Clever static caravan storage ideas

Your static caravan is a compact second home. Storage space is, therefore, likely to be at a premium. Magazines and brochures are absolutely full of highly clever ways of better using the storage space in your caravan. Here at Cover4Caravans, we’ve also contributed to that list of storage ideas.

All that’s important because the attractions of caravanning can be mitigated to some extent if you’re constantly falling over items scattered on the floor or needing to regularly sweep up after you’ve made a mess knocking over jars, bottles, and the like.

Before you rush out to buy a whole stack of attractive-looking high-tech storage units, spare a thought or two for the fundamentals of just what it is you want to achieve.

Be ruthless

If we’re honest, all of us have at one time or another looked at stuff in our caravan and thought “why on earth did we bring this with us”?

There’s nothing particularly clever about spending money on innovative solutions to store stuff that you don’t actually need anyway. So, think harshly at the outset and leave stuff behind that you’re going to be highly unlikely to ever use.

Our Caravanning Checklist may help you narrow down what you actually need (obviously, ignoring the items relating to tourers).

Consolidate

The more boxes, cartons, bottles and jars you have, the greater the chances of an errant elbow or knee knocking the lot flying.

So, get some tins, boxes or any other larger receptacles and store all those things like spices and condiments in them rather than individually. It’s not only safer it’s also a lot more space-efficient.

Think laterally about space

Yes, you have your surfaces and cupboards but don’t forget that the walls and ceilings can also be used to suspend various hanging containers – and this solution  can hugely increase your amount of storage space.

True, you have to be careful where to place them and not to overdo it. Walking around constantly banging your head on suspended boxes can very quickly become tedious.

Even so, the ceiling space above beds can be a suitable place to hang suspended containers of one sort or another.

Invest in wireless technology where feasible

Nothing goes together less well than restricted space and technology cables.

There are some great wireless devices out there now and although it might involve spending a little to upgrade your technology, if it gets those cables and connectors off of the floor and surfaces it’ll be money well spent.

Don’t forget the boot of your car

You’ve probably met all those owners of static or touring caravans who unload every last item from the boot of their car and then jam them into every conceivable space in the caravan.

Often, you’ll find yourself asking why?

Driving around in your car with a completely empty boot only to struggle against all the clutter to get into your caravan upon your return doesn’t make a lot of sense.

There are some excellent in-boot storage systems out there now and they can be used for interim storage of a wide variety of items on holiday. They can then be taken out and collapsed so that the boot is available again for suitcases and bags for your return trip.

Consider external storage

At one time, the idea of having a small container attached to the back of your touring caravan would have been prohibitively expensive but prices have fallen, and the technical solutions are now a lot smarter than they once were. There are some excellent bolt-on containers, which can give you a huge amount of additional storage space.

Of course, you’ll need to check your caravan insurance carefully to make sure that such storage units and their contents would be covered against theft – not to mention ensuring that your now longer caravan would still be road-legal – but it’s worth considering!

Further reading: Which caravan gadgets? and Guide to Caravan Gadgets.