i think i want slide trays for the basement

[IamGadget]

My 2004 newmar Dutch Star has a nice open pass through basement area. It does not have the sliding trays. I would think at least one tray if not two trays would make loading and unloading stuff a lot easier. Of course i do not know the pros and cons...so would like input and where is the best place to get them....maybe use for a lot less...thank you

[Chickadee]

IamGadget:

G'mornin from Rockport, TX. Well, you'll likely get a variety of opinions about pros and cons of sliding basement trays. We happen to think our trays are a wonderful feature. We have one full slide through and a second 1/2 slide tray. An idea ya might consider if ya install such tray(s) is to measure the length and width of the trays inside demensions (ie. wall to wall), then after installing your tray(s), measure the least vertical clearance from the floor of the tray to the lowest overhead obstruction (ie., rig frame, or some control box, or some wiring, etc.). Now, armed with these dimensions, shop around for some of those various sized plastic storage bins which have snap on lids which DON'T overhang the edges of the bin too much, and then figure out a layout inside the slide tray to optimize arrangement of a number of such bins (some big, some smaller, some deep, some shallow...etc.), and once ya have these bins positioned inside the tray(s), such that the tray can close without hitting overhead obstruction, then, fill em up with your stuff. When doing this, take into account where you might want to shift weight distribution....info you can get by having your rig get a four corner weigh in such as at Newmar in Nappanee. Load your heavy stuff accordingly keeping taking into consideration what ya want handy, etc. etc. It's a little fussing at first, BUT...once your system is in place the sliding trays, with your arranged bins can be a GREAT convenience. Steve & Lynette

[Dr4Film]

I won't have another coach without at least 2. My 2002 Windsor came with one full bay 2-way pass through in Bay#1, and after owning the coach for less that a few months, I quickly installed a second one in Bay #2. Like the other poster commented, I experimented with a variety of different storage bins and finally found a combination that worked for me allowing for maximum storage and convenience.

The factory bay slide is a Kwikee 1000 lb. 90 inch and I bought the same for the second bay.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[IamGadget]

thank you for the great information...I would think the trays would be a great convenience since i will be storing lots of stuff below and i do not want to keep pulling all the stuff out just to get something in the middle. I wonder what the negatives could be. I also want to try to find out about the choices of trays and the costs to buy and install. I would think they need to be bolted in well in order to hold the weight when pulled out will lots of stuff on it...thanks again, allen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickadee IamGadget: G'mornin from Rockport, TX. Well, you'll likely get a variety of opinions about pros and cons of sliding basement trays. We happen to think our trays are a wonderful feature. We have one full slide through and a second 1/2 slide tray. An idea ya might consider if ya install such tray(s) is to measure the length and width of the trays inside demensions (ie. wall to wall), then after installing your tray(s), measure the least vertical clearance from the floor of the tray to the lowest overhead obstruction (ie., rig frame, or some control box, or some wiring, etc.). Now, armed with these dimensions, shop around for some of those various sized plastic storage bins which have snap on lids which DON'T overhang the edges of the bin too much, and then figure out a layout inside the slide tray to optimize arrangement of a number of such bins (some big, some smaller, some deep, some shallow...etc.), and once ya have these bins positioned inside the tray(s), such that the tray can close without hitting overhead obstruction, then, fill em up with your stuff. When doing this, take into account where you might want to shift weight distribution....info you can get by having your rig get a four corner weigh in such as at Newmar in Nappanee. Load your heavy stuff accordingly keeping taking into consideration what ya want handy, etc. etc. It's a little fussing at first, BUT...once your system is in place the sliding trays, with your arranged bins can be a GREAT convenience. Steve & Lynette

[IamGadget]

where is the best place to purchase them...can they be bought used? and what is the installation like...i would think they need to bolted in very well...thank you, allen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film I won't have another coach without at least 2. My 2002 Windsor came with one full bay 2-way pass through in Bay#1, and after owning the coach for less that a few months, I quickly installed a second one in Bay #2. Like the other poster commented, I experimented with a variety of different storage bins and finally found a combination that worked for me allowing for maximum storage and convenience. The factory bay slide is a Kwikee 1000 lb. 90 inch and I bought the same for the second bay. Dr4Film ----- Richard.

["007"]

Congrartulations on your new DS.
Here is a link to slide trays for staters. You may fine some use at a RV parts supply also.

[wa8yxm]

I agree slides are nice but there are three counter indicators.. NOTE this may not be an issue for you

1: Space: They do take up the bottom couple of inches in the compartment
2: Weight... I drive a gasser.. I've got less than 1,000 pounds of Cargo capacity and slides, in all compartments would eat up most of it.

