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raychris1's avatar
raychris1
Explorer
Aug 06, 2019

Closet/shelf suggestions

We have a 2009 189 surveyor. It has a small closet. One side is for hanging clothes (no problem) and the other side has shelfs. The better half would like something like a pull-out drawer to replace the shelfs or maybe ones that attach to the shelves. Anybody done a similar upgrade? Costco has a pull-out shelf but it is too big. Our opening is only 11 inches wide. The current shelves are about 7 inches apart.
  • Dick_B wrote:
    Plastic storage bins?


    You can buy bins in all dimensions.
    You can also buy expansion rods in various lengths to keep bins from sliding around.
  • I made new drawers from scratch for beside each side of our bed. I got the drawer fronts from our dealer so they'd match the rest of of our interior. The drawers are quite deep - 22" IIRC. I used Knape & Vogt "stay close" drawer slides.

    The 2nd photo shows the drivers/left side. I also built drawers for the under-bed storage. The TT originally came with just a cubby hole opening on one side and the other was blocked out with a piece of luan plywood. A cubby hole is useless. The drawers are very useful. You'll need at least a table saw or access to one. A chop saw would be helpful but can get away with just a table saw.

    I made the drawer fronts for the under-bed drawers from scratch because I needed custom dimensions. For the drawer fronts beside the bed I walked around the dealer's lot and found some from another model that were the right size.

  • If you are not handy enough to make your own drawers (like me), just go to the dollar store and buy plastic tubs that fit the existing shelves, maybe baskets from Wayfair or other home decor store, or even packing cubes from ebags.com.
  • I went to Lowes and in their closet organizing section found some drawer baskets type units that had the right depth and width. Bought the corresponding snap in sliding brackets and just attached them to the existing RV shelves. Because these units are modular, you pick the size and brackets to meet your need. You can get full extension brackets or shorter half slides. They even had drop down brackets that let you slide a basket/drawer on the top so it extends and drops down to a lower level to access whats inside. Baskets or draws came in wood, plastic, laminate metal, etc., in all sorts of sizes.
  • X3 for making drawers. I'm not carpenter, not by a long shot, so I had the parts for the drawers made by Barker Door using the cheapest material they offer. Then I mounted them with drawers slides as mention above. My mounting job is so-so but they work pretty good. One of the best mods we ever did.


  • I have made a total of 8 drawers in different cabinets throughout my camper. They are definitely a convienent improvement worth the trouble. Drawer slides are available at any big box home improvement store. I recommend the full extension type. The drawer itself is just a box. Making it from 1/2 inch plywood (or thinner for a lightweight purpose) is the most economical choice. The slides will include instructions for sizing the drawer to the cabinet opening.
  • Remove shelves. Make your own drawers or have them made. You will lose some storage space but have much better access.