RV Pass-Through Storage Organization Ideas (DIY Tray + Tips)
Thinking outside the box. This is a standard term used to describe driving creativity. When it comes to your pass-through storage area you may have to think outside the box to maximize the available but limited space. There are many ideas to adapt or use when you think about it.
One option you can try is to use tote boxes. Those plastic boxes are easy to open and very easy to label. You can use the lids to store lawn chairs, hoses, and cables if you want. Plus, you can construct some PVC piping for added storage items that won’t fit in those totes.
To learn more about this clever use of the pass-through storage space, just continue to read our article. It has some great ideas on how you can utilize this space and carry more things with you. Take a few minutes to see which of these ideas will help you out the best.
What is RV Pass-Through Storage?
This is found underneath your RV and it is that storage bin that goes from one side of the trailer or vehicle to the other side unhindered. There are no walls or other obstructions in the way and your items can be shifted with relative ease.
There are some benefits to this storage spot and maximizing its usefulness. Here are just a few of those benefits:
1. A clear area to store things that are not needed but need easy access to when they are needed. You have room to maneuver those totes or other items you create to hold your things without worrying about banging something. like your arm.
2. Capable of storing longer items. With no walls in the way, you can store those 6 to 8 foot long poles or other devices that won’t fit anywhere else. For example, your oars for your kayak or canoe can be stored in this area.
3. Consistent access to your things. When you are in a tight spot at least one side of the storage compartment should open wide enough to let you inside and get your things out. You may have to dig through some things but it is better than starting the RV and pulling out a few feet then having to back the vehicle back in again.
What Can Be Stored in These Pass-Through Storage Areas
There are a lot of odd-shaped items that you can place in this handy little spot. We mentioned oars earlier but you can also place tiki lamps, fishing rods, long ice chests. short ladders, step stools, long barbecues, and many more items you may have on hand.
There are lots of creative ideas, coming up, that will help you organize the space so you can get more things in and not make it difficult to get them out again. The key is to use some common sense as a 10-foot ladder will not fit in an 8-foot space.
You do not want to cram things inside as that will make it a little risky when you need to retrieve an item or you may break the item if it is not stored correctly. When you look at the space, you will see that you have a lot of volume to use.
There will be length times width times height so make use of that space and make life a little easier for yourself and your spouse. When it comes to RVs and trailers, you do not have a lot of storage space. It is best to be creative and design your storage areas so that they work for you and your things.
How To Organize RV Pass-Through Storage
There are some people who are just not organized. You have seen their office desks, their rooms, or home and everything is just piled wherever there was a spot. This should not be the way you treat your pass-through storage space. If you do you won’t get much inside.
Here are some ways to organize your limited area and make it work for you:
1. Totes with wheels- these are made of plastic, are strong, and can hold a lot of items. They also come in different sizes so you can pack specific things in large or small totes or bins.
The wheels just make it easier to get the bin from its spot to where you need it to go so you can look through it. Label the bins or totes with the contents making it easier and quicker to find what you are looking for.
Place the labels where they can be read easily. Also, make sure those labels do not come off unless you take them off.
2. Use coat hooks- these little items will help you make use of the wall space inside this storage area. They are good for hanging up clothing you do not need or you can place them at intervals and use them to hold longer items.
Plus, you can use these coat hooks to hold ropes or cables or even bungee cords when you need your items to remain still when you are traveling.
3. Drawer organizers will work- they help you partition little areas so you can store little items inside that storage area. Keeping everything organized is the best way to use the limited space and make sure every item inside is safe.
These drawer organizers will work inside the RV or trailer as well making full use of the limited storage space you have in that part of your RV, etc.
4. Wire shelving can come in handy- these can be attached to the walls of the storage area and make use of the upper portion of that pass-through storage space. Making full use of all the space you have is very smart RVing.
These shelves can hold the drawer organizers as well making sure your smaller items are protected from bumps and heavier objects.
