Outdoor Kitchen to Storage Conversion

[Godspeed999]

2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 292BHDS --

We had a much greater need for storage than we did a second kitchen ~15' from the indoor one. Any outdoor cooking we do is on the BBQ or over the fire so I tore it out, build a crate for it so it can be easily reinstalled at a later date if need be and I built these shelves.

[twxsby89]

I have the exact same outdoor kitchen. We use ours for every meal. The main kitchen is only for overflow cooking. It works great for us. I am an early riser, and I have 3 daughters, and the DW (who are NOT early risers). I can get up, make coffee, start breakfast, without shaking the trailer, or disturbing the girls for several hours. Also, Bacon splatter is better kept outside, I think. It is also too dam hot (most of the time) where we camp, to add any additional heat inside the coach. My outdoor fridge has a small ding where the shock holds up the door, a little magnet solved that (hides the existing ding, and keeps it from getting bigger).
I think you did a great job, looks professional. What are you planning to store in all that extra space?

[ChooChooMan74]

Lantley wrote:
I am a firm believer the RV does not need 2: stoves, sinks, fridges etc. The space can be put to better use.
Once upon a time lots of models came with that same area already set up for storage.

I rather get rid of the indoor stove. Mine is hardly used. I don't even keep my knobs on it because my fat a$$ keeps turning the stove on.

[Godspeed999]

Wow thanks for all the comments guys.

Yes I kept the fridge because we have 3 young kids and they drink a ton of milk and our family of 5 packs a lot of food for a week +/- of camping. Having 2 fridges is great.

I moved it to the middle though because in the original location the door didn't open all the way without hitting the cabinet door strut and it would have caused a dented fridge door in after just a few trips I'm sure. Now we get full swing opening and no chance of damage.

As for stuff falling off the shelves, just about everything is in bins fitted to the shelf dimensions so there's really no movement or loose items.

[RavensFan24]

We had the choice between outdoor kitchen and outdoor entertainment. I didn't see the need for a 2nd kitchen area, especially since it came with a bumper grill already. The TV and fridge outside gets way more use than a stove and sink would. Great use of space. Most travel trailers could use the extra storage and you didn't give up the best part, the fridge!

[DutchmenSport]

Well, that's an interesting modification. The finished results looks nice, you did a good job.

Our Outback has a smaller drop down sink with hot and cold water (no drain), and gas stove (2 burner). We use the water all the time. We carry an electric cooler for a second refrigerator. It's 12 volt, so it can plug into the truck cigarette lighter. We ue ours every time we go camping. Can plug it into the plug by the television for 12 volt, or plug in the AC to DC adapter. Fortunately, my outside sink-stove combination does not occupy a lot of space, and it's built in, in the dead space between the back of the inside oven and the outside wall, so the space is utilized well.

Each of us use our campers in a slightly different fashion. I've always said, there are no rights or wrongs when it comes to camping or how we use them.

As long as the OP is happy with the modification (which, by the way, looks very nice), that's really all that matters.

For the OP: A simple way to prevent anything from falling off after bouncing down the road, is to put some simple shower spring loaded bars across each shelf to catch anything, so when you open the door, you won't get your noggin bonked! They come in different lengths and work well. I've some inside my camper for suspending clip on fans. They've never fall when on the road.

[Lantley]

Smart Move. I am not a fan of outdoor kitchens. I am a firm believer the RV does not need 2: stoves, sinks, fridges etc. The space can be put to better use.
Once upon a time lots of models came with that same area already set up for storage.
Than someone got creative an introduced the outdoor kitchen.
I'm glad to see someone got even more creative and removed the outdoor kitchen replacing it with a simple storage area.
I feel the same way about having 2 bathrooms.
I am contemplating removing toilet from my 1/2 bath to create more storage space

[korbe]

Sure, keep the frig part of the old layout........:). Any thoughts about securing the contents so they don't fall out of the shelves after travel?

[mhardin]

I like it! Wish I had one to tear out and do the same thing.

[AmericalVette]

Wow! Thanks for sharing such a great post!!

[tragusa3]

Thanks for posting. This was an upcoming winter project for me. It will store our BBQ and generator!

I'll refer back here when the time comes. Thanks.

[Bumpyroad]

looks good, I question the need for one especially in a smaller RV. if a 40 footer, OK, but "normal" sized RV, not terribly practical IMHO.
bumpy

[ChooChooMan74]

Looks nice. Remember, storage behind the rear axle makes a sway even more likely. Watch your weight.