[Mauronic]

I have always imagined that I would build 8020 framed, bamboo-faced overhead cabinets. But I ran across these soft-ish cabinets from Poland and started to rethink that idea. I am seeing a lot of storage pockets inside and out, less head bumping above the bed (although I was thinking about only doing overheads above my feet), and a fast install.

I'd love to hear from folks who have real-world experience with overheads.

The only downside I could imagine would be using the zipper. Maybe not an issue for clothes you only access once in a while? The outside pockets don't seem very deep, even when the snap keepers are undone.

Camper furniture - camper furniture 2022. | VanDerMoon

Campervan furniture Traveling in an RV is the perfect solution for all lovers of independence and freedom. To travel comfortably and conveniently, the quality of your equipment is important. It determines how you will spend each day and each kilometer driven. What is important is both how...

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VanDer Moon Box - Vanlife Outfitters

The Moon Box is a new way to pack in a van. Designed to be Highly Durable, Ultra Light, & Extremely Convenient.The Moon Box is Top quality, and has over 400 elements that fit together to create the lightest modular piece of furniture in its class available on the market.

www.vanlifeoutfitters.com

 

[greenvan]

i think they are a great idea! Off course depends on how you use vehicle, they seem perfect for actual camping trips versus live in.

 

[Dotar]

Looks like they install similar to Adventure Wagon Mule Bags. When I used Mule Bags in my last van, I liked the modularity, but they weren’t very easy to install/uninstall. They definite had to be emptied for either process. That being said, they are a quality product. Van der Moon Box seems to improve versatility at a good price.
I’m using Campo Bags with my current van for ease of in/out and will be used like suitcases for clothing.

 

[jkmann]

Those look really nice, and the soft sided, squeak-free design is pretty attractive. That method of storing gear doesn't attract me personally because I like to think in terms of more modular storage.

For example, if you occasionally stay at a hotel it's nice to have your clothes in a removeable case. That's also convenient at the start and end of a trip. If you have different types of adventures, or different family members use the van, it's also nice to have swappable bags. If you have a field kitchen in a bag this isn't the best way to store it. So, like many things, the use case matters.

 

[Tcaschy021]

For example, if you occasionally stay at a hotel it's nice to have your clothes in a removeable case. That's also convenient at the start and end of a trip. If you have different types of adventures, or different family members use the van, it's also nice to have swappable bags. If you have a field kitchen in a bag this isn't the best way to store it. So, like many things, the use case matters.

This is exactly how we do trips! We use these clothes wire storage bins which fit right in our upper cabinets. When we move around during the trip (e.g. hotel, friends' house etc.) we just take out the bin and voila, mini suitcase!

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www.amazon.com

 

[njvagabond]

This is exactly how we do trips! We use these clothes wire storage bins which fit right in our upper cabinets. When we move around during the trip (e.g. hotel, friends' house etc.) we just take out the bin and voila, mini suitcase!

I would think it would be especially nice to be able to remove the entire container in layouts where they are over fixed rear bed. Seems like there are some pros and cons to using bins vs hanging the bags. Nothing to say you couldn't incorporate both styles. Depending on orientation of bed there seems to be a lot of options to choose that would optimise accessibility and reduce chances for of bumping heads on hard objects.

 

[rustythorn]

Those look really nice, and the soft sided, squeak-free design is pretty attractive. That method of storing gear doesn't attract me personally because I like to think in terms of more modular storage.

For example, if you occasionally stay at a hotel it's nice to have your clothes in a removeable case. That's also convenient at the start and end of a trip. If you have different types of adventures, or different family members use the van, it's also nice to have swappable bags. If you have a field kitchen in a bag this isn't the best way to store it. So, like many things, the use case matters.

why not both, get some travel duffel bags with compartments that hold their shape. make a mounting system that will allow you strap them into the van. here are a few items i found

from amazon

from crashpad

 

[rustythorn]

why not both, get some travel duffel bags with compartments that hold their shape. make a mounting system that will allow you strap them into the van. here are a few items i found

from amazon

from crashpad

looks like someone was faster

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

Rover Vans out of Chicago sells them in the US (VanDer Moon — PRODUCTS — ROVERVANS) and has been posting pictures of them in their builds.

 

[gregoryx]

Zippers? Ugh. Other than that, look pretty cool. So... not soft (park a Fiat 500 on them), but covered with fabric. Then zippers on the front. And a bunch of pockets. Looks like a really-cool-in-concept deal that might not actually gain much in practice. But - like a tattoo - you'll be pretty obligated to love them once you've spent the money. 😉

We've been using "packing cubes" (pick your brand and details on Amazon or wherever) for everything for years now. Inside a backpack when flying or driving (easy to bring the whole thing); and just set in the overhead cabinets in the van when traveling in the rig. Pull one out, use it, put it back. No rattles, no hassles, and nothing ends up out of place even on rattly dirt (or icy snow, apparently) driving. But the cabinets they're in are simple access with one latch for full access.

