Building Lightweigh RV Cabinets

Step by step video showing how we construct our lightweight RV cabinetry when we renovate RV's. In this video Tom builds an upper cabinet, but the technique is the same for whatever cabinetry you build, and you will be surprised to how sturdy and strong they come out! Let us know if you find this video helpful :)

[@linkedmoo_man]

If only all KZbin tutorials were this clear! 10/10

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a nice comment 😃🙏🥰

[@marshallbrent]

Watched and planned cabinets in my van reno for a year. I watched LOTS of videos. I used yours to build and everything went as planned. Great, straightforward instruction.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

That is awesome and thank you for sharing 😊 happy our video was helpful to you!

[@cami-loo108]

I am not a woodworker. However, I want to DIY some cabinets in my camper van. You are the first KZbinr that has made this project seem doable (and I have scrubed through hundreds of videos) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you for reaching out and letting us know :) We love that we can help and make it easier for subscribers to achieve their projects, if you have suggestions on topics for videos that would be helpful please let us know. Would love to see how your van turns out!

[@stevel1451]

I use aluminium sheet folded for all cabinets and doors in my van. Cover them in vinyl wrap which can be changed in a few minutes to suit any decor. The best part is it’s lighter than you can imagine. I’m monitoring my Sprinter weight as I progress and my target of adding 500kgs is still within reach.

[@mattheww.4502]

Thank you! As a newbie to woodworking this helped me a lot. I love the video

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and let us know! We appreciate the feedback and hope to get more subscribers that will so we can create more videos! If you have suggestions on what topic we should cover please let us know!

[@twoeagledrones]

Go Broncos! Getting ready to build out a box truck. Your video is excellent! Thanks.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Awesome! Thank you! Go Broncos!! ….maybe next year 😆

[@awesomefish100]

Excellent craftsmanship, Tom! Well done!

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Glad you like it! Many thanks 😊

[@nancyfinch9402]

Thank you so mcuh for the understandable step by step instructions and tools list. Your outdoor workshop is inspiring as well. I am modifying a tack room in a horse trailer I just bought. It is a small space, but I want it to be efficient and pleasant. Your video is the best one I have watched. Thank you.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you for your kind words Nancy!! Congratulations on your new project 😊

[@mjremy2605]

What an outstanding demo! Clear steps, soothing voice, clear visuals, showed us the tools, and best of all, NO MUSIC!!! What joy. That cabinet is just beautiful. Looks easy to make but the measurements are the key, and like you said, planning. I see how that making the bottom hollow section higher will accommodate puck lights at the bottom. This is the planning part. I would leave that false ceiling loose without gluing, to have access to puck light wiring at all times.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback! We are currently taking suggestions on other RV reno topics for videos as we plan to make more of them!

[@SheltiesRule49]

Nice job. I’m fixing to do cabinets in my “new to me” rv. Good video!

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice comment! Good luck with your renovation!

[@Tonyous]

Straight forward and tight. Nice work.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you! Happy you liked the video 😃

[@jamesforler6897]

Fantastic! Thank you for making this video! In the design stage of a custom rv remodel and this is helping me do a to the 1/2 sketchup model with realistic construction techniques for the cabinetry! Awesome work sir!

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a nice comment. Glad our video was helpful and good luck with your build!

[@alison1jane]

Fabulous, step by step tutorial, thanks! 👍

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you! Happy to help 😃

[@Lauralietx]

WoW!! That was Great!! I’m needing to possibly change out a cabinet or Change the front face to have deeper drawers or take drawers out and make a bigger cabinet …. Not sure yet but it is crazy how much space is wasted in my Rv !! Glad I found your videos!! I’m going to remodel my RV……..Blessed Travels

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you so much! You be amazed how much space you will find when you start looking lol! God luck and let us know how your remodel goes!

[@randyscrafts8575]

Interesting way to build a cabinet. Completely backwards of how I've done it in the past. I'll try it. 👍

[@rhondarupright7827]

One of the best diy videos I have watched. Thanks for the info. I have to completely redo all of our cabinets in our 1997 motorhome (water damage ugh)

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you so much Rhonda!! We appreciate you taking the time to write such a nice note 💕. Good luck on your rebuild! Let us know how your cabinetry turned out!

[@Gimmok1]

Thank you so much for this. My travel trailer was flooded because of hurricane Ian and now I have to replace the floor and thought I would just rebuild the cabinets as well. Would like to see a video on how to build drawers using this framing method.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Sorry for the slow response time! And so sorry to hear about your flooded RV. Happy our video was helpful to you and we are planning a making drawer video :)

[@kdizfox]

Awesome, been waiting for a new video from you guys!

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you! Happy you like the video!

