Medicine cabinet

[Campteacher]

Hello friends,

My new Jayco 285 RLS SLX, which I don't get for a month (aww!) doesn't have a medicine cabinet in the bathroom, only a mirror attached to the wall.

Not a big deal for just one person (me), but I was wondering, has anyone replaced a mirror with a medicine cabinet? Easy enough to you? Where to get one? Any tips?

thanks!

Kevin

[myredracer]

stevemorris wrote:
I replaced the plastic **** cabinet in two trailers with a cabinet that I made.
but im a cabinet maker by trade!

Can you post a pic in that case? 🙂

[westend]

Most recessed medicine cabinets have through holes in the back that are used for fasteners to a naling strip. In an RV, a guy could mount a nailig strip, install the cabinet and then encircle it with finished wood of choice.

In my S&B, I have two full mirror medicine cabinets, surface mounted. I found the cabinets on-sale for cheap and liked the beveled glass fronts. They have a piece of trim that is hidden by the cabinet flange and even serves as a shelf on the top piece.

[CavemanCharlie]

The thing I hate about my medicine cabinet and what you would have to watch out for (If you were still going to do this project but, I see that you are not) is that the back wall of my TT is inclined to the front of the TT and that is where my cabinet is mounted. They put the bottom of the medicine cabinet on a 2X1 to make up for the lean but, it is not enough and the cabinet leans forward. So, I can put stuff in it but, the slightest little bounce makes it fall over and when I open the door stuff falls out.

The good news is that I am learning to be a better catch this way.

[stevemorris]

I replaced the plastic **** cabinet in two trailers with a cabinet that I made.
but im a cabinet maker by trade!

[2012Coleman]

Have you tried locating the studs with a stud finder?

[Boomerweps]

For my new small TT, I just added an over the door organizer to the back wall behind the toilet. No bathroom sink or vanity. I used 3M command stick on hooks to hold it up. If I have any probs, I will just use drywall faster & screws. Fairly quick and easy.

[ScottG]

Bears Den wrote:
My medicine cabinet is wall mounted from the factory and uses the exterior wall for the back of it. It has a mirror and two shelves. Works just fine, no need to be recessed into the wall.

X2 - this is how all of mine have been. None were recessed.

[Campteacher]

Hello friends,

thanks for all the replies, it's all good advice. I too am very concerned about drilling holes into a brand new camper. My 2012 came with one already installed, which made me a bit surprised my new Jayco won't have one. I don't think I'll go much further into this project, as it's just a place to keep toothpaste, nail clippers and shaver, etc. I don't think it's worth risking damage to a new camper just to find a place to keep toothpaste.

thanks!

Kevin

[ADK_Camper]

afidel wrote:
How about using construction adhesive instead of screws for mounting? The idea of blindly drilling into RV walls is not in the realm of things I want to try given how badly things can turn out, the adhesive would be stronger than the MDF once cured.

I think construction adhesive is a bad idea. Camper walls are usually thin plywood with a wall covering (wallpaper). So you would be attaching a cabinet to the wall covering and relying on its adhesive to remain attached to the wall. A better choice would be Molly bolts designed for thin material.

[sgfrye]

Bears Den wrote:
My medicine cabinet is wall mounted from the factory and uses the exterior wall for the back of it. It has a mirror and two shelves. Works just fine, no need to be recessed into the wall.

x2 mine also

[afidel]

How about using construction adhesive instead of screws for mounting? The idea of blindly drilling into RV walls is not in the realm of things I want to try given how badly things can turn out, the adhesive would be stronger than the MDF once cured.

[myredracer]

Medicine cabinets are usually (always?) surface mounted. Below are a couple of photos of OP's Springdale, 2018 & 2016 models and show a med.cabinet above the vanity sink. Older models also appear to have a med. cabinet. No idea if these were original or added by the owner. Maybe the PO removed the cabinet and replaced it with a mirror?

Med. cabinets can also be added above the toilet (like ours). There's many sources of stock cabinets like Lowes, etc. If wanting something original looking and to match existing wood finish, may try a Keystone dealer and they could order one.

[downtheroad]

Recessed cabinet will be out of the question....as others have already suggested....RV walls are only about 2 inches thick.

[GrandpaKip]

I believe that if you tried to recess mount a standard medicine cabinet, it would be sticking out of the other side of the wall.
Lots of medicine cabinets at Lowe’s, HD, etc.
With the variety of wall anchors available, mounting shouldn’t be too difficult.