Question about basement storage

Topic: Question about basement storage (Read 1374 times) previous topic - next topic

Question about basement storage

July 08, 2014, 04:13:06 pm

I've been looking at exterior and interior pictures of various FT coaches advertised for sale (MOT, FOT, RVT, etc.) and dreaming and drooling.

However, I am puzzled by one thing. In looking at various 36-foot FT coaches, while the interiors look great and very livable, I have noticed the almost non-existence of basement storage compared to 36-foot SOB models, especially in the slide models. Does anyone have rough figures on the amount of basement storage in 36-foot non-slide versus slide FT models? (The same question, I guess, also applies to the 34-foot model FTs.) Thanks.

Walt

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #1 – July 08, 2014, 04:20:38 pm

If it helps, we had a 2005 36 ft two slides at one time and I do not recall the bay storage being an issue. If it was for me, I would have switched to a 40 ft (we have 40 now but bay storage not the reason) rather than buy most any other brand.

Hope that helps....just be sure you study what you get if you trade bay storage for possibly less quality

mike

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #2 – July 08, 2014, 04:24:59 pm

Quote from: Michael & Jackie – July 08, 2014, 04:20:38 pm

If it helps, we had a 2005 36 ft two slides at one time and I do not recall the bay storage being an issue. If it was for me, I would have switched to a 40 ft (we have 40 now but bay storage not the reason) rather than buy most any other brand.

Hope that helps....just be sure you study what you get if you trade bay storage for possibly less quality

mike

Perhaps that's the problem with only being able to look at pictures.

It's a bit hard to tell how much storage there is or isn't. We currently carry a Camp Chef outdoor store along with two outdoor recliners, three folding chairs, a Sunbrella, a folding hammock, and several other things. (I keep looking but have yet to find the partridge in a pear tree I'm sure we must also be carrying.) I don't know that we'll carry all of that "stuff" in the future, but a ballpark idea of how much of it would fit might help.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #3 – July 08, 2014, 04:35:00 pm

I looked at some of the pictures, too, and I think I have MUCH more basement space in my coach than any of the newer coaches. My Joey bed is 5' wide and 8' deep. It doesn't look like any of the newer coaches have that much space. Then I have a smaller bay, forward of the big bay, that has some space taken out of it for the steps. No Joey bed in that bay, but it still takes quite a few tubs.

We also use most of the ceiling cabinets. They line nearly every bit of ceiling wall space. The only only where we don't have ceiling cabinets in the front, where there is a windshield. Newer coaches don't seem to have as many cabinets. Coaches with slides don't seem to have cabinets in them, except for the closet slides.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #4 – July 08, 2014, 04:38:26 pm

We have a 36ft single slide and find the storage adequate, though we do not full time. I also tend to carry more than we need but I always want all my toys with. There is only one real bay available and the access from the drivers side under the slide is limited. I have attached photos of each side for comparison. (sorry not the best photos)
In that single bay We carry a Camp Chef 2 burner propane stove, 2 folding recliners, folding wagon for the grands, 10x10 folding EZ up, all our cast iron cook ware, 4 extra folding chairs, full set of extra filters & belt, Tool box, Fire pit tripod grill, and firewood. And a few things I forgot to mention. The bay has a full depth pull out tray that make the space more usable.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #5 – July 08, 2014, 04:42:42 pm

Quote from: tpboj – July 08, 2014, 04:38:26 pm

We have a 36ft single slide and find the storage adequate, though we do not full time. I also tend to carry more than we need but I always want all my toys with. There is only one real bay available and the access from the drivers side under the slide is limited. I have attached photos of each side for comparison. (sorry not the best photos)
In that single bay We carry a Camp Chef 2 burner propane stove, 2 folding recliners, folding wagon for the grands, 10x10 folding EZ up, all our cast iron cook ware, 4 extra folding chairs, full set of extra filters & belt, Tool box, Fire pit tripod grill, and firewood. And a few things I forgot to mention. The bay has a full depth pull out tray that make the space more usable.

Thanks! That is very helpful and reassuring as it sounds as if you carry at least as much as we do.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #6 – July 08, 2014, 05:14:34 pm

The drivers side storage bay on our one slide 36' is 21" wide, 27" deep, and 25" high. The Joey bed in our street (passenger) side bay is 54" deep and 58" wide. I have not measured the height on this bay, but is at least 20" high. I would like to have more bay storage, but since I have direct access to the house batteries, a consolidated electronics/electrical bay, water systems and fuel tanks access, etc. I am happy.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #7 – July 08, 2014, 05:19:54 pm

Quote from: LTG – July 08, 2014, 05:14:34 pm

The drivers side storage bay on our one slide 36' is 21" wide, 27" deep, and 25" high. The Joey bed in our street (passenger) side bay is 54" deep and 58" wide. I have not measured the height on this bay, but is at least 20" high. I would like to have more bay storage, but since I have direct access to the house batteries, a consolidated electronics/electrical bay, water systems and fuel tanks access, etc. I am happy.

