Narrow Storage Ideas Along Bedside, Wheel Arch Area

[lazynorse]

For road trips and camping, I've got a 12v fridge and Jackery on one side of the bed, Milwaukee packout drawers on other bins along the other side, of course gear stacked in the middle and on top of it all. Sorta matters, I've got a Snugtop Rebel canopy over my bed.

There's a good 8-10" of wasted space along the bedside, back to front on both sides. I know a swing case takes advantage of part of that area, but once my fridge and stuff in there, its not easy to swing anything out. The lid and hard edges, plus the fact its only maybe half the bedside area renders this less ideal.

I'm conceiving - poorly - of some foam stiffened 'envelope' fabric sort of thing, maybe zippered along the top or just open. Something that you could stuff a paper towel roll, rain jacket, shovel perhaps, things that are slender or could go in these voids.

Found I could mount my MaxTrax along one bedside, a couple rubber bungess keeps them in place nicely riding atop the wheel arch. Bought a cheapo traction board bag off Amazon, to contain dirtiness. Thinking I might try something like that with an open long area along the other side.

Anyone else try to organize that narrow space?

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[Brianj67]

I'm looking for some ideas as well for similar things. Awning poles I keep in a long bag but I'd like maybe a PVC tube mounted on top of wheel well. Need a weekend to plan it out.

 

[Blue Streak]

I did this on the rear side of both wheel wells.

 

[lazynorse]

I did this on the rear side of both wheel wells.

That is genius... I'm barely 'handy' but could fashion that. I have no idea how best to do so, but I imagine some very fine mesh, keeps taught but still elastic, incorporated into something like that, that stretches front to back. I'll have to think of what sort of thing to repurpose.

While not exactly the right answer, I was looking at a laptop messenger bag for inspiration. Its a narrow rectangle, top opening. Imagine something like that along most of the bedside, following the curve of the wheel arch ideally. Of course, no Chinese factory will intuit that and pump one out for $30 just because I fantasized it, lol.

I love these ideas, keep them coming if you have them .

 

[Blue Streak]

That is genius... I'm barely 'handy' but could fashion that. I have no idea how best to do so, but I imagine some very fine mesh, keeps taught but still elastic, incorporated into something like that, that stretches front to back. I'll have to think of what sort of thing to repurpose.

While not exactly the right answer, I was looking at a laptop messenger bag for inspiration. Its a narrow rectangle, top opening. Imagine something like that along most of the bedside, following the curve of the wheel arch ideally. Of course, no Chinese factory will intuit that and pump one out for $30 just because I fantasized it, lol.

I love these ideas, keep them coming if you have them .

I knew this was not exactly what you were looking for just giving ideas.? You could always use a piece the length of the bed & make a cubbie down the whole side. ?

 

[Grumpaw]

Check out a company called DUHA. They make side wall storage boxes that fit over the interior bed wheel humps.
Not one specifically for a Ranger, but they have for Toyo's and Nissan....could possible fit Rangers.
Only problem is they are $$$$$$....definitely not your $30 buck mod.
Could also look at narrow storage boxes made for ATV's....all kinds of boxes available.

 

[LaBalbe]

Not exactly boxes, but I've got a BRI Molle Panel on both sides of the bed, and use it to secure camping chairs, a camping table, and other miscellaneous items in those areas, that way they're always ready for a camping trip or even an impromptu day at the park.
(Note: these pictures are a couple of years old, and since then the cargo bar has moved lower to between the wheel wells instead of pressing against the BRI panels, after I realized that the bins wouldn't flip over it if it was lower.)

 

[Brianj67]

I did this on the rear side of both wheel wells.

I had something similar in my Frontier and it worked great. I will try something similar once the weather cooperates. That's a cool idea!

 

[cmhmh]

I love these ideas, keep them coming if you have them .

I have used something similar to this as well. Perfectly fits 2x 5gal Scepter water jugs. I just secured them to the tie down points with a boat strap. That said, I have changed my bed setup and now just have a toolbox secured in that area.

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