Maybe our use case is different, but trying to put our clothing on a nice stack inside the cabinets doesn't appeal - they'd be a big mess as they get used and accessed and rattled down the back-roads.

Unsure if I could put one wheel of a Fiat 500 on our cabinets, tho... 🤔

 

[Tcaschy021]

Here's another version:

sprinter 36 Inches soft cabinet Transit Cabinet Promaster Cabinet Camper Cabinet | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for sprinter 36 Inches soft cabinet Transit Cabinet Promaster Cabinet Camper Cabinet at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Henchman]

These are very stylish, well made, durable and soft, which I like! However, the zipper, particularly on the longer 45" one, would seem a total PITA to unzip the whole length to access a single item. The ADV MULE bag on the other hand, has two zippers for their longer 48" one and they also roll up, instead of folding down...SO you can leave the Mule bags flaps un-zipped, rolled-up and out of the way to access items. Also, IF you had any slightly heavy of bulky items stored in the front pockets, I'd think the front door would even be more of a PITA to deal with,

I couldn't find any specs, but they also appear smaller than the Mule bags which are 14" x 14"

It's great to see some other options for these types of bags hit the market as I plan to get something like this.

Did you also also build out @Mauronic so you can install this type of bag?

 

[Mauronic]

It was super helpful to hear how everyone uses their cabinets. Since I don't have cabinets, I have been living out of duffel bags. I never considered that I would need to put the clothes in something to pack the van and unpack for occasional mid-trip stays at friends' places and rentals.

I like the packing cube idea. I already do a version of that for my SAR stuff using color-coded mesh draw-string bags.

I have some packing cubes lying around, so I will try that on my trip this weekend.

The pockets look slick but seem like overkill. In practice, I would probably not use them. I intentionally buy packs and work pants with as few pockets as possible because I never remember where I put anything. (That's why I like mesh bags and clear packing cubes). I would spend too much time fishing around the pockets. Plus, they don't seem to hold much.

 

[Mauronic]

Did you also also build out @Mauronic so you can install this type of bag?

?

 

[Mauronic]

Oh and another take on this:

Aspen Racks create van cabinets for Transit, Sprinter & ProMaster vans

Aspen Frontiers Racks create cabinets for Transit, Sprinter & ProMaster vans. Hang Aspen Racks to create van cabinets from Patagonia duffels anywhere in your van instead of hard cabinets. Use them as: vanlife storage cabinets, sprinter van cabinets, transit van cabinets, promaster van cabinets...

aspenfrontiers.com

 

[Henchman]

?

I assume you installed a fastening system - L track or whatever so you can install these types of bags?
I've got some installed on both ceiling and walls and will prolly go with some mule bags.

 

[Mauronic]

I assume you installed a fastening system - L track or whatever so you can install these types of bags?
I've got some installed on both ceiling and walls and will prolly go with some mule bags.

oh, I slapped some 8020 up there for my evaporator/blower when I started my undernount AC project. I intended to build an overhead cabinet next to it. Somehow, winter appeared and that got back burnered. There’s a good chance I will redesign it though - I’m not married to it. It was my first 8020 project and it seems overbuilt.

These two supports run halfway down the van:

if I go with the soft cabinets I don’t see a need to make them removable but maybe l-track would still make the job easier.

 

[Dotar]

The improvised bumpers go a long way to explain why you have an interest in soft storage. 😂

 

[AVC RIG]

We have a set in the shop now- they seem like a super high-quality product. I like the structure to the Van der Moon too: it puts the system somewhere between permanent hard sided overheads and the removable offerings like Campo and Van Wife Components.

I will say the duffel-style hanging bags are great for the family to pack individually in the house and bring their packed overhead to the van ahead of a trip.

 

[Mauronic]

We have a set in the shop now- they seem like a super high-quality product. I like the structure to the Van der Moon too: it puts the system somewhere between permanent hard sided overheads and the removable offerings like Campo and Van Wife Components.

I will say the duffel-style hanging bags are great for the family to pack individually in the house and bring their packed overhead to the van ahead of a trip.

Great to hear from a pro. The inside shelf looked a little flimsy in the videos, and it almost looked like it was coroplast. Does that seem OK to you? Also, do the pockets seem useful or too shallow?

I would never remove these so the point for me would be ease of install and a little body part protection while moving around in bed. Does this seem to fit the bill based on your experience?