Thanks for the measurements. They may well come in handy. Much appreciated. If my math is correct, that works out to around 44 and a half cubic feet of basement storage, which doesn't seem like that much. However, as you say the consolidated components is a plus.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #8 – July 08, 2014, 06:44:44 pm

You should also pay attention to the model of FT that you're looking at. If it's a U225 or a U240 those rigs are shorter than the others and the lower height is reflected in the vertical size of the basement storage. I think I have 17" in mine. This can really make a difference in what you can put into them. You can see that the bin doors do not come all the way up to the top of the wheel wells in these units.

They were designed as "entry-level" motor homes (for $250,000 in 1993!!!) and retain the 8' (96") width as well as being shorter (right around 11' depending on how high the air conditioners are). They use smaller diesel engines (the U225 uses what is basically the same engine as the Dodge pickups - Cummins 5.9) and have lower overall weight.

The inside layouts are about the same as a U280 or U300 of those years, however. We chose the U225 because of its excellent mpg and because we want to go back down the Baja and remember well that highway (even in a car!).

Craig

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #9 – July 08, 2014, 06:49:39 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – July 08, 2014, 06:44:44 pm

You should also pay attention to the model of FT that you're looking at. If it's a U225 or a U240 those rigs are shorter than the others and the lower height is reflected in the vertical size of the basement storage. I think I have 17" in mine. This can really make a difference in what you can put into them. You can see that the bin doors do not come all the way up to the top of the wheel wells in these units.

They were designed as "entry-level" motor homes (for $250,000 in 1993!!!) and retain the 8' (96") width as well as being shorter (right around 11' depending on how high the air conditioners are). They use smaller diesel engines (the U225 uses what is basically the same engine as the Dodge pickups - Cummins 5.9) and have lower overall weight.

The inside layouts are about the same as a U280 or U300 of those years, however. We chose the U225 because of its excellent mpg and because we want to go back down the Baja and remember well that highway (even in a car!).

Craig

Thanks for that. If an FT is in our future, I suspect it will be a late 90s model, perhaps a U270 or U295. But who knows?

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #10 – July 08, 2014, 07:38:59 pm

All of it in a 36, way more in a non tag 40.

No slide non tag forty will swallow a lot...., so did my 36

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #11 – July 08, 2014, 08:15:39 pm

Just for grins I looked at the new IH-45 on the FOT site. It looks like it has two smaller bays with Joey beds, so it probably has as much room in those two bays as we have in our one large and one small bay. I can't tell whether there is any difference in height between our old coach and their new one. There are very few cabinets at the ceiling, but it looks like the cabinets and drawers make up for that.

It would seem that the old advice still holds true. "Live" in the prospective coach for several hours, "trying" to do various tasks, and considering what can go where.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #12 – July 08, 2014, 08:20:09 pm

If you want a lot of basement storage, get a 40 ft non slide and you will have a lots of storage space, also lots of space inside. When we went from a 40 ft non slide to a 40 ft double slide, lost lots of bay and inside storage, but living space was important to my wife, so you just have to do a lot of looking to see what will work for you and your wife. Sounds like the first thing is to get her interested in looking at foretravel coaches.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #13 – July 08, 2014, 08:41:42 pm

Or you can go to 42 and get two full bays.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #14 – July 08, 2014, 08:52:25 pm

Just looked at that 2002 u320 42 ft in Utah on the forum and that would really be great. Told my wife about it, but she said she will not give up her slide outs. That is a great looking coach.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #15 – July 08, 2014, 10:10:31 pm

Quote from: red tractor – July 08, 2014, 08:20:09 pm

If you want a lot of basement storage, get a 40 ft non slide and you will have a lots of storage space, also lots of space inside. When we went from a 40 ft non slide to a 40 ft double slide, lost lots of bay and inside storage, but living space was important to my wife, so you just have to do a lot of looking to see what will work for you and your wife. Sounds like the first thing is to get her interested in looking at foretravel coaches.

Yes, indeed. Just have to get her past a little minor illness. Then I'll hit her with the FT videos on YouTube.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #16 – July 08, 2014, 10:12:30 pm

Quote from: John S – July 08, 2014, 08:41:42 pm

Or you can go to 42 and get two full bays.

While I'm sure 42-feet adds a lot in living and storage space, I think that would be too long for us. I personally would consider a 40-foot no slide model, but so far, the 36-foot models are my favorites. Not sure I can tell you why, though.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #17 – July 08, 2014, 11:38:03 pm

I know Phil and that coach and if I have not just finished up mist of my remods I would buy it too. I know people worry on size and if you want to get off the beaten path a small coach is what is needed. I have had a 34 and 36 and now 42 and I have fit everywhere in all my coaches. Oh and in the summer Texas heat three acs are amazing.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #18 – July 08, 2014, 11:46:12 pm

Quote from: John S – July 08, 2014, 11:38:03 pm

I know Phil and that coach and if I have not just finished up mist of my remods I would buy it too. I know people worry on size and if you want to get off the beaten path a small coach is what is needed. I have had a 34 and 36 and now 42 and I have fit everywhere in all my coaches. Oh and in the summer Texas heat three acs are amazing.

