Found Under Couch Storage

MOD Guy · 06-05-2011, 12:29 AM

Couch as built from the factory.

The only thing under the couch is the furnace, duct work, and part of the wheel well. There was no access to the area.

Couch kick panel removed. The panel just hung in front of the couch, with a cutout for the furnace air intake.

I used a utility knife to cut out the paneling. I removed the center brace, it was not supporting anything, just bracing the paneling.

I framed the opening and removed some staples from the fabrinc on the kick panel. I pulled the fabric back from the cutout for the vent, and cut the panel into two sections. I used one as this door, using a section of the removed paneling to cover the back side of the door.

MOD Guy · 06-05-2011, 12:30 AM

Door complete. There is enough of a lip at the top to pull the door open, so I decided not to add a pull. I had to secure some of the duct work up and to the back of the compartment. This will be a great shoe storage compartment.

I built a drawer for the other side and attached the other part of the kick panel as the drawer front. Again, lip at top allows it to be opened without adding a pull. The Funace air intake was attached directly to the paneling.

The drawer is about 14" front to back, and 27" wide. The back of this area has the wheel well and some duct work.

When the rear bed slide is retracted in, the couch must be in the down position. The full extension glides allow the drawer to pull out past the edge of the couch cushion for easy access when the bed is in.

2Susan · 06-05-2011, 12:50 AM

Wow! Great use of space!

It sure seems like all RVs do not really make ideal use of the space on board. I love seeing mods like this!

The_Stuff · 06-05-2011, 12:55 AM

wow huge!

Stevea1956 · 06-05-2011, 05:54 AM

Super Mod!! I would not be surprised to see this become standard on Surveyors. If Forest River's staff isn't following this forum they are missing out on some great design ideas.
Nicely done Mod Guy.

SaskCampers · 06-05-2011, 06:00 AM

Very Very nice work.

aharris562 · 06-05-2011, 07:42 AM

That looks professional!

DAISY BOYKIN · 06-05-2011, 07:59 AM

Excellent job. Looks great. You need to apply for a engineering and design
job at the RV factory, YOU ARE HIRED !

tonyz · 06-06-2011, 11:03 PM

I have the same trailer and this will be one of the most useful mods I will do to the enterior! thanks

tonyz · 07-27-2011, 09:53 AM

I just got done with this mod, it turned out amazing! 27wx16d large drawer and where you had a flip down pannel, I was able to redirect the air vent and put in a 14wx22d drawer. My wife is so very happy not to have to move a suite case around the trailer all the time now. Thanks for that mod!!!

MOD Guy · 07-27-2011, 06:26 PM

Tony, You got to post some pic!

Good to hear it worked for you. After our vacation I though about how to redirect the air vent on the side where I have the door, it's on my to do list. For now I am going to keep ours as a door. For us, it's the perfect space for shose and extra drinks (soda).

HomeGrown · 07-27-2011, 06:36 PM

Nice mod, MOD Guy!!

Shame on the factory for not utilizing this space!

MOD Guy · 07-27-2011, 06:41 PM

The newer version of this floorplan has an exterior access door for the space. I like the drawer idea better!

tonyz · 08-04-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOD Guy

Tony, You got to post some pic!

Good to hear it worked for you. After our vacation I though about how to redirect the air vent on the side where I have the door, it's on my to do list. For now I am going to keep ours as a door. For us, it's the perfect space for shose and extra drinks (soda).

Yah, I will try and post some in the next few days. I re-routed the vent by shortening its length and popping it out a few inches from the intake grate, which by the way, is not connected to anything, just open air. The re-route gave me plenty of room for the deep drawer, and better air flow with the new vent placement. Thanks again for that one!

momtovn · 08-04-2011, 12:55 PM

im so impressed with this!! nice work!!!

tonyz · 10-03-2011, 06:32 PM

So I finally got around to taking some pics of storage ideas I stole from other FR Members. The first pic is of the under couch storage i stole from MOD Guy, on the left, I made the drawer the length of the couch and was able to do this by redirecting the fernace duct and putting it next to the inlet vent. This also shortened the duct making it more effeicient. I would have made the drawer wider, but as it sits, the side cleares the fernace by 3/4". The second pic is of a similar wide drawer. The third pic is of both drawers closed. The last pic is from another members idea of storage behind the shower access panel, he put a cabinet door on it, I whent a cheaper route and make canned goods storage. I make an enclosed box that is held in by 4 screws. I stained it and secured dowels to hold the goods from falling over.

F and E Damp · 10-03-2011, 08:40 PM

For just DW, myself and one Labrador, we have so much storage we don't know what to do with it! There's space under the QS bed, under both the dinette sofas and the jacknife sofa that is currently not very accessible, but we don't need it.

MOD Guy · 10-04-2011, 05:15 PM

Very nice job Tony!

Fire Instructor · 10-04-2011, 09:04 PM

Outstanding mod! Forest River design engineers should take note!

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