Bags, boxes, containers and general storage

[Hefty]

I'm keen to see if we can get a wealth of knowledge in one place about what people use to store different items in their campers.
I did a bit of searching and came up with a few ok threads but they're often very specific to particular problem items.

I figure this could be like the camping tips thread that just keeps growing. Hopefully it should become very easy to search as well because there will more than likely be a large list of repeated words that will be useful search terms.

so, If you have something you use that you would like to share, post it here.
If you have a problem item, you could post it here and ask what others use to contain/store it. Conversely, if you have bags or containers that you don't want to waste, ask here for ideas on what to fill them with.

Eg, my wife and I use a fair amount of basmati rice that comes in calico bags. These are better than green bags for small kids toys or pens, pencils and other small items because they have a zip. (I got the idea from Luxabout because I've seen him store other bits and pieces in them as well)

Another example I've seen somewhere on myswag (sorry I can't remember who to credit) is using green bags as sandbag weights for toilet tents.

(I'm trying to think of one that is actually my own idea and not borrowed  )

I'll see what else I can come up with.
So...What've you got?

Cheers!
Jono.

[MDS69]

I was looking at storage of different items in my CT recently as I am trying to be thrifty with the space. It is probably pretty obvious but I thought of packing some cooking gear in a milk crate then cutting down another milk crate and stack them. Then there is no wasted space vertically.

[schmik]

Here is my 2cents worth.

As far as storage boxes go: buy the expensive ones, like ki-tab or willow. They last for ages, this equal money well spent.
Kids pencil cases are great. aka small bags with zippers. I use them for batteries... for head torches, small torches.
Cheap 'tool' bags from bunnings aren't too bad either... for light things that you don't need often.

And, the drifta pull out drawer is GREAT.

mike

[Patr80l]

Zip lock bags are handy for odds and ends that tangle in the glove box, like  iPod cables.

[Hefty]

As far as storage boxes go: buy the expensive ones, like ki-tab or willow. They last for ages, this equal money well spent.

+1. When you trip and put your knee through a cheap one, it shatters and scratches the crap outta your leg!! (to be honest I was lucky it didn't slice deeper.)

Cheers!
Jono.

[LJs GU]

I have few of the 'old' camera film containers and some rectangular stock cube containers which hold fuses, o rings, gas jets... the little fiddly bits and pieces. They sit in the glove box or centre console of the car.

I also use a small 'stuff' bag (the one you stuff sleeping bags in but on the smaller side) and it holds the torches and those magnetic 3 LED lights.  The draw string is handy for hanging on the T nut of the tent bow so it's nice and handy to reach, rather than on the floor.

The types of containers we use for packing are these 42litre ones (with lids):

and their half brothers, the 21 litre ones. (sorry no pic)

The '21' sits on top of the '42' and fits prefectly for height in the CT.
Plus when they're empty (food been eaten and bottles been drunk) they stack inside each other nicely:


LJ

[Hal Harvey]

The more I use these the more I like them. They're a quality derivation of the kids' pencil cases. See Pouches by Sea to Summit. Them and just about everything else at http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showproduct.php?Category=Travelling Light

[cruisindub]

The more I use these the more I like them. They're a quality derivation of the kids' pencil cases. See Pouches by Sea to Summit. Them and just about everything else at http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showproduct.php?Category=Travelling Light

Ikea has these pouches, bought 2 pkts of about 6 or 8 in a pack, made in a sail cloth material in various different sizes, came as a pack. ideal for all the little bits and keeping everything in its place.
From the Ikea family range. At Ikea prices...

[cruisindub]

While searching for the above mentioned ikea storage bags,
Look what I found, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10056770/   new tyre bags anyone.!!!  ha ha    MSA cant compete with these prices.

[fishfinder]

I place my annex poles in a fishing rod bag then place them in the pole holder (PVC TUBE) so if the little wing nut rattles loose you dont lose it And if camping on rock or hard surface I use the green bags and fill them with large rock as an anchor to tie the guy ropes to

[Dreama]

I managed to score a couple of pelican cases for free 
They are incredibly tough, has wheels on them and also a slide out handle (similar to a case that you see being dragged around the airports) but the handle is solid. Great for grabbing them from the depths of the ct.
I am a firm believer that you should be able to use things for multiple purposes, so I use mine for as a step, seat, ladder, whatever, and believe me I aint the skinniest camper going round. They are a tough box.
Similar to these in this link
http://www.carryitcases.com.au/buy/pelican-1620-case-inc-foam/1620

[Campa]

One thing we have done that has helped us out alot with storage space and also time saving is using a pantry cupboard for our clothes. We set it up at home,  and pack the clothes into it.
 It fits into the back of the patrol standing up already to go straight into the camper when we get there. No more clothes in bags.

Its similar to this one.

