I just returned from a great 10-day trip in the Sierra. Weather was almost perfect; just a few afternoon thunderstorms. I didn't get a good look, but I think I saw a couple other Four Wheeler's heading east on I-80. One was on a gold or metallic tan truck and the other was on a truck towing a Jeep.
Anyway, this was my 2nd trip with my camper. The first was an over-night'er to a friend's property in Gold Country. I loved the camper, but I had a tough time staying organized. There was stuff all over the place. Between the usual camping swag, motorcycle, mountain bike and paddleboard gear, I was constantly shifting pile A to pile B to lift a cushion to find pile C.
How do you stay organized in your camper? Limit your trip to one activity?
I do think drawers would be much better than lift-up cushions, but I also think a lot more gear can be put under the cushions.
I find that be marrying a kindergarten teacher that was a big help. Next to that you might want to limit the stuff you take.We were on a 5 week trip last year into Denali,Yukon and BC. First thing to remember is that there are stores out there so you don't have to cart everything from home.As for things in the camper I have a 09 Bobcat and since it has a 48"x72" bed we don't have to carry the extra cushions. Also the cabinets are the older style with slide fronts.I find with the limited space to have doors that swing open it's hard to keep out of the way.Oh these are my opinions and how I have worked around the limited space of the campers.
I have a storage unit on the right front of the camper 3 drawers good for cloths and small things.On the floor at the front I have a 2 drawer unit with a wooden top that you can sit on and we use it for kitchen storage coffee,fruit,caned foods things you use more often.Under the sink I have a slide out basket with all the cooking items and next to it a small plastic basket to hold small most used cooking things,coffee grinder,dish soap,things like that .I have filled up all the usable space under the sink.Below ,on the other"step"is a long sliding door cabinet I can carry other food items there.Under the cushions,I have a dinette set up so there is space under the table.The front cushion/cabinet holds the battery and isolator and solar controller,also some hand tools,saw,axe oh and the beer and wine.The rear cushion I keep shower towels,a plastic "kitty litter" bucket,the square ones comes in handy for sink water if I run it out the drain.Inside that bucket I have a propane lantern,some wood blocks to put under the wheels if need be.On top of the fridge area we have 2 plastic snap lid containers for all the health items,tooth paste,tooth brushes,meds the things you would have in your bathroom.When the top folds down it holds them in place so they don't move around.On the ledge by the window I carry a "flea market"8' shade pop up.At the rear corner I have 2 folding chairs that when folded up in their bag,stand in the corner held in place with a small bunggie.Between the rear cushion and wall I keep a porta pottie and step stool.
Next lets move to the tie down openings.You can store things in there,extra propane,tow rope,items that you may not use all the time.On the outside under the overhang I have,one on each side 5"x5'plastic tubes to hold walking sticks,fishing rods and a drain hose for the sink.
My truck is a Tundra AC cab,I removed the rear seat and built areas to hold a fridge in the middle and a 3 drawer storage unit on each side for our clothes and spots for stuff that usually "floats"around the truck cab while traveling.
We have made just about every space useful for us,but I don't feel we are cramped or have a bunch of stuff to move from place to place every time we want something.
We have taken a lot of long trips and feel this works the best for us in the manor we camp.
We try to take minimal items,like I said there are stores out there.
Hope this gives you a little help and ideas.There are ways to start organized and camp that way.With the little room our type campers have one must take advantage of all spaces.One last thing.I try to keep notes posted on the rear lift panel as to where things are,to save from searching the whole camper to find something
Frank