in front. We are both happy, and arguments are avoided. Now the rest of the trailer stuff is a whole different question, she generally wins. I'm not real stupid.

[WhereStream]

We used small plastic baskets on our last trip, to organize. Considered a success.

I saw that the 2020 Airstreams have little mirrors attached to the curved backs of the high cabinets, so you can see what’s up there without a stool or tippy-toes.

I will add some of those.

[banderabob]

Collapsible from IKEA, 12” square by 8”tall, 2 fit nicely in the overheads above the dinette for food. Well, it works best when right side up!

[chugchug]

For the kitchen area I use OXO containers placing the short ones in the back and the tall ones in the front. Foam organizer with proper size cuts keeps things from banging around as we go. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that one has to remove the container in the front to get to the container in the back, but I can't see a way around this.

I also made custom dividers for organizing small items of all sort. Again, different containers are used depending on the size available.

[Pimms]

[QUOTE=chugchug;2331664]For the kitchen area I use OXO containers placing the short ones in the back and the tall ones in the front. Foam organizer with proper size cuts keeps things from banging around as we go. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that one has to remove the container in the front to get to the container in the back, but I can't see a way around this.

ChugChug, did you make the foam organizers or find a source for them. I like it!

[Landshark]

I've used vertical dividers curved at the back to fit the trailer wall which were then riveted/stapled to a horizontal piece that keeps it upright. Items stored on the horizontal pieces keep the vertical dividers from moving. Works well and enables moving the dividers as needed for larger or smaller things to be stored. Also cheap! You can use any material stiff enough to stand upright (verticals) and anything sturdy enough to be riveted/stapled to the verticals. I think mine were something like heavy posterboard.

Vivian

[Atwebs]

Target has some translucent plastic bins (no lids) that fit perfectly in our overhead storage cabinets and also are really nice in our pull out pantry for little stuff. "Yweave" is the type and we have a variety of sizes of those, depending on where we needed them. The others are just Sterilite square or retangular bins that hook together. They rather short, only about 5-6" on the height, but that works pretty well.

The bins do help keep stuff from wandering around, plus it is easier to find what you are looking for and easier to do a quick inventory of what you need when you are on the road. I liked them so much, I now use them at home as well.

[ers]

We bought some plastic baskets but then i realized those clear plastic boxes that lettuce comes in fits in nicely. And they are free... after you eat the lettuce!! We can fit 7 in a bin. The only downside is the plastic is thin.

[chugchug]

[QUOTE=Pimms;2331679]

Originally Posted by chugchug

For the kitchen area I use OXO containers placing the short ones in the back and the tall ones in the front. Foam organizer with proper size cuts keeps things from banging around as we go. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that one has to remove the container in the front to get to the container in the back, but I can't see a way around this.

ChugChug, did you make the foam organizers or find a source for them. I like it!

It is Kaizen foam. Very easy to make the cuts.

https://www.amazon.com/Fastcap-1-1-T...=fsclp_pl_dp_3

[Ruffit]

Well, if I could figure out how to post a photo, I’d show you what we did. We bought some free standing wire shelves from Canadian Tire, they are adjustable in length so divide the space horizontally in half. Then we covered the shelves with non-slip cupboard liner. We then used Tupperware modular mates to fill the space entirely. Shorter length ones on the top shelf to account for the curve and longer ones on the bottom. They fit perfectly, nothing shifts and nothing gets stale because of the excellent seals. ( No, I don’t sell Tupperware.) Then I bought Mabel’s Labels write on labels ( I think they are sold by Avery in the US). They look great and there is no wasted space.
If someone can point me to the directions for how to post a photo, I will happily do so.