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Wanderer-Easy-Out-Camp-Cupboard.aspx?pid=201890#Description

[Jaashjr]

For storage tubs you simply can't go past Nally Tubs, they are almost indestructable.  I have a bunch of them and 8 years on they still look like new,  my father has had his Nally tubs bouncing around in the back of his Boats and 4wd's for the past 30 years and has never broken one, and this isn't just occasional use either, he is a freelance fishing and boating journalist so his job is to travel remote areas of australia taking photos and writing stories.
They look like this and are available in numerous heights, just make sure your sitting down when you ask for the price!!  but you only have to buy them once and they'll last a lifetime.
For clothes we use stackable plastic draws and find they work fantastic, they pack very neatly and stack up when camp is setup so you don't have clothes bags all over the floor.

[BrindiCruiser]

I remember using Nally Bins with my parents when we went camping 30years ago. They were the great.

I am using the cheap starmaid storagemate boxes and zip lock bags. Drawstring bags were already on the list for my wife to make. (I hope.) A few pencil cases are now on the buy list.

[speewa158]

We use the 55L tubs from Office Works . The tub & lid are cheap , the right height for the CT . After loading tubs you can see whats inside at a glance as its pulled from storage . they mostly are dust Prof as is everything else . &at $15  if it breaks dutch it 

[Hefty]

Something else that kinda fits this category is nesting items inside each other. Obviously things like bowls and camp ovens often fit inside each other, but what else do you have that just happens to sit snug inside something else in your camper?

Cheers!
Jono.

[cewilson]

Our clothes go into a duffel bag.  Kids clothes and items they want to bring go into their school bags.  These then go into the car.

In the trailer I made to storage boxes that slide - basically all of our stuff goes into their other than kitchen items.  The items for the kitchen go into three small boxes that sit in the kitchen itself.

Chairs go on the roof rack - doesn't matter if they get wet.  Same with the boys swags.

And that's basically it now days.  The kids school bags were probably the best thing we came up with, as it limits how much they can take.  They tend to pack smarter now days having less room.



Guess the old adage is always true - the more space you have the more you WILL carry

[Hal Harvey]

Chairs go on the roof rack - doesn't matter if they get wet

It's a good place for them and we did that (CT roof rack) on the last trip, but they get hell dusty up there and the bags get shredded/worn through. Is there such a thing as a dustproof bag for chairs?

[jk]

I posted this in another thread but I think it fit's better here, I was looking for a swag bag for my king single swag but was having trouble finding one big enough ( the swag has a 40mm self inflating mattress in it as well as my sleeping bag and a tarp I use as a ground cover ), my main need is to keep the dust and dirt out when traveling and moving it around, and some light rain resistance.
Looked at quite a few swag bags but none was big enough, then I found these Big Foot Bags, had seen them at the camping shop in the past but hadn't given them much of a look, they come in a few sizes and are well made and very easy to use, I bought the small version and my swag ( 1m long x 0.5m wide ) with all of it's contents fits perfectly  .

Happy camper again  , thought the info might come in handy for anyone else looking for the same.

Cheers
John K

[HerGU]

Best thing i've ever bought are these rubber maid food containers. http://www.rubbermaid.com.au/rooms/kitchen/kitchen-products/easy-find-lids%e2%84%a2/

i use these at home and have changed all my containers over to these now and dont buy anything else as they seal really well (other half approves with no spills in his work bag). I have put 2 in the camper, but will put a full set when we do our lap next year. They stack together and the lids interchange. Bunnings sell these in a multi set of 7 for about $14 but today i saw a set of 20 for $24 with an even smaller set of containers in it.

Another great thing is the cocoon set (recommended on myswag). Has eliminated my old frypan, and pots, freeing up space in my kitchen box

The other thing we love in our camper is the Oates Plastic Drawers - great for everyday items such as soap, shampoo, rid, batteries etc.

[uncyspam]

The other thing we love in our camper is the Oates Plastic Drawers - great for everyday items such as soap, shampoo, rid, batteries etc.

+1 - easiest way to get a good amount of accessible storage underneath other stuff.

[Hefty]

A real simple one, but worth putting here I think, is a hessian potato sack for cast iron cooking gear. I've got one for my cast iron bbq plate in my plywood kitchen and one for my camp ovens in the tub.
We got ours from our local vege box delivery guy.
Ozjeeper has also recently started a thread in the Camp Oven for transporting camp ovens, nested together in a milk crate.

Cheers,
Jono.

[Hefty]

I've been stumbling across a few ideas in other threads so I'll try to keep referencing them here with links  to original posts and credit to the poster.

Wine glasses: If you like taking real wine glasses to drink out of (and why not?! ) Crazy Dog http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=18860.msg290683#msg290683  and krisandkev (a few  posts further down) have photos of storing them in stubbie coolers for protection from breakage. Room for more variety in drinking and a double use for the stubbie cooler, now that's the MySwag way!

Cheers!
Jono.

[Hefty]

Another one I know of, but have still yet to do my self:
If you're doing an overnighter in a swag, lay your spare clothes inside the swag, flat on the mattress and save an extra bag. A bulky jacket can also make a good pillow if suitably rolled/scrunched.

Cheers!
Jono.