Wardrobe vs. Shelving

[BAB]

I've gotten so many great ideas for upgrades from AirForum. Now it's my turn. My 28' 2012 Intl provided a wardrobe (next to the fridge) that (to me) duplicated the hanging closets on each side of the bed. What I really needed was SHELVING instead of hanging space. SO, I installed two additional shelves, then added 4 roll out units that I bought on-line from Lowe's. Very easy installation -- though each unit cost around $60. They fit perfectly and provide a place for canned goods, cereal, as well as an easy spot for my Keurig and pots and pans. Will be "road testing" this in a few weeks, but I think this will be a major improvement in the storage realm

[daveswenson]

I love it! How'd you fasten in the new shelves?

[cameront120]

Nicely done! That extra pantry space will come in handy.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by BAB

I've gotten so many great ideas for upgrades from AirForum. Now it's my turn. My 28' 2012 Intl provided a wardrobe (next to the fridge) that (to me) duplicated the hanging closets on each side of the bed. What I really needed was SHELVING instead of hanging space. SO, I installed two additional shelves, then added 4 roll out units that I bought on-line from Lowe's. Very easy installation -- though each unit cost around $60. They fit perfectly and provide a place for canned goods, cereal, as well as an easy spot for my Keurig and pots and pans. Will be "road testing" this in a few weeks, but I think this will be a major improvement in the storage realm

Nice job! Are you for hire??

Maggie

[BAB]

Maggie, for one of your dishrags, I'm for hire! For Dave: I used 1" x 1/2" stringers on either side of the wardrobe, screwed them in, then used 3/8" ply as shelves. Once you have the shelves installed, measure for the size of baskets on rollers you prefer. I found the Lowe's website had many options, and as I surfed the web, their prices were competitive with everyone else. They are supplied with 4 screws that easily bolt into the shelves you've installed.

[newsgauger]

Hi Bab,

Funny, my spouse and I were discussing a similar solution this past weekend, but didn't know where to start or how to tackle the project. I'm off to the Lowe's website browsing for ideas.

Great solution!

Thanks for posting,
Chris

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by BAB

Maggie, for one of your dishrags, I'm for hire! For Dave: I used 1" x 1/2" stringers on either side of the wardrobe, screwed them in, then used 3/8" ply as shelves. Once you have the shelves installed, measure for the size of baskets on rollers you prefer. I found the Lowe's website had many options, and as I surfed the web, their prices were competitive with everyone else. They are supplied with 4 screws that easily bolt into the shelves you've installed.

Hmmmm, i'd be willing to make you just about anything you like for some help in this matter. We can discuss that later.

Let me talk to Doug about it and take a picture of our closet/get dimensions.

I'll get back to you.


Maggie

[Jim Clark]

Thanks this will solve a problem we have had from day one.

Jim

[T4HALO]

So many great ideas from smart people. Can't wait to pick the new AS up next week and get started making it our own.

T4

[JDS]

Originally Posted by BAB

I've gotten so many great ideas for upgrades from AirForum. Now it's my turn. My 28' 2012 Intl provided a wardrobe (next to the fridge) that (to me) duplicated the hanging closets on each side of the bed. What I really needed was SHELVING instead of hanging space. SO, I installed two additional shelves, then added 4 roll out units that I bought on-line from Lowe's. Very easy installation -- though each unit cost around $60. They fit perfectly and provide a place for canned goods, cereal, as well as an easy spot for my Keurig and pots and pans. Will be "road testing" this in a few weeks, but I think this will be a major improvement in the storage realm

From your picture it appears the pantry/wardrobe door is hinged on the side away from the fridge. Is that right? It appears from the Colonial website pix that the hinge is on the fridge side, which would make it less useful. I like your arrangement better - did you relocate the hinge?

John S.

[BAB]

I didn't relocate the hinge. The door has two hinges. Both on the left. The first hinge covers the bifold door, the second hinge (main hinge) opens the wardrobe (now cabinet). This could be unique to the 28'. If I'd had to relocate the hinge, I probably would have thought twice about the mod. Mine is setup this way to provide the bifold (privacy) door that allows you to screen off the bath from the front of the trailer -- useful if you have guests.

[daveswenson]

Do You remember the width and depth of the roll out baskets?

[BAB]

11 3/4 x 22 inches. Here's the model number I ordered from Lowes: Item #: 87912 Model #: 5WB1-1222-CR. These fit the dimensions of the wardrobe perfectly. There's a couple of inches from the rear of the shelf to the trailer (which you want), as well as a couple of inches on either side. They run $67 each...and I put in four of them. You could easily add just one shelf instead of two, but I found that four made for better space utilization.

[daveswenson]

Put in my slides today. Thanks for the great idea. I think I'll need to upgrade the closet latch however. Took the AS back to storage and the door had popped open on the drive.

[Lily&Me]

Lovely.

I yearn for a more functional closet.


Maggie

[Airtandem]

Maggie; what dishcloth is he talking about? The trailer one in silver/grey?

[daveswenson]

Update. I added a second latch to the door. If I make sure all the baskets are fully closed and push hard on the door before travelling the door USUALLY stays closed.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

Update. I added a second latch to the door. If I make sure all the baskets are fully closed and push hard on the door before travelling the door USUALLY stays closed.

Hi, my Safari was built with a slide out pantry; It has a catch mechanism to hold it in place. One time, the catch wasn't fully engaged and it opened the pantry door and broke the slide out rear stop. I modified it to have a front stop. I think you need something to hold your shelves in place or they will open your door and possibly damage your new sliding baskets.

[IanPoulin]

For those still on the forums, and for who are running with 28s, would you do me a favor and take a few pics and/or describe how you prepped the space of the wardrobe for conversion to the pull-out shelving? The space in my 2011 serenity int even all the way through on the fridge side, so yes, I expect to have to install spacer block to which to mount the shelve, but just want to see what others have done...

Amazon has the shelf units of the same model number at a fairly nice discount.

Ian

[Arcticfox]

This is a good idea - well done! I will be interested in reading more about how people have made this conversion.
Thanks
Doug