Structural cabinet?

03-25-2010, 01:21 PM

04 TM kb3124

I ripped out the carpet and put in a light weight laminate. It looks GREAT.

The problem is, when I took out the storage cabinet on the right-hand side when entering the TM to remove the carpet underneath, it looked so good with the extra space, I did not re-install the cabinet.

There was a large bore bolt on the inside edge of the cabinet. I remember telling myself "well this is overkill for a little cabinet." Last night while patting myself on the back for the project, it occured to me that that cabinet might have payed a roll structurally..........I stopped patting myself.

Any thoughts?

Jason

Wavery · 03-25-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchmel9719

04 TM kb3124

I ripped out the carpet and put in a light weight laminate. It looks GREAT.

The problem is, when I took out the storage cabinet on the right-hand side when entering the TM to remove the carpet underneath, it looked so good with the extra space, I did not re-install the cabinet.

There was a large bore bolt on the inside edge of the cabinet. I remember telling myself "well this is overkill for a little cabinet." Last night while patting myself on the back for the project, it occured to me that that cabinet might have payed a roll structurally..........I stopped patting myself.

Any thoughts?

Jason

Continue patting yourself on the back.....

That cabinet is an option and serves no structural purpose....

Don't throw it away though. If/when you sell your TM, that could be an added selling point.

**Bill** · 03-25-2010, 02:29 PM

I'm not sure I agree. See if this thread, especially post #3, applies to you.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...read.php?t=129

The topic of the thread is door alignment. But if you read between the lines, what is being adjusted is the angle of the wall with respect to the floor. Obviously it should be a right angle (90 degrees), but there is no bracing of that wall to make it so - or to keep the wall from wiggling - except the metal triangle and the adjustment bolts that you may have removed.

[Note: The thread refers to Jimmy Davis, who is no longer at the factory. These days you would talk to Ed Lytle.]

Bill

**ShrimpBurrito** · 03-25-2010, 02:56 PM

On my TM, there is no cabinet on the floor on the right immediately upon entering the door. HOWEVER, there is a triangle-shaped wood brace there, screwed into both the floor and wall. You presumably didn't have that because the cabinet served that purpose. But if you want the cabinet out, you could always install a brace like the one apparently installed in models without a cabinet to restore that stability. Cheap and easy to do.

Dave

Wavery · 03-25-2010, 03:15 PM

Well........ there I go thinking again......

That makes sence now.

Like Dave said.....it shouldn't be a big deal to put a brace in there. You might even be able to get the correct one from TM.

**Bill** · 03-25-2010, 03:50 PM

The only problem with the brace as installed is that it is a triangular piece of sheet metal, and it is in the way, and it is ugly. I bet (though I haven't tried it) that you could replace it with a big L-brace/corner brace, which would be easier to camoflage, and less in the way.

Bill

03-25-2010, 04:20 PM

I agree with Dave, no cabinet but there is a brace. I never thought about it's function until now. I suspect the cabinet is not completely necessary, but some sort of brace definitely is.

Wavery · 03-25-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

The only problem with the brace as installed is that it is a triangular piece of sheet metal, and it is in the way, and it is ugly. I bet (though I haven't tried it) that you could replace it with a big L-brace /corner brace, which would be easier to camoflage, and less in the way.

Bill

If you took an "L" brace like that and cut a nice looking piece of wood (to match your floor or something) into a triangle, drill it, screw it in through those holes in the brace then plug the holes..... that would look nice and be quite strong.

Another idea would be to get a piece of 2" or 3" crown molding (to match your floor). Cut it to the length of the wall and screw or glue it in place. That would be super strong, look nice and wouldn't catch your toes.

03-25-2010, 07:16 PM

guys, this is great suff. I will do the L brace and spruce it up with matching flooring, and post the results. It will be great for space.

Last week I did the floor with nice laminate, took down and dyed the curtains, and painted the ceiling and walls. ALL of my projects came from advice on this site....

Thanks.

03-25-2010, 07:18 PM

Let me ask you this; Those who have the braces in place, what do you think the dimensions are?