3: Cost

Otherwise.. If I had the cash and the capacity.. I would be putting them in.. ANd may on my next rig.

[mythplaced]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamGadget where is the best place to purchase them...can they be bought used? and what is the installation like...i would think they need to bolted in very well...thank you, allen

EZ installation...

1. Measure..
2. Drill 6 holes
3. Bolt em up!

[mercerc44]

I also have an 04 DS. Put 2 in last year, one slides both directions and one in the compartment that has the water heater, goes one direction. I put them together myself. Mine pop riveted together and lag screwed to the floor. They are great and I love them. Can't believe we had the MH for 2 years without them. Mine are Kwikee and were dropped shipped to my house.

[GaryKD]

Hi Allen,
I have Joey Beds for my slide trays. I think they went out of business. The technology is a commodity. Purchase any brand that has the features and price you feel is of value. Each tray should have a very positive latch when in the closed position. Also, there should be a latching mechanism when opening the tray to eliminate the possibility of pulling the tray out of the basement. Consider having the trays installed by who ever you buy them from. This puts the liability on the supplier to measure correctly (not as obvious as it looks) and these things are heavy! After bolting the trays to the floor, they need to cut the bolts off so nothing is sticking down beyond the nut. Lastly the installer should use a locking nut/washer.

My only advice and something I will do next time is do not get a tray that extends from side to side (one can pull the entire tray from either side). I found the problem with this is the steel beams (rails) that extend into the basement will not allow one to fill the tray any higher than the bottom of the beam (rail). If one does this the tray can not be opened from the "other" side of the coach. Next time, I will get trays that extend to the middle of the coach (a little more $s). This way I can fill the trays to the top of the basement doors. I'll still be able to open each tray from its' respective basement door.

[Norm4015]

Gary brought up some great ideas to think about. Friends of ours, who are fulltimers, had slide out trays installed in their Dutch Star and they could not get all their stuff back in the basement. They said they had no idea they would lose so much storage space because items could not overlap the sides of the trays and in the side-to-side slide nothing could be stacked higher than the rails.

The latches on theirs broke and the side to side motion busted the insides of the cargo doors, but the doors did not open. They drilled holes and dropped bolts in the rails to keep them locked in place.

[Brigadoon]

We ordered the factory slide out trays for our mh. They are the typical 3/4 length by the water heater and the full length slide forward of the first. This left a narrow compartment forward of the full length slide that did not have a slide out tray. That compartment transverses the width of the motorhome also.

I decided to put a slide out tray in that one also. After reading up on all the slideout trays available at the time, I decided to buy a tray made by Slide Master - RV Motor Homes .

I ordered a full length aluminum tray. I'm amazed at how light it is. I was able to do the install without any help. I'm also very impressed with the solid construction of the unit. It puts the factory units to shame. If I was to order trays in the future, they will definitely be made by Slide Masters.

By the way, every tray they make is custom, so you could order any configuration that you want. Half, three quarters or full length. If I did it over, I might order two half length trays and mount them back to back in the same compartment so that I could stack tall items on each end.

[Stillwater]

You do lose a lot of storage space with the slide trays. I have one bay with and one without and it works good for me. At least one is in order, you might consider installing one and trying it out for a while to see just how much room you lose and if that's acceptable then go for the second one if you don't mind the lost space. It depends on your need for storage. I know I need all I can get. Do you remember Fibber McGee and Molly??

[RV4Me4Life]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigadoon We ordered the factory slide out trays for our mh. They are the typical 3/4 length by the water heater and the full length slide forward of the first. This left a narrow compartment forward of the full length slide that did not have a slide out tray. That compartment transverses the width of the motorhome also. I decided to put a slide out tray in that one also. After reading up on all the slideout trays available at the time, I decided to buy a tray made by Slide Master - RV Motor Homes . I ordered a full length aluminum tray. I'm amazed at how light it is. I was able to do the install without any help. I'm also very impressed with the solid construction of the unit. It puts the factory units to shame. If I was to order trays in the future, they will definitely be made by Slide Masters. By the way, every tray they make is custom, so you could order any configuration that you want. Half, three quarters or full length. If I did it over, I might order two half length trays and mount them back to back in the same compartment so that I could stack tall items on each end.

Terry,
I am so glad I read this thread and especially your note. I have a factory installed full slide tray and a half slide tray; they are very heavy and take up room causing a little loss of height space. The company you used for your slide trays will definitely get orders from me. For that full, thin full length section and for another section where I store MH tools, air compressor, etc., I will order slide trays. If you do not mind I would like to e-mail with additional questions BEFORE I order the slide trays. Again, thanks for replying to this thread.

Joe