Any reason the bulkhead/pocket door can't be removed?

[CA_Tallguy]

Hi folks - just wondering about something as I figure out what I'm doing as a new Airstreamer with my 77 Excella 500 31' trailer. The previous owner seems to have removed what I believe was a sliding partition that went into a divider/bulkhead between the kitchen and the mid-bath/closet area. (I'm hoping everyone knows what I'm talking about with this description.)

Can this bulkhead be removed entirely? It currently creates a narrow point -- a doorway that has to be less than two feet in width. I'm a big guy and would prefer to just have a wider hallway there, and I don't see any reason to waste 3 to 4 inches of space where the door slid back and forth if it isn't necessary.

This partition does not attach to the ceiling so I am guessing it isn't necessary. I am going to be doing custom cabinets at some point and it would be helpful to know this for planning.

[CA_Tallguy]

I think that I found most of the answer in this similar thread (figures it would come up as I look AFTER posting and not in the first searching I did before posting)...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...alue-9458.html

It is basically what I thought about the structural integrity aspect. But I am still not entirely sure if anything else is relying upon it, such as the mid-bath wall or kitchen cabinets. I am going to be redoing both, however, so I suspect if there are any dependencies they can be worked around.

[Roadrunner]

Tallguy...I'm a tall guy as well and wanted to give an open feel to our "78" Ambassador. I took that bulkhead wall out altogether and it really made a difference. Removing it will not cause any structure problems. It also allowed me to run the overhead cabinets from front to back.

Bob
Indiana, PA



TAC PA-5
WBCCI 4871

[Alumaholic]

Beautiful job, Roadrunner. Do have any more photos?

[CA_Tallguy]

Wow, that does look great!

[Aage]

I believe that it's only an issue of privacy: will you never want to be able to make that room quiet and private?

I'm also a tall guy at 5'17". I have to wear a hat for the first day or so until I get used to the internal height of our Sov.