Store More Stuff

Have you ever heard anyone complain about having too much storage in their RV? Neither have I. Just about everyone looks for ways to improve the storage capabilities both inside and outside their RVs. Most people have leftover vertical space at the back of their wardrobe closet(s) but the quandary is figuring out a way to utilize this unused real estate.

Then the proverbial light bulb illuminated. Why not (I thought) use a cargo net designed to hold stuff in the bed of a pickup truck to keep things from going airborne in the closet? These nets are commonly found on the Internet. I located a “Karcoca Cargo Net for Pickup Truck Bed” on Amazon for about $25; it’s designed for Ford F-150 and GMC pickups. The net measures 18 x 59 inches, but if you don’t have room there are shorter ones available from the same manufacturer and others.

The real trick was figuring out a method for hanging the cargo net in such a way that it could actually hold items securely that otherwise just got in the way. In my case, the unused space in the back of the closet presented a perfect location for storing yarn that is used for crocheting, seasonal games that have little weight and other items like hats. It took some time to figure out the best method for fastening the cargo net, which came with four carabiners. I opted to buy some hooks and clips at a local hardware store that made the installation simple and quick.

The main crux of the project was to find a location for the net at the rear of the closet that would not “fight” hanging clothes and other items that are typically stored in this area. The net is large enough to hold quite a bit of stuff, but you’ll have to be cognizant of weight.

Once the top portion was affixed, the net was pulled down — again, taking care not to stretch it too far when attaching to the lower hooks. Although the screws seem to bite well into the wood, you may need to get some type of anchor if they don’t hold. Another option would be to use some type of a D-ring that could be mounted on the wall for hooks that can snap over the ring to hold the cargo net in place or use the provided carabiners.

The only problem I can see right now is convincing my other half not to overload the cargo net, which would probably dislodge the mounting hardware — but more importantly, encourage us from bringing more stuff into the fifth wheel.