Storage Void above refrigerator?

[Macam]

Hey folks,

I have a 2019 Sunset Trail 262BH. I was thinking of adding a wine rack above the refrigerator. Currently there is a blank wooden cover plate preventing access. Does anyone know if there is a void behind the cover plate? If yes am I going to cause problems with the refrigerator by opening up the void???

Thx

[Lloyd]

If it's like ours, that area you are referring to is for the space needed for the next size larger fridge.
We have the 6cubic ft. fridge and if it ever quits, I will replace it with the 8 cubic ft.
So I would need that space above it.

[Papa-T]

Possibly that space might get a little warm. I don’t know just thinking out loud.

[DavisK]

I believe the refrigerator exhaust vent to the roof is in that area.

[JEH412]

You could gain a nice sized compartment by opening that area. Like Lloyd said, it's for the next size larger fridge. The vent does run through there, but should be pretty far back. I can't imagine what problem opening it would cause -- but there is a chance it could get a little warm, so might have to watch what you store there.

[Biggles607]

Ooowh....I never thought of looking up there...more space to develop perhaps ?

If I were going to use that space I might be inclined to make an enclosure to fit the void from 1/8" ply perhaps, stained or painted to match your interior, then line outside of said enclosure with foil backed foam to keep the contents cool, or at least at the ambient temp of your coach.

I think it would be a perfect wine rack.

"Honey....where d'you put my screwdriver?"



Go for it, please send photos.

[JEH412]

Using foil-backed foam on the outside is a great idea, Biggles. I'm going to have to look at my camper, too, cause more storage is always a good thing!

I built new drawer boxes for all the drawers in ours last year when I realized there was 6-8 inches of dead space behind the stock drawers. I had one pipe that was just barely in the way of the top kitchen drawer, but some notching of the top drawer edge took care of that.

[DavisK]

I just uploaded the Norcold refrigerator installation instructions in the "Systems" section of the documents area. It has diagrams and measurements for the space above their refrigerators. It appears to me that the space may be usable and should be separated from the refrigerator already. It will be hot in the area, so you will probably need to insulate it.

[Biggles607]

JEH412,

I found almost a cubic foot under my vanity in the bathroom. I made a 5 sided box held flush with the front of the cabinet frame with four screws, it can be easily removed to access the plumbing behind. It comfortably holds 4 toilet rolls and other consumables.

It's amazing what space you can find in most TT's if you're prepared to rummage around.

[dagst1]

Our camper before this one had a 6 cf refrigerator in it and it had a storage cabinet over it. Not sure what the wife stored in it but never heard he complain about it being too hot in there.

[reedebr]

If your's is like mine you can remove the upper plastic refrigerator trim (two screws) then you can see up there. I have removed this trim before because I was thinking of making a storage area up there as well but I just never came up with a good way to do it without removing the fridge.