There are only two vertical opening cabinet doors in our 21BHS and they're very annoying to use because it requires two hands. Well not anymore:
[attachment id="347" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="348" thumbnail="1"]
I installed a couple standard door catches on the ceiling with command strips and it's working perfectly. I only used the command strips because I wasn't sure if the location would work well, but so far they seem to be holding just fine. If they fell off I'd just screw them in the exact same positions.
Was there a reason not to use the door lifts? I can't remember exactly how the doors were done in the 21RBS we looked at..
[quote source="/post/3384/thread" timestamp="1410178425" author="@furpod"]Was there a reason not to use the door lifts? I can't remember exactly how the doors were done in the 21RBS we looked at..[/quote]
[quote source="/post/3385/thread" timestamp="1410182962" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]X2. My first thoughts too. ? ? ?
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We have no such thing. What do yours look like? Maybe they forgot to install them on mine?
I second the motion that TT should install piston door lifters and post idiot proof instructions so I can spend the winter deluding myself and Mrs. Pin that I'm brave and competent enough to try doing it myself without putting a screw through the roof.
All in favor ?
I thought about using gas props, but I couldn't figure out a way to mount the bracket to the door face. The Azdel isn't thick enough to use screws and I didn't trust that any adhesive (or the Azdel itself) would stand up to the constant amount of force that the piston applies. Any ideas for mounting a bracket to the Azdel?
[quote source="/post/3395/thread" timestamp="1410192843" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]I haven't looked closely at the mounting problem, but look at mounting either to the vertical opening sides or the cabinet floor. Mounting to the door itself may be possible on the inside edging. The 10" props from CW may be a bit long, but look at 6.5" units from rvdesigner and similar places. According to my wife this fix is on my to-do list, but not at the top.
[/font][/quote]I'll be interested to see what you come up with. Mounting in the cabinet should be fairly easy. That part could probably just use adhesive since it's pushing into the bottom of the cabinet. But mounting on the door is tricky. Most (if not all) of the edge is already resting on the cabinet.
[quote source="/post/3398/thread" timestamp="1410194821" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]OK, I'll look at it, maybe on my upcoming trip 8-). When I added the 12V outlets to the dinette I glued on a 1/8" hardboard backing square behind the Azdel to spread the force. Maybe this would work on the door, maybe something like 1/16" aluminum or Plexiglass?
[/font][/quote]I think the weakest link would be the bracket surface area. Maybe if you used one like this:
http://www.amazon.com/10mm-Bracket-Strut-Spring-GPB-3/dp/B00I4HUIY4/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1410195368&sr=8-12&keywords=ball+stud+bracket
Or screwed a regular bracket to a section of aluminum tube and then stuck the tube to the door. I'd just be worried that the tiny contact patch of a standard bracket wouldn't hold.
I have 21BHS, I looked for ways of proping open the cabinet doors with little success. I decided to remove the doors and see if I could flip them over. The screws that hold the frame are only on 3 sides. No screws at the hinge side. I took out the mounting screws and flipped the entire door and frame over. Both doors now open downward and with the tightness of the hinges they just hang open. The door weight it nothing compared to the tighness of the piano hinges, so the door just hangs there. I also flipped the closet door to open towards the bed away from the wall. This gives some more room to load and to not run one's arm the door closer mechanism. I might drill out the hinge rivits and reattatch as the hinge seems to be binding when opening (always been that way from date of purchase). I also purchased shorter bolts for all the door locks and adjusted them useing a single nut to lock the bolt down. This keeps from running into the end of the bolt that was sticking out when reaching into cabinet.
Hi thiel, I would be curious to see some pictures :)
Paul, here's a few pictures of the cabinet door frames flipped over to open downward on the two over the bed and the closet door now opens to the right. As you can see the hinges are so tight that doors just hang with no problem. I haven't seen any adverse effect on the hinge or the frame work with the doors installed this way. The doors don't weigh anything so I do not see it as a problem. On the closet door I noticed the hinge frame work flexing, but I think that's from the piano hinge being a bit tweeked. I still want to drill out the rivits and reinstall the hinge to see if it takes the pressure off the frame and opens easier.