5. Try curtain rods- they may not go lengthwise but you can use a series of them width-wise to hold clothing, blankets, and other softer objects. There are unique design ideas where you may be able to make these rods movable so you can get better access to those clothing items inside the storage area.
Travel Trailer Pass-Through Storage Ideas
There are different ideas you can consider when you are contemplating using this space in the best way possible. Here are some ideas to help your creativity and get you thinking outside the box:
1. Peg board- this is a very good idea when you want to utilize your wall space and the upper portions of the area. Attach the peg board next to the wall and place hooks in them to hold different items like fishing rods, oars, skis, and so on.
There are many different methods to use to place the peg boards inside this area and you can even place them on wheels to have them slide out for better access.
2. Net organizers- this is a handy option when you have owners manuals, and other light items that need to be found easily but also need to be kept out of the way.
They attach to the roof of your storage area via sticky tape and stay out of your way. You are not losing much headroom unless you pack a lot of items inside the netting.
These net organizers should come in different sizes so you can store larger light items and keep them out of the way of the heavier objects down below.
3. Hollow pipes- these can attach to the sides or even the roof of your pass-through storage area. They can hold items like sewer pipes, water hoses, and other needed equipment that are too big for other storage bins.
They can be attached by screws or tape depending on your preference and they also utilize upper space or they can go behind beg board frames to use that area as well.
4. Wood dowels- like the curtain rod idea, you can use these to go across the width of your storage space and give you more room. The good thing about these wood dowels is that they come in different thicknesses and can be cut to size.
The drawback to this idea would that you would have to cut wood holders to place these dowels in. But you can paint or stain them to make the pass-through storage area look better. Steel rings can go over the dowels or the curtain rods to help hold individual items.
5. Shoe holders- when you and your family own lots of shoes, you can attach longer shoe holders to the walls of this space and place those extra unused shoes out of the way until they are needed.
These are cheap and easy to attach plus you can get a lot of shoes out of your upstairs closets, giving you more storage space in your living area.
6. Hanging baskets- another good idea that can use the space above those plastic totes. You just need to securely attach a nice metal rod against the wall or walls of your storage area and then hang the metal baskets on those rods.
This will give you an area to use those drawer organizers and elevate items you do not want to be broken. Then for smaller items like screws, thread, needles, etc., you can buy plastic organizers and place them inside those shelves.
These ideas should get you started on how to design your pass-through storage area and make sure your things are well organized and safe.
How do You Keep Things From Falling in An RV?
When you use the rod and basket idea, the key to keep items inside from falling is to not over pack them. Keep everything beneath the rim of the fence so that nothing can fall out accidentally.
With totes, you can place the wheels in such a position that they will not move until you move them. A little piece of wood on each side of the storage space will do the trick. This lip should prevent the wheels from turning and keep those totes in place.
As for the peg board and rods, the hooks will do that task for you but you can also use a mesh fence to hold them in place. Just string it up from end to end and make it tight so nothing moves.
Cargo bars will also help you secure your items. You won't lose too much storage space but at least your items will not move. And when you couple them with a cargo net, you have a very secure system in place.
DIY RV Pass Through Storage Tray
This is also a very good idea. These slide out storage trays do come in different sizes so you can design that pass-through area the way you want it to be and make the trays light enough to pull out.
While these trays can cost over $1000 for the commercially sold models, you can make your own at a fraction of the cost and design it with compartments for better storage facilities.
It just takes a little handyman skill, the right tools, and the right materials. Plus, you can make it fit exactly the dimensions your pass-through storage area contains. You can be creative too as you can use peg board and these slide outs at the same time.
Some Final Words
To maximize this storage area, all it takes is a little ingenuity, a little creativity and a little thinking outside the box. With the right help, you can create a great storage area that will hold all your odd-shaped items.
The key is to make sure you pick the storage idea that fits the items you want to place inside that area.
