Building campervan cabinets is a simple task that can be done in 10 easy steps. First, determine your desired layout for your van conversion. This will make the rest of the process easier as it is such a small space. After deciding on a layout, follow the step-by-step instructions to build fully functioning cabinets in your RV.
Building RV cabinets is an easy task for professionals, but beginners can also create their own cabinets by choosing unique materials, experimenting with different designs, and adding personalized touches. The process includes primer and paint, fine grit sand paper, sanding, and peeling and sticking tiles.
There are two options for building RV cabinets: purchasing cabinets for campers or building them yourself. To build RV cabinets, make proper measurements and planning, measure outside dimensions, make the frame for the cabinet with 5/8-inch plywood, attach the cabinet to the RV wall, and sand.
The inspiration for modern and sleek cabinets was clean lines, slick grey faces, and modern door pulls. Good quality plywood is ideal for fitting out a campervan due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. The simplest type of cabinet construction is just a basic box made of plywood, with some modifications to make the cabinets more useful.
To build base frames, use 1×3″ pine wood lumber and use a Kreg jig to make pocket hole joints to connect all framing together. For building modules in your camper van with extruded aluminum, follow the specific step-by-step guides provided.
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What is the best wood for homemade campers?
This article provides a comprehensive guide on van conversion furniture, covering topics such as tools, joinery, cabinetry, colorants, finishes, and tips. The author, Shane, is a van conversion professional who specializes in helping people transform ordinary vans into homes on wheels. He has authored Roaming Home and taught The Van Conversion Course, and also writes The Van Conversion Newsletter. Shane, who has completed two van builds and lives on the road full-time since 2020, is excited to share his expertise with readers. By taking 15 minutes to read this article, you can save time and money on your van conversion project.
What wood for camper cabinets?
Sanded pine is a suitable material for vanlife cabinets, as they are easy to build and can withstand the constant vibrations of the road. Building custom cabinets in a van can be challenging, especially for beginners, as it involves finding the angle, getting the cabinets square inside the van, and a proper paint job. To ensure a smooth conversion, it is essential to map out your van layout and weigh out the needs for storage, such as a chest-style or upright refrigerator, pots and pans, Instant Pot or Air Fryer, and whether the cook-top can be stowed away when not in use. This will help ensure the cabinets function and look the best for your van conversion.
What thickness ply for campervan cabinets?
Plywood is a strong, durable material suitable for Campervan cabinets. It is ideal for use in marine applications, with marine grades used in areas where water may be present, while external grades are suitable for weather exposure. Internal grades are used for cabinet work and wall linings. There are two main categories of plywood: structural and non-structural, with 12mm ply being the ideal material for most Campervan requirements.
How to make an outdoor cabinet waterproof?
Protect your cabinets by using sealant or varnish to withstand storms and UV rays, keeping them fresh and looking fresh. Waterproof cabinets can prevent issues from the start, as professionally designed outdoor cabinetry can resist rust, corrosion, stains, and damage all year round. Choose from a wide range of cabinet models to suit your desired look. Invest in weatherproof flooring and lighting upfront to avoid costly replacements. Wood is an excellent alternative to tile, as it reacts differently to moisture, making it a safer choice.
Do you have to sand camper cabinets before painting?
Sand all RV cabinets and doors using 220 grit sandpaper to ensure proper primer and paint adhesion and prevent future chips. If laminated cabinets are used, avoid removing the veneer. Older RVs may have solid wood cabinets and doors. Fill small gaps on the front of RV door panels with caulk, wiping off excess. Use DAP extreme stretch caulk when painting RV cabinet doors to prevent cracking due to frequent temperature changes.
What finish is best for RV cabinets?
To achieve the best finish when painting RV walls, use high-quality paint with an eggshell or satin finish. Use a brush to clean cabinet doors and a foam roller to smooth the finish. For a flawless finish, use a paint spray like the Graco Magnum. To hide brush strokes and roller marks, use Flood Floetrol. Recommended RV cabinet paints include Behr Cabinet and Trim Enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance, Sherwin Williams Emerald, and Behr Ultra Scuff Defense. Seal cabinets with a matte water-based polyurethane to prevent chipping and ensure a long-lasting finish. This step is optional but can help prevent chipping and ensure a smooth, durable finish.
What is the best material to use for outdoor cabinets?
Stainless steel is an excellent choice for outdoor cabinets due to its resistance to UV rays, rust, and discoloration, making it easy to clean and long-lasting. However, it can heat up in the sun and may be expensive. Wooden cabinets, on the other hand, offer timeless aesthetic appeal but are less durable due to the need to seal them to prevent damage from water, snow, and ice, as well as sun exposure causing fade over time.
How thick should the plywood be for a van bed?
The construction of platforms is based on 3/4-inch, 7-ply plywood, which is a costly material at $50 per sheet. However, it can be utilized as a bed platform without the necessity for supplementary reinforcement materials.
Is MDF or plywood better for van conversion?
This blog post examines the benefits of utilising lightweight poplar plywood and high-grade insulation in campervan conversions.
What material is used for RV cabinets?
G-Lite plywood is a lightweight, sustainably engineered line of plywood products designed for RV interior applications, including cabinet faces, cabinet components, furniture, and structural elements. Made in collaboration with Garnica, it is available exclusively from Genesis Products. G-Lite panels offer high style and less weight, while also meeting specific requirements through four product lines.
What is the best material for campervan cabinets?
Plywood is the optimal material for the construction of camper van furniture due to its inherent rigidity and strength, which permit the use of minimal framing and the maximization of usable space. As a result, plywood is the ideal material for the construction of camper van furniture.
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NOTE to builders: You should always fasten structural elements in your van with Rivnuts and use angle brackets with through bolting, and not screws. Rivnuts far exceed the holding power of sheet metal screws, and are not subject to rust where the screw meets metal, where usually only 1/16″ of metal around the screw hole is doing the holding and has to do so for 1,000s of miles of rough road without weakening. Also, angle brackets with through bolting requires the plywood be torn apart rather than simply stripping out a wood screw. Most DIYers have no idea of the forces imparted during even a low speed collision. That is why RV manufacturers and trade van outfitters always use rivnuts. Build as if your life depends on it, as it may very well one day. In this build he can get away with this a bit because of the shower wall that runs floor to ceiling and will help strengthen the structure. But without that dividing wall of the shower, these would be significantly under attached to be safe. I’m also not a fan of MDF being used in van builds. It is not as strong as plywood and is subject to moisture degradation, which is why code does not allow it to be used in mobile home sub-floors any longer. To me, it’s just not worth the small savings.
Hi! First, thank you! This looks to be far less complicated than some other upper cabinet builds that I have seen and your instructions are very clear. Quick question, though – Why use MDF as opposed to something like baltic birch? I’m just nervous about MDF around any kind of moisture (which will invariably exist in a van).
Good info re the Rivnuts. I would like to add in place of the humble self tapper on thin sheet metal, regardless of what you are trying to fix, descent size diameter, large head pop rivets have their place on brackets and fixtures you don’t wish to remove all that often. They can be drilled out if need be and fitted correctly, with the load in mind, have good long term holding power with the added benefit of matching similar metals where is a concern. Think of those lovely stainless steel self tappers going into your mild steel roof or other body locations of your vehicle and the electrical current running through same, Galvanic corrosion. The windscreen stone guard on our Toyota Coaster got the pop rivet/anti corrosive sealant treatment, after years of miles flogged the self tapping screw holes out. Not the be all, but an often overlooked fastener alternative, when the correct style/size is purchased and not from Bunnings!