Kitchen faucet broke on 23 crusader

[rileyman]

Need to replace faucet on island in kitchen. Unable to gain access through cabinet door....due to sink and shelf. My question is can I remove back of island, (trim, sheeting) to gain access to replace faucet ?

 

[tomkatb]

Common issue.

There are special wrenches for this. Kind of a crows foot type with a sort of pliers device.

This is, and has always been, the tough part about changing valves.

Basin wrench. $12 on Amazon or Lowe’s.

Good luck. Got a ten year old kid to help? Their hands are smaller.

Often the valve is attached to the counter top before the sink top is attached.

 

[rileyman]

23 crusader 5th rl

Can I remove island panel to gain access to plumbing @ back of sink. Cannot enter through cabinet door due to shelf & sink ?

 

[5picker]

Can I remove island panel to gain access to plumbing @ back of sink. Cannot enter through cabinet door due to shelf & sink ?

You probably can as most of those panels are stapled on.
We can't say for sure though as every R/V is different and even on same models, someone may have went "staple happy" when building it so how well it comes apart without wrecking it is anyone's guess.

Maybe remove the shelf so you can gain access under the sink. That's what I have done in the past.
As mentioned, access to the bottom of the faucet is always the hardest part unless you are an avid contortionist!

 

[rracer5]

Need to replace faucet on island in kitchen. Unable to gain access through cabinet door....due to sink and shelf. My question is can I remove back of island, (trim, sheeting) to gain access to replace faucet ?

Can I remove island panel to gain access to plumbing @ back of sink. Cannot enter through cabinet door due to shelf & sink ?

I think this will be the only way to gain access other than removing the sink. And if it's an undermount sink, that probably wouldn't be feasible. I would attack this issue from the rear by removing the trim & panel.

BTW, exactly what happened to the faucet?

 

[rileyman]

You probably can as most of those panels are stapled on.
We can't say for sure though as every R/V is different and even on same models, someone may have went "staple happy" when building it so how well it comes apart without wrecking it is anyone's guess.

Maybe remove the shelf so you can gain access under the sink. That's what I have done in the past.
As mentioned, access to the bottom of the faucet is always the hardest part unless you are an avid contortionist!

Removing shelf looks to be a waste of time. Center support between cabinet doors about 12" in width. I believe o ly option is removing island panels and trim pieces, to gain access.

 

[rracer5]

Removing shelf looks to be a waste of time. Center support between cabinet doors about 12" in width. I believe o ly option is removing island panels and trim pieces, to gain access.

X2

 

[tomkatb]

My family was inth in the businees of kitchen and bath remodeling since the 50's.
I worked as a carpenter or plumber in summers until I graduated from college.

So, I have done all of this. There are 4 ways to do this.

Remove the back of the cabinet
Remove the sink if it is a drop in.
Remove the counter top, assumes it is not glued on.
Remove the shelf

Cabinets today are mode with the most crap wood possible. Finished wood is expensive. Trim is often custom made. Very expensive ordered from the factory. Plus you might need stains and paint for any damage. On whole replacement jobs my dad always ordered a kit with touch up paint for us carpenters. If you are fast enough the customer will never know.

The shelf, on the other hand is likely the same as mine. 1/2' square wood around the perimeter with a piece of Luan stapled to it. I replaced several of my cabinets floors before I understood the rules. Nothing heavy goes in there.

If you destroy the shelf then 1/8" plywood and a little of most any stain fixes it. Easily.

Since the wood and trim is made of low level quality stuff and small you possibly will damaging it taking it apart.

I faced this last fall when I had to remove the converter and replace it. Had to take several drawers out of a cabinet and work around the reinforcements to get to the rear of the cabinet. A 5 minute job took an hour. I am 74 and growing more feeble every year.

Look carefully and only you can decide.

It is unfortunate the rv manufacturers use uncommon faucets. Hardware stores sell cartridges that fix a lot of faucet issues.