I do want to get off the beaten path, at least to some extent and at least some of the time. I'll try to get my wife to look at some of the videos with an open mind regarding size (or maybe I won't let her see the size

) I'll have to show the videos with the sound turned down as she is also not a big fan of the music on the MOT videos - probably from me watching too many of them.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #19 – July 09, 2014, 02:09:15 am

If you want lots of bay storage, get a non-tag model. My non-tag 38' has one full width bay, and another that goes 3/4 of the way across. Both have joey beds. The equivalent tag axel model has only a single bay, which i believe does not go all the way across.

Also, all of my batteries are fully accessible. Not hidden away.

Mine is a single slide model, which we prefer in order to have windows on both sides of the bedroom.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #20 – July 09, 2014, 08:29:21 am

Walt,

If you want the most storage space available in a coach, my opinion is a 40' non-tag, non-slide U-320. (Ad for my coach in the classified section).

Having said that, the issue most owners (and manufacturers) don't pay attention to is the weight issue.

How many owners weigh their coaches before they get out on the road? (Go to your local moving storage company on a Saturday and ask to weigh all the wheels and axles for weight and weight distribution.)

I believe that you will exceed the weight limits before you run out of space. (Unless you addicted to cotton candy!)

Most owners don't pay attention to the data plates mounted next to their driver's seat with GVWR, GWR, etc. You would be surprised about how easily you can exceed specs.

Throw a freezer in the bays, solar panel on the roof, golf bags, tools, parts, etc, and you have the mixture for a catastrophe.

Every time I see a 5th wheeler on the side of the road with a flat or two, I would be willing to bet that they were over grossed and had no clue about it.

When the states start weighing coaches and trailers, the roads will be empty.

I weigh and adjust loads every time that I go out on a trip and end up bringing the bowling balls and anvils back into the house!

You can fit everything you own into a coach, but you can't carry them.

Back to the original question, "who weighs and who doesn't weigh?".

IMHO

Mike B.

P.S. For an example, look at Understanding motorhome weights

NCC (net carrying capacity): the maximum weight of all occupants including the driver, food, tools, LP gas, fresh water, personal belongings, dealer-installed accessories, and the tongue weight of the towed vehicle that can be carried by this motorhome.

Keep in mind that NCC is the total carrying capacity. However, the distribution of the weight plays a role. So, it may not be possible to load a motorhome to its NCC without exceeding an axle or tire rating. Weighing your motorhome by individual wheel position after you have loaded it is the only way to be certain that you are not exceeding any limitations.

Ours is about 3120 lbs. Subtract 975 lbs fresh water, 900 lbs gray, 450 black 70 lbs propane. (Most try to drain the waste tanks and fill the water when they get "there".) But, if you look at the numbers, it is easy to see that you would run out of weight allowance before space.

Again, IMHO

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #21 – July 09, 2014, 08:53:01 am

Quote from: Mike Baldacchino – July 09, 2014, 08:29:21 am

How many owners weigh their coaches before they get out on the road?

Escapees has SmartWeigh in Livingston (and I think a couple of the other parks) and RVSEF does weighing at rallies (they were at the Tennessee Grandvention). A quick search of the forum for RVSEF showed a number of threads discussing weighing - we FTers seem to be ahead of the curve on awareness

. Here's our personal experience with weighing Coach individual wheel weight experience

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #22 – July 09, 2014, 09:11:53 am

Quote from: Mike Baldacchino – July 09, 2014, 08:29:21 am

Walt,

If you want the most storage space available in a coach, my opinion is a 40' non-tag, non-slide U-320. (Ad for my coach in the classified section).

I saw your coach. Very nice looking.

Quote from: Mike Baldacchino – July 09, 2014, 08:29:21 am

Ours is about 3120 lbs. Subtract 975 lbs fresh water, 900 lbs gray, 450 black 70 lbs propane. (Most try to drain the waste tanks and fill the water when they get "there".) But, if you look at the numbers, it is easy to see that you would run out of weight allowance before space.

Again, IMHO

So you are saying your coach has 3120 lbs carrying capacity before you basically put anything but fuel in it? Add water and the rest and you are down to 725 pounds. Add four adults and you are likely down to zero, correct? Almost sounds like I would need to leave the wife and the food at home.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #23 – July 09, 2014, 09:30:40 am

Walt,

As Michelle stated, it is about awareness.

You don't need a scale at the front door, but you probably should not try to squirrel heavy "stuff" in every available space.

The problem with waiting until you get to a rally is, what to do with the "stuff" when you are over weight and "out of town". And you were in jeopardy on the way there.

Remember, weight distribution is as important as weight limits!

And, BTW, I wouldn't leave the wife home. She is the best part of the journey!

Mike B.

Re: Question about basement storage

Reply #24 – July 09, 2014, 09:42:42 am

I consider my coach completely filled with stufff.

At the FMCA rally this year, I had it weighed. Very pleased to find nearly a thousand pounds of capacity remaining in the front, another thousand+ in the back, and side to side distribution dead even. This with all tanks full and a non-tag 38' U295. I can still safely add a ton of stuff, literally.
The guy who did the weighing said this has unusual, but he doesn't weigh that many Foretravels. The usual sob is overweight with massive side to side weight imbalance.

Affiliate Notice