MrsSquid Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 We're gearing up to full-time with hopes to be part of the 2020 class. What storage bins do you use in your basement storage areas? Do you use those with weatherproofing gaskets in the lids to cut down on humidity or smells? Do you use regular bins or some mix, depending upon what is stored? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocksbride Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 I like stackable rubbermaid tubs. Will check the label when we park today. We have a variety of sizes - some of which have lasted more than 10 years. Heat, cold, humidity isn't an issue and if the contents went in dry they stay dry. They can bear the weight of either another box on top, or even our little grill without cracking or caving in. The lid is deep, and the lip keeps things from sliding around or related little doodads from rolling off. From size to size the lids are interchangeable. Looks like Rubbermaid's quit making roughneck boxes, but you may be able to find some still in retail stores. The newer Sterilite has held up better than I expected. I have a few smaller, clear boxes for speciality items, but some lids on larger boxes cracked or caved in a stack. Some of their lids are more molded now like the old rubbermaid and have held up better. I still go with rubbermaid if I can find them, and only use clear boxes where they will not be part of a stack. Bottom line, look for tough, waterproof, stackable, and sizes that vary in height rather than footprint (or two of the same brand in small fit crosswise on the lid of a large, etc.). I'd also get a few basics, but you will want to buy your totes and bins once you have your rig. It's easier to get your groups of stuff together and then buy the bin to fit, i.e., all your laundry/floor cleaning supplies, all the bathroom supplies, pet stuff, hoses, little plumbing doodads, bungies and ties, etc. Some of the smaller clear boxes are related to the last items that my hubs wouldn't find if he couldn't see them - and they go in a separate spot just for him... no major stacks in the basement. There are some clear stackables with locks where the bottom of the upper box is the lid for the lower box. They come about 3 or 4 layers high. That works for some of the hub's little things that he needs to hook up as soon as we land somewhere. It resides in a cubby on the truck and he doesn't have to move anything to get to it. We're rolling now; will take a photo or two when we get settled later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsSquid Posted December 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 Thanks Rocksbride. I appreciate your insight. I'll be on the lookout for stackable, rugged bins. I like the tip to group things together to help determine the size needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 We also liked Rubbermaid bins we bought at Walmart to use in our RV that had basement compartments. Although we had my two favorite lamps simply wrapped in sheets and stashed in a small compartment where they just barely fit. Now that we are off the road again I am thrilled to still have those lamps. Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactus Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 X2 On Rocksbride comments Not a fulltimer but have used the Rubbermaid stackable tubs and the shorter height bins for compatibility and durability. I have found these at Lowes in the last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJoblessRver Posted December 24, 2018 Report Share Posted December 24, 2018 We just used the bins we picked up at Walmart. If you are worried about humidity and smells I would recommend grabbing some vacuum bags to store your stuff. Words To Live By: " Welcome To Our Campsite Where Friends And Marshmallows Get Toasted At The Same Time" - Me " Every problem in the world can be fixed with one of two items. If it moves and it shouldn't, duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, WD-40." - Rving Review States I've Visited: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted December 24, 2018 Report Share Posted December 24, 2018 We used sturdy tubs but I'd recommend that you get all the same brand so that smaller ones can easily stack on bigger ones. Also, try to get clear boxes. Although they probably won't be exactly see-through you can get a general idea by colors and shapes of things stored. We also labeled all 4 sides so we didn't have to be concerned about putting them in so they could be read. We used a label rather than writing on the box in case we switched up things in the future. Store like items together and most used out in front of the storage bays. We had no need to store clothes or bedding. If it didn't fit upstairs in the closet/drawers it wasn't taken. We dressed in layers so everything went well together.... no bulky coats. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted December 24, 2018 Report Share Posted December 24, 2018 We use Sterilite containers that are a see thru purple color... But all the advice above is correct. See thru and stackable helps. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsSquid Posted December 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 Thanks folks. We got our rig a couple of months ago. We've got some time before we are able to full-time, but I wanted to start thinking about storage bins. Lots of good advice here. I can take my time and hopefully catch a few sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowGypsy Posted January 4, 2019 Report Share Posted January 4, 2019 We discovered the Ziploc which do have a gasket and love them. We get the 15 gallon WeatherShield, some in clear and a couple in the almost black. We order them online from Wal-Mart. They really lock down! Cathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted January 5, 2019 Report Share Posted January 5, 2019 6 hours ago, SnowGypsy said: We discovered the Ziploc which do have a gasket and love them. We get the 15 gallon WeatherShield, some in clear and a couple in the almost black. We order them online from Wal-Mart. They really lock down! But, if you pack them in a humid climate you seal in that moisture. Some people on this forum like using Damp-Rid to help with humidity problems. Linda Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowGypsy Posted January 7, 2019 Report Share Posted January 7, 2019 There are natural alternatives to DampRid that can be "recharged" in the sun. We like those. Damp-Rid, with the exception of the ones that hang, can be messy and destructive when spilled. Well, we like ZipLoc, and it does keep spiders from invading. Everyone can use whatever they like, I just wanted to let people know about the ZipLoc as we were delighted when we discovered them. I have always been a "less is more" type person, so my experience may differ from others when it comes to storage among other things. Cathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsSquid Posted January 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 We picked up some 27 gallon stackable, heavy-duty storage totes on sale this past weekend at Costco. We saw a smaller, stackable size available at our local Office Depot. https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/792989/Greenmade-Storage-Tote-27-Gallons-30/. Apparently Office Depot is matching, or almost matching, the cost at Costco. I looked at the Ziploc with the gasket. I may still use a couple of those. SnowGypsy, are you satisfied with the durability of the Ziploc? Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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