50A Cord Reels & Basement Organization Question

[M and E]

Are there any owners here using a 50A cord reel in the bay? If so, where are you mounting it and what are the pros and cons you have observed?

While I'm at it, what strategies, systems, containers, whatever, are you using to keep your basement storage area organized? I kind of feel like things are all over the place down there and have not really come up with a system yet. Sincerely interested in how you all organize.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Normally it isn't this messy, but I was at home doing some projects, so stuff is just tossed in there. You can see the reel mounted to our slide out tray. I LOVE this thing!!!! Makes putting the cord away so easy. Just put in male plug and then reel the cord in. I hold a damp workshop towel on the cord as it comes in. Cleans the cord and helps me align the cord on the reel.

 

[Lantley]

I like your reel. Mounting it to the tray is a great idea.
I have a 30 amp plug at home. Generally when on the road I use 50 amp sites when available, however occasionally I will stay at a 30 amp site only park. I am constantly switch back and forth between my 30 and 50 amp cord. While I like the idea of a cord reel, I guess in the end they are not for me.
As far as storage organization. I simply carry too much stuff. My other issue is that I prefer to do all my cooking outside.
I never use the stove. With that in mind I carry too much kitchen stuff in my basement.
Between tables chairs, generator, coolers, outdoor TV my basement is a packed organized mess. If there is such a thing.
For the most part I know where everything is...until I need it

 

[M and E]

I like your reel. Mounting it to the tray is a great idea.
I have a 30 amp plug at home. Generally when on the road I use 50 amp sites when available, however occasionally I will stay at a 30 amp site only park. I am constantly switch back and forth between my 30 and 50 amp cord. While I like the idea of a cord reel, I guess in the end they are not for me.
As far as storage organization. I simply carry too much stuff. My other issue is that I prefer to do all my cooking outside.
I never use the stove. With that in mind I carry too much kitchen stuff in my basement.
Between tables chairs, generator, coolers, outdoor TV my basement is a packed organized mess. If there is such a thing.
For the most part I know where everything is...until I need it

I don't have a ton of stuff down there, but i keep on finding a different reason to move something someplace else. I was thinking about maybe adding some molle panels or something.

 

[Tls5150]

I put the cord reel up against the front wall of the pass thru storage, havent permanently mounted it yet.

 

[M and E]

I put the cord reel up against the front wall of the pass thru storage, havent permanently mounted it yet.

Do you have the same sentiment as @Oregon_Camper and really like the reel?

 

[Tls5150]

Yes, I love it! Makes putting the cord away so much easier especially in the cooler temps…

 

[BryanValRox]

Are there any owners here using a 50A cord reel in the bay? If so, where are you mounting it and what are the pros and cons you have observed?

While I'm at it, what strategies, systems, containers, whatever, are you using to keep your basement storage area organized? I kind of feel like things are all over the place down there and have not really come up with a system yet. Sincerely interested in how you all organize.

Hi Mike,
Personally, we don’t use a cord reel(but I love the ideal of it).
Regarding our storage, the ODS half of the basement is dedicated to Camp Set Up supplies. Large transparent plastic totes hold items per system. Wheel chocks and 50 amp electrical tester in a small one , fresh water supplies, Sewer hose support and fittings and hose extension in another, fluids and maintenance/spare parts in another. I just coil the 50 amp cord by hand and place on the floor. It is second out and next to last in when leaving. Wheel chocks and tester are first out and last in.
The DS holds our Camp Chef, Solo Stove, Folding table,Chairs, mat, collapsable wagon, etc.
Seems to work well for us.

 

[UFF]

I use Milwaukee Packout to organize. Screw holders to floor and lock in the boxes. Never move and everything has a place. Basement has all the set up stuff with the red husky totes like in your pic (they have nice sealed lid). Would like a cord reel but everything thing comes as additional weight.

