6 Best Collapsible Bins For Limited RV Storage That Maximize Every Inch

That moment you open an RV cabinet and an avalanche of loosely packed gear tumbles out is a rite of passage, but it doesn’t have to be your reality. The constant battle for space is won not with bigger storage bays, but with smarter storage tools. This is where the humble collapsible bin becomes one of the most powerful assets in your small-space arsenal.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why Collapsible Bins Are an RV Game-Changer

The magic of a collapsible bin is simple: it disappears when you don’t need it. A rigid plastic tub, whether it’s holding your winter sweaters or absolutely nothing, occupies the same precious cubic inches. A collapsible bin, on the other hand, can be flattened and tucked behind a sofa, under a mattress, or into a sliver of space beside the water heater.

This ability to vanish transforms how you use your space. You can bring extra bins for a big grocery run, knowing they won’t clog up your living area afterward. You can have a dedicated bin for dirty laundry that, once emptied, shrinks down to the thickness of a book. It’s about creating storage capacity on demand, rather than permanently sacrificing space.

Ultimately, investing in a few quality collapsible bins is an investment in flexibility. It stops the frustrating "storage shuffle," where you’re constantly moving one bulky, empty container to get to another. They allow your storage to adapt to your needs day by day, trip by trip, which is the very essence of successful RV living.

CleverMade CleverCrates: The All-Purpose Stacker

When you need structure and strength, you reach for a CleverCrate. These are the workhorses of the collapsible world, made from rigid plastic that locks into place, creating a sturdy, milk-crate-style container. Their real power comes from their ability to stack securely when open, letting you build stable, vertical storage in your pass-through bays or on a shelf.

Think of these for the heavy, awkward stuff. Use one for leveling blocks and chocks, another for sewer and water hoses, and a third for firewood and kindling. Because they are open-grate, they allow wet gear to air out, reducing the chance of mildew. They are the perfect solution for taming the chaotic mess that often lives in an RV’s "garage."

The tradeoff for this durability is weight and collapsed size. They are heavier than fabric options and don’t fold down quite as flat. But if you need to contain heavy tools or create a freestanding stack of organized gear, no other collapsible option provides this level of robust, reliable structure.

SAMMART Collapsible Laundry Basket: A Space-Saver

The traditional laundry basket is a space-hogging nightmare in an RV. It’s bulky, awkward, and always in the way. The SAMMART collapsible basket directly solves this problem by squishing down to a slim, two-inch profile that can slide into the narrowest of gaps.

While its name says "laundry," its function is far broader. It’s the perfect "quick tidy" bin to gather up clutter before a visitor arrives. Its durable, rubberized construction makes it ideal for hauling wet towels and swimsuits from the pool or beach. Because it’s waterproof and easy to wipe clean, it can even double as an oversized wash basin or a drink cooler in a pinch.

Just know its limits. The flexible sides mean it isn’t stackable, and it’s not designed for sharp or exceptionally heavy loads. It excels at its core mission: corralling bulky, lightweight items and then getting out of the way. For managing the endless cycle of clothes in a tiny space, it’s an absolute must-have.

Camco Pop-Up Utility Container: Versatile Pick

Every RVer needs a lightweight, portable container for temporary tasks, and the Camco Pop-Up is a classic for a reason. Its spring-loaded design allows it to expand to full size in an instant and collapse just as quickly, secured by built-in toggles. It’s essentially a portable, fabric-sided barrel.

This container’s versatility is its greatest strength. Use it as a campsite trash or recycling bin to keep your area clean. It’s a fantastic leaf and debris bag for tidying up your site before you leave. We often use ours to haul kids’ toys to the beach or carry laundry to the campground laundromat. The zippered lid keeps things contained, and built-in stakes help anchor it on windy days.

Be realistic about its construction. This is not a heavy-duty hauler. The lightweight fabric and internal steel coil are designed for convenience, not for hauling rocks or sharp-edged tools. For temporary, lightweight containment, however, its portability and tiny storage footprint are unmatched.

