How do you screw stuff into the walls?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9310
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Topic: How do you screw stuff into the walls?
Posted By: laureyrpod
Subject: How do you screw stuff into the walls?
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2017 at 7:36pm
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I have a 182g which I love, and am dying to do some modifications. However, I am fearful of drilling holes into the rpod walls (interior). I see mods showing shelves which I want to do, but no one ever says how they actually affix the brackets to the walls. I have learned that you can search for the studs, so affixing things to the studs would be easiest. But what about when you aren't over a stud? Molly bolts? Any tips for brands or installation instructions? I'm handy but not overly so. Please be specific--tools needed, drilling?, brand or size of bolts.... Thanks in advance! Peace in the Pod (Laurey, Bella, and Bogie) ------------- Laurey, Bella and Bogie 2016 182g Rpod 2016 Toyota Highlander "Peace in a Pod" |
Replies:
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 6:06am
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I have had some success using the spiral sheet rock anchors in areas where no stud or metal framing was available. These anchors have a pointed end designed to bore the correct size hole in sheetrock. I cut off the pointed end and pre-drill the hole. That reduces the length of penetration required. It also results in a "clean" hole that can be easily plugged if you decide to move or eliminate the bracket, etc. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 2:45pm
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http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-6-32-x-1-in-Zinc-Plated-Hollow-Wall-Anchor-with-Truss-Head-Combo-Drive-Screw-5-Pack-00469/202187091?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=shFwgTTzb|dc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_111415246385_pkw__pmt__product_202187091_slid_&gclid=COXprde1i9ICFZiCswod3iUOvQ - Crown Bolt Hollow Wall Anchors #6-32x1" (UPC: 0 30699 00469 0) works on wall thickness of 1/8" to 1/4" and since they are shorter than the thickness of the R-Pod wall, there is no danger of going through. Look for them at Home Depot.
------------- 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: Podinaroundbc
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 4:11pm
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We have put screws in our walls without searching for studs but we also don't hang anything heavy. We use small #6 wood screws. After 2 years everything is still attached. ------------- Art & Brenda Jake the dog 2015 179 HRE 2012 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 4:32pm
So these definitely will only go thru the wall board stephen? no chance of popping thru outside wall? ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 6:10pm
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I have a piece of wall that I removed in the door to install a window. The walls are NOT hollow like what you expect in your house when you put a dry wall anchor thru the drywall. There is a condensed foam insulation between the inside and outside wall(s). I want to try different anchors and see how they expand in that condensed foam. I can use that piece I cut from the door. There is about an inch and a half between inside and out side walls. You have to be careful when drilling from either side not to go thru the other side. You just want to pierce the interior wall. Same with hanging something on the outside, I have solar security lights motion lights I mounted. I use an old trick, when drilling anchor holes. I wrap electrical tape around the bit about a half inch from the tip, that stops the bit from going in more than about a half an inch. I'm using the bit that comes with the anchor set, I believe it is a 1/4 bit for a number 8 anchor. I have not used the anchors that Stephen suggests but I will test them now to see how they anchor in the condensed foam. I have used Crown Bolt anchors for many applications. Very secure. I don't use the walls in the RPod to hold anything of weight. Light bearing shelves are ok, but if I want to hang clothes for an example I use a closet rod above the window shade boxes so everything is load bearing. Then I attach the shelves to the closet rod so there is an assist to the shelf, if that makes sense. You do need a stud locator that warns of metal studs, if you do or don't want to use the existing studs. I haven't found any application where I could use the existing studs, different for everybody. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: laureyrpod
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 7:01pm
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thanks, Cooper, I will give those a try. I tried several types of hollow wall bolts to no avail...they would not stay put. they wobbled then fell backward into the wall. I bought a special tool online (had to be shipped from the UK thru Amazon) and it was supposed to make installing hollow wall bolts a cinch. No luck. Given the number of mods I see in this forum, I'm sure that there's a way to screw things into the walls! L. ------------- Laurey, Bella and Bogie 2016 182g Rpod 2016 Toyota Highlander "Peace in a Pod" |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 7:43pm
Given that the walls are 1-1/2" thick, a 1" anchor will definitely NOT go through the outside. Don't make the mistake of getting the https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-Drywall-Anchor/3415976 - Short Hollow Wall Drive Anchors (with the pointed end). They will definitely go through the outside wall (speaking from experience  ). Just be careful to only drill through the inside wall as described by Mike Carter. His idea to put a piece of tape on the drill bit is a good one.Don't bother trying the "Toggler" anchors that look like wings. The foam makes it almost impossible to push the wings into position, which means that they can't perform adequately. ------------- 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: marwayne
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2017 at 10:29pm
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The door is 1 1/2" and the walls are 1 5/16" thick
------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2017 at 8:45am
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Again, thanks for the correction. I was assuming that the door and walls were the same thickness. Still, a 1-5/16" wall should be in no danger from a 1" fastener.
