Convert wardrobe into pantry

[LilPeanut]

Almost done with converting our wardrobe into pantry drawers and converting the pantry from pull out to shelves. Much better space utilization. Also coating all overhead panels with lacquer. Harder and less prone to scratching, water borne.

1st 4 pics are sideways and you know...
1. Is everything closed up
2. is the right side open. It is about 12 in wide and has shelves. Allows access to the safe. 120 degree hinge with a bumper on the shower bump out. Will be moving the second light to this area from above.
3 is the full extension drawers all open. Everything is cork lined for anti slip
4 is the overhead area.
5 is the redone old pantry. Removed the pull out wire shelves and added shelves. Tons more space.
6 is one of the side tables next to the sofa
7 is the other side table. Side tables are not done yet.

Will coat all the remaining panels in the camper so the finish is the same glossiness.

Weight? Adds 200 lbs net. I don’t think we will add more stuff, just won’t have it stacked in boxes, bags in the wardrobe. All shelves are Baltic birch with solid edges. Door/ drawer fronts are maple. Stainless flip up hinges for the side tables with a piece of alum sistered to the interior skin for strength. Rivnuts and a few rivets.

Also figured out how to lock the propane tanks. On the 2019, no room for a lock if you still thru the alum ‘wing nut’ and tank cover brace unless you turn the nut upside down! Will post a pic unless everyone else already figured that out.

[Nelson428]

I love it. Well done [emoji1303]

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Those shelves with the couch are a game changer!

[JDG]

Nice! What stain did you use to match so well?

[LilPeanut]

JDG - the stain was custom. The wood was different so matching was trial and error.

[Mikebrady62]

Very nice workmanship! Made a Classic even more Classic!

[Hoagie]

Beautiful work. You are a true craftsman. If we lived closer I'd ask you to do the same to our Classic 30.

[LilPeanut]

Most of the real work was done by a local guy I know. My storage place is closed so I kept it at his house since Feb 1 next to his shop. I did a few things but all the good craftsmanship is his while I was working from home.

[JDG]

Thanks. Really looks nice like it was OEM.

[Mikebrady62]

Originally Posted by LilPeanut

Most of the real work was done by a local guy I know. My storage place is closed so I kept it at his house since Feb 1 next to his shop. I did a few things but all the good craftsmanship is his while I was working from home.

Knowing your limits are keys to your own success! It looks fantastic and I know if I did it myself, it would look like I used a hatchet for finish work.

[Hoagie]

Originally Posted by LilPeanut

Most of the real work was done by a local guy I know. My storage place is closed so I kept it at his house since Feb 1 next to his shop. I did a few things but all the good craftsmanship is his while I was working from home.

Is there any chance I could get more detailed pics or even drawings? I could then have a cabinet maker in our area do something similar for our Classic 30. Any additional help you can provide would be most appreciated. TIA

[Aircats]

Very well done!

I installed an elfa/Container Store wire basket system in my Classic 33 wardrobe, and it easily quadrupled available storage space.

[rewillia]

[QUOTE=LilPeanut;2347503]Almost done with converting our wardrobe into pantry drawers and converting the pantry from pull out to shelves. Much better space utilization. Also coating all overhead panels with lacquer. Harder and less prone to scratching, water borne.

Can you explain how you secured the shelves you installed ahead of the sofa arms at both the doorside and in between the curbside arm of the sofa and back of dining booth seat back? Maybe some photos of the undersides of these would help. Nice work, been thinking of doing something similar but don't want to do so at the cost of permanent modification to the wall skins.

[Shinytow]

Did you consider reinforcing the floor of you closet because of the additional weight? If so how was that done?

[LilPeanut]

2 answers. I was worried about the shelf brackets deforming the interior skin. I added 3/16 in thick aluminum riveted to the ribs and then used rivnuts to screw the shelf brackets to the 2 layers of aluminum. It doesn’t deform and can hold a computer and 2 cats easily. That also allowed me to place the brackets where I wanted rather than only at ribs. Under Windows there aren’t any vertical support ribs.

As for reinforcing the floor of the closet, the weight is carried by a vertical member that the drawers hang from. We made sure the vertical member was supported underneath and we ran a horizontal member in the back along the rear of the drawer section to distribute the load (like the front casing does). We use tension rods to keep the drawers closed in travel.

Feel free to PM and I can give a video tour and answer any other questions. We have traveled a few times with it already and it made a big difference in how organized we feel. Maybe not is how organized we are, but we feel better.