need storage? you can find it somewhere.....

fella10 · 08-15-2016, 03:53 PM

We don't really need more storage space in our Micro Lite 25KS, we have several empty places/drawers/cabinets already,..... but when you run out of mods to do and start looking for something new, all kinds of ideas come up,..... this is the lower cabinet at our bathroom outside door, the rear brake light is on the outside and the wiring for it, is all that is behind that panel,..... I've found other areas where that type of protective panel is used to protect almost nothing, but does occupy space that can be used with just a little modification of that area behind the panel,......

Since working on the ac with that aluminum tape, I've come to love that stuff, two layers of it is almost like a thin metal plate,...... anyway, just wanted to mention and show, that there are all kinds of places in our trailers that can be utilized,....... happy trailering................

mkosu04 · 08-16-2016, 12:22 PM

your point is very true about the RV mfgs typically not being very efficient with hiding/covering/protecting the wiring.

But also note that Aluminum tape is going to be conductive. So if you make this mod, and then something rubs on the wire while driving you could short out whatever wires you are taping. In this case perhaps you would lose your brake lights... maybe even your trailer brakes?

Just a word of caution.

Of course, if you pile blankets and pillows in this cabinet then you are fine.
If you pile harder/heavier items then its worth monitoring for issues.

DirtSquirt · 08-28-2016, 11:57 PM

I have done this too. In every single one of my cupboards. It's amazing how much extra space I have gained. I didn't take the dividers out completely. In most cases I just moved them back closer to what they were supposed to be protecting. In some cases, I even turned them into shelves. I cut the panel in half, used a piece of wood mounted to the wall at the right height and another to attach the two pieces at a right angle to each other. I actually have a lot of left over panel material from doing this.

fella10 · 08-29-2016, 03:52 PM

our tt is a Micro Lite 25KS, this is inside the water heater cabinet,..... didn't get a "before" pic, but the space above the water heater was unused and wasted and a perfect place for a shelf,...... and I'm sure there's more.... still looking...........

jas451 · 08-30-2016, 02:30 PM

Absolutely! Our Salem Hemisphere is OK on storage - just not all that accessible.
I turned the lower panel below the bathroom sink into a door, not so much for storage
(some), but for easier access. So when I need to get to any of the plumbing in a hurry.
There's alot of storage under the bed, but just un-necessary to raise the bed in order
to get something. So, I cut and made a door to retrieve things like bottled water, or shoes, etc. Also replace the bathroom faucet with a real metal one! And added a corner
shelf (in the corner) where there was absolutely nothing else going on!

jas451 · 08-30-2016, 02:37 PM

Absolutely! Our Salem Hemisphere is OK on storage - just not all that accessible.
I turned the lower panel below the bathroom sink into a door, not so much for storage
(some), but for easier access. So when I need to get to any of the plumbing in a hurry.
There's alot of storage under the bed, but just un-necessary to raise the bed in order
to get something. So, I cut and made a door to retrieve things like bottled water, or shoes, etc. Also replace the bathroom faucet with a real metal one! And added a corner
shelf (in the corner) where there was absolutely nothing else going on!

fella10 · 09-01-2016, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jas451

Absolutely! Our Salem Hemisphere is OK on storage - just not all that accessible.
I turned the lower panel below the bathroom sink into a door, not so much for storage
(some), but for easier access. So when I need to get to any of the plumbing in a hurry.
There's alot of storage under the bed, but just un-necessary to raise the bed in order
to get something. So, I cut and made a door to retrieve things like bottled water, or shoes, etc. Also replace the bathroom faucet with a real metal one! And added a corner
shelf (in the corner) where there was absolutely nothing else going on!

good work and very useful mods

fella10 · 09-01-2016, 11:54 AM

nice deep drawer,..... but impractical for small items, they'll get lost in the drawer,..... simple plastic tray changes that,....

limblips · 09-01-2016, 12:17 PM

My 26FS has enough space for my wife, me and the two small dogs but sometimes I need space for a specific purpose. I was really sick of the cell phones, MP3's and all falling off the counters and generally being in the way all of the time. I was looking for a solution and noticed the space between the upper cabinets and the microwave was just blanked off with a panel. I pulled the microwave and found a decent amount of unused space with 12VDC and 115VAC available. I built a ~8"X14" box of birch ply, added a shelf in the middle, an AC outlet (connected to microwave junction box), spliced in to the 12VDC lighting wire that was already there for my 12VDC charging station and finally added a decorative rail to keep things in there. Now I can charge anything, even my drill/driver.

fella10 · 09-01-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limblips

My 26FS has enough space for my wife, me and the two small dogs but sometimes I need space for a specific purpose. I was really sick of the cell phones, MP3's and all falling off the counters and generally being in the way all of the time. I was looking for a solution and noticed the space between the upper cabinets and the microwave was just blanked off with a panel. I pulled the microwave and found a decent amount of unused space with 12VDC and 115VAC available. I built a ~8"X14" box of birch ply, added a shelf in the middle, an AC outlet (connected to microwave junction box), spliced in to the 12VDC lighting wire that was already there for my 12VDC charging station and finally added a decorative rail to keep things in there. Now I can charge anything, even my drill/driver.

nice work,...... I love finding wasted space and turning it into something useful and unique,...... and we do find that FR gives us many opportunities to do that,.....

pt1655 · 09-01-2016, 02:27 PM

Great ideas limb lips! I'm going out to our Surveyor right now to see how much room I have next to the microtooter for a gadget mod! And I'm going to look under Lloyd the drawers and in cabinets for more storage ideas. You guys have done a great job with your mods, thanks for the ideas.

pt1655 · 09-01-2016, 02:30 PM

Autocorrect on our IPad is frustrating. I have no idea how "Lloyd" got in there but nonetheless I will still be looking for storage ideas all over our trailer!

fella10 · 09-22-2016, 10:53 AM

had wondered, is that space above the fridge filled with stuff(wires, tubing, ect?), or is it another example of unused space waiting to be unleashed, ....... the latter, mostly ...... as I was finishing the project I remembered, in our 25KS we don't need any more storage space, we have drawers and shelves already that are still empty, BUT,..... it just bugs me to know, there is space in the trailer that cannot be used until I open it up and make access to it possible,.... there are a few wires to deal with and the back section is the vent channel to the roof for the fridge, but it certainly is a nice area for something,..... just what I haven't figured out yet, but one of us will very soon, I'm sure,...... she's good at that,......

the front piece is a section of vinyl lattice from Lowes, will paint that to match later,......

fella10 · 09-22-2016, 09:05 PM

ok, now it's completed and loaded,.... perfect place for our small fans, DW is cold-natured and short, and would never need them,...... so putting them up high where she can't get to them easily, is not a problem for her,....

Cato · 02-13-2017, 12:14 PM

ok...what unit? I have 2604ws (Rockwood) have wondered about that space...
how did you remove the panel? Anyone know what is behind that in 2604ws?
thanks

fella10 · 02-13-2017, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cato

ok...what unit? I have 2604ws (Rockwood) have wondered about that space...
how did you remove the panel? Anyone know what is behind that in 2604ws?
thanks

the above pics are of our Micro Lite 25KS and the fridge is a Dometic, ... I would assume most have a similar space, but I could be wrong about that, ... the panel should be just stapled and should push out with a little force/small pry bar/screw driver/ect., ... once its removed you'll be able to see what you can do and can't do, ....

gastan · 02-13-2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkosu04

But also note that Aluminum tape is going to be conductive.
Just a word of caution.

x2. It's a great idea but I would be more comfortable using wire mold. You can get a 5 foot length of plastic wire mold for $10 at Ace Hardware. And wire mold is easy to open up to access the wiring if needed.

Cato · 02-13-2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fella10

the above pics are of our Micro Lite 25KS and the fridge is a Dometic, ... I would assume most have a similar space, but I could be wrong about that, ... the panel should be just stapled and should push out with a little force/small pry bar/screw driver/ect., ... once its removed you'll be able to see what you can do and can't do, ....

Think I have a new project! will follow up with results...thanks