RV Remodeling

When we bought our Arctic Fox 30U back in 2003 we knew we would be using it for our travels after retirement, so we planned for flexibility.  One decision intended to increase flexibility was selecting the free-standing table and chairs in the dinette area, rather than the fixed benches and table. Though we used the table and chairs for camping trips for several years, they really weren't comfortable or particularly convenient.

Our first move after retirement was to remove the dining table and chairs and move the sleeper sofa forward into that space. The new arrangement allows for more room to walk around the sofa when it's pulled out to make a bed. We often have someone staying with us, so the additional foot room around both sides is nice.

Molly in her favorite corner

In the space previously occupied by the sofa, we installed a bookcase. The cabinet was assembled of 3 sections of off-the-shelf, upper kitchen cabinets from the local home builders store. The two end sections hold books, maps, craft supplies and whatever else we can fit in. The center is situated over an outside hatch, so the boxed-in bottom section opens to the outside, and the top is fitted with a shelf that has a slight lip to keep things from shifting and hitting the cabinet doors. The shelf is lined with light weight carpet to minimize wear on the contents. We use that space to store small kitchen appliances like the toaster and coffeemaker. The cabinet is attached  to the floor with long screws.               

Steve put molding around the top and extended it 1/2" above the top of the cabinet. This creates enough of a gallery railing effect to keep small items like a tissue box or pencils from flying off when we move. The doors are closed with strong magnet catches, and we've added pulls that match the other cabinetry.

Early on we got rid of the two stuffed chairs that came with the rig. They were horribly uncomfortable! We replaced them with two leather office chairs which we find very comfortable as they are adjustable and easily swivel to allow viewing out the window or watching TV without having to move the chair. One chair is arranged in front of the book case and the other at the back end of the trailer, where the chairs are originally shown in the floor plan.

As a temporary arrangement last summer the space by the door was filled with a folding table to hold the printer and other electronics.  It also made for good storage under the table for larger items like a laundry basket, camera case, etc.

After six months on the road we decided we were really happy with the changes made so far, but thought we'd like a real cabinet next to the door rather than the table we'd been using. So, again using kitchen cabinets from the hardware store, we assembled a unit that we think will meet our needs. 

The top extends beyond the base on one end to create a little cubbyhole for the oil heater we carry and a small box fan. The center section has a cabinet and drawer, and the right side has three drawers.

The two cabinet sections are base kitchen cabinets, with the toe-kick removed. The assembly was a bit too tall for our taste with that toe space at the bottom, as it blocked off too much of the window at the back, so dropping the height down by about 4 inches worked well.

The nest of wires for the printer, computer, phone antenna etc.
that always made such a disorganized tangle will now be neatly contained in the wiring grommets on the top and bottom/side of the cabinet. The cabinet section on the lower left has a power strip attached inside that many of the electronics will be connected to, and it plugs in to the outlet in the side wall, through one of the grommets, where the heater and fan are stored.

Just as with the bookcase, the molding was installed so as to create a bit of a lip around the edge. The top is covered with vinyl flooring squares that match the kitchen counter pretty well. Formica has gotten terribly expensive and we couldn't find a source for a small piece. It didn't make sense to by a large sheet for a small surface. The vinyl tiles were a buck a piece, and quite durable.  The drawers and door are secured with heavy duty magnet catches, pulls to match the rest of the cabinets have been attached, and now the whole assembly looks like it came with the rig! We're looking forward to trying it out when we hit the road in a few weeks.

Next project: new solar panels on the roof - stay tuned!