------------- 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: dgbinpc
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2017 at 2:47pm
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I used 1x2 strips of wood that I glued to the interior. In some cases, I reinforced the strips with screws into studs (if they were there) for heavier items. In one case, I glued and screwed a 1x2 that runs the vertical length from the bed to the celling on the corner of the bathroom and it holds a larger TV on a swivel mount. We remove the TV from the mount when in transit. I removed the TV and DVD player from beneath the little cabinet...got tired of bumping my head. Will send pictures at some point, trailer is in storage. Did the same in the kitchen, two inverted "U" shapes with 1x2 to support paper towel holder and a fold up shelf for dishes.
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Posted By: laureyrpod
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2017 at 6:07pm
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Gorilla glue? Clamps? ------------- Laurey, Bella and Bogie 2016 182g Rpod 2016 Toyota Highlander "Peace in a Pod" |
Posted By: dgbinpc
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 9:10am
| it was gorilla glue, but no way to really clamp so I used braces across the trailer. |
Posted By: laureyrpod
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2017 at 6:40pm
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Thanks! ------------- Laurey, Bella and Bogie 2016 182g Rpod 2016 Toyota Highlander "Peace in a Pod" |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2017 at 6:43am
| I don't want to drill any holes. In case I might want to sell the thing down the road. Try the velcro with sticky..get it at LOWES. |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 7:33pm
Call me crazy but I ain't drilling no holes in my beautiful new walls! If anything I'll use sticky velcro. And no art. Even though I'm an artist. Being a minimalist, I think the interior is a work of art itself. 
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Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2017 at 7:25am
Don't believe I'll be screwing ANYTHING into my beautiful new walls. Not even art..and I'm an artist. I think the interior itself is a work of art. If anything, I'll use velcro (with sticky on one side). Just my humble opinion, but I like the minimalist look. (Sorry for the redundancy!) 
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2017 at 11:06am
Good luck getting that Velcro off the wall without taking the finish with it. |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2017 at 11:56am
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Lots of good info given. Makes me feel better about mounting something light to the walls.
Thanks ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: Jess_n_WA
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2021 at 6:10pm
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Just wanted to add that one can find the hollow wall screws and anchors here: https://www.boltdepot.com/Hollow_wall_anchors_Zinc_plated_steel.aspx I figure I should share this link with others. About me: an owner of a 2018 Rpod 176, Hood River edition. Thank you! ------------- Newbie, looking to learn more. |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2021 at 10:47am
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For interior walls, I use these: https://www.dkhardware.com/toggler-hollow-wall-anchors-for-1-8-to-1-4-t11009-product-2894.html - https://www.dkhardware.com/toggler-hollow-wall-anchors-for-1-8-to-1-4-t11009-product-2894.html ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2021 at 11:28am
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You may have some problem getting them to expand in the styrofoam inside the walls. You may want to try something more like this: http://www.amazon.com/Drilling-Drywall-Plastic-Anchors-Screws/dp/B01FCZ8I3I/ref=asc_df_B01FCZ8I3I/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198102547837&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2346488870170862881&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030846&hvtargid=pla-391993753802&psc=1 - https://www.amazon.com/Drilling-Drywall-Plastic-Anchors-Screws/dp/B01FCZ8I3I/ref=asc_df_B01FCZ8I3I/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198102547837&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2346488870170862881&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030846&hvtargid=pla-391993753802&psc=1 But, be careful to get them short enough that they don't go all the way through the foam. I don't recall how thick the wall are, but it is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 1/4". We always use coarse threaded screws with a little 3M foam double sided heavy duty foam tape. Never had a problem with it coming loose. The screw compresses the double side tape and creates a very strong bond. Keep in mind the vinyl clad plywood is only about 3/16" thick so you have to be careful how much weight is on each fastener. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2021 at 6:02am
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+1 to lostagain. That fastener is meant to drill through drywall so you can cut off the tip and predrill through the plywood. Keep the total length to 1 inch or less so you don't hit the outer wall. Longer wouldn't make it stronger anyway since the fastener threads are only engaging with the thin plywood, screwing deeper into the foam does nothing. Start with a small pilot hole so if by some miracle you happen to hit one of the few aluminum square tubes that constitute the rpod wall frame you can use a self tapping screw into that. Wrap a piece of tape 3/4 inch from the drill tip so you don't accidentally drill through the outer wall. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2021 at 9:42am
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https://amazon.com/Excellent-Hollow-Anchor-Multiple-Assortment/dp/B07FX541J8/ - https://amazon.com/Excellent-Hollow-Anchor-Multiple-Assortment/dp/B07FX541J8/ The short ones of these should do the trick. While you can use a screwdriver to expand it, there is a tool that would make it much easier. https://amazon.com/Anndason-Setting-Hollow-Cavity-Plasterboard/dp/B0711S75N9/ - https://amazon.com/Anndason-Setting-Hollow-Cavity-Plasterboard/dp/B0711S75N9/ I did not have the tool when I used the ones I found at Home Depot. Since then, HD seems to have stopped carrying the shorter ones. Don't use the longer ones. I found out the hard way about ones over an inch long. Expanding a small one and then using a washer if needed along with the screw should hold almost any thing very securely to the wall of the RPod, even if it does not go through a frame member.
------------- 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: TheBum
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2021 at 10:55am
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Yeah, I'd lean toward molly bolts for insulated walls because they'd likely provide enough force to expand into the foam. The trick is finding ones short enough. The shortest I can get locally is 1-1/4"; the shortest one in StephenH's link (22mm) would probably work.
Is the inside paneling of the exterior wall directly against the foam or is there something in between?
------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2021 at 1:59pm
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I use coarse thread drywall screws. It takes about 37.5 pounds of strait pull to start the screw from coming out. https://postimages.org/">  https://postimages.org/">  https://banks-nearme.com/capital-one-bank-near-me - capital one georgia ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2021 at 7:08pm
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If you use expanding screws, keep in mind that once they're there, they are there for ever. You can't remove them without really damaging the wall. Using coarse thread screws leaves a small hole that's easy to fill. If you use the 3M 2-side sticky tape, you risk pulling off the vinyl wall paper, but with care, a razor and some solvent, you can usually get it off without hurting anything. You have to cut the tape through the foam part between the two sticky sides very carefully, then the solvent will weaken the glue bond enough to take it off without hurting the vinyl. Be sure to use a solvent that doesn't dissolve the vinyl, as would acetone, for example. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2021 at 7:35pm
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If I have to fix screw hole, I put a matching button in. https://postimages.org/">  https://postimages.org/">  ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2021 at 10:30am
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The holes I'm putting in will be all in the bathroom of my 196 for items that should have been installed at the factory: towel bar, hand towel ring, toilet paper roll holder, etc. I don't trust Command Strips or threads through 1/8" paneling to hold those.
------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2021 at 10:51am
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The wall paneling is all there is to give resistance to the load. The foam really doesn't do much more than air. You are right in not trusting "command strips." They are not really designed to hold much weight, especially when it's subjected to the shake rattle and roll of a moving trailer. It's too bad you can't get inside the wall to put big washers on the other side of the paneling to spread the load on the thin wood. The best you can do is to try to spread the load through other means. We've used the coarse thread and 3M extreme/super heavy duty mounting tape that claims to hold 90 pounds per inch [ http://www.amazon.com/Double-HitLights-Mounting-Waterproof-Length/dp/B07TC16SZ7 - https://www.amazon.com/Double-HitLights-Mounting-Waterproof-Length/dp/B07TC16SZ7 ] with great success. The towel racks, paper towel holders, toilet paper holders, and so on, all are very securely fastened and show absolutely no sign of loosening after years of use. I speculate, but will leave it to our wise engineers to opine, that the foam helps dampen some of the forces exerted on the mounted stuff and the wall, thus helping it stay in place. But, of course, as I often am, I could be wrong. According to Mr. Google, applying Goo Gone will dissolve the glue on the tape for easy removal, if you decide to take what you mounted off the wall.
------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2021 at 5:24pm
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I am not worried about the screw pulling away. More about the screw pulling the laminated planet apart. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2021 at 6:42pm
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I have my pod since September 2010, no screw has pulled and no delamination. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2021 at 7:35pm
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Thanks. How much weight did you put on the connection? I would like to install shelves. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2021 at 7:39pm
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Consider fastening a backing/mounting plate for shelves if you're going to put a lot of weight on them. It helps spread the load. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2021 at 8:34am
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Re whether the foam does anything to help or not, it's normal in engineering practice when you have this kind is situation to just assume it makes no positive contribution to supporting the load. That is a conservative assumption but a good one.
Re pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes, they have been around for decades now. They can provide a strong bond if applied right and used in the right environment. If installed wrong or used under conditions they're not intended for they can fail badly. So if you use them follow the directions carefully. Personally, I don't trust them, having had some bad experiences with them. Mechanical fasteners have to be installed correctly too of course, but they are much more tolerant of varying temperature, humidity, and surface prep. I have no objection to LA's "belt and suspenders" approach of using both. Also don't be afraid to perform a test to see how strong your attachment is. It will have to hold up one way or another, might as well find out sooner rather than later. If you test you need to put the right amount of force on the attachments in the right direction, which requires a bit of thought. For example, upper attachments of shelf brackets primarily see pullout loads (because the weight on the shelf is trying to rotate the bracket outwards st the top) while bottom attachments mainly see pull over loads. The pullout loads are worse because of leverage from the shelf, so it's going to be the upper shelf bracket attachment that fails first. So if it's a shelf bracket it's best to install the bracket and pull down halfway out the bracket (where the center of downforce on the shelf will be) rather than directly on the attachments. Use a spring scale and pull down with about twice the weight you plan to put on that bracket to account for bump loads while driving. Hold the force for awhile. If it passes that test you should be good to go unless you're using PSA tape which fails later due to environmental conditions. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2021 at 9:20am
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For the upper attachment, I would definitely consider the short molly bolts to provide that additional support of the expanded fastener on the back side of the panel. ------------- 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: marwayne
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2021 at 11:25am
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I built a cabinet over the kitchen counter for dishes plus 2 towel bars and toilet paper holder in the bathroom. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |