Converting closet to shelving

[Nancy F]

I am planning on converting the closet to a pantry and bathroom item storage. I have glued 1/4" strips of cedar to the back of the closet, was planning on screwing 1/4" plywood to these and fit 1/4" ply down the sides. Will this be strong enough to hold the adjustable bracket tracks on the back wall that hold the 12" brackets and shelf with pantry items? Other suggestions, didn't really want to drill into the fiberglass.

[John in Michigan]

Nancy, I don't know but you could try it. 3/8" should certainly be strong enough.

I did basically the same thing as you. I put shelves in both my previous Boler 13 closet and my current Trillium 4500 closet WITHOUT any holes in the fiberglass or ensolite. I used 1/2" plywood for the shelves and 1/2" plywood for left and right side. The shelves are held using four 1/4" round shelf supports screwed to each shelf pushed into 1/4" holes drilled in the left and right side.

The Boler 13 was a bit more complicated because of the wheel well in the bottom of the closet.

[John in Michigan]

I used Everbilt 1/4 in. Nickel Plated Angled Shelf Supports (pack of 8 for $1.77). The plywood used in the Trillium 4500 is actually 7/16".

[John in Santa Cruz]

1/4" thick 'baltic birch' ply is very sturdy and strong, water proof, and looks good with a simple varnish. its not cheap, and you have to find a speciality hardwood supplier to buy it. it also mills (router table, etc) really nicely, very clean edges, etc.

I'm suggesting 1/4" for the weight. plywood weight adds up, fast...

[John in Michigan]

Nancy, 1/4 inch wood is generally strong enough. I found that the challenge was finding shelving hardware that would hold together and hold the shelves up while bouncing down the road. That's why I chose the angled shelf supports mentioned in my earlier post. The shelves are pressure fit in between the side panels, with the angled shelf supports screwed into the shelves and pushed into 1/4" holes in the side panels. I don't have a back panel. The shelves can't possibly fall out, and we've towed 10,000 miles.

[Nancy F]

Originally Posted by John in Michigan

Nancy, I don't know but you could try it. 3/8" should certainly be strong enough.

I did basically the same thing as you. I put shelves in both my previous Boler 13 closet and my current Trillium 4500 closet WITHOUT any holes in the fiberglass or ensolite. I used 1/2" plywood for the shelves and 1/2" plywood for left and right side. The shelves are held using four 1/4" round shelf supports screwed to each shelf pushed into 1/4" holes drilled in the left and right side.

The Boler 13 was a bit more complicated because of the wheel well in the bottom of the closet.

How did you attach the plywood to the fiberglass sides? I did cut out some 1/4" but did not get a very good fit around the curvde.

[John in Michigan]

The plywood sides are not attached to the side walls. I did it the same way in both the Boler 13 and the Trillium 4500. The side walls are held in by the fact that the shelves are snug fit between the sides. I will snap a couple of pics...

[John in Michigan]

In both campers I used a similar approach. In the Boler 13, I used 2 vertical strips of wood on the left side and right side of the shelves. Each shelf is fastened to the vertical strips using the aforementioned metal fasteners. In the Trillium 4500, I got lazy and just used a thin sheet of plywood on the left and right side, with each shelf fastened to them.

[John in Michigan]

Nancy here are pics of my Trillium 4500 shelves

[Markz]

I used stainless screws to attach our shelf bracing. Strong and securet. I like the look.

[alan H]

While I don’t have pics
I used 3/4 pvc pipe ... easy to cut simply made some posts w/cross pieces and then cut plywood shelves to sit on top
Fit very tight didn’t even glue the pvc together
I must say I stole the idea from someone else on this site... I’m sure with some checking around you can find some pics
Good luck

[Markz]

Originally Posted by Markz

I used stainless screws to attach our shelf bracing. Strong and securet. I like the look. Attachment 121439

[emoji1]

[Nancy F]

Originally Posted by John in Michigan

Nancy here are pics of my Trillium 4500 shelves

Thanks John, they look good, I was thinking something similar, have started with my quarter inch ply. I had already cut sides and a piece for the back so decided to put it in, not a very good fit, but is ok. Took out the cedar strips and cleaned off the construction glue. Have cut half inch pieces of wood and tight fit them where I want the shelves, just playing with how much room I need for each. I will then put some small screws in to hold to ply even though they are tight. Will take pics when the camera battery is recharged.

[Nancy F]

Originally Posted by alan H

While I don’t have pics
I used 3/4 pvc pipe ... easy to cut simply made some posts w/cross pieces and then cut plywood shelves to sit on top
Fit very tight didn’t even glue the pvc together
I must say I stole the idea from someone else on this site... I’m sure with some checking around you can find some pics
Good luck

Thank you Alan, I thought of the pvc pipe to keep the weight down. I also wanted to use what I already had on hand.

[Kai in Seattle]

We used ply and those fabric bins...we can get four 10" bins (10 1/2"?) on each shelf.

All of the pics looks really good, great workmanship and great materials. Very finished and professional, all.

[diver3jp100]

I put 4" plastic plumbing tubing with end caps on both sides to add storage to my trailer. Might be a solution for storing stuff you currently have and definitely a nice and easy add on to my Casita.

[garycarolyn]

Originally Posted by alan H

While I don’t have pics
I used 3/4 pvc pipe ... easy to cut simply made some posts w/cross pieces and then cut plywood shelves to sit on top
Fit very tight didn’t even glue the pvc together
I must say I stole the idea from someone else on this site... I’m sure with some checking around you can find some pics
Good luck

I did the same with pvc pipe and had to make a pattern with cardboard as the Casita has a rounded right side. Then I cut masonite for shelf. We use shelf for easy to grab lightweight jackets or rain coats folded up.

[John Eddy]

I found a sliding bin shelve at IKEA that fits perfectly. Was a bit of a pain to assemble as it had to be done inside the closet which made installing the screws painfully slow, 2 screws @ 30 minutes each. I attached the shelves to the closet with 4, 3/8” machine screws with 2” fender washers on the Fiberglas for added support. Overall it worked out great and the wife is very happy with the extra storage. Sorry about the sideways pics 😜.

[Nancy F]

Originally Posted by John Eddy

I found a sliding bin shelve at IKEA that fits perfectly. Was a bit of a pain to assemble as it had to be done inside the closet which made installing the screws painfully slow, 2 screws @ 30 minutes each. I attached the shelves to the closet with 4, 3/8” machine screws with 2” fender washers on the Fiberglas for added support. Overall it worked out great and the wife is very happy with the extra storage. Sorry about the sideways pics 😜.

Thank you John, I really like this idea, it looks great. Unfortunately, no Ikea within 450 miles. Probably could use sliding draw shelves to achieve same results.

[PCWeir]

3/8" birch veneer, cut to match curve of outer wall, edged with birch tape, natural finish to match trailer.

Supported on straight sides with 1/2" birch screwed into wall, supported on curved side with 1/2 x 2" supports screwed through shelf from above (one visible).

Clothing cubbies built into upper shelf (middle sub-shelf not yet installed here).

Built-in pantry shelves in upper cabinet.

Convenient and sturdy so far.

Additionaly added over-dinette shelves (deluxe comes with either end or side cabinets). Left one open (with lip) and made custom MDF bins contoured to curve of roof, covered with matching curtain fabric.