Cupboards and storage

[Tazerjo]

Hi All

Ok, whilst the weather is cold and van is parked up for the winter.
I have some time to think about Storage for our camper.
We only got her in May but have used her pretty much every weekend.
What I'd like to know or some suggestions is how do u store plates, cups etc at the moment ours are
just shoved in the cupboard and it really annoys me.
Look forward to hearing/seeing how other people store organise there cupboards

Thanks

[CovKid]

Its taken me years. I've lost count of ideas I've tried so this year I'm working from scratch with a long list of things that HAVE to be right This unit almost done now, divided into sections with three doors, a pull out table and internal drawers:



You have to make a list in my view - cover everything including stuff like toiletries - that one used to drive me nuts but they have their own space now. Sink waste of time - bowl more practical as you can move it and also stash stuff inside it.

[CovKid]

Also, melamine plates (not plastic) best for camping. They don't break easily, don't rattle when you're travelling and your food won't go cold as quickly. Generally mail order only although this year ALDI had a stack of melamine bowls I noticed. Wish I'd got them now. Keep saucepans to a minimum. I generally run with a two-handled pot and a ceramic frying pan (easy to clean). To be honest, I don't think you can get a perfect interior unless you build it yourself and even then, consider every inch of space and utilise it - particularly spaces that are often out of sight. Keep the weight down too - no chipboard or MDF.

Another good way of doing things is to design cupboards that hold plastic crates with each persons stuff in plus the one with cooking stuff in it. That way you only have the crates to load/unload at start and beginning of your trip. Makes the whole thing so much simpler so I'm told.

As a single Dad, I use that approach with doing the washing at home, clean tops in one, trousers in another, socks & pants in another. It keeps you organised and things don't get lost. Pairing of socks doesn't concern me. Worn odd socks for last 20 years. The crate idea might work for you. You just screw in some runners so you can slot the crates in a cupboard, shut the door and off you go. Then when you get home, pull out the crates, all done.

[Tazerjo]

Thanks for reply.
I have the original cupboards in camper (I think)
I would like to find/make a box that fits everything in nice and tidy.
It bothers me when I have to pull everything out the cupboard to get what I need.

The more I use the camper, the more I understand what I need and what I don't.

[CovKid]

ou could always hunt around for some wooden/plastic crates that just fit in the cupboard then use strips of wood as drawer runners so they can be slid in and out but keep everything tidy with door shut.

[keynsham1]

I had exactly the same problem. Cups and plates difficult to get to, and packed with kitchen paper to avoid rattles! In the end I built my own draws for storage. I am no carpenter, but I wanted to have a go and I also wanted to use what I had around he house. I had an old kids bed that supplied the wood. Drawer runners came from B&Q as did the handles (chosen by my 5 year old son). The cup holders are roofing gutter ends. They are perfect fo 70mm diameter cups. The glasses also fit and are recycled Nutella jars!

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The sliding bolts are to keep the drawers in place when driving.

[keynsham1]

More pictures!

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[CovKid]

Excellent. Made to do the job. A lot of the problem with interiors (particularly factory made ones) is not so much lack of space but lack of sensible space. You can quickly get disorganised and in a small space and that can be a disaster. Most of whats involved in designing a good interior is based on practical experience - actually using it and working out whats wrong.

Cooking oil is one point (unless you really like lard) You have to stand the bottle somewhere where it can't rattle around or tip over. I've had cooking oil spills in the past and it can ruin a lot of things very quickly. This time everything is going to be plug-n-play so I don't have to spend hours trying to fit or remove a cupboard and with plenty of surprise storage corners for absolutely everything.

From experience you have to be very methodical in putting things away carefully as soon as they're finished with - AND in the right place or you'll spend an age trying to find it/them again. 2017 sees the introduction of a 'games box' with a plethora of board games packed tight so theres something to do if its peeing down. Still on the hunt for a more compact box for the monoply set. The box it comes in is enormous.

Sporks are a brilliant idea in a camper. They take up less space than ordinary cutlery (fit together in small case) and are multi-purpose.

[Tazerjo]

Loving the colour of the handles!
I like what you have done, may ask FIL to make something like it.
Thanks for the pics

[keynsham1]

If you want more pictures let me know. It is actually a bit more complicated than it looks! The bottom drawer runners are on a frame that is attached to the rear of the cupboard, under a strip of angle and pinned in place. This makes the whole drawer assembly removable so I can get access to the gas bottles which are to the side of the drawer

[CovKid]

Handles really set them off. Gives them a sort of school art-cupboard feel to them.

Gate bolts are so useful too. My cupboards are fastened in place with those.