Our Organized RV – Thanks to Organized Obie


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Our Winnebago Travato has a slightly different floor plan than the rest of them – but the one thing we have in common with the standard 59G is a big blank wall facing the rear doors.  Other Travato owners have come up with some pretty ingenious storage solutions to using that space (it’s only about 4 inches wide).  I was holding out – waiting for what I thought was the perfect solution.  But the wait dragged on for 6 months…  Until we ran into Organized Obie at the 2015 RVIA show in Louisville.  Check it out.

 

This was just the sort of built-in storage I was wanting for this space.  The BEST thing about this – versus other storage I’ve seen in this space – is that the stretchy cargo net keeps things held firmly against the back wall.  This means that they don’t bang, rattle, and move when we drive.  (The thought of a broom handle smacking against that wall every time I approached a stop light was one of the reasons I held off for so long.)

Travato Rear Wall

The organizers arrived quickly and mounted easily.  For the storage you see in the video, I just mounted with the provided screws.  I was able to check behind the wall and verify that I wasn’t going to pierce any pipes or wires.  (Generally, I don’t recommend blindly driving screws into your RV walls.  I ALWAYS check what’s behind first.)  But this leads me to one of the other things that’s cool about the Organized Obie products.  They have an adhesive mount system that uses VHB tape that can be used with any of their snap-based organizers.  So even if you’re not inclined to disassemble wall panels and use a probe camera like I did, Organized Obie has a solution for you.

Besides the organizers, I should mention that Jason (in the video) obviously knows a thing or two about fitness himself.  We’re always happy to meet other fitness-minded folks in our travels.  And in this case, meeting Jason was jut the ticket for finally doing something useful with that empty space in our rig.



James is a former rocket scientist, a USA Cycling coach, and lifelong fitness buff. When he's not driving the RV, or modifying the RV (or - that one time - doing both at once), you can find him racing bicycles, or building furniture, or making music. In his spare time, he works for a large IT company.


    21 thoughts on “Our Organized RV – Thanks to Organized Obie

    1. BabsLouie

      I’m sorry to see the 12″ x 16″ framed net is no longer offered on the Organized Obie web site. From your photos, it is the perfect size to hold a 30amp power cord, but alas, is not available. The closest I can get to filling that space behind the shower is the 36″ x 12″ 3-pocket unit. I’ll post the result here once I get it installed.

      Reply
      1. Steven HIte

        We do have the 12″ x 16″ framed net available. We were only on back order for 3 days. It is one of our top sellers. Hope this helps!

        Reply
    2. Geneva (www.itsnotaslowcaritsafasthouse.com)

      I am curious to know if your netting material is still working well. We installed this product in several places in our VW van. After about 6 months of use it had stretched too far to be effective. We replaced with a different product.

      Reply
      1. James - Post author

        We installed three in the back. The one holding our leveling blocks is holding up well. The one holding our fresh water hose is also holding up well.
        The one holding our power cord (considerably heavier) eventually started to sag. I put a piece of pipe in there to support the cord, and all is well now.
        My overall opinion is, if you don’t overload them, as I did that one, they seem to hold up OK.
        What did you replace yours with? Is there something better out there?

        Reply
      2. Steven Hite

        I’m sorry I didn’t see this post sooner. Did you contact us to allow us to resolve the situation? Please give me a call so that we can try to work out something. We actually do like to hear about our products if they don’t hold up to our standards. We cannot fix an issue if we don’t know about it. We want to fix any issues that may pop up. Please ask for Steve. 574-266-1809 or email me at [email protected]

        Reply
    3. Stefan Beese

      Hi James, love the organiser from Obie and how your items fit nicely in these net compartments. I was ready to place an order for all the items you have as we need them anyways , Handi Hose reel, level blocks, water filter, pressure hose adaptors the nett pockets. I tried to go by what I could see from your video ,but then realized that there are different sizes and I can’t figure out all product info from your vid. Can you let me know what size net and handi hose reel (25 or 50″)you used? also if you don’t mind to share what kind of leveling blocks and pocket sizes you have used in bottom of the cabinet? Thanks so much! as always, great video and tips!
      Stefan

      Reply
    4. Maggie Graeber

      Happy New Year!!! Wow, I really like these organizers! Are you guys going to do a video of loading the Travato? You seem to have such great ideas on how to utilize the space. It really would be super helpful to see where to place things. We are going to the RV show next week and we are so looking forward to seeing a Travato.

      Reply
      1. James - Post author

        If we did a video like that, it wouldn’t be very useful to people. We have a different cabinet configuration from stock. Nobody else has 2 wardrobe cabinets, for example. And nobody else has a bed as high up as ours.
        We try to share tips where we can, like this one. But at the same time, we don’t want to show people things they can’t do.
        (And who besides us travels with 2 bikes per person?!)

        Reply
    5. carolinarob

      James, you have solved my next solution for me already, first the super slider, now this. You are the man. I see above where you used the 12×16 framed, what size did you put on the bottom. also, if I’m not to nosey, what size screws did ya use. this will work perfect in our 59G.

      Reply
      1. James - Post author

        The pockets are the 10 x 20 net organizers also from Organized Obie. And as far as screws, we just used the ones that came with the organizers and they worked fine!

        Reply
    6. Donald P Wolf

      Hi
      I think you and Steph are a great couple. You all complement each other. Its always great to see you two on your website.
      You have so many great ideas and you help a lot of people. Its always a pleasure to see you two.

      Thanks Don Do you think a serge protector in necessary and should it be installed by the builder?

      Reply
      1. James - Post author

        We have a surge protector now. It is hard wired. The disadvantage of a hard wired one is that if it “does its job”, you have to take apart your RV to replace it. The portable ones are just out there on the cord – if it blows, you just get a new one. The disadvantage, I suppose, is that it could be stolen. We never had that happen, but I’ve heard it does.

        Reply
      1. James - Post author

        It’s the 12×16 framed net. You can find int on their site under “RV Accessories”. It’s working out great!

        Reply
        1. DJ

          Terrific. We have a TRAVATO 59K on order which will be replacing our RIALTA. Of latter, we’re original owners.

          I’ll be using a swing-out STOWAWAY2.com box w/TRAVATO and I’ve been thinking of ways to more efficiently use space in the box, under lift-up bed-board on R, as well as in that storage compartment. Lot of good ideas and I’d never heard of these folks.

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