My Storage slide outs

[Sbosserman]

I just finished these 36 inch full slides and installed one in each side of my front storage area in my 2014 Wildcat Max 27RL. I ordered the HD 250 lb slides from Ryadon because they have quick releases & can be disconnected and removed for cleaning, repairs, etc.

Then I put 2 more slides under my dinette seats that are the 100lb versions. First trip today, so far, so good!

[PAcamper29]

I really like the slide idea for the outside storage. How long is the actual slide? Are you losing any storage space?

[Sbosserman]

actual slide is 35”, but I mounted it to the flor so that it lacks about 5” from fully extending out of the storage area. I had to mount it like that to get the door to close and also to leave room for a safety latch bolt that I will be mounting. As far as loosing some storage space, yes a little was lost at the sides, but I first removed the interior siding and installed 1,4” HD pegboard at ease side to hang some seldom used items like the emergency slide out crank, etc. But after some sorting, I found that there were some items that I had been carrying in the storage area and not used for several years, so I did remove a few items. I’m still deciding on the plastic storage boxes I have installed in the other side slide out where I keep the power cords, TV cable, hoses, etc. I’m thinking that I won’t keep the covers on those plastic storage boxes as they are a nuisance when removing them. Also, I may use storage boxes that aren’t so tall, it seems unnecessary so far.

[TTnewbie]

Wholly cow! Why do you have so many tools in your TT? Are you a traveling mechanic? Please don't tell me that I too will have to travel around with a mini shop in my TT.

[hobienick]

Originally Posted by TTnewbie

Wholly cow! Why do you have so many tools in your TT? Are you a traveling mechanic? Please don't tell me that I too will have to travel around with a mini shop in my TT.

Things break. Having tools with you can mean the difference between a slight inconvenience and a ruined trip.

[TTnewbie]

Right, I agree. I was just surprised by the look of what you are carrying. It looks like you have multiple tool boxes. I just bought a TT and haven't used it yet. I am still trying to figure these things out. I was just going to buy a 100+ piece mechanics set to keep in the trailer. Other than that, what else are you carrying?

[njfishing]

Nice work and was thinking of doing the same with my 2018 272rl. Getting stuff that’s buried in the middle of the pass through is a PITA. My only concern is the added weight of this already tongue heavy trailer since I’m petty close to my tow vehicle payload. Do you know how much the slides weigh?

[njfishing]

Just saw on the Raydon site it’s just the slides they sell so I assume you built your own shelves and I assume out of plywood? If so what thickness and how much do you think they weigh? Lastly I see you used 36 inch slides, are the shelves 36 inches as well? The reason I ask is because the passthrough is 96 inches wide and if you used two 36s, you have a 24 inch gap between the two. Thanks!

[Sbosserman]

You’re right, I didn’t give many details on how I made my slide out drawers. I have a 2014 Wildcat Max T27RLS and after measuring the interior of my pass through storage, I determined that I could fit two 46.5 inch long drawers and have about 1/2 inch between the ends and about 1 1/2 to 2 inches between the drawer end and the back side of my storage door when it’s closed. That leaves room for a safety latch to insure they don’t move when traveling.

I used 1/2 inch plywood to make the drawers and mounted the slides to the drawers using 1/4 inch T-nuts on the inside of the drawer. I screwed & glued the plywood together & painted it with gray Rustoleum semi-gloss paint (because it’s oil base). One of many mistakes I made was to only allow about 1/4 inch between the bottom of the drawer and the rubber weatherstrip around the storage door opening. Then after loading my drawers, I did get enough sag from the weight that it slightly dragged that weatherstrip, so I had to remove the drawer & move the slide down the side of the drawer to lift the drawer enough to increase clearance.

I used 36 inch slides on 46.5 inch drawers because they cost about $49 and the cost of the longer slides doubles or even triples in many cases. So I determined that if I used a 46 inch drawer and a 36 inch full slide, I would only have about a foot of shelf left inside and I’m willing to put up with that. It’s still much better than unloading the storage area just to get to the stuff waaaay in the back.

I also put 1/4 inch had pegboard on the interior storage sides (after removing the thin interior siding) to hang seldom used items. That way I don’t have a lot of wasted space on the sides, just a little.

If I had to do it over, I might try 5/8 inch plywood. But, I’m very happy so far.

[Sbosserman]

The photo I sent is of the 1 inch square tubing stands I mode to support the slides off of the floor enough to clear the bottom of the storage door frame. You could probably use 2X4 blocks, but I had this scrap tubing and a new welder that I was anxious to use.

[njfishing]

Thanks for that detailed response, YOU'RE THE BEST!!

I understand a lot better now and it's much appreciated. I think this is a project worth doing since giving up a little space to get more convenient access is a good trade off...

[Matthuck88]

This is a great idea!

[Mike Sedillo]

I really like those slide outs that you installed under the dinette seating. Can you share how you handeled the woodworking part of the modification? Did you cut out the 1/4" plywood panel and buy a drawer/door front to mount the wood slide out to?

[Sbosserman]

This reply is for Mike Sedillo:
Mike,
I installed the slides under the dinette set first making sure that they were high enough so that the bottom of my shelf would clear the bottom of the door opening. I removed the original door from the opening and that became my new drawer front (see attached photos). In the drawer front photo, you can see the old holes from the handle being on one side of the door. I then made the plywood drawer to fit the width of the mounted drawer slides and screwed the old door onto the front of the drawer from the backside of the drawer front. I even re-used the old door catch on the drawer front. Now it’s a “drawer catch”.

Just be sure that you make the drawer about 1/8 inch NARROWER than the distance between the slides. That way they will self adjust after you attach the drawer if you use the correct screw holes when mounting. Use the screw holes that are in the end of the drawer slide side mounting tabs. Those are the tabs that will slightly bend inward when you first slide the drawer in. Hope that (along with the photos) helps.