RV Storage Ideas to Help You Get Organized

RV living can have its challenges when it comes to limited space. Finding a spot to tuck away all your gear and gadgets can be a frustrating process, but it’s not an impossible feat. To help you get started decluttering and organizing your rig, we’ve curated a list of camper storage ideas that will add functionality and versatility to your limited space.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but before you start purchasing additional storage for your RV, you should take stock of your current items and purge anything you no longer use or want. This will help you decide whether or not you truly need add-on storage or if you’re continually collecting things you don’t need.

To help with this, some RVers like to set parameters for purchasing new items they want to bring into their home on wheels. They ask themselves similar questions to the ones below before buying anything new:

• If I buy a piece of clothing, can I get rid of an old piece I haven’t worn in the last six months to a year?
• Do I have a similar kitchen gadget that will do the same thing as the one I’m about to buy?
• Do I have a place to store this new item?
• Is this something I absolutely need, or can I live without it?

Asking these questions will help you narrow down your purchases so that your rig doesn’t become cluttered with useless items. If you decide you need additional storage space after purging, we have a few storage solutions that will help you organize your RV, inside and out.

Make the most of your space with our list of simple yet effective camper storage ideas that will make you feel less cramped and more organized in your home on wheels.

Camp kitchens are... well, cramped. You don’t have room for single-use kitchen gadgets, and you have to be discerning when buying dishes, tableware and cooking utensils. We recommend buying collapsible dishes so that they will store flat and won't take up a lot of space in your RV kitchen when not in use. This can help make room for other, more bulky must-have kitchen gadgets that you can’t live without. Silicone dishes are super easy to clean and in reality, storage containers and totes don’t have to be limited to use in the kitchen alone. You can use them to store gear and other camping essentials so that you always have what you need on your trip.

Your RV furniture should be functional and versatile. Sure, you need a big sofa for the kids, but that big piece of furniture can also be multi-functional. Get chairs and sofas that double as storage spaces. You can put extra remotes, books and other small items into those spots and then pull them out at your convenience. This will make your life so much easier as you won’t have to go digging in the couch cushions to find the remote you need for a relaxing movie night.

Another helpful hack would be to get some RV furniture that has connection points for handy gadgets, like clip-on trays, reading lights and phone chargers. That way, you won’t have to take up space on the arms or the floor around your furniture. Your accessories for eating, reading and scrolling on your phone can be up and out of the way.

Save your limited counter space for more important things than your TV. With a TV lift, you can lift and lower your TV to the perfect viewing position right from your chair. Some models are equipped with a programmable system so you can adjust it to the same height every time. Safety always comes first, so make sure you get one that will shut down its motor when it starts colliding with obstructions. With the extra space on your surfaces, you can add a few extra storage totes or some cute décor.

Gone are the days when you have to strain your back digging around in your RV basement looking for that tool you swear you have around here somewhere. Cargo trays are perfect for organizing your camping tools and gear, and most of them come in various sizes so you can get the perfect fit for your RV. You can easily slide them out to get a full view of your camping inventory and quickly find just what you need without the back strain.

Once you install a cargo tray, we suggest covering the bottom with carpet so that your belongings won't slide around during travel. You can even get some storage bins to further organize your RV basement by putting like items together and labeling each tote. Then, when you slide out your cargo tray, your bins will be nicely labeled, and you can find what you need even faster.

Sometimes you might feel like you can’t fit one more thing inside your coach, otherwise it might burst at the seams. Luckily, we’ve got some great solutions that will help you clear up the clutter.

Bolt a storage system directly onto your RV chassis and voila – instant additional space for your stockpile of belongings. Some under-chassis systems come with detachable storage boxes so you can easily access your stored items. A system like this is great for cables, sewage connections, cleaning supplies and other miscellaneous camping items that you don’t want cluttering up (or stinking up) the inside of your RV. Some systems even come equipped with a handy spot to hold your spare tire so you can have easy access to it when you get a flat. Installing an under-chassis storage system is super easy and is well worth it if you want to add functional space to your RV exterior.

If you’ve chosen to upgrade your RV entry steps, that means you probably have some empty space where your old steps used to be. Don’t let that space go to waste! It’s the perfect spot to add a little extra exterior storage to your camper. Get a storage box to fit in that extra space by your entry steps so that you can organize your wheel chocks and any other items you’ll need immediately after arriving at a new destination. Since the box sits on the outside of your RV, make sure you get one that is lockable so that you can keep your valuable items safe from theft.

If you already have a step storage box, consider getting an extra security lock box that you can easily bolt or weld onto your chassis frame. This will provide another convenient spot outside your RV for valuables that are easy to access but can be locked up and safe.

Instead of jam-packing your RV interior to the point where it drives you crazy, how about adding a storage rack to the back of your rig? Once installed, a camper storage rack can flip down when you need it, then up and out of the way when it’s not in use. Adding a versatile rack to your coach means you can store your bikes when you’re not hitting the trails or have a convenient spot to put extra storage totes that you can’t squeeze inside your RV.

Cargo carriers are similar to storage racks, but they attach to your tow vehicle instead of your RV. You can attach them to the front or back of your tow vehicle, so you can use them while towing or while you enjoy side excursions without your RV. Just like a storage rack for your coach, a cargo carrier can be versatile in its function, so you can use it to free up cargo space for additional passengers inside your vehicle and load it up with coolers, grills and other camping gear.

For additional safety, we recommend using a cargo net to keep your items from dislodging while you’re driving down the road. You can also protect your belongings from the elements by getting a weather-resistant cargo bag. Rain, mud and even wind won’t be able to damage your precious cargo.

Are you ready to get organized? What other RV storage hacks would you employ to make life on the road easier?