Crawl Space Storage ideas??

[Sam]

Construction has just been completed on my new home. I would like to store some things in the crawl space. IE Christmas tree, old papers, old clothes, and such. What would be the best way and best method into providing "usable" storage space in the crawl space? The crawl space has a sump pump installed and a gravel surface with a thick plastic overlay. I thought about getting some 2 x 4's and hanging them from the floor joists and build a small frame with perhaps a plywood shelf system of some sort, and then pack items in plastic tubs. I got this idea because my air handler is supported in the crawl space with some metal brackets in this manner. Anybody have any other ideas or perhaps could tell me what they had done? Photos would be extra great.

Thanks in advance.

SAM

[Steve]

I live in an older Mfg Home (tin shack) that is on a slope. There is about 4 to 5 ft of room under the front half of the house.. I store alot of stuff under there.. However I try to avoid storing stuff directly on the plastic moisture barrior because I don't want it to get torn.. It is only 6 mil thick..

I would recommend that you avoid storing anything that could be damage by or attract rodents. Also be careful not to stack stuff where rodents can get up into the under floor ducting or insulation. I have had mice get into my heat/AC ducting that is under the floor.. Never figured out how they got in and it's very annoying to hear them scampering back and forth, looking for a way out. (a mouse trap w/string takes care of that)..

[Brad]

Is there a reason that you didn't do a full basemement? Crawlspaces are a pain in the butt to get in and out of. When I had one under part of my house I found out when the stuff in there got wet that I should have just put it in the trash in the first place. If it is unimportant enough to jam in an inaccessible location like that you normally don't need it.

[Dave L.]

Sam,

I put down two steel c-channels, I built a 4x8' cart, used some old caster wheels, and I roll this box out and in when I need firewood for the fireplace. A bit hard when it's full, but it works. No way I want to crawl in there.

Dave