10 Exterior Cargo Bay Organization Accessories for Full-Time RVers

Imagine pulling into a dark campsite after an eight-hour drive, only to spend thirty minutes crawling into a cramped basement bay to locate your fresh water hose. For full-time RVers, disorganized exterior cargo bays transform routine setup tasks into exhausting, frustrating chores. Optimizing these exterior compartments with the right gear not only saves physical strain but also protects valuable equipment from road vibration and moisture damage.

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

Maximizing Your RV Exterior Storage Space

Exterior RV storage bays are notoriously difficult to organize due to their irregular dimensions, low overhead clearance, and deep, dark recesses. Without a deliberate plan, these spaces quickly turn into a chaotic jumble where critical gear gets buried under seasonal items. To reclaim this footprint, treat your basement bays like a warehouse by categorizing items by frequency of use and vulnerability to the elements.

The secret to successful long-term organization lies in maximizing vertical wall space and utilizing the ceiling of the compartment. Storing heavy items low and near the center of the rig keeps the center of gravity stable while protecting lighter gear. By implementing specialized mounting brackets, stackable bins, and sliding systems, every square inch of the cargo bay becomes accessible without requiring physical contortions.

Cargo Slide – MORryde Sliding Cargo Tray

Crawling into a deep pass-through storage bay to retrieve heavy items in the back is a recipe for back strain and bumped heads. A cargo slide brings the entire contents of your storage bay out into the open air with a simple pull. This category of accessory transforms deep, inaccessible cavities into highly functional drawer systems, ensuring no gear gets lost in the dark center of the coach.

The MORryde Sliding Cargo Tray stands out because of its rugged steel construction and smooth, ball-bearing slide mechanism that handles heavy gear without flexing. It comes fully assembled, featuring a durable carpeted wet-resistant utility deck and a secure latching system that prevents sliding during transit.

• Weight capacity: Up to 800 lbs
• Available widths: 33 inches, 39 inches, and 90 inches (pass-through)
• Materials: Powder-coated steel frame with carpeted deck

Installing this tray requires secure bolting directly to the wood or metal floor of your storage bay, which demands basic DIY skills and correct measurements. Keep in mind that the tray assembly itself consumes about three to four inches of vertical clearance and adds noticeable dry weight to your rig. This system is perfect for fifth-wheels and large Class A motorhomes, but it is too heavy and bulky for small travel trailers with limited cargo capacity.

Storage Strap – Wrap-It Heavy Duty Straps

Loose utility hoses, heavy extension cords, and tow ropes have a frustrating habit of uncoiling and tangling into a giant nest during transit. Storage straps solve this by keeping coils tightly secured, allowing them to be hung neatly from hooks or wall mounts. This keeps delicate copper wiring and rubber hoses off the damp cargo bay floor where they can degrade.

For this task, Wrap-It Heavy Duty Storage Straps are a reliable choice due to their tough construction and secure hold. They are fabricated from weatherproof polypropylene and utilize a commercial-grade hook-and-loop system finished with a rust-resistant metal grommet.

• Ideal Uses: Organizing 50-amp shore power cords, bundling heavy-duty coiled drinking water hoses, and securing emergency tow straps.
• Sizing options: Available in lengths from 12 inches to 28 inches to fit different bundle diameters.
• Carrying Capacity: Supports up to 50 pounds on the heavy-duty line.

When purchasing, opt for a multi-size pack to accommodate various bundle diameters. Avoid over-tightening these straps around soft silicone or heated fresh water hoses, as pinching can damage the inner lining over time. This budget-friendly solution is a must-have for every RVer, though those with automated cord reels will not need them as extensively.

Utility Hose Reel – MORryde Easy Reel Tall

Winding up fifty feet of stiff, cold utility hose by hand is a miserable task that often ends with a wet, messy pile on your storage bay floor. A dedicated hose reel provides structural support, allowing you to quickly spool and unspool your hoses while containing leftover water drips. Utilizing a reel also prevents tight kinks that eventually lead to pinhole leaks in your water lines.

The MORryde Easy Reel Tall is uniquely engineered for space-constrained RV basements, featuring a vertical design that minimizes horizontal footprint. Constructed from heavy-duty steel with a rust-resistant powder coat, it utilizes a smooth hand-crank mechanism and features multi-directional reel capability.

• Footprint: Minimal width to save flat floor space
• Capacity: Holds up to 100 feet of 1/2-inch hose or 75 feet of 5/8-inch hose
• Mounting: Can be permanently bolted down or left portable

Before buying, measure the vertical clearance of your compartment, as the taller profile may not fit inside low-profile travel trailer bays. Ensure the reel is mounted close to the bay door to allow smooth feeding of the hose without binding on the door frame. This accessory is a game-changer for full-timers running dual-hose configurations, but it is overkill for weekend campers who only carry a single short hose.

