Adding a cabinet

I would go to the bathroom section of either Home Depot or Lowe's and look at the wall hung cabinets that they have and see if you could find one to meet your needs and coordinate with your other cabinetry. I saw some that looked good and were maybe only 10-12 inches wide so that you wouldn't be bumping into it all the time after using the commode. May not match what you have exactly, but if you can get near to the color, I would think that would be easier than building your own. They would be able to help you with how to hang them also. We could use a little extra storage in our TT also, so want to thank you for giving me some ideas, also.

scbwr wrote:

westend wrote:
There's no real issue about hanging a standard cabinet in an RV.

Maybe not, but you would need to know the best type of fastener to use if you are dealing with laminated walls that don't have typical wood stud construction. I would reccommend that anyone attempting to hang a cabinet, which may get pretty heavy once loaded, check with their RV manufacturer to see what mounting hardware would be the best to use, whether it be toggle bolts, hollow wall anchors, or find available studs (wood or aluminum). If you just attach the cabinet to a wall with a few wood screws, you may end up having the cabinet pulling off from weight and vibrations, or you could possibly have other problems caused by longer screws penetrating the wall structure.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

I'd be interested in hearing how the project goes!

Good luck!

There's no "maybe" about it for anyone that's familiar with cabinets and hanging. The OP doesn't need an "RV cabinet", any store-bought cabinet will work.

Knowing what size fastener and the wall construction is part of hanging, attaching the cabinet securely to the wall. The OP doesn't need a call to the mfg. He can ask here when he wishes.

I'd caution that a 12" deep wall cabinet may cause headroom issues. There are purpose-built "Toilet Toppers" that have a shallower depth.

Of course lot's of cabinets out there would work, but the question is, does a person want it to look like it was done at the factory or something that you got at HD? Personally, I would go for a factory look especially considering the TT and what it cost, but it doesn't matter to everyone.

In our first TT, I had a bunch of cabinet doors and drawer fronts made up at a cabinet shop to match exactly what was in it. In our new TT, I'm ordering 3 cabinet doors out of 2 other models and for some new storage cabinets and using some unused space behind the shower. When done, it will match the rest of the TT and look factory original. I just can't do this sort of thing any other way, but I know I can be too picky (ask DW).

myredracer wrote:
Of course lot's of cabinets out there would work, but the question is, does a person want it to look like it was done at the factory or something that you got at HD? Personally, I would go for a factory look especially considering the TT and what it cost, but it doesn't matter to everyone.

In our first TT, I had a bunch of cabinet doors and drawer fronts made up at a cabinet shop to match exactly what was in it. In our new TT, I'm ordering 3 cabinet doors out of 2 other models and for some new storage cabinets and using some unused space behind the shower. When done, it will match the rest of the TT and look factory original. I just can't do this sort of thing any other way, but I know I can be too picky (ask DW).

Great thing about living in NA, you can put the cabinets in your RV just how you want to, no worries.

I do some work matching older stuff, even build face frames, doors, cabinets, etc.. Right behind me is a custom knife drawer with built-in cutting board along with the cabinet door for a customer (non-RV).

Often, it's time and money ahead to buy something from the big box stores in a close matched style and finish. I can then match the final finish so it's pretty much indistinguishable from the originals. It's very difficult to keep everything aging at the same speed with some species of woods. IOW, if I make a cabinet, today, out of Maple and match the finish to your 5 yr. old cabinets, chances are, in 10 years, the wood may look different. It's hard to be exactly like Mother Nature. :B

I contacted PrimeTime and asked if I could order a cabinet from them. This was their reply: If it is one we are currently using. We do not do any customizing. Secondly, we cannot sell directly to retail customers (due to dealer agreements), but you may order through any of our dealers. They set their own pricing, so to find out the price, you would have to inquire of the dealer. Finally, keep in mind there are no "backers" inside the bathroom wall to support a cabinet. Your installer would have to determine how to support it.

I'm a little concerned about the "backers" he mentioned. Do you think I can easily remove a panel and add that?

Define "easily"......

From the floor layout diagram, it appears that the wall behind the toilet is an interior partition. It may or may not have studs in the wall construction. It may or may not be stapled to any studs. If it's stapled, removal and installation after backing will be easier. If it's glued in place, it will be difficult to remove the entire panel without damage to the panel. There may be a way to cut the panel so that backers can be inserted through a hole and then secured.

If there is a stud directly behind the cabinet location, it will make things much easier. A cabinet with a mounting strip can be fastened to the stud and two outboard of center toggle bolts can be installed to keep everything attached. If the cabinet you choose is full height to the ceiling, there is possibility that the cabinet can also be secured to a rafter or through the ceiling panel.

The hanging process depends on anticipated weight of the cabinet and it's contents and how the wall is built. I have pictures of how I built and hung a cabinet in my RV. The cabinet holds the vent hood, a microwave oven, and sundry supplies. If you want to see them, they're on pages 18 &19 in my restoration thread in my signature, "The Cowboy/Hilton"

westend wrote:

scbwr wrote:

westend wrote:
There's no real issue about hanging a standard cabinet in an RV.

