Check your drawers!

[memobug]

Sorry about the title

I'm wondering how folks are securing their cabinet drawers against rattling and sliding out completely?

I figure some child-safe latches would do the trick, but the ideal ones would be defeatable, so once you've arrived the drawers can be set to open normally. Don't know if there is such a thing?

Edit: Omigosh, that photo posted upside down! Now I really need some drawer stops!!

Regards,

Matt

[phxkayaker]

Take a look at the Phlip-It latches. I'm using them in our Scamp and quite pleased with them.

[Thane]

I run a small bunji cord through the handles twice and connect the ends of the cord to the handles. Never opens in transit.

[Paul S.]

When I replaced my original drawers with ones I made from solid wood with dovetailed corners (machine cut!!!) I also installed full extension self closing slides. We regularly drag the trailer up a rough dirt road with washboard etc. and they have never slide open.

[memobug]

My early 2009 cabinet drawers have what appears to be a fiberboard box - probably worth painting so they don't soak up too much moisture and fall apart. I also noticed each drawer guide was held in the carcase with just 3 tiny screws, and those 3x4 screws also seem to be holding most of the internal structure together.

Regards,

Matt

[gbaglo]

I've seen no indication that any part of my 2008 17B is likely to fall apart, and that is after many miles on washboard back roads.

[memobug]

Thanks, John.

I looked at the Phlip-its and they look interesting, but I am not sure they will work on drawers though. Have you tried that? My picture posted upside down, but my cabinet doors where they could be used don't have space directly underneath. The existing catches seem pretty secure though.

Regards,

Matt

[rbryan4]

Have never had an issue with the drawers coming open, and I don't secure them with anything.

[memobug]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I've seen no indication that any part of my 2008 17B is likely to fall apart, and that is after many miles on washboard back roads.

Hi Glen, with respect to the fiberboard I was talking about moisture, not vibration. Top picture is what I assume is MDF, lower picture is the three small screws (silver heads).

Regards,

Matt

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Have never had an issue with the drawers coming open, and I don't secure them with anything.

Ditto.
I have had the shallow cupboard under the sink open on rough roads, probably because I stack canned goods in there.

[memobug]

Hmm iphone won't let me attach two pictures at once sorry. Here's the guide.

[gbaglo]

I only see one picture in your post. I don't believe ETI uses any MDF in their construction.
There are a lot of holes in the drawer runners so they can be used many ways. It doesn't mean you have to fill them all with screws. Those you see go into the framing.

[memobug]

Glen: You should be able to see the MDF in the first photo. When I removed the 3 screws on both left guides the left side of the carcase was floating free. It's not stapled or glued in any way I can see.

Regards,

Matt

[gbaglo]

I'll leave it to somebody more familiar with building material terms to comment. I'm guessing you are talking about the drawer itself at the bottom of the picture.
The guides appear to be resting on plywood and screwed to framing. I don't see any evidence that anything is coming apart prematurely.

[Fox hunt]

Mine haven't opened yet and I have all kinds of stuff in them seem well made to me.

[memobug]

My new cabinet drawers shipped with slightly longer guides, so I removed the old guides and found the left side of the plywood carcase was secured only by the screws that attach the guides. Your trailer may well be different. I just took mine apart, so I know what I found.

The new drawers I received today are constructed of stapled and glued MDF with oak stiles and a veneer panel in the center. Many, many drawers are made with MDF, but it's not the ideal choice for use around water because it can absorb moisture, swell and disintegrate. If it gets wet. My suggestion for anyone concerned about that was to paint the raw MDF. Painted wood outlasts unpainted wood significantly. Not a really big deal but my first set got water damaged and discarded.

Some tips on building MDF drawers are here:

Can You Make Drawers Out of MDF? | eHow

[gbaglo]

Got it now.
So, begs the question. How did the drawers get water damaged?

[padlin]

I had an issue with 1 drawer where the glide was loose on the cabinet side as opposed to the drawer itself. Replaced the plywood scrap they had for holding the screws with glued on hardwood and longer screws. Okay so far. Had considered replacing the MDF drawer box with hardwood but they seem to be holding together well and are a good tight construction so I'm holding off till something happens to them.

I choose fishing over working on the trailer.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by padlin

I choose fishing over working on the trailer.

Amazing how things like that get in the way of progress, eh?

[Paul S.]

I really like our trailer, this is our second Escape, but the drawers could be better. If I remember correctly the sides were 3/8" MDF with an 1/8" bottom. The minimum thickness should be 1/2" sides and 1/4" bottom and not a butt joint with staples and glue to hold the box together. A butt joint can be used but it needs to be strengthened with dowels preferably.
When I replaced the drawers and changed to side mount slides I housed the 1/4" bottom in a groove on all edges.
Being a professional cabinetmaker for 25 years has taught me a thing or two!!!