Hose Support – Camco Sidewinder Support

Relying on gravity is essential for proper RV sewer tank dumping, but uneven campsite terrain often creates pooling inside the sewer hose. A sewer hose support acts as a sturdy, sloped cradle that guides waste efficiently from the RV outlet down to the park connection. Keeping the hose off the raw ground also protects it from sharp rocks, lawnmowers, and wandering pests.

The Camco Sidewinder Support is a premier choice due to its lightweight, sturdy, and highly flexible accordion-style design. Made of deeply corrugated, rust-free plastic, it easily snakes around trees, rocks, and campsite obstacles while maintaining a constant downward slope.

• Length options: 10-foot, 15-foot, and 20-foot spans
• Material: Heavy-duty, UV-stabilized plastic
• Storage: Compresses down to just a few inches for easy pack-out

Because the plastic is lightweight, extreme high-wind environments can occasionally knock the support over if the hose is empty. Simply securing the ends with a heavy rubber strap or placing small weights on the support feet solves this issue. This product is non-negotiable for long-term RVers staying at full-hookup sites, whereas boondockers who only visit dump stations can skip it.

Cord Organizer – Camco Wheel Power Cord Reel

A fifty-amp RV power cord is incredibly heavy, stiff, and difficult to manage, especially in freezing winter temperatures. A heavy-duty cord reel solves this physical challenge by utilizing a rotating drum to roll the thick cable into a neat, compact wheel. This keeps the dirty, wet cord from rubbing against clean gear inside your basement storage compartment.

The Camco Wheel Power Cord Reel is built specifically to withstand the unique abuse of heavy electrical lines without breaking. It features an easy-grip handle and is constructed from high-impact, rust-proof plastic that will not degrade in damp exterior lockers.

• Storage Capacity: Holds up to 30 feet of 50-amp power cord or 50 feet of 30-amp power cord.
• Portability: Features a built-in carrying handle for easy transport.
• Mountability: Designed to stand freely on the bay floor or be mounted to a flat surface for permanent installation.

Crucially, users must fully unspool the power cord from the reel when drawing high electrical currents to prevent inductive heat buildup inside the coiled cable. This tool is a lifesaver for 50-amp rig owners, but it is unnecessary for smaller vans or campers using thin 15-amp extension cords.

Storage Tote – ToughBox 27-Gallon Utility Bin

Storing loose gear in open piles inside an exterior bay exposes your belongings to humidity, road dust, and unwanted insects. Heavy-duty utility totes provide modular, sealed containment that keeps gear clean, dry, and easily stackable. Using uniform totes transforms an disorganized bay into a neat, easily searchable shelving system.

The ToughBox 27-Gallon Utility Bin is an ideal choice because of its rugged, impact-resistant construction and deeply recessed lids that permit rock-solid stacking. Crafted from heavy-duty structural resin, these bins will not crack or buckle under heavy loads or during freezing winter temperatures.

• Lid design: Snap-fit lid with padlock holes for extra security
• Dimensions: 30.5″ L x 20.125″ W x 14.25″ H
• Material: Industrial-grade recycled polypropylene

Always measure the physical opening of your RV baggage door before purchasing, as some narrow doors cannot accommodate the width of a 27-gallon bin. Labeling the exterior of each bin with a paint marker or waterproof sticker saves hours of searching through stacked containers. This is an essential, budget-friendly baseline organizer for all RVers, though those with ultra-shallow bays may need to downsize to 17-gallon variants.

Storage Box – Lippert Underchassis Storage

When basement bays are completely packed, the only way to gain more storage is by utilizing the dead space underneath the trailer frame. An under-chassis storage box mounts directly to the steel chassis rails, turning empty underbelly space into a secure storage compartment. This is the perfect location for low-profile, dirty, or seasonal gear that you do not need to access daily.

The Lippert Underchassis Storage system features a corrosion-resistant steel bracket that holds dual heavy-duty molded plastic bins. The bins slide out smoothly on either side of the RV, allowing quick access to stored items without having to crawl underneath the rig.

• Bin weight capacity: Up to 100 lbs per bin
• Slide mechanism: Dual-latch sliding tray
• Protection: Weather-resistant seal to keep out road grime

Installing this system requires measuring your frame width and drilling directly into the chassis, which may require professional help if you lack heavy-duty tools. It does reduce your ground clearance by several inches, making it a poor fit for low-slung travel trailers or off-grid boondocking rigs. It is a brilliant upgrade for mid-profile fifth-wheels and travel trailers traveling mostly on paved highway routes.

