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Topic: My New Cabinets (Read 936 times) previous topic - next topic

My New Cabinets

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!
Gayle McNeece

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #1 –
That looks marvelous. Good quality workmanship.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #2 –
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

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #3 –
 Nice work and it is what you want, not someone else's idea of what you need. Good thinking.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #4 –
Nice work.  ^.^d
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #5 –
Those are a nice addition.  I dont think you ever have to much storage space.
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #6 –
very nicely done.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #7 –
Looks like factory original work to me.  Nice job.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #8 –
It is obvious that you measured twice and cut once.  Wonderful work.  David
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: My New Cabinets

Reply #10 –
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!! 
Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee