Bed Shelf
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11468
Printed Date: 06 May 2024 at 9:16pm
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Topic: Bed Shelf
Posted By: DavMar
Subject: Bed Shelf
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 4:05pm
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Folks I've been looking for an wooden shelf that I can install in my 180 over the bed and haven't had much luck on finding a reasonable price source for one. Last summer we met a nice couple in a Pod up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Edinburg, who had this mod and told me they bought theirs at a Lowe's Home Center which sadly for me they seem don't carry any longer. Also I'd like to hear suggestions on how you attached the shelf on the window valances and secured boxes and such if you have made this mod?
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 4:19pm
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DavMar,
I was in Lowes the other day and they had a small selection of wood shelves. 6' lengths. I used the wire shelf, attached with 3 inch L brackets above valances. I have decorative baskets also from Lowes that I carry on the shelf. Works fine. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 4:26pm
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Neglected to mention I used a wood closet rod to support wire shelf, very stable. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 5:38pm
Mike can you go into a little more detail on how you attached this shelf and used a wooden closet rod? I'm having a hard time picturing it all in my mind. Fell free to send me a PM if you want about how you did this. Dave ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 5:51pm
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Sent you PM with my email address, will send you pics ASAP of my install, once I hear from you. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 9:39pm
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Dave, If you can find the shelf, you can see how I attached it in my mods. It is the very first one I posted (see link in signature).
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 2:40pm
Stephen, That's exactly what I want to do and I'd like to find it the same shelf if I can. Did you use the Command Velcro strips on the bottom of the shelf and at the top of the valance or did you attach the Velcro to the side on the wall above the valance? What is the width of the shelf you bought and if I can ask why didn't you flip it so you had a lip to help keep things from sliding out? Did you do anything additional to keep cargo in place on the shelf? If anyone knows where to buy this shelf please let me know? I wanted to make this mod when we first bought our Pod but the "Boss" was all against it at that time but now she has changed her mind and you know she must be obeyed!  ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 4:35pm
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Command strips on the back of my brackets and on the wall. I will likely replace those with short expansion anchors (making sure they are under 1" in length). The shelf does have a bit of a lip. I was thinking of strength though and it looked to be stronger the way I placed it as there was more wood underneath supporting the slats. I use wire baskets on top (purchased when they were on sale at Aldi) and hold them in place with bungee cords going from the handhold opening, under the center brace (another reason for not turning it over) and back up to the handhold opening. I also use a couple of bungee cords to hold my CPAP machine in place so I don't have to keep moving it every time we want to pack and go. Unfortunately, Lowe's seems to have stopped selling the shelf by itself, instead having it bundled with shelf brackets and hardware. It is the https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-72-in-W-x-16-in-D-Java-Wood-Closet-Shelf/999974772 - Allen + Roth 72-in W x 16-in D Java Wood Closet Shelf . Unfortunately, the price is quite high when all you need is the shelf and not the hardware. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 3:20pm
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Both of you are using the Valance as support, successfully I see. This I was curious about as the wife now wants a shelf up front in our 182g. How much weight do you 'think' you have up there? ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 3:48pm
| I am in the process of building and installing a shelf over the bed in my 179. In the process of doing so, I removed both valances. They are held in by 2 very short (maybe 3/4") screws and secured to the wall with metal l brackets (similar to what they use as drawer travel limiters. I would be reluctant to use the valance as support for a shelf - seems to me that it'd be susceptible to bending the valance brackets. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 3:54pm
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My shelf rests upon the valence and is anchored to the wall, supported by a full across wood closet rod. There is very little weight on the valences. I would guess I have 20-30 punds up there to answer the other question, clothes and medical stuff. Nothing heavy. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 5:47pm
This makes sense, as long as you also anchor it to the wall. Didn't want folks thinking that resting it on the valance alone would be adequate.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 5:51pm
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I had same thought, agree with you. I didn't go with wooden full shelf also because of weight. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 5:59pm
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Was in Lowes today they have 3 of these shelves SH mentions, 75 bucks apiece. With hardware as SH mentions. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 9:55pm
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The shelf itself is not that heavy. Metal shelving would be heavier I think. The wood used for them is very light but the shelf seems to be quite sturdy. Mine rests on the valences, but the command strips I have do support some of the weight as well. I don't load it down with heavy items. Other than my CPAP machine, the baskets we have on it hold my clothing as my wife uses the wardrobe drawers for hers. A lot of items either go in the wardrobe on th ecloset rod or on a separate rod that Iuse in the TV to carry any hanging items that won't fit in the wardrobe.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 7:07am
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Thought about attaching an L shaped piece of wood the length of the shelf with Command Strips. Unsure how much load it would handle. I have expandable shower curtain rods in my Amazon Basket, should take more load properly installed and should do no damage. But it is a more costly option. If I could be sure I would hit the aluminum frame I would drill it and put in an anchor. But not sure I want to trust my wifes packing them full to just a few screws into fiberglass panel. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 9:23am
The interior panel is not fiberglass, but is thin lauan plywood with a wallpaper cover. If you use an expanding anchor, (make sure it is less than 1" in length or you will experience outer wall puncture (ask me how I know  ). Fortunately, when the R-Pod went to the factory for repair, they replaced that side so no more puncture evidence. 
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 9:27am
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Thanks everyone for your inputs on how you did this shelving mod, just keep them rolling in! At $75 for a wooden shelf it makes pause and think maybe wire might be the way to go, don't know? I'll have to take a hard look at the valances and how they attach if anyone has a photo of that they can post it would be appreciated. Again thanks for all the great suggestions!
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 3:53pm
| I just removed my valances so don't have a photo of them installed - but basically they use metal angle brackets (the same ones that FR uses as drawer pullout limiters - if you look in the drawers you'll see what I mean). One side of the bracket is attached to the wall with 2 - 5/8" screws, and the other side with 2 - 5/8" screws to the inside of the valance. Not terribly sturdy. Hard to get to the screws to remove the valances, had to get on my back on the bed with a drill with a long Phillips extension. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 4:17pm
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DavMar,
Looked at the wood shelf today at Lowes - 75 bucks, I also wanted the over bed light to be somewhat functional. I felt the wire shelf provided more light through to sleeping area. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 8:08pm
I was in my Lowes today too and they didn't have the wooden shelf in stock. There answer as always at this store....you can order it, ugh! After looking at all the shelving material with the wife were more incline to go with the metal one now as you have. They have the advantage that you mention plus lighter weight. A win, win, I'd say. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Retired Coastie
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2018 at 6:56pm
| Measured and made my own. One out of walnut the other cherry. Watched the outside of the camper to locate the studs to attach the shelves. Made a cherry one for the bathroom too. |
Posted By: Billy Bob
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2018 at 9:06am
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I've got some cypress flooring ill use...run it through a planer glue together and install......bed, dinette, bath, and outside. ------------- 2019 RPOD 190 2017 Chev Colorado 4 X 4 Yellow Lab and English Springer Spaniel |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2018 at 10:36am
That sounds like nice stuff. I used hemlock, key is to get the shelf as light as possible. I used lauan mahogany underlay plywood (3/16") with 1/2" board for edges/sides. Even full-width shelf doesn't weigh much.
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