When we moved from the 36' 1996 FT to the 40' 2003 FT, I lost a LOT of storage space. Part of this was because I now had a washer/dryer in the space that in the '96 we used for a coat closet. But part of it was simply because the '96 just plain had more storage.
However, the '03 had a lot of "opportunities" for additional storage and Jim set about making new cabinet space for me.
1. The first cabinet that he "made" for me was the easiest. The nightstand on the passenger side of the bed was occupied by the most worthless safe I have ever had. Mounted on edge, it was only about 3" deep. It didn't hold much and that which I did try to put in there, I had to quick shut the safe door on before it fell out. Since we don't carry gold bars, jewels, or a lot of cash but instead need to protect "paper", I bought a "Fire Sentry" box that holds way more than the safe. It easily fits in the bottom of my closet. Jim removed the safe and its support structure leaving a large enough cupboard to act as a linen closet where I can store my extra blankets, sheets, etc.
2. The next cabinet replaced the worthless "vanity table" that sat diagonally in the bedroom next to the closet slide. I don't need to sit down to put on my limited makeup. The cabinet above the vanity table was too small to hold much. When we were designing the replacement cabinet for this area we had a couple of requirements. It couldn't stick out and impinge on the open feel of the bedroom. Standing in the front of the coach, we didn't want to look down a vast row of cabinets. It had to be narrow enough, of course, for the slide to come in, plus I wanted to be able to put a clothes hook on the side of it to hang clothes. We also wanted to reuse the mirrored door from the old diagonal cabinet. Inside, I wanted shelves in the top half. In the bottom half, I needed a couple of drawers plus a big pullout for a laundry hamper.
Jim had to extend the inlet and outlet vents for the aquahot heat that were in this area.
3. The last cabinet was probably the hardest. Behind the chair in the living room, was a diagonal "computer table". Jim and I sit in our chairs (actually he sits at the dinette) to use our computers. It was just wasted space. However, there were a couple of things under there that had to be removed/moved. The Acousitmas for the Bose system was under there. We had already removed the Bose system because part of it was nonfunctioning. Jim removed the Acousimas and covered up the hole (he reused the black screen in the bedroom cabinet for the inlet/outlet heat vents). He also had to move the Propane Detector to another wall.
The cabinet itself now has two drawers where I can have my two file drawers. There was room left for a small three-shelf diagonal cabinet where I can put things like glasses.
4. Inside the cabinet under the sink, he opened up the back panel that had separated out the Acousimast and put in a false floor. This gives me some additional storage for things like paper towels.
Jim was able to do all of the cabinetry work except make the two new door fronts and the two new drawer fronts. We ordered these from Foretravel.
I am ecstatic with my new storage space.
Life is good!
That looks marvelous. Good quality workmanship.
Larry
Those are nice cabinets. I really like that cabinet in the bedroom that replaced the vanity. That is a huge amount of storage now.
Bonnie Harris
1999 U320
Nice work and it is what you want, not someone else's idea of what you need. Good thinking.
JohnH
Nice work. ^.^d
Those are a nice addition. I dont think you ever have to much storage space.
very nicely done.
Looks like factory original work to me. Nice job.
It is obvious that you measured twice and cut once. Wonderful work. David
You would have to see his ppile to know for sure. :P Nice Work.
Roland
Looks great! But did you find a spot for those winter coats yet or are they still on the dinette waiting to be used! It WAS 88 here in Indio on Friday!!