Aluminum Camper Forum

Wow, what a great idea and project. I had no idea that wall was so thick. Clutter is a constant hassle in a camper and this is a wonderful solution. Good work.

I have a 2014 CL 14DBS.  My wife and I really enjoy it, but at times it can be lacking for storage space.  At such times, stuff ends up on the dining table and interferes with meals.  We keep a small garbage can underneath the table, and this reduces the amount of leg space.

Whenever I opened the slideout, I noticed a big blank wall that had nothing on it but an AC outlet and an access door for the slideout controller.  I guessed that I would be able to make use of the space inside this all to make a bookshelf, with space for a small trash can and hamper.  I didn't know it at the time, but this would also allow me to add a flexible LED light and USB charger port.

I mentioned this project in a previous post asking about how to maintain slideouts.  I figured that I would be operating the slideout multiple times in order to finish the project, and did not want to wear anything out.  I posted the "before" picture in that post, but will include it here as well.

I made the bookshelf out of sheet PVC.  I was able to get scrap from a friend who does a lot of trim work on houses.  CAVEAT:  PVC contains chlorine, which creates dioxin (a poisonous gas) if it burns.  I did some research and decided that my bookshelf project was safe enough for me, given my situation.  Being in an all-aluminum camper certainly helped.  Nonetheless, I encourage others to do their own research if they consider sheet PVC for such a project. 

The plumbing for the shower ran through the wall.  Wiring for the slideout controller and bathroom lighting ran through the wall as well.  I had to make space for these (as well as the aluminum structural tubing inside the wall) by making the center section not as deep as the side sections.  To do this, I cut a lot of PVC panels and glued them together with crazy glue.

The shelf allows me to store a number of things that would otherwise be clutter.  I even have room to store my DVD collection, binoculars, remotes, trash, and dirty laundry (which would otherwise be in a laundry bag on the floor).  I was able to move the slideout controller to a more visible location (it had fallen down inside the paneling).  I was also able to tap off the power to the bathroom light switch (behind the wall) so that I could add a flexible LED light and USB charger.  The flexible light is great because I can position it so that the LED portion does not interfere with the slideout as it slides back in.

The trash bin and hamper are held in place with rotatable "paws" so that they can't rattle out of place while the slideout is slid in and the trailer is moving.  Although the bins stand out from the bookshelf a bit, then do not interfere with the slideout as it slides back in.  I plan to put the books et al into the hamper for storage while moving.

In order to make space for the trash bin and hamper, I had to remove one piece of the brown molding that framed the slideout.  I think I like the black aluminum frame better. 

I have been thinking about this lately I never done anything to my 2018 model. They changed the way they were made. It's built on a platform. everything move (table, etc) And outside you don't see anything under it. I see tracks on the sides that's all. There is a panel inside I can remove and I assume the motor is there. I will remove it and check

I found the switch on Amazon for about $10.  Broken switch was easy to remove.  However, I had to remove a couple items in that tight compartment to install the replacement.  And scraped my hands up in the process as well.  Glad it is done!!  On to next item on list.


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Quote from: Jackson on August 08, 2024, 10:27:58 AMPerfect! That exactly answers my question. I will not hesitate to remove that paneling in search of my 12V DC navigation lighting short.

Gordon

My navigation lights bad connection was in the wire chase along the top of the shower. It was a corroded clamp connection, probably from exposure to shower moisture.

Perfect! That exactly answers my question. I will not hesitate to remove that paneling in search of my 12V DC navigation lighting short.

Gordon

My switch is shot also.  Where did you buy your replacement from?


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The paneling is held in place with screws and double-sided tape.  The tape was used to hold the trim to the paneling, and wherever paneling made contact with the aluminum.  I got the impression that the tape was used to hold the paneling and trim in place while they applied the screws through the trim.  I removed the screws and trim, and then used a putty knife to gently pry the paneling away from the aluminum.

In my CL 14DBS, the slide-out wall is adjacent to the bathroom.  When I removed the paneling, I was able to see the plumbing for the shower, the slide-out controller (which had since fallen from its intended place and was now lost behind the paneling), as well as the wiring for the slide-out controller, the bathroom light, the AC outlet (on the bottom of the wall), the license plate light, the cable TV cable, and the main AC cable (service for the entire trailer).

I've attached a picture.

I'm now finished with the bookshelf and am currently working on a trash bin and hamper that will fit in the area.  Once I finish them I will post pictures of that as well.

Quote from: RV Squirrel on July 11, 2024, 03:37:46 PMI have a 2014 14DBS.  The slide out work fine, but I haven't done anything to maintain it.  Should I be spraying the tracks with a lubricant?  Should I be spraying the seals with a conditioner?  Any other words of wisdom? 

I've removed the paneling between the slide out and the bathroom, and am making a bookcase to store DVDs and the like.  I've been activating the slide out mechanism a lot while working on the bookcase.

Oh, and is "slide out" one word or two? I've heard the term "popout" used, and I wasn't sure which word to search on.

Curious about the paneling removal. I wish to examine wiring behind that panel and would care to know more. Seems the paneling is glued to aluminum framing. How did you manage?

Gordon Jackson

I hope they go to a good home!