Maybe not, but you would need to know the best type of fastener to use if you are dealing with laminated walls that don't have typical wood stud construction. I would reccommend that anyone attempting to hang a cabinet, which may get pretty heavy once loaded, check with their RV manufacturer to see what mounting hardware would be the best to use, whether it be toggle bolts, hollow wall anchors, or find available studs (wood or aluminum). If you just attach the cabinet to a wall with a few wood screws, you may end up having the cabinet pulling off from weight and vibrations, or you could possibly have other problems caused by longer screws penetrating the wall structure.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

I'd be interested in hearing how the project goes!

Good luck!

There's no "maybe" about it for anyone that's familiar with cabinets and hanging. The OP doesn't need an "RV cabinet", any store-bought cabinet will work.

Knowing what size fastener and the wall construction is part of hanging, attaching the cabinet securely to the wall. The OP doesn't need a call to the mfg. He can ask here when he wishes.

I'd caution that a 12" deep wall cabinet may cause headroom issues. There are purpose-built "Toilet Toppers" that have a shallower depth.

No one has said that the OP has to use an RV cabinet...it's only been suggested due to weight considerations.

I only SUGGESTED that the OP contact the manufacturer because the manufacturer would be able to suggest the best cabinet mounting method based upon the wall structure of the unit that the OP owns. Of course, he can ask whomever he wants to re installing cabinets.

Is the attitude of your post intended or just accidental??

I'm not suggesting it needs to be an RV cabinet. I'm saying if the OP wants the style and finish of the cabinet to match what is used throughout their TT, they'll want to get something for their specific brand from the dealer. Finish colors and profiles used on RV cabinetry and trim varies a lot between different brands.

If it appears that something better is needed to hang the cabinet, if you look at the floor plan, the cabinet would go over the toilet that is on a 45 degree angled wall. The cabinet would be only inches away from a corner stud on each side. (It appears the that cabinet over the sink would not be as wide as the angled wall behind the toilet.)

What I would do is cut out a square of the luan plywood with a sharp utility knife slightly smaller than the dimension of the cabinet. Then slip a piece of 1x2 horizontally inside the wall and secure it to the stud on each side with angle brackets and screws. The wall could be thicker behind the toilet if the waste vent pipe runs up inside it, which could be 2 1/2" deep with a 1 1/2" pipe which will still allow 1x2 to be slipped into the wall cavity.

No special or expensive tools required.

Without seeing it, you *might* also be able to slip in 1x2 (or 1x3) vertically inside the wall (again, with cutting out a section) and glue it in place to the inside of the wall on both sides. That way, the cabinet weight would be supported from the interior and opposite sections of wall paneling which should be more than adequate for the low weight of a medicine cabinet.

If you want any cabinet parts or a cabinet, you'll need to order through a dealer. They will have access to all this stuff in case repairs or replacement is needed in a customer's RV. Just watch how they propose to have it delivered to them. I ordered an 8' length of molding once and they soaked me $60 for couriering it. I should have asked first... They should be able to have it come in along with regular shipments.

Just another thought. Does the vanity cabinet have a blank panel on the lower part of it? That's quite common. If so, you might be able to get a door (from the dealer) from a Lacrosse model that will be of suitable size to fit over the opening. That's what I'm going to do with our new TT.

It's interesting looking at the floor plan for that model. Considering how long the TT is, there's little space inside the bathroom for storing towels and other bathroom stuff. Obviously designed by a man. :B

Great input! I absolutely love this web site. I will place an order with our dealer and then follow your directives. Thanks to all of you!

scbwr wrote:

westend wrote:

scbwr wrote:

westend wrote:
There's no real issue about hanging a standard cabinet in an RV.

Maybe not, but you would need to know the best type of fastener to use if you are dealing with laminated walls that don't have typical wood stud construction. I would reccommend that anyone attempting to hang a cabinet, which may get pretty heavy once loaded, check with their RV manufacturer to see what mounting hardware would be the best to use, whether it be toggle bolts, hollow wall anchors, or find available studs (wood or aluminum). If you just attach the cabinet to a wall with a few wood screws, you may end up having the cabinet pulling off from weight and vibrations, or you could possibly have other problems caused by longer screws penetrating the wall structure.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

I'd be interested in hearing how the project goes!

Good luck!

There's no "maybe" about it for anyone that's familiar with cabinets and hanging. The OP doesn't need an "RV cabinet", any store-bought cabinet will work.

Knowing what size fastener and the wall construction is part of hanging, attaching the cabinet securely to the wall. The OP doesn't need a call to the mfg. He can ask here when he wishes.

I'd caution that a 12" deep wall cabinet may cause headroom issues. There are purpose-built "Toilet Toppers" that have a shallower depth.

No one has said that the OP has to use an RV cabinet...it's only been suggested due to weight considerations.

I only SUGGESTED that the OP contact the manufacturer because the manufacturer would be able to suggest the best cabinet mounting method based upon the wall structure of the unit that the OP owns. Of course, he can ask whomever he wants to re installing cabinets.

Is the attitude of your post intended or just accidental??

The OP asked about using an RV cabinet. I believe that's been clarified.

Wasn't trying to have an attitude. My Internet social skills probably aren't up to par, hope you weren't offended by anything I posted.