Community Forums

schad · 10-16-2020, 06:52 AM

All our storage bays are under slides. It can be awkward to get under there for sure. When I need to, I frog-walk rather than bending over. Harder on my knees but easier on my back. But that's not to protect my back -- it's actually my knees that have problems! -- it's to protect my noggin. My wife got a concussion by standing up under the bedroom slide after hooking up fresh water. And I see there are a couple similar stories here.

We primarily split our storage into two bays. The bay with a full-length pull-out drawer is full of clear plastic bins that we fill with stuff we need to access when camping. The bay without a pull-out drawer is where we stow things like tow bars, air compressors, water hoses, and so on: things we access when setting up or taking down.

craigjjr · 10-16-2020, 07:38 AM

Pipe insulation "noodles" are pretty cheap and easy to install and remove on bottom lip of slide out. They are pre-split and can easily be slipped over edge of slide out. The "noodle" saved my noodle.

GlennS · 10-16-2020, 09:44 AM

Go to the hardware store and pick up some pipe insulation, already split most of the way through.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_M

I have slide out trays but they don’t help that much.

I haven’t tried it yet but someone suggested a pool noodle slit full length stuck to the slide bottom edge cuts down on bumps and bruises.

StarWish · 10-17-2020, 10:04 AM

I keep a list of each bay's contents in a cabinet by my front door. I drew a schematic of the bays around the RV, and then list the contents of each. I can find items quickly, or know which bay to send someone else to to help me. Less searching means less bending and less back/leg stress. And the list really helps when time passes since you looked for something, and you cannot remember where it is.

MSHappyCampers · 10-17-2020, 11:39 AM

I just noticed this thread and wanted to comment! The storage bay doors on our 2002 Windsor open upward. I'm 81 years old and it's getting harder to get up and down, along with one knee replacement that hurts when I get down on it, plus a weak back. We have the full sliding trays in the storage bays that help a lot, but I still have to get down there to pull them out. When we park I always dump the air bags to lower the coach and put the entry step as low as possible. With the air dumped, there's no way I can get down there and pull the slide trays out without getting on my knees! Getting old has it's down sides!

Jeff Foster · 10-17-2020, 12:34 PM

After 2 years of bumping my noggin on the slides, I finally got smart and I am now wearing a bicycle helmet (serves 2 purposes, or many!). I don't like to connect the utilities first, as I like to get the slides open so the DW can get her stuff done on the inside (obviously, I take care of the outside stuff). Should be an easy fix as most people have access to a bike helmet-- the good news is that I am no longer misshaping my skull...

momcat · 10-17-2020, 07:46 PM

Everyone should know Longitude means Long Ways. Any hillbilly knows that. MOMCAT

Fixit950 · 11-11-2020, 01:07 PM

We have a 2003 Fleetwood Expedition 39Z with 3 good sized hatches attached to the slide. They travel in and out with the slide for easy access and no need to crawl under the slide. I have quite a bit of weight in them, have lived in the unit full time for over 3 years and so far no problems. Time will tell!

Dutch Star Don · 11-11-2020, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Kneeling is not a problem, getting back up is.

Bingo.....

eddndee · 03-21-2021, 06:33 PM

I hate getting into cubbies after the slides are extended. I try to get everything I am planning on using out before I extend the slides.

StarWish · 03-22-2021, 01:37 PM

I have used my small camping stool for years. I send it under first, squat down and CAREFULLY hold the seat until I am squarely over it. Then, I can sit down and get into storage. It's the best way to save my back. And, once you get used to it, it is pretty comfortable.
The folding stool is handy for putting outside, and sitting on when I am doing chores. I can easily move it to stay in the shade as I work. Try it. It will help.

doorguy · 03-23-2021, 11:13 AM

I have that issue on our WGBO 39K on the curbside. Being a door installer, I spend a lot of time on my knees when I am down working around the threshold. I began wearing some very comfortable knee pads for that. I found that with a m/home, it is more comfortable for me to kneel on the ground even for the bays that are NOT under a slide, so I carry an extra set of those knee pads in the moho. Mine are so comfortable I sometimes forget I have them on and have been known to go to Home Depot with them still on. I'm not into fashion, obviously.

triplewide · 03-24-2021, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doorguy

I have that issue on our WGBO 39K on the curbside. Being a door installer, I spend a lot of time on my knees when I am down working around the threshold. I began wearing some very comfortable knee pads for that. I found that with a m/home, it is more comfortable for me to kneel on the ground even for the bays that are NOT under a slide, so I carry an extra set of those knee pads in the moho. Mine are so comfortable I sometimes forget I have them on and have been known to go to Home Depot with them still on. I'm not into fashion, obviously.

I wear knee pads often for various tasks at home. What brand/type pads do you use/recommend ?

Pol6 · 03-24-2021, 08:29 AM

There are a lot of ways to try to reduce the basement access problems.
For me the root cause is mostly driven by the RV users that want as large possible living space. But I fully understand that the needs and preferences of each are his own and i’m not blaming nor finger pointing anyone with my last comment.
The industry went from no slides, to driver side only then to dual opposing slides.
The access solution for us resides in the actual choice of the coach model. We have a 2012 HR Vacationer 30sfs with one full wall slide on the driver side only. Lucky for us all the ‘utilities’ are under that slide (generator, hydraulic pump, propane tank, wet bay and finally electrical cord ) All usable cargo bays are on the camping side with no wall slide and side hung doors.
I think we just didn’t want to address the basement solution at all. It works for us but it’s no solution for getting the stuff out of the ‘crawl basement’.