Transform your van’s storage capacity with smart roof-mounted solutions.
When we first took delivery of our Outside Van Syncline, we thought we had storage figured out. But after six months of gear Tetris every trip, we knew something had to change if we were going to be able to take trips for longer than a weekend. Our sewer hose living in a bulky plastic bin consumed valuable garage space, while emergency repair tools and recovery gear had nowhere to live. Even with the Owl Vans XL Monster Box installed, we lacked adequate van storage solutions for longer adventures. That’s when we looked up and realized our salvation was sitting unused above our heads.
The Van Storage Challenge
Every van lifer faces the same fundamental problem: fitting a house worth of stuff into a closet-sized space. Like most Mercedes Sprinter 144 vans, our Outside Van Syncline was lacking practical van roof storage solutions for adventures longer than just a weekend.
The Sewer Hose Storage Problem
Our sewer hose occupied a large storage container in our rear garage, and accessing other gear meant constantly moving this space-hogging bin around. We needed an alternative storage solutions to reclaim this valuable real estate.
Emergency Equipment and Gear Overflow
Boondocking requires preparation for anything. Without sufficent storage, it was nearly impossible to store necessary emergency repair tools and recovery gear safely and accessibly.
Project Goals for Our Van Roof Storage Solutions
This wasn’t just about creating more room—it was revolutionizing our mobile basecamp with strategic storage solutions:
- Liberate garage space by relocating sewer storage to the roof
- Add substantial weatherproof storage for emergency equipment, tools and seasonal gear
- Improve organization with dedicated compartments
- Ensure easy access and security
Our Ultimate Van Roof Storage Solutions
Valterra EZ RV Sewer Hose Carrier
This compact carrier eliminates the need to store sewer pipes inside the van garage, exemplifying effective roof storage solutions. Its 26-inch profile fits perfectly on our roof, and the black finish blends seamlessly with our van’s aesthetic.
Valterra EZ Accessory Carrier
The perfect complement to any Valterra sewer hose install, giving our gloves, drain cap, and dumping essentials a proper home instead of loose storage in random compartments.
ROAM 128L Rugged Case
The crown jewel of van roof storage solutions—128 liters of weatherproof storage that nearly doubles our capacity. Built for adventure with rolling capability for easy campsite transport, this case represents premium van roof storage box engineering.
ROAM 128L Lid Organizer
This upgrade transforms the case lid from dead space into organized storage for tools, first aid supplies, and frequently accessed gear while preventing items from shifting during travel—maximizing every aspect of our roof storage.
Installing Our Van Roof Storage Solutions
ROAM Case Installation
Our existing roof rack system wouldn’t support standard ROAM mounting hardware, requiring a creative installation adaptation. We used tube clamps, that we picked up on Amazon, to mount the ROAM box to our roof rack bars, then mounted the box directly to these clamps with bolts. Since we drilled through the bottom for this mounting method, we applied silicone to the bolts for waterproofing. The lid organizer installation was completed using bolts into pre-installed threaded inserts.
Sewer System Integration
Using L-Track bolts, we mounted the Valterra EZ Sewer Hose carrier components to L-Track on our roof rack. We mounted the Valterra EZ Accessory Carrier directly to the sewer hose carrier with hose clamps. With our Starlink, MaxAir fan, and AC unit, roof space was limited. We positioned the Valterra EX Sewer Hose and Accessory Carriers in front of our AC unit, directly above the van’s side ladder for easy access without climbing fully onto the roof.
The Results
Our new rooftop storage solutions have transformed how we approach adventure travel. The ROAM case handles bulky items like recovery gear and power tools, while the Valterra system keeps sewer management organized and accessible.
Why These Roof Storage Solutions Work
The combination of Valterra sewer management, accessory carrier, ROAM case, and lid organizer provides the additional organization we needed. Installing these solutions allowed us to successfully moved the sewer hose out of the garage and created space for critical power tools and recovery gear. We still have roof space available and plan to install a second ROAM case if additional van roof storage solutions become necessary.
Key Takeaways for Van Roof Storage Solutions
For fellow van lifers dealing with similar challenges, implementing strategic roof storage solutions ranks among our most impactful modifications. The roof was always there—we just needed the right vision and products to unlock its potential with proper van roof storage solutions.
Ready to implement your own van roof storage solutions? Remember, every van is different, so adapt these van roof storage solutions ideas to fit your specific needs and always prioritize safety in modifications. Check out the full video of our ROAM box install below!!
