What Goes Where...The Dry Goods Dilemma

AirBoss · July 2021

First trip out since my Southern Sojourne back in Oct - Nov 2021. After the double knee replacement in March I didn't want to push it too hard.

So spent five days with full hook ups at Bonneli Bluffs RV Resort in San Dimas, CA, just below the San Gabriel Mountains. Nice park, huge spaces, etc.

Question:
Those with a model like mine (see below), what do you store in cubby above the TV, what goes in the three-drawers below the stove and what goes in the large drawer below the 3-way fridge. I got back home to and gutted all three spaces and started anew. I'm leaning towards plates, bowls, red solos, and similar items above the TV; kitchen stuff in the top drawer (towels, fire sticks, spices, etc), canned and dry goods in second drawer; and the bottom is the "Glad" drawer...you know...sandwich and freezer bags, foil, Saran wrap and a small sealed tub containing things that make you go, "Oh, Yeah. Glad I found it!"

Drawer under 3-way now will be folding clothes, socks, maybe a beach towel or two.

I was amazed at what I pulled out of these drawers today...I'm off to the food bank with a small gold mine!

In any event, thoughts? What's your system? What works for you?

Sure felt good to get out for five days. Missed it more than I realized.

Denny16 · July 2021

AirBoss, I have learned the hard way (don’t ask) to pack light stuff in upper cabinets/cubbies and heavy stuff in lower lockers. The small shelf above the TV monitor is good for dry goods, like rice, pasta, noodle bowls, and dry soup mix packets. They are all fairly light and easy to get to.

Tea and Coffee goes well here also. I have marine (plastic) dishes/bowls etc in the over the sink cabinet, also got with dish towels to pack them in with. Over the stove, more light galley stuff, camping cups (metal), and pop-up silicone kitchen stuff, like drip coffee filter holder, Yeti cups, similar light bulky items.

Under the galley counter big locker, is a sell portable microwave, camping pot to boil water in (tall 2-liter cylinder shape). Can goods in a plastic box, etc. I have the two-way fridge under the stove, and the drawer under it holds the posts and pans, nested inside each other with wool felt pads.

Under the bunk in the center compartment in our 2018 TaB400 (you do not have this space as the Air8 is in it), is bedding and some additional can goods as needed, and a big camping skillet.

As long as you follow the light stuff in upper cabinets, heavy items below, organize the lockers as best fits you, and Bob’s your uncle...
cheers

xdr · July 2021

I think @Denny16 has the right idea. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened the top cabinet this summer to have something come shooting out at me. We keep ‘soft’ dry goods such as packets of instant potatoes or rice packets, paper plates and plastic cups, napkins, etc. in the front of the uppers. In the back of the upper cabinets we do have a couple cans of spam or beans but they stay at the back of the cabinet.

The space above the TV has a silicone liner that does an amazing job of keeping things from sliding around. I then put two rectangular open containers on that shelf on the liner. In these I put salsa, tuna, chicken, beans —canned goods etc. The pantry goods stay tucked in the containers and the containers don’t slide around. It makes pantry items easily accessible.

Our first drawer below the counter has silverware, utensils,
flashlights, and other things we need to access often and easily.

I love our under bed storage for larger or heavy pantry items, extra blankets, extra supplies like plates, paper towels, etc.

We use the cabinet and drawer and cubby beside bath door for clothes, coats, and shoes.

Sharon_is_SAM · July 2021

@AirBoss - glad you are recovered and back in the saddle!

AirBoss · July 2021

@Sharon_is_SAM. Thanks! Me too!

marchule · July 2021

I recently re-did my storage. I took everything out and organized things differently. What was really helpful (for me) was putting where everything was into a two-column spreadsheet. I can search my little spreadsheet for, say, pliers. Which is handy because, well, I re-organized. Right? I've included it here. I use an app on my phone to keep the spreadsheet and when I run out of something, I hi-lite the row in a color, re-stock and then undo the color. If I come up with something new I want to tote, I just add another row, give it a color, and I stay organized. My wife and I use the bins above the sink for toiletries. The bins in back we use for clothing.

Just for reference, Door 1 is under the sink, Door 2 is under 1, Door 3 is under the seat, under fridge is obvious, stowage is access from the outside and "shelf" is a whole other subject. I found these "cups" at Ikea which have a lip that just fits tight over the edge of the shelf. I stuff all sorts of things in here.

foil	door 1
gallon baggies	door 1
cutting board	door 1
hot pad	door 1
quart baggies	door 1
dish soap	door 1
hand soap	door 1
measuring cups	door 1
cutting board	door 1
spatulas	door 1
can opener	door 1
big spoons	door 1
scissors	door 1
whisk	door 1
plastic utensils	door 2
3 qt pot/strainer	door 2
tea kettle	door 2
3 qt pot w/glass lid	door 2
2 qt mixing bowl	door 2
extra paper towels	door 3
first aid kit	door 3
33 gallon trash bags	door 3
first aid kit	door 3
small broom	door 3
water funnel	door 3
plastic cups	under fridge
foam cups	under fridge
hot drink mugs	under fridge
paper plates	under fridge
frying pan	under fridge
paper bowls	under fridge
4 forks, spoons, knives	under fridge
duct tape	tool bin
zip ties	tool bin
needle nose pliers	tool bin
small screwdrivers	tool bin
hand tool set	tool bin
hand axe	tool bin
extension cord	stowage
water hose	stowage
outdoor rug	stowage
plug adapter	stowage
Collapsible bucket	stowage
canopy shade	stowage
rope	back hatch
table cloths	back hatch
table clips	back hatch
bungee cords	back hatch
fanny pack/binoculars	back hatch
lamps	back hatch
Claritin	shelf
bug spray	shelf
head lights	shelf
dish towels	shelf
plastic trash bags	shelf
shampoo	shelf
lotion	shelf
body wash	shelf
USB cords	shelf
Kleenex	shelf
crayons/cards	shelf
matches	shelf
scouring pads	shelf
sun block	shelf
Aquachem	bath
RV toilet paper	bath
5 gallon jug	car
folding trash can	car
rock salt/ice cream mixer	car
dutch oven	car
Kingsford charcoal	car
grill tools and propane	car
Outside grill	car
Giant canopy	car
camp chairs and recliners	car
Wheel chocks/blocks	car
American flag	car

AirBoss · July 2021

@marchule. Dang! That's impressive. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect something this comprehensive. Well done!

Like you (sorta) I gutted all the drawers and cubbies and started over. It was revealing to say the least!

That said, for me, it's still a bit like hiding your own Easter Eggs! 🤣

What Goes Where...The Dry Goods Dilemma

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