Boxes for under multiflex board

[zeratul]

What boxes do you use to fit under the multiflex board?

I measured the available space, it's 109cm wide, 43 to 48cm high, and the depth depends on the bench location, but in the location that touches the full multiflex board, it's about 73cm minimum.

So I've been looking around, and currently selected these as best: http://www.ikea.com/be/nl/catalog/products/10280203/
I think the 34x54x21cm boxes would allow exactly 8 of these to fill up the space: 108cm wide, 42cm high, 68cm deep.

Only problem: they're not transparent. Which is nice if you have to identify what box holds what.

What boxes are others using?

 

[SlidePods]

Really useful boxes are great and available in loads of sizes.

 

[WelshGas]

I use 2 of these. Fit perfectly. Other sizes available.
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/really-useful-box-clear-48-litre/571322-1000

 

[AlanC]

+ 1 for 64ltr Really Useful Boxes. B&Q have a deal on them at the mo.

Alan

 

[zeratul]

But both of these are only 31cm high and you have about 48cm, 43cm at the spot where the knop of the multiflex board is in the middle.
Do you store anything under the box?

Wouldn't more smaller boxes be more convenient to find things than large boxes?
What do you store in it anyway, camping equipment, boots, or also clothes?

 

[snowy55]

We use 1 x 35 litre, 2 x 18 litre and 1 x 42 litre Really Usefull boxes. The other quarter boot space has the Cadac and spare gas bottle.

 

[zeratul]

What do people with a Beach use? The space is quite a bit higher and wider.

 

[Rich20]

Pretty much the same for us with plastic boxes, cadac and porta loo all able to go under the multiplex. Plenty of room left for cables, walking boots etc. it is a vast space in a Beach compared to an SE.

 

[T6 CFO]

We use 1 x 35 litre, 2 x 18 litre and 1 x 42 litre Really Usefull boxes. The other quarter boot space has the Cadac and spare gas bottle.

The two boxes you show in the pic look identical to ones I used on a recent cycle/ camping trip to France. One VW Touran, 3 of us and all the kit were kept marvellously organised in 8 such boxes in the boot. Two each for our kit, one for all the energy bars etc, one for spares. Got mine from Staples who have all sorts of sizes. When I get my Cali it will be a case of parking up outside and testing there boxes in the back until I find the right combination.

 

[Bigted]

Another vote for really useful boxes!

 

[AlanC]

But both of these are only 31cm high and you have about 48cm, 43cm at the spot where the knop of the multiflex board is in the middle.
Do you store anything under the box?

Wouldn't more smaller boxes be more convenient to find things than large boxes?
What do you store in it anyway, camping equipment, boots, or also clothes?

Our van is older with the wooden board, which we set on the lower setting to match the height of the mattress and the seat. So there is only a small space above the 64ltr boxes, which I use for the loo tent.

Alan

 

[Kettlefiller]

I'd give a thumbs up for hobby craft clear boxes too. Strong, with carry handles which clasp the lid closed. Horses for courses though, eh. Happy shopping!

 

[MattBW]

I have 2 really useful 64l boxes in my 3 seat beach. There is still a little room at the side however.

 

[Borris]

We use 4 x 35litre Really Useful Boxes. They fit in perfectly and keep everthing stowed away nicely.

 

[cleve]

We use 4 of these as they fit the space for a 3 seater beach well leaving a gap between for things like groundsheet, bbq etc
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PFYR1XK/?tag=eliteelect-21

As they don't have lids but still stack we find it useful to put things like clothes in the top boxes so we can access the contents by lifting the multiflex. Means we can get to stuff from inside the vehicle, especially useful when we have the bikes on the rack.

 

[Borris]

We use 4 x 35litre Really Useful Boxes. They fit in perfectly and keep everthing stowed away nicely.

We find that these are also "very useful" when cooking outside. I sit on the step with two boxes stacked on top of each other in front of me. I position our outside cooker on top of the stack and I have the 3rd and 4th boxes on either side to put the cooking essentials on. I am thinking of cutting out some thin formica covered plywood inserts to snuggly fit the depression in the box lids. These would make the box lids into excellent work surfaces. My only concern is not wanting to increase the payload weight too much.

We have also found that this set up nicely lowers the tone of the average Caravan Club site. On our recent shake down tour of Britain, a passing elderly caravaner at a CC site was heard to mutter, "looks like your setting up a bl**dy market stall"!

 

[zeratul]

As they don't have lids but still stack we find it useful to put things like clothes in the top boxes so we can access the contents by lifting the multiflex. Means we can get to stuff from inside the vehicle, especially useful when we have the bikes on the rack.

Never thought of this. Too bad, just back from IKEA to buy boxes which unfortunately can only be stacked with a lid..
We'll see what it gives. I guess we can use the top ones without lid.

The perfect full Beach trunk with ikea boxes consists of
3x SAMLA 59x39x28cm 45l (bottom row)
6x SAMLA 39x28x14cm 11l (top row) - two per large box.

We'll have 9 boxes with a total of 201l while still preserving some trunk depth for collapsable table, bbq, ..

I'll see what it gives. Those boxes can easily find another purpose if it proves not practical.

 

[Cwoods1405]

Proper job have loads of inexpensive storage boxes. Well worth a look IMO

 

[Skylark2.0]

I have 2 really useful 64l boxes in my 3 seat beach. There is still a little room at the side however.

