Concerns with exterior storage and exposed plumbing

[Flynnsmom]

Hello,
Newbies here. 23' Airstream International Serenity 2019
My husband is concerned about the exterior storage area and the exposed pipes. I have organized everything we need in plastic storage bins but he is worried the bins may impact or damage the pipes and is thinking we shouldn't use the area.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks!
Michelle

[Bill M.]

I use my bins. Small plastic tubs for tools and parts. I tub for electrical and 1 tub for plumbing and rivets. Hoses. Surge protector. TV cable. Stuff like that. Nothing heavy like tools or a jack. Have not had a problem with the pipes. Have been on gravel roads for days at the time. My bins are packed fairly full so there is no room for stuff to bounce around a lot

[Flynnsmom]

Thanks! That makes sense. I appreciate your feedback.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Has never been a problem here.

Bob
🇺🇸

Stuff/pipes like this?

Disclaimer....we 'stuff' compartments.🥴

[Flynnsmom]

Our pipes are little more "exposed" and it does seem like a lot of possibility for a bin to break a pipe.

[s1000pre]

I was wondering the same thing in my 30bunk. Pipes in every storage compartment.

[Flynnsmom]

We only have one exterior storage area but there are good number of pipes. My husband made a bracket to keep things from sliding. I also think that using pipe insulation or cut up pool noodles may help bins and cords bumping up against them.

[Rdavenp3]

I have a 23’ and was concerned with all the exposed pipes too. I ended up framing in the around the pipes and covering with plywood. It actually gave me more storage space because the pipes running along the floor are now covered.

[PatLee]

The only area I've ever been concerned about when it comes to pipes or wiring is in the back of my under-the-sink kitchen cabinet. Lots of "important-looking stuff" back there including Zip Dee wiring, the kitchen spray hose and even twinkling lights(!). I ended up cutting shelf liner to fit the shape of the shelf; tacked the liner down with sticky tape to the shelf itself, to keep it from sliding around. I placed everything to be stored inside see-through plastic containers, and then stuck the containers themselves down to the shelf liner with the same sticky tape. I did not want anything moving around in there. So far, it's worked great. Here is link to the sticky stuff I used: https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Fun-T...8503001&sr=8-3,

[dznf0g]

I never really thought about it before thos thread, but my 2007 classic 30 has no plumbing in any closet or storage compartment.

[guskmg]

It would probably be a good idea to put some fiberglass bat material in the outside compartment(s) to provide dead space insulation. I place mine, cut to fit, just inside the door and fill the area up as much as possible.
guskmg

[tvketchum]

Part of why the pipes are exposed is so air can circulate. In cold overnight camps, pipes in an enclosed race might freeze, because no or little air circulation.

[eagletoo]

Flynnsmom,
Is it safe to assume that you are referring to the 23CB model, where some pipes are under the corner bed and exposed in the storage area?

If so, a super craftsman, Rob, has the same model as you. Search in the “23d” forum for him under the name of RFD. He enclosed those two pipes with a cover roughly 2 inches high. See the attached photo of his valve “garage.”

[KK4YZ]

We had a 2017 23D (aka 23CB). The pipes in that compartment were never really a problem. We stored the electric cable, surge protector, water hose and plastic leveling blocks there. We went all over the country with that trailer, including the SouthWest and a BLM area.

That tubing is more robust than it looks. I just wouldn’t store a steel toolbox back there. It’s way too cramped in that compartment anyway to drag heavy stuff in & out.