Pete
Cool :) Thank you for the pictures!
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[/font][font size="3"]Here's a fix for forward cabinet doors that don't stay open. My wife and I wanted one handed operation with no latches or catches to fuss with. I toyed with using gas struts, but any way I devised to mount them would be cumbersome and would partially obstruct the opening.
So I started with TT's approach and took it a step further. I attached 1 x 1/2 x 1/8" Neodymium magnets to the door lips with #6 SS FH screws and fashioned small wooden blocks to attach to the ceiling. The blocks are cut at a 14 degree angle, drilled and counter bored for #8 pan head screws, and have ΒΌ" washers glued on with Gorilla Glue. The blocks are just screwed into the ceiling, but a trimmed piece of 3M Command Strip could be substituted or added if desired. For now the screws are holding.
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[/font][font size="3"]The doors are easy to open and close with one hand, removing one more hassle from the CL. The magnets are from:
[a href="http://www.amazon.com/CMS-Magnetics%C2%AE-Neodymium-Magnet-Countersunk/dp/B00BAWV5RE/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1416174775&sr=8-24&keywords=neodymium+magnets"]http://www.amazon.com/CMS-Magnetics%C2%AE-Neodymium-Magnet-Countersunk/dp/B00BAWV5RE/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1416174775&sr=8-24&keywords=neodymium+magnets[/a][/font]
Needing three hands to open the storage doors above the bed was a "no go". I read, with interest, the remedies that y'all offered to remedy this irritation. Does Livin Lite ever read these forums? Pete's solution was the easiest to do. Took very little time. Surely, Livin Lite should know about this and simply rotate these doors for easier access. Thanks, Pete !!! My wife is MUCH happier now ! And I have a new appreciation for the installers who have to screw all those doors ! That could get old real quick!!
Happy Trails
[quote source="/post/4813/thread" timestamp="1415235238" author="@thiel"]Paul, here's a few pictures of the cabinet door frames flipped over to open downward on the two over the bed and the closet door now opens to the right. As you can see the hinges are so tight that doors just hang with no problem. I haven't seen any adverse effect on the hinge or the frame work with the doors installed this way. The doors don't weigh anything so I do not see it as a problem. On the closet door I noticed the hinge frame work flexing, but I think that's from the piano hinge being a bit tweeked. I still want to drill out the rivits and reinstall the hinge to see if it takes the pressure off the frame and opens easier.
Pete[/quote]The problem I would have if our closet door was switched, is that I would lose my "hand grip" for hoisting myself out of bed. The edge of the open closet, since I sleep on that side, is what I grab hold of. The challenge began when we added a memory foam topper to our mattress.....as luscious as it is to sleep on, getting off it is like climbing out of quicksand.
tinkering's post got me thinking. i hate having to hold the doors up while loading/unloading..so i added catches as well. after finding that all of the magnetic catches designed for doors/cabinets that i liked came with silly prices, i ended up buying a couple pairs of these...
[img style="" style="max-width:25%;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61TuhZYbQXL._SL1002_.jpg"]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TK01CSU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
they are made to hold cell phones. i liked the ball idea since the doors would probably meet the ceiling at an angle. the magnets are really strong and they come with quality 3m adhesive to mount them...just peel and stick...couldnt be simpler (and the$13 price was pretty sweet as well)
here are the magnets stuck to the doors
(http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110848_zpsuvzltt8w.jpg)
(http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110913_zpsquwfhlun.jpg"%20style="max-width:100%;)
(http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110957_zpsvbdm226k.jpg)
[img style=" " style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110931_zps51kwmysx.jpg"]
Great to see creative minds at work. Thudd3r's solution is especially nice. I do have some concerns about the 3M adhesion strips continuing to adhere, but then I am worry wart at times.
adhesive is holding up great
another option is just came across on amazon...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415GDG94X0L.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/311H27KWFVL.SX500_SY344_CR,0,0,500,344_PIbundle-2,TopRight,0,0_SX500_SY344_CR,0,0,500,344_SH20_.jpg)http://www.amazon.com/Camco-44173-Baggage-Door-Catch/dp/B000EDQR50/ref=pd_rhf_sc_s_cp_38?ie=UTF8&refRID=05Z4KX0C58JVJXPAF20B
http://www.hardwaresource.com/hinges/cabinet-hinges/vertical-door-stays/hettich-support-for-up-opening-doors
Anyone think something like this could work?
