Lightweight cabinet construction ideas?

[LenS]

I wish I had weighed the kitchen cabinet years ago, but I didn't. A WAG of 75lbs would be my best guess - matches your 75 lb goal.

In ours:

Top thin drawer had silverware, knives, marshmallow forks and pie iron in it plus hot pads, roll of aluminum foil.

The left large drawer had a two weeks supply of paper plates plus a set of plastic paper plate holders, plastic plates, 4 mugs, plastic and paper soup bowls.

Middle drawer held dry goods; Bisquick, rice, powder eggs, dehydrated peas, corn, etc.

Right drawer - I don't remember any more!!!

Bottom cubie the Coleman stove until we were set up then wife filled space with canned goods.

Left cubie contained cook kit, 3 plastic dish pans (two for dishes and one a wash pan for us), etc.

Fold down work surface is covered with Formica and edged on three sides with aluminum 'u' channel and mounted with a piano hinge for strength.

Fully loaded kitchen weighed the above WAG of 75 lbs., 1/3 cabinet and 2/3rds kitchen stuff. Very handy. Got to camp site and when taken out and put on picnic table everything needed was there and in the same drawer/location it was last trip. Also made it easy to check and resupply.

Glued 4 2"x2" squares of tempered Masonite on the bottom to keep cabinet off table for when table was wet or it rained (normally through a tarp over it when it rained or had it sheltered in screen house.

[zuren]

Just wanted to throw up a couple links to better show what I'm thinking about. There are so many cool campervan custimization options in Europe! Too bad it would cost as much as the unit itself to ship it:


Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD6znKP4p-s

Obviously, these are very elaborate, well engineered units. My goal is something far more simple and utilitarian. Thanks for the discussion and links so far. It has really been helpful!

[Silver350]

PL Premium is your friend.

[accrete]

Originally Posted by rayandjanice

Hello,
A little off topic, but I am wondering if you plan on putting either a fixed or penthouse top on your van? I also have a Chevy Express 1500 and Sportsmobile told me that the chassis was not suitable for a top...

A quick response to this Q... for my wife and i the fixed top was a must as we live in a high-rainfall area (+70" annual) and camp in similar conditions, plus the security (probably false) that a fixed top would protect a bit better than fabric between us and the black bear population roaming around. I can state, being an ExWesty guy that the solid roof at night yields a relaxing/safe feeling when the head hits the pillow. I took our 2010 1500 AWD Chevy to the scales right off the lot and it weighed in at ~5300lbs and ~5500lbs after Van Specialties installed a Fiberine 24" bubble top and fiama 45 awning. This weight reflected the ~5'W X 6'L roof section removed for the stand up area (we have front/rear areas overhead for duffel storage).

The van rides wonderfully and having permanent headroom is a nice choice for us.

OK, back to the topic.
Cheers,
Thom

[rayandjanice]

Hello again,
Thanks for your response about the top for your van. I was pleased to read that the net weight change to your van was only 200 lbs., this gives me hope for our van.

Also, the cost for a Sportsmobile top seems very high to me, especially to add to an older van like we have. If you don't mind me asking, was the Fiberine top more reasonable? And, does Fiberine also do installs? I am in So. Cal., so they are reasonably close by.

Thanks in advance

[zuren]

This is an old thread at this point but wanted to update it. This is what I have so far:

Started as this:



Currently:





Assembled and with the cooler, it is too heavy for one person to manage. But that platform/drawer removes and the rest is decently light. Made of 1/2" sand ply. The platform runners are 150# capacity. Still a work in progress. The cooler is a Yeti 50. I'm waiting for a Yeti tie down kit, latching drawer pulls and a quick release pin. I need to figure out storage areas on the left side now.

[JusCampin]

Looking good! I'm planning something similar for the rear of my van. What's the second cabinet going to be used for? Is there a drain hose connected to the sink?

[BIGVANS]

Looks great! I have the same 50qt Yeti cooler but with the camo cushion so I would need a couple more inches of clearance on the top. Are you using any tie down system for the cooler?

[daveb]

Not to throw off the thread but I just bought the smaller Yeti....EXpensive. Did I make a mistake?

[zuren]

Originally Posted by JusCampin

Looking good! I'm planning something similar for the rear of my van. What's the second cabinet going to be used for? Is there a drain hose connected to the sink?

The 2nd, skinny cabinet next to the sofa hides all of the electrical bits (fuse panel, inverter, house battery, etc.). There is a hose on the sink but I don't have a "holding tank" for it yet. Whatever I use, it will be small and fit inside the cabinet.

Originally Posted by BIGVANS

Looks great! I have the same 50qt Yeti cooler but with the camo cushion so I would need a couple more inches of clearance on the top. Are you using any tie down system for the cooler?

I bought the Yeti Tie Down Kit. Pricey but very high quality!

Originally Posted by daveb

Not to throw off the thread but I just bought the smaller Yeti....EXpensive. Did I make a mistake?

Don't know. How much cold stuff do you like to take with you? I go hunting and fishing so I bought the biggest Yeti that would fit in the space to transport meat. I will say that this Yeti 50 is pretty heavy when empty. I don't think I would want anything much bigger.