Crooked cabinets

Sonoran · 03-25-2024, 12:24 PM

Hi. We recently purchased a 2021 21C, which we love. However, I have noticed that several of the upper cabinet doors do not hang level. Can’t tell if this was intentional or not. It appears that the hinges have slightly different angles. Anybody have experience with this?
Thanks!

Sonoran · 03-25-2024, 01:31 PM

This is what it looks like (upside down). Looks like I'm going to have to re-drill some new holes. Grrrr.

Don Flamenco · 03-25-2024, 01:57 PM

Yes. My 2024 21NE F2 suffers from the same affliction. Oddly enough, when the doors are open, they are perfectly level.

I'm more bothered that the doors don't fully open to 90 degrees. The stock pistons are junk and I'm looking for alternatives which fully open the doors--and look better.

BTW, nothing in my trailer is "square" --I doubt yours is either. I'm choosing to not be bothered by it and just enjoy this massive new space over the 2021 Casita, which I just sold.

Sonoran · 03-25-2024, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Flamenco

Yes. My 2024 21NE F2 suffers from the same affliction. Oddly enough, when the doors are open, they are perfectly level.

I'm more bothered that the doors don't fully open to 90 degrees. The stock pistons are junk and I'm looking for alternatives which fully open the doors--and look better.

BTW, nothing in my trailer is "square" --I doubt yours is either. I'm choosing to not be bothered by it and just enjoy this massive new space over the 2021 Casita, which I just sold.

I agree. We just sold our Casita as well, and am enjoying the extra acreage! Just wondering if there was a reason these were installed that way. Maybe, as you said, so they would be level when open.

DanandDaphne · 03-25-2024, 05:06 PM

It looks like the hinges are both the same distance from the framing at the top. Maybe the cabinet is not level on the bottom?

It looks like it is above the kitchen, are they both crooked like that?

Jim Bennett · 03-25-2024, 05:18 PM

With these hinges a really easy tweak is to bend the hinges a wee bit. This was often done to adjust doors in older face frame cabinets that used the same hinges. Plugging existing holes and drilling a couple new ones a bit over is another real easy thing to do. Either process takes minutes.

This is not to say that a quick check when doing the final on the trailer would not be the best way.

Sonoran · 03-25-2024, 06:10 PM

Hi. I did take the cabinet door off today and tried to bend the hinge but it was more stout than I expected. Was worried I was going to destroy it in the process. It’s surprising that Escape didn’t do a final check to see something so obvious, since all the other workmanship in here seems really good. Which made me think that maybe there was a purpose for having them set that way, instead of just sloppiness.

Sonoran · 03-25-2024, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanandDaphne

It looks like the hinges are both the same distance from the framing at the top. Maybe the cabinet is not level on the bottom?

It looks like it is above the kitchen, are they both crooked like that?

Both are a little crooked. This one is the worst. They both slope towards each other.

**occer** · 03-25-2024, 08:13 PM

I watched a finish carpenter installing cupboard doors once.
Two of them didn’t line up perfect. I harassed him a little and he said “easy fix”

He walked over opened the one door a little bit, hit the edge with the heal of his hand toward the hinge. The doors lined up perfectly. He didn’t even hit it that hard. I asked what do you do if it needs to go out? Open it slightly and just pull on it a little.

I’d install the door, open it a inch or so. Pull down a little on the right side and hit up on the lower edge on the left side. Start gently, Try once close the door and decide if you need to do it a second time.

Ron in BC · 03-25-2024, 08:18 PM

It's not that they were really sloppy. I think that the spring loaded hinge might be a contributor.

I've noticed that if the door is held firmly in place while the holes are drilled and the screws are installed there's a bit of spring back that throws things off a tiny bit. I've taken great care when installing those hinges and still had a few end up not perfect.

Ron

Sonoran · 03-25-2024, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by occer

I watched a finish carpenter installing cupboard doors once.
Two of them didn’t line up perfect. I harassed him a little and he said “easy fix”

He walked over opened the one door a little bit, hit the edge with the heal of his hand toward the hinge. The doors lined up perfectly. He didn’t even hit it that hard. I asked what do you do if it needs to go out? Open it slightly and just pull on it a little.

I’d install the door, open it a inch or so. Pull down a little on the right side and hit up on the lower edge on the left side. Start gently, Try once close the door and decide if you need to do it a second time.

I've been tempted. Just don't want to compromise those screws into the cabinet. Not sure how tough that material is.

**occer** · 03-25-2024, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonoran

I've been tempted. Just don't want to compromise those screws into the cabinet. Not sure how tough that material is.

I understand,
Take the door off and install it on to a scrape piece of wood. Take a pencil and mark the edge of the door then do the hitting and pulling. Till it’s moved the amount you need. Then reinstall.