[@sarahwiedman7147]

I just started full time rv life and am finding out just how many pieces of the inside of a trailer are junk and fall apart after any road trip. Thanks for this video. I am making plans to deconstruct some of the weaker interior (cupboard doors, drawers and slides) and reinforce it for heavier use. This video definitely helps

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you for your input and enjoy your new adventures!!

[@colleengander4957]

We wanted to remove the hot water heater from under the kitchen cabinet as well as the stove and oven. That left a mess of poorly built cabinetry and inefficient space. You shared enough good information that I think we can tackle this ourselves and really improve our kitchen. Thank you

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

That is so nice to hear! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, we love that our videos are helpful 😃 good luck on your remodel and happy camping!

[@alienxyt]

Nicely done

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you!

[@aliciaolivas797]

thanks for this. I'm hoping to fix up a 2004 Lance trailer, and cabinets along the wall would improve the space/storage. Do you have any videos about installing cabinets? Even with a stud finder I always have problems getting a proper stud to anchor anything to.

[@foundwheels1939]

Thanks 👍

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

You are very welcome! Good luck with your install!

[@walter6574]

Love your work. I learned something new today. Thankyou for that. I have always had the question of what happens to interior cabinets and other furnishings if a collision happens? Is all that stuff going to break free and shoot forward causing injury to the passenger and driver? Any suggestions how to make is safe?

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

That is a question we can not answer I'm afraid, I guess it depends on the RV, the speed, and a variety of different circumstances. This may be a good question to ask an RV manufacturer as they sure have a lot of research on the subject.

[@alanschilling9080]

Love the video, going to use your method. Do you have any videos or ideas on how to do a new rv kitchen sink cabinet with a lightweight sink . I already have an idea of what I want but new ideas don't hurt. Ty so much

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you so much 😃 we have built lower cabinetry using the same method and typically we use stainless steel sinks as they are lightweight and durable. The tricky part is to find a size that fits. Good luck with your project!

[@LivingTheTinyDream]

We need help on building drawers for our closet (bedroom and linen closets). Would love to see a how-to video

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Ok I will make sure we do a video on that next time we build drawer boxes 😃

[@LivingTheTinyDream]

@@rvingdogsandwine2027 Thanks 🙌🏽

[@Lauralietx]

I need that also 😁

[@F.o.s.t.e.r.]

What makes this lightweight? You used twice as many panels as it needs.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

ok let's rephraset that, Light weight AND finished cabinets ;) no one wants to look at the cabinet framework when you get your dishes out.

[@amanda9034]

Great video. Do you have one for lower cabinets with draws?

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you! We don’t have one doing drawers yet BUT stay tuned, we are planning more How-To videos and that is one of them 😊 make sure to subscribe and you will see when it comes out!

[@amanda9034]

Great! Already subscribed. We are starting a full caravan build next month and love the way you’ve actually made the cabinets light weight

[@mikerowe9004]

Nice video! Great job!! Question, why do you not put glue on your frames??

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Tom said since he use screws for those glue isn’t needed 😊

[@houstonfirefox]

The screws are fine but might loosen over time in the "rolling earthquake". As a finish carpenter, I'd use glue to back up the screws with no appreciable increase in weight.

[@2ndchancefitnessnutrition175]

I was curious if you could tell me what all lumber you used? Was it all from Home Depot? Or did you go through a lumber supplier? Want to make my cabinets as lightweight as possible. Love the video by the way, great teacher.

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Thank you 😃 it can all be pitchade at Hole Depot or Lowes apart from Doors that can be ordered through a door supplier. Good luck with your project!

[@2ndchancefitnessnutrition175]

@@rvingdogsandwine2027 So was it just the one by two Pine and three-quarter by three-quarter Pine that you used for the styles and face frame etc. And then the quarter inch melamine board for the shelves and exterior sides?

[@chrisperry317]

Do you change the method when doing lower cabinets? Larger stock?

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

We use the same material and method for our lower cabinets, they come out really strong so we have not found a need to increase the stock size.

[@kimprocarione5473]

What were the panels made of? Sorry, I didn't find that part. 😊

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Check the video, Tom explains what materials he use :)

[@quiet-wolf]

What wood was used for the project? And what size finish nails?

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

We use pine since it’s lightweight and the appropriate size finish nails for the parts being nailed together

[@evanbell2332]

How thick are your side and bottom panels?

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

They are 3/4” frame with 1/8” both sides so they finish are about 1” overall 😊

[@cdavey9563]

Can you please do one on seating I build with metal not wood total virgin to woodv

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Next RV renovation we build a bench seat for we will do a video 😃 what type of metal work do you do?

[@garykreutzer1239]

No glue on frames?

[@rvingdogsandwine2027]

Since the face frames are screwed together then the face frame is screwed to the cabinet glue is not necessary, but if you like to use glue feel free to add that step to your process.