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Installing appliances was the 5th of eight projects to renovate my Four Wheel Pop-Up Camper.
Project 5: Appliances
Project 5: Appliances
Installing the appliances was a difficult project. Working in tight spaces and planning for related future structural elements was quite time consuming. The fridge and stove were more time consuming than you'd think. I used a fridge from a previous camper and bought a new stove.
I decided it was worth replacing the furnace while I was already rebuilding. Although the same brand and equivalent model was available on Amazon, it was not exactly the same size. Tolerances were tight and you need at least 1" clearance on all sides of the new unit. That wouldn't work on the floor, where it was before. So I built up a new surface for it and re-piped a new vent to the exterior. I was really hoping I would not have to do this. That's probably why I had to do it. You need a clear head, patience, math and visualization skills before you drive your first fastener or cut exterior aluminum. Or develop skills for correcting or covering up mistakes.
The original furnace--and it was original--was at the bottom of the rear cabinet. Unfortunately, the new furnace had slightly larger dimensions and would not fit in the same location.
The new unit was placed higher where more space was available. It also meant bifurcating the original cabinet into two sections: one above the furnace and one below it. I later created shelves for each new cabinet.
The new furnace location meant taking out the original vent on the exterior.
And raising it level with the new unit.
Roughing in the fridge, stove, and wiring. And making decisions.
The used fridge was a little taller than the original but everything looked good from the back access panel. The fridge was bolted to the camper surface through slots in steel rails that are part of the appliance.
Propane plumbing. By this time, the length of the project was really beginning to wear on me and I feared that if I learned everything I needed to get this done, I might never finish the camper. I had an RV place do the propane plumbing and was delighted to hear them quote me $150-$175. When I went to pick it up, however, the bill was $650. But it was done. Sometimes you're just too tired to argue.
Like the original, I included an outlet, thermostat, and porch light switch to the left of the fridge.
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