Tool Organizer – Neiko Magnetic Tool Bar

A heavy toolbox sitting on your bay floor takes up precious space and makes finding a simple screwdriver or wrench a noisy, frustrating search. Mounting a magnetic tool bar to the interior wall of your utility bay keeps your most frequently used hand tools secure and visible. This utilizes empty vertical wall space while keeping heavy steel tools from rattling around loose in transit.

The Neiko Magnetic Tool Bar utilizes heavy-duty ferrite magnets encased in a solid steel channel to deliver incredible holding power. Unlike cheap magnetic strips, this bar retains its magnetism indefinitely and secures heavy pliers, hammers, and screwdrivers through rough driving conditions.

• Mounting hardware: Included mounting screws for quick installation
• Grip strength: Holds heavy metal objects up to 20 lbs per bar
• Length: 12-inch and 18-inch configurations available

You must mount this bar to a solid backing material, such as a plywood bay wall divider, using structural wood screws. If mounting tools vertically, placing a small rubber lip or shelf directly underneath the bar prevents exceptionally heavy tools from sliding downward on bumpy washboard roads. This organizer is ideal for the proactive DIY RVer, but it is unnecessary if you prefer to keep all tools locked inside a portable toolbox.

Battery Box – NOCO Commercial Battery Box

House batteries stored in exterior compartments are vulnerable to physical damage, dust, road spray, and temperature extremes. A proper battery box acts as a secure, protective shield that contains corrosive battery acid spills and vents harmful gases safely out of the compartment. Securely mounting your batteries prevents them from shifting during transit, which can loosen terminal connections and spark electrical fires.

The NOCO Commercial Battery Box is designed for extreme duty, constructed from rotationally molded rugged plastic that resists UV rays and acid. It features a patented lid design with integrated cable entry ports and ventilation channels to prevent gas buildup.

• Compatible sizes: Group 24, 27, 31, and 4D/8D commercial sizes
• Material: Impact-resistant polymer rated down to -20°F
• Standards: Meets USCG regulations for battery containment

Ensure you choose the exact box size that matches your battery group size to prevent the battery from sliding around inside the enclosure. When using traditional flooded lead-acid batteries, the box must be vented to the outside air to prevent explosive hydrogen gas from accumulating. This safety accessory is vital for external lead-acid or AGM house battery banks, but is not required for sealed lithium batteries installed inside the living cabin.

Utility Bucket – Camco Collapsible Bucket

A standard five-gallon plastic bucket is an incredibly useful tool for washing the rig, cleaning sewer hoses, or carrying greywater. However, rigid buckets are incredibly bulky and difficult to pack away in a tightly packed exterior storage locker. A collapsible bucket offers all the utility of a rigid basin but folds down flat when not in use, reclaiming valuable storage space.

The Camco Collapsible Bucket is constructed using high-quality silicone-pleated walls combined with a rigid plastic rim and base for structural integrity. It features a convenient carrying handle and a grooved spout for controlled pouring without spills.

• Liquid capacity: 3 gallons (11.3 liters)
• Open height: 9.5 inches
• Collapsed height: Less than 2 inches

Avoid storing sharp metal tools or chemical solvents inside this bucket, as they can puncture or degrade the flexible silicone walls over time. In freezing temperatures, the silicone can become stiff, requiring a gentle push to expand without tearing the material. This is an essential space-saving accessory for every full-timer, but those with unlimited storage space may stick to standard cheap plastic buckets.

How to Distribute Your RV Cargo Weight Safely

Distributing cargo weight properly inside your RV exterior bays is a critical safety practice that directly affects towing stability, braking efficiency, and tire wear. Overloading one side of the vehicle or packing too much weight far behind the rear axle can create a dangerous pivot point. This imbalance often leads to catastrophic trailer sway, high-speed fish-tailing, and premature suspension failure.

To maintain safety, place the heaviest items low to the ground and as close to the center of the axles as physically possible. For bumper-pull travel trailers, aim to keep 10% to 15% of the total loaded weight on the tongue of the hitch. Fifth-wheel trailers require 20% to 25% of their total weight directly over the truck bed pin to ensure stable handling down the highway.

Regularly visit a certified CAT scale to get accurate axle weights for your fully loaded tow vehicle and trailer. Adjusting cargo placement based on these scale tickets helps prevent individual tire blowouts caused by uneven side-to-side weight distribution. Safe hauling is never a matter of guesswork; it requires methodical packing and regular weight verification.

Conclusion

Investing in high-quality exterior organization tools turns your RV basement into a streamlined, stress-free storage system. By securing heavy gear, containing loose utility lines, and distributing cargo weight safely, you ensure your rig remains roadworthy and easy to manage. Take the time to measure your compartments and select the right accessories to build a setup that works for the long haul.