My wonderful full of energy Golden Retriever puppy got the best of our RVs bathroom door a while back and I'm finally getting around to fixing the damage. He chewed on the bottom two door panels trim.Our Forest River Sunseeker's bathroom door is made to look like a 6 panel door from the outside, while the inside of the door is completely smooth surfaced. At first glance, I thought I just needed to replace the trim he chewed on, but the damage isn't so easily repaired. To accomplish the 6 panel door look, there are 6 voids cut into the door. Each void is then filled with a fiberboard box complete with the trim pieces pre-glued to the box, so removing the trim destroys the box unfortunately.I can DIY a new box, but matching the trim for a perfect look isn't going to happen with my limited woodworking abilities. So, plan A is to see if I can find a couple of these "thingy" boxes pre-stained, with plan B making a suitable DIY box that is a close but no cigar replacement.I don't know what search term to try for these items or what to ask about. I can see myself... "Excuse me sir, can you tell me if you have those fake boxes with trim on them that go in an RV's bathroom door" just seems like a really uninformed question so...What do you call the things that go in these holes??Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

I call 'em the panels in a panel door.

Check with HD or Lowes they can order a door slab, better quality the oem, to your dimensions and just replace it. Probably a whole lot easier. Just my opinion.

If you go looking for the panels (boxes), take your pictures with you. That should let the salesperson know what you are looking for. "A picture is worth a thousand words"

Door panels. (and I said that before I read the other posts!)Another idea is to put something else in that space. To match, you could take out the top 2 panels also. You could put a mosaic pattern. Or fill the hole with a wooden build up and tak floor tiles on them. You could install 4 panels of slate, or simply cut a piece of wood to match the side, paint, have the wife or the grand kids paint some pictures or designs on them. If the panels clash (and more than likely you'll never find anything to match 100%, why not make a real "clash" with style? Think of the possibilities. How about installing the panel (build it up, and then put a frame around each one, and insert photos of the grand kids! Be creative... think outside the box. You have endless possibilities what to do. Why replace with the same boring old stuff? Here's an opportunity for something a bit zanie! Why not?Edit:Another thought. You could take out the top 2 and simply hang a wide long mirror over the entire door? Solved very simple!

Take the photo to HD or Lowes or a lumber yard. Ask them.

What do you call these things? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

bka0721
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2015
With the time spent, effort made to match stain and grain, it will probably cost just as much as just replacing the door. Have you contacted the RV manufacturer and see if they have replacement doors? Can't imagine this is anything new, replacing doors because of kids, pets and an occasional fist. Often in home repairs these suppliers can often mill the door hinge blanks identical for what your needs are so it is simply installing the hardware and hang the door.

b
wing_zealot
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Just buy a new door and stain it to match and be done with it. Sometimes the most straight forward approach is best.
mabynack
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2015
Dutch_12078 wrote:
In 50 plus years of building and remodeling projects, I have never seen panel door insets sold as a separate item. I have fabricated a few though, to repair damage doors. As noted, matching the finish is the toughest part.

I worked at Lowes last year and I agree. I don't think your going to find separate panels.

Our Lab chewed through the bottom of my RV door and I bought a sheet of Luan - a type of finished plywood and made a new door skin. I used contact cement to attach it. I would look at using a thin finished plywood and some quarter-round trim to mount a new piece. You could make it a contrasting color and then you wouldn't have to worry about an exact match.

I think in my case I would have been better off just replacing the bottom of the door with a big doggie door. Our lab hated to be locked out of any part of the RV and would make her own door if she had to. ;o)
RV_daytrader
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
buy a 20x20 return air grille, spray paint it a color to match the door....it is metal so poochie wont chew it up again!
Off_Pavement
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2015
hershey wrote:
I think the proper name is "door do-hinkies".

I think you may be close!

Good ideas I hadn't thought of...

Moving the upper two panels down and inserting pictures above
Installing a full length mirror
Door from the local home store

I've given some thought to a salvaged RV door, but finding one to match around here probably isn't very likely. Perhaps I could order a custom bathroom door from the local home store but I guess I'm cheaper than that and more likely to fab up my own replacement panel insert.

I like the full length mirror idea. I wonder if a few extra pounds of door weight could be a problem for the door frame?

I also contacted a good friend/dealer that handles Forest River products, sent her the VIN and photos of the door voids and dimensions, and she is checking to see if they can be ordered. I still don't know if the fiberbox inserts have an "official" name or not, and I personally doubt they can be ordered separately, but ya never know until you try.
hershey
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
I think the proper name is "door do-hinkies".
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2015
There are shops that make semi-custom doors in different styles and sizes. It would be no problem for them to make a couple of panels for you.
I would do a Google search for your area.
Johno02
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Talk to the service manager at Forest River. If they fabricated them, they can probably get you a set, or a new door. I have not dealt with them, but the others that I have were very nice and helpful.
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
Dakota98 wrote:
OK, Now I'm curious. How & why did they get that way in the first place ???

The first sentence in the first paragraph, in fact the first words in the first sentence tells how it happened.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Apr 01, 2015
Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.