MEORI Foldable Box: For Stylish Organization

Sometimes, storage needs to be visible, and that’s where MEORI boxes shine. They bridge the gap between pure utility and home decor, offering a clean, stylish look that you won’t mind seeing on an open shelf or by the entryway. They are perfect for organizing the "living" part of your RV.

These boxes often include thoughtful features like internal dividers and mesh pockets, making them ideal for creating organized kits. You could have one for your mobile office supplies, another for dog gear, and a third packed with picnic essentials. The sturdy handles make it easy to grab the whole box and go, turning a cluttered cabinet into a modular system.

The main consideration is that they are an indoor solution. The high-quality polyester fabric is durable for household use but isn’t meant for the rugged, dirty jobs you’d give a plastic crate. They also come at a higher price point, but for bringing a sense of calm, accessible order to your interior space, they are well worth it.

Seville Classics Foldable Fabric Storage Cubes

Deep RV cabinets are notorious black holes where items go to be forgotten. Foldable fabric cubes, like those from Seville Classics, are the perfect antidote. Their standard cube dimensions are often a perfect fit for the overhead cabinets and closets found in most rigs, instantly adding structure to a shapeless space.

The strategy here is to use cubes to create removable drawers. Instead of digging blindly for a pair of socks or a can of soup, you simply slide out the entire bin. One cube can hold t-shirts, another can hold snacks, and a third can organize charging cables and electronics. Clear labeling is your best friend with this system.

The key tradeoff is their lack of internal rigidity. They rely on the cabinet walls for support and can sag if they aren’t packed relatively full. They don’t stack well on their own. But as a tool for subdividing existing storage and making deep cabinets 100% accessible, they are an inexpensive and incredibly effective solution.

Prepworks Collapsible Dish Tub: Kitchen Essential

Washing dishes in a tiny, single-basin RV sink can be a wet, messy chore. The Prepworks Collapsible Dish Tub is a simple, brilliant tool that solves this daily frustration. It gives you a dedicated, contained space for soapy water, freeing up your sink for rinsing and dramatically reducing splashes on your limited counter space.

This tub’s utility extends beyond dish duty. It’s the perfect size for washing fresh produce from a farmer’s market, carrying supplies to the grill, or even icing down a few drinks for an evening outside. Many models include a built-in drain plug, which is a fantastic feature that lets you empty the tub without having to lift and tip a heavy basin of water.

When the job is done, it collapses to a slim, flat profile that stores easily alongside your cutting boards. It’s a specialized tool, but it solves such a common and annoying problem that it quickly becomes indispensable. This is a prime example of a small addition making a huge impact on daily quality of life.

Choosing Your Bin: Material and Size Matter

There is no single "best" collapsible bin; there is only the best bin for a specific job. The biggest mistake people make is buying a single type and trying to force it into every role. A rigid plastic crate is perfect for your sewer hose but terrible for your sweaters. A fabric cube is great in a closet but will be destroyed in a wet storage bay.

Before you buy anything, your first step is to measure your storage spaces. Know the exact height, width, and depth of the cabinet or bay you intend to use. Pay as much attention to the collapsed dimensions as the open ones to ensure the bin will actually fit where you plan to store it when it’s not in use. Then, match the material to the mission.

• Hard Plastic (e.g., CleverCrates): Best for heavy gear, outdoor use, and stacking.
• Silicone/TPE (e.g., SAMMART, Prepworks): Ideal for wet applications like laundry, dishes, and beach gear. Easy to clean.
• Fabric (e.g., MEORI, Camco, Seville): Perfect for interior organization, clothing, and lightweight items. Prioritizes low weight and small collapsed size.

The most effective strategy is to build a small, diverse collection of collapsible bins. A couple of heavy-duty crates for the basement, a few fabric cubes for the closets, and a specialized tub for the kitchen will give you a flexible system that can adapt to anything your travels throw at you.

Ultimately, mastering RV storage isn’t about finding more space, but about making the space you have more functional and flexible. Collapsible bins are a cornerstone of that philosophy, allowing you to deploy and retract your organizational system as your needs change. Choose wisely, and you’ll spend less time shuffling gear and more time enjoying the view.