How structural are the plywood panels in cabinets?

[BillHoughton]

I am struggling with attempting to reconnect the PEX plumbing pipe to one check valve on the water heater in my 2007 Itasca Navion. Access is through the removable floor in the pantry next to the fridge, which pantry is just wide enough for me to reach one arm in. The PEX could have been a little longer, and I can't get the threaded fitting to align with the threads on the check valve. IF I could reach in with my other arm, I might be able to push the PEX around to align the nut.

45 minutes of getting nowhere has me considering alternatives.

Below the pantry, the face of the cabinet is 1/8" plywood, glued to 1x2 framing, with nothing behind it but space. The left side of the pantry is plywood hiding the side of the fridge; the right side is a wall (of similarly robust 1x2 framing). I am wondering if I can cut an access hatch below the pantry, framed all around with more 1x2s glued and pocket-screwed to the existing framing, that might allow me to reach in with both arms. But I don't know if I'm weakening the cabinet. I'd cover the access with 1/4" baltic birch plywood stained to more or less match the finished cabinet, with as many screws as I needed to attach it firmly.

Am I endangering the stability of that cabinet?

[BillHoughton]

As it turned out, the plywood was only marginally glued to the 1x2-ish framing (at least they used some sort of harder-than-pine wood); so it will probably have more structural strength after I finish installing the 1/4" plywood cover with suitable screws.

Two hours to lay out and cut the plywood out (by hand); five minutes or less to reattach the PEX to the check valve, once I could reach in with both hands in a comfortable position. Winnebago should have put in that access hatch at the factory.

[BillHoughton]

I won't be removing that plywood, if I take this approach; I'll be cutting it, making an opening smaller than the framing.

[klutchdust]

Had to remove a small cabinet in my toy hauler. It was thin luan plywood stapled and glued together. Very small framing.
The cabinets hanging from the walls are the same thing with some type of faux wood doors.

They put enough glue on them that they would split and break trying to get them apart. No way could I have put a panel back on if I needed to. This is on a Forest River work n play trailer.

[BillHoughton]

Thanks. I can see what's there - the answer being "air," with plenty of room before I encounter anything. Time to go look it over again and decide on my approach. Or maybe this time, the nut will decide to go on.

[bgum]

Based on the size of the framing I would say you probably won't be endangering the stability of the cabinet.

[midnightsadie]

well if it was mine, I,d look it over real good , then go for it , might only cut the thickness of the wood so not to cut something you don,t no is back there.