 

[KCAlis]

Hi Mike,
Personally, we don’t use a cord reel(but I love the ideal of it).
Regarding our storage, the ODS half of the basement is dedicated to Camp Set Up supplies. Large transparent plastic totes hold items per system. Wheel chocks and 50 amp electrical tester in a small one , fresh water supplies, Sewer hose support and fittings and hose extension in another, fluids and maintenance/spare parts in another. I just coil the 50 amp cord by hand and place on the floor. It is second out and next to last in when leaving. Wheel chocks and tester are first out and last in.
The DS holds our Camp Chef, Solo Stove, Folding table,Chairs, mat, collapsable wagon, etc.
Seems to work well for us.

Bryan
Ditto on all but the wagon! My process exactly. A reel, to me, adds weight and takes up space. Also, the cord needs to be entirely unwound before it can be connected to shore and RV. In my OCD, I would have to recoil it under the RV anyway. Predeparture I just unhook at the pedestal, coil, unhook at the RV, stow and go.

 

[George]

I don't use a reel because I feel — your mileage may vary — that it puts unnecessary stress on the cord. i.e. close to minimum bend radius umpteen times. I coil my cord on the floor of the pass through in about 4-5 loops leaving it about 2' wide and 4' long (estimates). I then put my black water and fresh water plastic bins on top of it.
Admittedly CDO with cord management of all cords. (like OCD but in proper alphabetical order 😉)

 

[stanburnb]

I would say it depends on how you camp. I normally dry camp so I don't use the cord much. Therefore a reel would be a waste of space and money for me. Es solo mis dos centavos.

 

[M and E]

I use Milwaukee Packout to organize. Screw holders to floor and lock in the boxes. Never move and everything has a place. Basement has all the set up stuff with the red husky totes like in your pic (they have nice sealed lid). Would like a cord reel but everything thing comes as additional weight. View attachment 4364

That level of organization is making me a little emotional. Holding back the tears.

That is the direction I plan on going too. Thanks a million!!! How about your basement? What have you done there?

 

[UFF]

I will take a photo later for you.

 

[WE3ZS]

No reel here but I did switch my cord over to SOOW cable which is super flexible, I keep my 44’ SOOW cable in a 3 gallon pickle bucket which has enough extra room in it to hold at least 55/60’. I wind the cord in the bucket to allow both ends to play out, I keep the camper end shorter to allow stowing the semi full bucket under the rig once set up. No more wrestling with the factory anaconda cord for me!

 

[UFF]

Basement is a mess. Chairs totes and ladder on one side. Grill, ladder, and screen room tent thing the wife had to have but have not used in 3yrs hanging up. Water hoses, filters, and cords on the other side.

I put all my wheel chocks and landing gear blocks 6ea in truck along with 4K gen and 42 gal honey wagon.

 

[UFF]

Would like to see this cord setup.

No reel here but I did switch my cord over to SOOW cable which is super flexible, I keep my 44’ SOOW cable in a 3 gallon pickle bucket which has enough extra room in it to hold at least 55/60’. I wind the cord in the bucket to allow both ends to play out, I keep the camper end shorter to allow stowing the semi full bucket under the rig once set up. No more wrestling with the factory anaconda cord for me!

I hate my cord.

 

[George]

No reel here but I did switch my cord over to SOOW cable which is super flexible, I keep my 44’ SOOW cable in a 3 gallon pickle bucket which has enough extra room in it to hold at least 55/60’. I wind the cord in the bucket to allow both ends to play out, I keep the camper end shorter to allow stowing the semi full bucket under the rig once set up. No more wrestling with the factory anaconda cord for me!

Sounds like the way to go. 👍🏼 Were you able to find SOOW in a turn-key RV cord set or did you have the buy cable (gauge?) and a plug/receptacle?

 

[WE3ZS]

I was fortunate and got the SOOW cable from work after the project it was used on was finished and then bought and installed the 50 amp ends. I actually made the cable up for our old TT and kept it when we bought the new fiver, it is so much easier to deal with and handle, plus it takes up a little less space in the rig.
I will try to snap a few pics of the cable and it bucket tomorrow.

 

[WE3ZS]

Just found a couple pics of the cable and bucket that I already had on my phone.