Underbed storage access

[campnqueen]

Hey Y'all, it's been awhile.

Okay so we have this 2010 Graywolf 19RR toy hauler.
The spear tire is under the front bed compartment...not a big deal.

However.. there is sooooo much extra space under the bed to store those little things we just "HAVE" to have when you travel...
you know.. the "stuff" you need but not everyday.

The plywood lifts up (bed mattress sits on top) but it is unwieldy and very heavy for anyone to lift with one hand,
and fish out whatever it is you need from the compartment with the other hand.

I don't think gas struts will actually hold the bed up very well, while you get whatever it is you are looking for.
(not to mention how many times I have hit my head on the plywood)

So my thought is to cut out a large section of the finish board that is covering the frame...
add some reinforcing framing and a hinged door that swings out...in order to get to the under bed compartment.

Has anyone out there done this?
If so ...where did you find a cabinet door that matches the wood finish in the camper
and how did you finish the edge of the framing around the door opening?

If anyone has done this....please send details and some photos.
Your thought and comment are welcomed.

[Steve38]

I installed two plumbing access doors, one for plumbing and one to access storage. They are available online, Lowe's and Home Depot. Depends on the type you prefer. They are made of plastic and accept paint or contact paper. I have not painted mine yet? The wife wanted them to match the wood grain and planned on painting them. After she looked at them she was not in too big a hurry to get out the paint.

This is a pic of the smaller one, 9x6 if my memory is correct. I installed a larger 15x15 for storage access. No picture.
The pic of the plumbing is the back of the hot water heater and the only way in was under the bed and it was a hassle to lift the bed and then lift the plywood. Too much work wrestling the mattress. If you look at the plumbing pic, you can see the panel in the lower left corner. I framed this one in to strengthen the wall around it. Probably not necessary.
The smaller panel was around $10 at Lowe's.

[HomeGrown]

Hey Campqueen, I like the idea of the access panels, and the ones like Steve posted are nice, and easy to install. However, don't be too quick to dismiss the gas struts. My FEMA Gulf Stream does not have them, but when I was at the RV parts store last week, I stopped briefly to look at a TT on the lot. I lifted up the bed which did have gas struts, and was quite surprised how nicely it lifted up with them... it pretty much held the bed up on it's own. I'm pretty sure this will be one of my upcoming mods so that my wife (who is handicapped) will be able to have access to that storage area. I may even install a prop rod (like used on a car hood) if the gas struts don't hold the panel/bed up themselves.

[ken0042]

I'm in a similar situation with my Wolf Pup. My plan was to remove one of the upper cabinet doors and take it into a cabinet place to see if they could match it up for me.

I was going to do this as a winter project.

[VAlover]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but if you cut out a hole, say at the end of the bed ‘frame’, why can’t you use that piece for the access door by hinging it one side and installing a latch on the other? We were thinking of doing that, and also at the end of the dinette seat for easier access to the storage area.

[ken0042]

I thought about that- and I think you would want a positive stop; meaning the door should be bigger than the opening. I guess you could frame the inside of the opening, but then you are back to trying to colour match that.

[mrmurph]

We have the gas struts in our TBUD and the do a great job.

[Rav]

We have gas struts in our 2012 Shasta and they do the job just fine.

[Steve38]

The access panels are better for my set up.
Hard to explain. If you see it, you would understand.

[backin15]

Mine has gas struts which work well but the storage undernieth is a raised platform because there are 3 drawers at the foot of the bed. Under the platform and beyond the drawers resides a lot of unusable space which I would love to access. I have been thinking of cutting an opening then framing the removed piece to create a door. If someone has done something like this I would love to see some pictures.