Opinion on basement compartment slide

[sims5]

The bay behind this one can't be a full width slide since the drivers side opening is notched at the bottom. I'm going to wait and see I might still put a full width there also, it just wouldn't be able to slide out the drivers side.

[Gdawgs]

Originally Posted by Gdawgs

Thanks for the link. My coach is all electric but the chassis is built with the 5 ft deep propane tank bay. It's reinforced and ideal for heavy weight storage. I used the 60 inch 500 lb slides.

Thanks for the comments. The slide is approx. 60 inches deep by 12 high and 12 wide. Because it was for propane it's better insulated and does not have the cosmetic cover over the rail so it has just over 18" of clearance from floor to rail. I wanted storage for small "stuff" so 12" high sides really work well. I've added 2 removable dividers to create 3 compartments.

Here is a better picture of the removable dividers. I'm experimenting with what to store where.

[sims5]

Great organization

[Statgeek]

Looks great Gary.

[SpaceNorman]

Both of our pass thru storage bins came with slides. There's no question - the slides reduce the available storage capacity significantly. While I haven't measured it - I'm guessing it eats 3"-4" on each side of the slide ... and then another 3-4 inches off the bottom of the pass thru bay. The trays DO make getting stuff in and out of the basement storage compartments. However, the lost space cuts into quantity - as well as height of what can be stored. I'm giving serious consideration to removing the tray from one of our two pass thru bays. I've got enough "seldom used" stuff that could easily be stored in the center of a "trayless" compartment that that I think I wouldn't miss the tray.

[Larry Young]

Nice work Lt Dan.

[Statgeek]

The other factor for pass-through slides (the kind that extend out both sides of the Rv) is that because the contents have to be able to fit under the structural beams that typically run down the center of RV's, you can't stack items quite as high as if you had no slide at all, or just a one-way slide.

That being said, I'm already very close to my carrying capacity and I have two two-way (pass-through) slide trays. So I would still have sliding storage trays for all the convenience. In fact, installing the two trays that I have was a negotiation strategy when I bought.

[sims5]

Statgeek. You have two slides that can go both ways? I realize you have a 40g, On our 40x the one compartment has a smaller opening on the drivers side not allowing a slide to go both ways.

[Statgeek]

Indeed, I have two slides. The one is a little narrow to accommodate the "cutout" on the passenger side but I use that space for my hose and ladder storage in two vertically stacked "fence post" mods. A lot of 5th wheelers make them and hang them underneath their 5er chassis, but my 40G chassis rides too close to the ground so I just store it in that space.

[sims5]

Statgeek Can you post a pic of the "fence post" mod in your basement?

[Captjake1]

Originally Posted by sims5

Statgeek Can you post a pic of the "fence post" mod in your basement?

Here is a ton of them. I used them on previous trailers and 5th wheels. https://www.google.com/search?q=rv+f...w=1280&bih=899

[sims5]

Thanks Captjake1. I was trying to picture the posts inside the basement.

[Statgeek]

Sorry sims--I didn't get a chance to get back online until late this eve. But those are the fence post mods Pictured above. I just laid one inside one of my basement compartments-- right side of slide on the floor, and then stacked another right on top. Sorry no pictures--the Rv is in storage now.

I also stole the idea of using a piece of plastic gutter material to make a "slide out" for the sewer hose. It's in the above pics too.

[sims5]

No worries. Thanks Statgeek