i would guess no since the flat area inside the door cant have anything mounted to it or the door wont close
I used the magnets as suggested by thudd3r and they are amazingly simple and work very well. I put mine in the middle of the cabinet door right below the latch on the smooth frame. The label on the magnet adhesive says to wait 24 hours before using after installation but again they are working fine. Now I need to order two more (come in twos) so I can do the third cabinet that opens from the top. No need for additional pics as thuud3r has already posted them on page 1.
Thanks for this easy and simple mod!
MonteD
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/bvabob1/Our%20New%20Camper/th_image.jpg2_zpsn9esm9a2.jpg)[/URL
After reviewing all the options posted here we went with the clips. Used 3M VHB double sided tape to secure them to the ceiling. Work great and installed them on all 3 up opening cabinets. (http://s304.photobucket.com/user/bvabob1/media/Our%20New%20Camper/image.jpg2_zpsn9esm9a2.jpg.html)
Quote from: @ammobob" source="/post/12933/thread" timestamp="1436064952[url href="http://s304.photobucket.com/user/bvabob1/media/Our%20New%20Camper/image.jpg2_zpsn9esm9a2.jpg.html"]
[img src="http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/bvabob1/Our%20New%20Camper/th_image.jpg2_zpsn9esm9a2.jpg"][/URL
After reviewing all the options posted here we went with the clips. Used 3M VHB double sided tape to secure them to the ceiling. Work great and installed them on all 3 up opening cabinets.
My wife's been after me since we bought our 21BHS and Friday we finally did the same as what you've described. Seems to work fine for now but if they fall off, I'll put more thought in to using struts again.
Posted using my powerful BlackBerry Z30 and probably from my 21BHS
Nice lighting in the cabinet...are those stick on?
Quote from: @thudd3r" timestamp="1436110798" source="/post/12945/threadNice lighting in the cabinet...are those stick on?
Yes.
Bought these - [a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TK01CSU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00&tag=viglink20248-20"]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TK01CSU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00&tag=viglink20248-20[/a]
Based on this post - [a href="http://livinlite.proboards.com/post/11764/thread"]http://livinlite.proboards.com/post/11764/thread[/a]
Mounted them on the two over-bed cabinet doors and the over-fridge door. Work great! Thanks thudd3r for sharing.
no worries...glad it helped. mine are still going strong...the adhesive tape is from 3m and shows no sign of letting go.
i assume yours were shipped straight from china as well. i really got a kick out of the packaging and the little card that described the safe journey...lol
Quote from: @thudd3r" source="/post/11764/thread" timestamp="1433036621tinkering's post got me thinking. i hate having to hold the doors up while loading/unloading..so i added catches as well. after finding that all of the magnetic catches designed for doors/cabinets that i liked came with silly prices, i ended up buying a couple pairs of these...
[img style="max-width:25%;" style="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61TuhZYbQXL._SL1002_.jpg"]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TK01CSU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
they are made to hold cell phones. i liked the ball idea since the doors would probably meet the ceiling at an angle. the magnets are really strong and they come with quality 3m adhesive to mount them...just peel and stick...couldnt be simpler (and the$13 price was pretty sweet as well)
here are the magnets stuck to the doors
[img style="max-width:100%;" style=" " src="http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110848_zpsuvzltt8w.jpg"]
and the stainless steel balls stuck to the cieling
(http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110913_zpsquwfhlun.jpg)
[img style="max-width:100%;" style=" " src="http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110957_zpsvbdm226k.jpg"]
side view...
(http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q439/mushr00min/camper/20150530_110931_zps51kwmysx.jpg)Thanks for this post/information!
My Balls have arrived today.... Can't wait to install them....
8D
balls of steel
$16 kit off Amazon, leaves me one extra to kick around the garage until I throw it away in six years:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AHHCHBK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(http://i.imgur.com/8SZCaOx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yo4tnFa.jpg"%20style=")
at least you got a sweet bag for your manuals...i got a manila envelop