Cutting board (pics), I never liked the cover for the sink that came wit...

I never liked the cover for the sink that came with my Casita. For one thing, I wanted to be able to access the sink AND use a working surface, and for another, there was no place to put it out of the way when you were using the sink. Part of that cover is now the door to my battery compartment, but I wanted a food preparation surface I could actually use to replace it. Here's what I came up with.

The cutting board is made of laminated pine. I would rather have used hardwood, but pine is all I had in 1/2-inch thickness, and it would at least prove the concept until I could find a replacement. It is cut to fit the cover for the stove, the edges rounded, and the wood is oiled with mineral oil. It is held to the stove cover with four velcro squares so that it doesn't slide off when the trailer is in motion or when you lift the cover. It also makes a fairly handy lap tray when you want to take your meal outside to eat.

OK, not real clever, but watch this...

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On the angled right edge of the cabinet, you can see I've attached a piece of aluminum shelving bracket, the kind that holds the shelf by the edge. (Sorry, I can't remember the name of this kind of shelving, but it's in most hardware stores.) It's cut to extend the edge of the cabinet and attached with six 3/16ths pop rivets with steel reinforcing washers on the inside. Since this is where four edges of the fiberglass come together, it's a very strong part of the cabinet, able to withstand the torque of the cutting board in the bracket. (I hope!)

The picture below shows the bracket in use, giving you a place to put the cutting board and an extra surface. I wouldn't want to use a meat tenderizer in this position, but it should be plenty strong to hold a sandwich or a few ingredients while you're cooking.

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Looks really good. My older Casita does not have a sink cover or a stove cover. I've checked the net for replacement parts but have not found any that would fit. I've been considering making my own such as you have. But, you've taken it one step further. Good job.

Judy

Eric:

Neat idea. The countertop space is really a premium. But you know what Charles is going to say about wood in the Casita. I got in trouble for just suggesting a wooden clothes pin for a fix.......just kidding, looks good.

Don in OKC

Judy, I think you could use a router to cut grooves in the bottom of a cutting board that match the pot supports on the stove to keep it from sliding around.

Don, I must have missed something: What's this about Charles and wood?

Well, not all cutting boards have to be made of wood. Charles and others in the tree-haters camp can go ahead and use a "wood alternative".

Elizabeth

Although, I do not own a Casita, I own a U-Camper. I custom made a countertop out of a material 1/8 thick called Wilsonart. Then, I overlaid the custom fitted countertop I made over the original fiberglass countertop using clear silicone to attach it to the fiberglass. I also replaced my fiberglass table, and made a matching table top with the wilsonart material. It also adds a little color to the interior of the camper, with the sail-white color of of the molded inner shell. And for a sink insert I used a Corian material in the same color/pattern. I was also planning on making a cover to set over the stove top cover. Although, it is a heavy material; it is indestrucable. You may want to consider a corian or wilsonart material. Contact a local kitchen cabinet company. Another suggestion for Casita owners. An RV sink is standard, and there are many pre-made covers available at your local RV Stores.

1984 -1985 U-Haul Camper 3906 CT

Here's a little evidence if someone is unsure if the edge-mount bracket is strong enough. Eight 5lb weights total 40lbs of static testing.

I've heard that research has shown wood cutting boards are no worse than plastic as far as disease spread is concerned. Wood evidently has natural chemicals that retard bacterial growth. But you can certainly substitute 1/2-inch plastic if you want.

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Eric, I will be picking up our new Spirit Deluxe ina couple of weeks. I asssumed from the brochure that the cooktop burners are positioned front to back. I see in the photo of your neat table mod that the burners are side by side. Is the brochure wrong or do you have a different model/year?

Mine's a '90 Freedom, you'll have to ask someone with a more recent model to see if they've changed things.

Norm and Jerri,

I don't know for sure, but the brochure floorplans are for both the 16' and 17'. So I'm thinking the 16' may be the one with the burners back to front, and since the 17' has a little more room the burners run side by side. Anyone?

Carol

My 1989 Liberty, 16 footer, had the burners side by side. No idea about the Spirits, though.

Mary F. (Jonestown, TX)

My 2000 Spirit Deluxe has the burners front to back.

Phil Taylor

On the new 17'Spirit, the burners are front to back, unlike Eric's. Also the counter top does not have the 45 degree corner that Eric's photos show. The burner cover is hinged on the right side to prevent splatters over onto the seat/bed. In any case, I'm going to take Eric's lead and figure out how to put a temporary wood or formica extension on the cabinet.

F.Y.I., Eric, that looks like a better quality range than the new ones, which are white porcelain--yours appears to be stainless steel.

Neat set-up Eric!

Don, I have nothing against wood "inside" my trailer ... it's wood on the outside (and underside) that bothers me! You know, wood on the outside (and underside), exposed to the elements, where it's surely going to rot!

Elizabeth! Calling me a "tree-hater!" Just because I now carry a chainsaw with me and clear-cut campsites before backing in ... this means I'm a tree-hater? Least we forget, it was the Tree that snuck behind my trailer and hit me! Sounds to me like the tree was a "Charles-hater" .... hmmmm, maybe even a "Casita-hater."

Eric, please don't show my wife all your improvements to your Casita! She's apt to put me to work, and you know how I hate that!

George, not sure mine is stainless, there is some rust on the cover. I think I'd rather have the porcelain.

I thought I would share the photo of my sink/stove are as it was when I finished it. I had used a 1/8" material similar to corian for the counter top.

Enjoy, Ray Horner

1984-1985 U-Haul Camper 3906 CT Website:

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I saw these cool folding cutting boards on a web site. There is a size that fits over sinks the 16 x 32 inch I think. These things fold up and store in your cabnets or where ever. My sister got one for her boat she is really happy with it. Hope this helps. Allen

innovative sportsman