21' under bed drawer specs

[cpaharley2008]

Just remember, the under bed location is where an electric wall heater can easily be installed...

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Just remember, the under bed location is where an electric wall heater can easily be installed...

True, the 45 degree wall on the bed would probably be a great spot as it's impossible to use otherwise. I added an AC outlet there so wifey could use her hair dryer and the bath door mirror.

[TAfraser]

Installing a drawer under the 21s bed is a great mod. With our under bed storage divided into 4 sections, drawer being one of them, the only time we lift up the bed is to show others. Just leave room for a convenient way of locking it down for travel. We used a slide lock from Home Depot on the front of our drawer.

[drpaddle]

Finally got our drawer completed; thanks again to Charlie for his great design. Not sure ours looks as pretty but it's going to be really convenient! A few details and sub-par pictures here.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by drpaddle

Finally got our drawer completed; thanks again to Charlie for his great design. Not sure ours looks as pretty but it's going to be really convenient! A few details and sub-par pictures here.

Nice write-up. It isn't all that easy to crawl around under the 21 bed to get stuff squared up when you're 6 ft tall....

Also, the rear detents on the slides might let go if you load that drawer up with a lot of weight and bookdock on steep gravelly roads. Might want to make up a T-shaped brace that drops into the handle and bears on the bed framing when underway.

[Steve Clark]

Great write-up Doug and advice Charlie. That is one of the mods I want to do once we get our 21. The pictures, descriptions, and procedures are very helpful Thanks!

[jtischer]

Nice job DR!
We are picking our 21' up on 2/22 (right around the corner) and will drop it off at Charley You g's RV Widget Works in Hillsboro OR so he can do his magic and install the two drawers underneath the bed.
I particularly like his little "T" insert mod to keep it stationary during travel.
I'll take pics when done and route around to the Forum.
Thanks for the input.
Jim Tischer
Woodland, CA

[drpaddle]

Okay, back out to the garage to make a T-brace. :-) Thanks Charlie!

[skiman]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Just remember, the under bed location is where an electric wall heater can easily be installed...

I think there might still be room with the drawer for a Broan heater. Might be tight.

[Losangeles]

Good thread, and lots to think about

we will be camping with 2 adults and one fast growing child

I am trying to get my head around how much storage for clothing and stuff like that ..... that there will be in a stock 21' escape (no U shaped dinette)

we are getting 2 shelves in the cabinet.....

does anyone know of a thread that outlines the stock storage on a 21' ?

I have been in a 21' for a couple of short visits, but wasn't nosing around into cabinets.

and

I think my current plan is to have ETI add 2 extra interior doors into the under bed space, and simply wait and see to see what our needs and wants are, after a few trips.....

and maybe add a drawer after I know better......

one question


does the 21' come stock with a exterior hatch to access the under bed area?

and might there be any reason to add a 2nd exterior hatch to access the under bed storage area?

I plan on storing a good amount of stuff under the bed .

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, there is one stock hatch, under the bed, towards the front. No room for another as the water heater is also on that side. There is one interior door, facing the aisle with 2 other short walls available. There is limited space in front of these 2 angled walls. There would be better access vis a "lift" package installed to access the bed area from above. Between the exterior and interior hatches, you can access probably 75% of the available space. Just remember a good amount of stuff that forward will add to your tongue weight, which on my unit was around 500# with just light stuff underneath. I tried to store my heavy stuff in the rear "U" dinette area which enable me to keep my tongue weight at 500#.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Losangeles

we are getting 2 shelves in the cabinet.....

If you're handy you could put in adjustable shelves or pull-out drawers on the shelves. That's one deep cabinet (20+inches) with no light inside.

does anyone know of a thread that outlines the stock storage on a 21' ?

Huge overhead storage - maybe 7x that of a Casita, plus the underbed area.

I think my current plan is to have ETI add 2 extra interior doors into the under bed space, and simply wait and see to see what our needs and wants are, after a few trips.....

One door at the foot is standard. Bath side door is an option.

does the 21' come stock with a exterior hatch to access the under bed area?

Yes, but it's not real huge. Can't put chairs in there as it's too narrow. Very tight to crawl into as it's not high, either.

and might there be any reason to add a 2nd exterior hatch to access the under bed storage area?

I don't think a 2nd hatch would fit. Water heater has been relocated to under the dinette, so it might, though.

I plan on storing a good amount of stuff under the bed .

FYI, I'm now making the 36 inch drawer from 3/16 plastic that slides on a U-shaped "sled". Eliminates the drawer guides entirely and can be easily removed to load/unload. Pic shown is under the dinette in a 19 with the optional access door on the end.

[Rossue]

Like the drawer concept and have recently become infected with "mod disease" One thing- looking at ETI's drawers, they look much lighter-duty. Is that 3/4" baltic birch I'm seeing?

Doug says the glides alone are 20 lbs. Wonder what the whole thing weighs and wonder if it can be made lighter and be durable enough.

[Rossue]

Good timing Charlie- aha-plastics

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Like the drawer concept and have recently become infected with "mod disease" One thing- looking at ETI's drawers, they look much lighter-duty. Is that 3/4" baltic birch I'm seeing?

Doug says the glides alone are 20 lbs. Wonder what the whole thing weighs and wonder if it can be made lighter and be durable enough.

The wood drawer was 1/2 inch solid dovetailed birch riding on 200 lb full extension slides on a built-up riser with 20 screws holding the assembly to the floor.

The plastic one is 3/16 ABS with seamless long bends. Dividers are removable and their side guides are customer installed with VHB tape

[stephen99]

Originally Posted by tractors1

The wood drawer was 1/2 inch solid dovetailed birch riding on 200 lb full extension slides on a built-up riser with 20 screws holding the assembly to the floor.

The plastic one is 3/16 ABS with seamless long bends. Dividers are removable and their side guides are customer installed with VHB tape

Charlie,

What would you charge for one of those ABS drawers for under the bed on a 21?

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by stephen99

Charlie,

What would you charge for one of those ABS drawers for under the bed on a 21?

Please send me an email through my website; the moderators don't like conducting business within the forum.

[tash]

Thanks to Charlie and Doug for sharing their ideas and information! We added the drawer to our trailer this weekend...we love it!

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by tash

Thanks to Charlie and Doug for sharing their ideas and information! We added the drawer to our trailer this weekend...we love it!

Don't forget to make a "T" shaped piece that drops into the handle. Needs to be wide enough to bear on the side vertical doorway framing, or one day you'll find your drawer will have opened the door battering-ram style. That rear detent on the slides isn't enough when you start bouncing around with a full heavy drawer of stuff.

[tash]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Don't forget to make a "T" shaped piece that drops into the handle. Needs to be wide enough to bear on the side vertical doorway framing, or one day you'll find your drawer will have opened the door battering-ram style. That rear detent on the slides isn't enough when you start bouncing around with a full heavy drawer of stuff.

Yes, we have that, too! Thanks for posting that on the forum!