If you’ve ever faced the frustration of your RV cabinets and drawers constantly opening while you’re on the road, you’re not alone. It’s a common issue for RV owners, especially when driving over bumps and rough terrain. This article (and accompanying video) provides a detailed guide on how to resolve this issue with a simple, cost-effective DIY solution that will keep your drawers and cabinets securely shut during travel.
The Problem: RV Doors and Drawers That Won’t Stay Shut
RV owners often struggle with cabinets and drawers that won’t stay closed during travel, no matter how many times they adjust or reinforce them. The combination of bumpy roads and frequent movement often causes doors to pop open, making a mess and potentially damaging items inside.
Common Solutions and Their Limitations
– Extra door catches: These are added to reinforce the closures, but they still don’t always do the job.
– Frequent adjustments: Even after tightening and adjusting, the issue persists, causing frustration and constant cleaning.
The DIY Solution: A Simple Dowel and Hook Mechanism
A fantastic solution for keeping your RV cabinets and drawers shut comes in the form of a DIY dowel and hook mechanism. This method is easy to implement, requires only a few affordable materials, and can save you from the ongoing hassle of messy and disorganized cabinets.
Materials You’ll Need
– Dowel rods: To create the locking mechanism.
– Dowel end cap: To stop the dowels from sliding down.
– Hooks: To secure the dowels in place.
– Drill and dowel jig: For precise installation.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preparation: Measure where the dowels and hooks will go, ensuring the holes line up with the doors and the frame of the cabinets.
2. Drilling the Holes: Using a dowel jig (optional), drill holes in both the cabinet frame and the drawer.
3. Inserting the Dowels: After drilling the holes, insert the dowels into place. A quarter-inch dowel is typically used for a tight fit.
4. Testing the Closure: Once the dowels are in place, check to see if the doors now stay securely shut, even when the RV is moving.
The Installation Process: Tips and Tricks
Although the process is simple, there are a few key tips and tricks to ensure you get it right the first time and avoid the mistakes that can arise during installation.
Using the Dowel Jig
While not essential, a dowel jig can help you drill the holes straight and precise. If you’re handy with a drill, you could potentially skip this step, but the jig is worth the investment if you want to avoid crooked holes.
Avoiding Mistakes During Installation
– Measure carefully: It’s easy to make mistakes with placement, so take your time to measure the right distances for your dowels and hooks.
– Correct drill bit size: Be sure to select the correct drill bit size for your dowels. A quarter-inch bit is typically used, but be prepared to adjust if the dowels don’t fit snugly.
– Positioning of hooks: When installing the hooks, ensure they are positioned well to avoid any awkward placement. You might need to reposition slightly if the initial placement doesn’t work.
The Outcome: RV Cabinets That Stay Shut
After completing the dowel and hook installation, the results are immediate. The drawers and cabinets will stay closed no matter how rough the ride gets. This solution eliminates the need for constantly adjusting door catches and replacing damaged drawer slides.
Final Adjustments
If the dowels don’t fit perfectly at first, don’t worry. You can easily make adjustments by trimming the dowels or repositioning the hooks. The goal is to have the doors and drawers stay secure with minimal effort, and this DIY solution makes it possible.
Additional Considerations
Cost-Effective and Easy to Implement
The entire setup is very affordable. While a dowel jig might cost around $35 at a local hardware store, you can find a simpler one for as little as $7–$10. Other materials, like dowels and hooks, are cheap and easy to find in various sizes.
Long-Term Durability
Once installed correctly, the dowel and hook system will keep your drawers and cabinets securely shut for the long term, reducing the chances of damage to both the drawers and the contents inside.
Conclusion: A Simple Fix to a Common Problem
Traveling with an RV should be about enjoying the journey, not constantly fixing drawers and cabinets. With this DIY dowel and hook mechanism, you can say goodbye to the frustration of doors that won’t stay shut. It’s an easy, affordable solution that will give you peace of mind, knowing that your belongings are safe and secure while you’re on the road.
Now that you have the step-by-step instructions, you can confidently tackle this simple upgrade to make your RV experience that much better.