Pull-out "bins" for storage compartments?

[JJHoneck]

We've got a new (to us) Dutchmen Class C Motorhome. It has plenty of outside storage compartments in which to pack all sorts of stuff.

My wife and I were thinking that some sort of big "Tupperware"-style plastic bins would work well inside these compartments, since they don't appear to be particularly weather-proof.

Then I started to think "outside the box" and considered buying/making a "rocker"-style plastic bin, made to fit each compartment. I've never seen anything like this in something that big, but I have seen parts bins that work this way -- so it might work?

Has anyone seen/done anything like this with their outside storage bins? Does anyone sell such a thing?

[Chuck 1935]

I made pull out shelves that worked very well. I used ball bearing drawer slides from Home Depot. I attached them to the sides of the compatment and made a plywood platform that attached to the drawer slides. I put my storage bins on the trays and it worked great. Simple and uncomplicated.

[rjf7g]

I use clear Rubbermaid tubs.

[JJHoneck]

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

I made pull out shelves that worked very well. I used ball bearing drawer slides from Home Depot. I attached them to the sides of the compatment and made a plywood platform that attached to the drawer slides. I put my storage bins on the trays and it worked great. Simple and uncomplicated.

That's sweet! What thickness plywood did you use?

[dirko]

Hi Ho: I also think using a sliding tray is a good idea. Be sure the slides you get are the heavy-duty (100 lbs.) type and full extension. The plywood has to be thick enough to support the weight you intend. You can guess that better than anyone. Half inch would be ok up to the 100 lb. level.

You can buy slides that work with a tray without sides, but I like the cheaper side- mounted types and make the sides 2 or 3 inches. Your biggest challenge will be building a support (like a box) that will hold the slides. This should be 3/4 plywood. You will also have to find a way to hold it steady (like a back and/or top).

Let us know how you make out.

Dirk

[EngineerMike]

Jay- IIWMI'd go to 3/4" plywood for shelves. Even 5/8 will warp if exposed to large amounts of water or humidity over time. I know you've eliminated all water concerns for ever and ever, but humidity is hard to rule out in the future life of a moto-house.
Ditto on the clear plastic. Won't be long before you realize that multiple bins you can't see into are not as good a clear.

IIWMI'd think about stacking bins rather than shelves. You lose some volume vertically with shelves, where nesting bins lose less. I've always run out of volume before cargo weight capacity on my rigs.

[JJHoneck]

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

Jay- IIWMI'd go to 3/4" plywood for shelves. Even 5/8 will warp if exposed to large amounts of water or humidity over time. I know you've eliminated all water concerns for ever and ever, but humidity is hard to rule out in the future life of a moto-house.
Ditto on the clear plastic. Won't be long before you realize that multiple bins you can't see into are not as good a clear.

IIWMI'd think about stacking bins rather than shelves. You lose some volume vertically with shelves, where nesting bins lose less. I've always run out of volume before cargo weight capacity on my rigs.

Thanks for the great suggestions. Now that the weather has gone from 60 degrees to 10 above zero in a 2-week span, I think this will be a "next summer" project.

[Max Hubrich]

Jay,

I would use 1/2" or 5/8" Plywood. Rip a piece of one inch square pine Out of a 2 X 4, or use whatever wood you have on hand, and then put your dado blade in the table saw and cut a 1/2" (or 5/8") slot, about 1/2" deep into the square stock. Cut two pieces to your shelf width and glue and screw the strips onto the forward and rear edges (The end edges are already solidly supported by the slide out hardware)- smooth all edges off. The shelving plywood ain't gonna warp! I've done it in my rig. The new lip will also hold stuff back from sliding out, unless you hit a big bump while going around a tight turn .

Good luck, you've done a great major project already-

Are you running a V-10?

[JJHoneck]

Originally Posted by Max Hubrich

Jay,

I would use 1/2" or 5/8" Plywood. Rip a piece of one inch square pine Out of a 2 X 4, or use whatever wood you have on hand, and then put your dado blade in the table saw and cut a 1/2" (or 5/8") slot, about 1/2" deep into the square stock. Cut two pieces to your shelf width and glue and screw the strips onto the forward and rear edges (The end edges are already solidly supported by the slide out hardware)- smooth all edges off. The shelving plywood ain't gonna warp! I've done it in my rig. The new lip will also hold stuff back from sliding out, unless you hit a big bump while going around a tight turn .

Good luck, you've done a great major project already-

Are you running a V-10?

Thanks for the great advice.

Our Dutchmen has the 460 ci V8.