msiminoff
Silicon Valley, CA
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Joined: 12/31/2006
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Fitting all of the clothing for our family of 4 into the TC's tiny closet has always been a challenge. We tried using hanging bins from IKEA for quite some time, but DW & I got fed up with the poor use of space and starting looking for a solution that would work better for us... We finally settled on converting the wardrobe into a bunch of cubbies.
This image from their 2004 TC brochure shows Alpenlite's idea of abundant storage; Two small hanger-rods allow for clothing to be hung on hangars in one orientation only. The doors swing just inches above the bed which made it challenging to access the closet if anything (or any body) was on the bed.
This is what it looked like with the doors closed... It was always challenging to access.
For some time we just used the wardrobe with the doors removed.
The first step in the update process was demolition. To improve access to the cubbies I increased the size of the opening.
The perimeter was reinforced with 1x2's then routed to he final size.
I was also able to create two smaller cubbies (above the stereo) that we plan to use for storing toiletries. This required the relocation of the CO detector.
This is the final assembly. The vertical panels and shelves are Birch ply (1/2 & 1/4" respectively), facing is solid Maple.
The (6) shelves in the two vertical bays on the right hand side can be easily removed and each bay has a closet valet hanger and can store the same quantity of hanging garments as the original wardrobe. (note: we seldom bring clothes on hangers with us)
Cheers
-Mark
* This post was
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'04 Alpenlite Saratoga 935, 326W of solar, 300Ah Odyssey batt's, Trimetric, Prosine 2.0
05 Ram3500, Cummins, Goerend Trans, Vision 19.5 w/XDE's, Dynatrac Hubs, RR airbags w/ping tanks, Superhitch, Roadmaster Swaybar, Thuren trackbar, RS9000XL/MyRide
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jdkd123
Northeast
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Joined: 09/15/2004
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Looks like a real nice and practical mod. Thanks for sharing that.
JDKD123
2005 Coachmen CONCORD
GO SOX!
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NorthernLimits
Michigan
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Looks factory
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hunterj
Miami, Fl.
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Mark,
Your ingenuity and craftsmanship never fails to amaze me! Great job.
Jim
04 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4
05 Arctic Fox 1150
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Brilliant!
Dianne (and Terry) (Fulltimed for 9 years)
Donnelly, ID
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sabconsulting
High Wycombe, UK
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Excellent job - very well done Mark.
Steve.
'07 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab diesel + '91 Shadow Cruiser - Sky Cruiser 1
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Impkitti
Keyport, Wa
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Great solution and it looks like original equipment!
Ellen
1 Retired Husband
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spacedoutbob
SF Bay Area
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Mark, Fantastic job. This gives me some ideas for my Lance. Thank you very much for posting.
Bob in Oakland, Calif.
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Super_Dave
Sacramento, CA
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Doesn't look like you lipped the shelves, hope the clothes stay put.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
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msiminoff
Silicon Valley, CA
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Super_Dave wrote:Doesn't look like you lipped the shelves, hope the clothes stay put.
Of course there's a lip!! 
The maple facing is 3/4" tall... with a slot dado'd in the back to to fit the 1/4" shelf ply.
On the uprights the facing serves to retain the (removable) shelves.
Some of the shelves will get bins (I'm still looking for perfect fitting ones) for socks & under- britches, others will just have folded and/or rolled clothing.
(note that these photos were taken before the shelves were stained & polyurethane'd)
The angle at the bottom of the shelves creates space for long items such as fishing poles, kites or a rifle.
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