Undiscover space - Montana Owners Club

MAMalody · 07-24-2006, 03:47 PM

I have a 3575RL. As you enter the coach, immediately on the left is the stove with the microwave above it. Immediately above the microway is a 3" vent that goes the length of the micorwave. Above this vent is a blank cabinet front to the ceiling, about 14" or so inches. Has anybody checked to see if this can be converted to storage space, or is there a vent issue here?

Montana_1240 · 07-24-2006, 05:22 PM

Mike,

I believe that the space is probably open. In later model years, they've taken to using the blank space above our fridges to put a cabinet in. Then they made one out of the space below the fridge. Now they're making the spaces under the gas ovens into drawer space.

I don't know of any other way to be sure of it than to remove the microwave and see. Or, you could drill a hole into the panel, and poke a small mirror in to see what's in there. Then, if it happens to have something in it, (and I can't see why,) you could cover the hole up with anything that goes well with your motif. (Ask a woman to be sure. I'm just a guy and have no taste.)

Dollars to donuts, someone else who happens to have the same rig, and has done something with that space will come along and correct any error in my assumption.

Steve

Glenn and Lorraine · 07-25-2006, 01:58 AM

It's just the top of the Microwave. I removed the panel. Attached a couple brackets to the side wall and layed in a piece of plywood. Use this area for storage of light weight stuff such as bags of popcorn, chips, pretzels, etc

drhowell · 07-25-2006, 05:28 AM

Only caution I would have is make sure the microwave has a space above it for air circulation. One or two inches should be adequate. You may not want to place the shelf directly on the microwave and create an overheating problem. Just a suggestion.

I like the idea of using the space however, its great.

CountryGuy · 07-25-2006, 05:41 AM

Don, I thought that vented stuff above the microwave was for heat distribution, was I wrong??? (HA HA, could be, am a lot! HA HA HA)

It shows in Glenn's photo.

Carol

worknomore · 07-25-2006, 07:05 AM

I converted that space to a cabinet also. Mounted 4 cleats for floor support (sides, front & back), added a floor, and made a raised panel flipper door to match the rest in the coach. Looks good & adds a lot of storage.

One thing I also did while in the process was to move the outlet that the Apollo is plugged into to the new space above. Just notched the floor in the back & move the outlet & plug to the new space.

Why? Because we had an Apollo in our Cougar go up in smoke, & I just unplugged it. Lot easier to reach for a plug than search for a breaker, and the breaker didn't trip when wires inside the oven started melting...

jrgwdenner · 07-25-2006, 07:54 AM

Your space is about twice as big as ours, Glenn.

MAMalody · 07-25-2006, 08:02 AM

Well, that answers that question. Another item for the "honey do" list. for those who put on doors, where did you find them and did you use a specific model #?

Next, how about the space, or lack thereof, under the stairs to the bedroom suite? Can that be utilized for storage?

worknomore · 07-25-2006, 08:46 AM

Did that too. Removed original bottom step box (4 screws buried in carpet), made a new box slightly larger with a step (lid) hinged w/a piano hinge, re-stapled the original capet back on, & screwed to floor & back wall.

Voila - shoe/whatever storage!

Sorry 'bout the poor quality images - raining cats 'n dogs outside & didn't wanna open the slides...

vickir · 07-25-2006, 08:50 AM

If you don't have the facilities, tools, or wood-working ability, you can order the doors from Lowe's like we did. Lowe's also had the hardware that comes so close to matching you'd have to look really, really close to see any difference.

There are some other members who have not only utilized the dead space in the kitchen, but have put hinges on the air intake grill under the stairs (in the newer models) and made use of that space as well. I'm sure you'll get details on accomplishing this very soon.

CountryGuy · 07-25-2006, 12:16 PM

Bev, can you send Jim over, I WANT THAT STEP!!

What a great improvement.

txkrumm · 07-25-2006, 01:43 PM

I was wondering the same thing? Can Jim come to our house for a visit? I make a mean fudge brownie pie! Love the step idea. Between the sunscreen shades and the step/shoe box, my Steve is going to be a busy little boy this weekend.
tara krumm

mobilrvn · 07-25-2006, 02:15 PM

For 3575 folks, there is about two cuft of available storage behind the drawers in the desk. I got a door from Keystone so it would match, cut a hole and boxed it in and put the door on. Only draw back is getting to it, so seldom used items are there.

MAMalody · 07-25-2006, 08:30 PM

I hadn't found that space yet. Did you put a door handle on the door, and if so, do the dinette chairs catch on it?

Dustytuu · 07-26-2006, 09:08 AM

I want Jim to come over to make us a storage step too!! He is indeed going to be a busy person!!

Parrothead · 07-26-2006, 05:33 PM

I want to get in line for the step. Our first fiver - a Prowler- had that and they had a tool box in there. That would be nice to have for inside tools.
Happy trails...........................

mobilrvn · 07-27-2006, 04:31 PM

Regarding the desk space, the door has a matching handle and it doesn't catch on the chairs. If you have a question about this space, just remove the desk drawers and it will be apparent.

mobilrvn · 07-27-2006, 04:38 PM

For another "undiscovered space" in 2004 and earlier models, consider moving the drawers in the bedroom chest of drawers closer together. We bought another door from Keystone to put on the "saved" space at one end of the chest of drawers---haven't had time yet. Maybe another six months or so???

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