Drawer failure......

[SargeW]

So after a particularly bumpy ride to my current RV park in Torrey, Utah yesterday, we got the outside set up stuff done and came inside to open up the slides on the 1 month old 320RS.

Upon opening up the kitchen slide, I noted the drawers next to the fireplace on the left side looked funny. It looked as though all three drawers were sloping downwards, like the back of the drawers had fell.

Well, I took them apart today, and was pretty surprised at way that the frame for the drawers had been installed. The drawers have the common drawer slides on the bottom edge of each drawer. The slides attached to a 1X3 piece of pine at the back of the drawer unit. So far, not too unusual.

Then I realize what had happened. There is one vertical piece of 1X3 in the back of the drawer unit that all three drawers are supported by. The support bracket is not anchored to the floor of the RV in any way. There is a 1" X 1" X 3" long piece of pine molding stapled to the top of the drawer cabinet (which is the bottom of the TV platform). The vertical brace that supports all three drawers is stapled to the 1"X1" piece of pine molding. It is dangling 2" above the RV floor!

What genius thought of this! Talk about a system doomed for failure. The molding had split into splinters, and all three drawers were now sitting on the floor of the RV.

It was obvious that the framing as it was constructed was worthless. I went to the local hardware store and picked up a stick of 1 X 4 and some "L" brackets. I cut the new board to go from the top of the drawer unit to the floor of the RV, and secured both ends with the "L" brackets with 1" screws. I reattached the drawer slides and the rear drawer supports with extra screws.

BTW each drawer support had ONE screw into the back support, and each drawer guide had ONE screw on each side, even though there were holes for up to four screws in each side.

I did have to notch a piece of paneling that was used to hide some wiring behind the TV. I used a box cutter, and it took about 30 seconds to cut the notch. This allowed me to anchor the 1X4 to the floor with the "L" bracket.

After I repaired the left side drawers, I took apart the matching drawers on the right side of the fireplace and rebuilt them as well. Their framing was just starting to split.

It is an incredibly weak design, and one you may find yourself fixing in the not too distant future.

I will try to attach some pics of the repair, but I am on a pretty weak internet signal, so I am not sure they will load.

[SargeW]

Here are a few more pics of the install. The wallboard I had to notch in the back on the floor was a piece of paneling that had been laid down on a 45 degree angle to cover some electric wires. Not sure whey that was necessary, as the entire slide is covered by cabinets, the refer, and the stove. No part of the wall is visible.

With the added length of brace, the "L" brackets, and added screws to the drawer supports I now have faith that the drawer bank will remain solid.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

Had the same thing to happen to the kitchen drawers in a Rockwood fifthwheel. Made the same repairs as you.

[KyDan]

Great fix and fotos!
I agree you shouldn't have to do this but you did and now you're solid.

Thanks for sharing!
Happy Camping!!

[youroo]

The RV industry has made advancement,the brackets for (Side rails/back wall)used to be Plastic,the bottom slide guide plastic as well. We always had to (ADD) wood to the rear walls to floor just like you are going thru. As long as you do not overload the drawers/or hit a bump while going down the road they seem to hold up? Good repair job. Youroo!!

[amxpress]

My Sabre had a similar failure. I used multiple screws and glue to secure the brackets and slides. I then took the deep drawer used for pots & pans to a cabinet shop. He installed a 5/8" piece of wood for the bottom so the pots wouldn't fall through. Worked like a charm.

[SargeW]

Wow, so this failure has been known for a while, but yet they just keep building them this way?? What a SHAME.

[kc8lvy]

In my brothers Coachman 5w his kitchen cabinet did the same and his counter top was also starting to slope. We took off the counter top and rebuilt the drawer slide brackets and put better supports under the counter top and also made an access door to his water pump for when he winterizes it. It looks and works 100% better. It is amazing these campers look good from the outside but when you look at some of the workmanship you shake your head. My camper is still new but I am sure I will be doing some repairs at some time. Fingers crossed I don't have to.

[joelek]

Remember the Columbus line is built by Amish craftsmen.

I'll look at mine next time I am out see if it is one screw per bracket or multiple screws. Reading more reports now of Columbus factory going to fast to meet production demands and quality is suffering.

Wussy factor in cabinet design for me is the kitchen cabinet shelf boards. Flexi thin I tell ya. Take heavy items out before towing the RV!

[denandra2]

Same here, I repaired mine before they had a chance to fail. I used 2 1x2 that rest on the floor on each side of the center 1x2 that was just hanging there. Also redid the drawers under the stove and fridge. added extra screws every where!!!

[SargeW]

That is going to be on my agenda Dennis. Too bad that this is a task that has to be corrected on a new unit.

[pt1655]

Great write up, thanks! Our Jayco we just traded in on our F.R. Surveyor 220 3 weeks ago had the same problem. My local trailer repair place fixed ours; after our first trip in our new trailer this weekend I will have them look at it. Thanks for alerting us to this potential problem!