Bought 2 64 l really useful boxes. Really space efficient and a great fit thx.

 

[Hissey]

We have a Beach without internal fridge, so have a fridge under the board on one side, then on the other a three drawer (two small, one large) plastic unit from B&Q (well it actually had a third layer but we took this off). These drawers keep all our kitchen utensils, saucepans, crockery, salt, pepper, food stores etc and mean we can get at them without pulling out boxes. A small space is left on top of the unit between there and the board, which just fits our collapsible washing up bowl with accompanying brush, wash up liquid and teatowel on one side, and a collapsible drainer and tray on the other. In between the kitchen drawers and fridge (which on occasion when we need to take a porta potti goes in the van), is a space which we can use to access items behind, or for a narrow box which neatly holds food tins.

A new innovation on our last trip to Ireland in the summer was a board which slides between the multiflex and the mattress. We pull this out part way, which provides ideal light kitchen worksurface for such occasions as making sandwiches when you have the fridge and kitchen drawers all within easy reach.

I'd attach a photo, but not sure I've got one to hand. I'll take one next time we load up.

 

[zeratul]

I've finally found the perfect boxes for a 3-seater beach
I've order from Auer Packaging (auer-packaging.nl,.be,.de,.co.uk,.fr, ...) the following:
Euro containers closed surface
4x 60 x 40 x 22 cm
4x 40 x 30 x 22 cm

They are stackable without lid hence accessible from inside by lifting multiflex board (Thank you cleve!). They are very strong and solid, look durable.
They all squeeze in perfectly together. I might just travel with 4+2 because then the 3 seat bench can be stored more backward.

Some pictures:

I spent quite some time finding the perfect dimensions and I think I've finally found it..

 

[cleve]

I've finally found the perfect boxes for a 3-seater beach
I've order from Auer Packaging (auer-packaging.nl,.be,.de,.co.uk,.fr, ...) the following:
Euro containers closed surface
4x 60 x 40 x 22 cm
4x 40 x 30 x 22 cm

They are stackable without lid hence accessible from inside by lifting multiflex board (Thank you cleve!). They are very strong and solid, look durable.
They all squeeze in perfectly together. I might just travel with 4+2 because then the 3 seat bench can be stored more backward.

Some pictures:

I spent quite some time finding the perfect dimensions and I think I've finally found it..

Looks good. Can you get them out easily or are they wedged in?

I found the boxes quite heavy when full up to slide in and out so still waiting for my husband to make a shelf under the multiflex so the bottom boxes can slide out & leave top boxes in place.

If packing clothing in them, a tip is to pack clothes folded on their side so you can see what you've got & access items easily without having to rummage at the bottom of a box.

I might try a couple of smaller boxes in the gap thanks

 

[CALI FATE]

I've finally found the perfect boxes for a 3-seater beach
I've order from Auer Packaging (auer-packaging.nl,.be,.de,.co.uk,.fr, ...) the following:
Euro containers closed surface
4x 60 x 40 x 22 cm
4x 40 x 30 x 22 cm

They are stackable without lid hence accessible from inside by lifting multiflex board (Thank you cleve!). They are very strong and solid, look durable.
They all squeeze in perfectly together. I might just travel with 4+2 because then the 3 seat bench can be stored more backward.

Some pictures:

I spent quite some time finding the perfect dimensions and I think I've finally found it..

what goes behind the two larger boxes - is there a reason for the gap

 

[zeratul]

Looks good. Can you get them out easily or are they wedged in?

I found the boxes quite heavy when full up to slide in and out so still waiting for my husband to make a shelf under the multiflex so the bottom boxes can slide out & leave top boxes in place.

If packing clothing in them, a tip is to pack clothes folded on their side so you can see what you've got & access items easily without having to rummage at the bottom of a box.

I might try a couple of smaller boxes in the gap thanks

I could get them in and out easily, I never thought it was too heavy even when sliding two large ones out together. They're not wedged in, the fit is perfect. A shelve could help to slide out only one, but you'd loose a little space.
I just got back from a trip to Normandia and there was a lot of wind and rain, must say I was happy to be able to access things from inside when the bed is made.
Clothes folded on their side is a great tip, thanks. We're still improving and optimizing.

 

[zeratul]

what goes behind the two larger boxes - is there a reason for the gap

We have one of these foldable tables with four seats built in

I was hoping it would fit in there but it's more than 80cm so it didn't. I went for the config 4xlarge and 2x small boxes on the last tip and that worked well.
We're still experimenting with the ideal trunk depth. 70cm on our last trip, the folded table behind the boxes and so it can easily be lifted in and out from inside (through the space in between the seat and the end of the multiflex board).

But also 80 or even 90cm still leaves enough room inside and would allow the 4x large + 4x small + table + a lot of room for infrequently accessed stuff. It has the additional benefit that there is more space on top of the multiflex, so it effectively adds a lot of space.

One can also go for this config, then you can have anything from 60cm trunk depth.
4x 60 x 40 x 22 cm
2x 40 x 30 x 22 cm
2x 30 x 20 x 17 cm
1x 30 x 20 x 12 cm
The last three replacing the back 2 smaller ones in my third picture above.
I might order them if not for the delivery costs.