Lets design a slide out kitchen...

[Rezarf <><]

So I am entering into my second phase of building my trailer (see my sig for the link) and I am focusing on the interior of the trailer, mainly the kitchen and storage boxes.

I have finally aquired two sets of heavy duty ball bearing slides that extend a full 47.25" and hold 100's of pounds each. These ain't cheap, so they were one of the last things purchased, and now I am committed!

Here's the Plan:

• Slide out kitchen with hard mounted stove and sink

• Create as much horizontal prep space as reasonably possible

• Have storage within the drawer for the most commonly used items like a few pans, utensils, and clean-up items, towels

• Fold out counter space... think Drifta

• Integrated light pole for Coleman lantern

• Do it once, do it right.

With that last item I just need some help. I have been using the trailer for a couple of years and I now know what I do use and don't. I was wondering if you could scratch build your own trailer kitchen, and have it contain all the little details you have seen or thought about, what would you include?

I am a little stuck on how to deal with:

• 
  Paper Towel Storage, or should I just use towels?

• 
  Fire Extinguisher Storage, I feel this is needed being as close to the tent and awning.

• Surface for counters, laminate, poly over wood, high tech cutting board material throughout?

• What type of tableware I want to use, plates, cups, mugs, utensils, etc?

• I want to hard mount a sink/faucet, but I am still scratching my head as to how to feed the water system, either a retractable (think coil hose) for the slide out, or I can attach the water once deployed too, what say you?

I like to get everything in hand before starting. I am only waiting on my Shurflo faucet and the selection of my cookware/tableware before diving in!

Thanks in advance I learn oodles here all the time! ExPo ROCKS! :wings:

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Any idea why only the top 1/4 of your photos show up on your trailer thread?

 

[Dennis David]

Seems fine to me.

 

[ntsqd]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34725

I'm planning on my cutting board being a removable polyethylene insert into the sink opening. PE is what most commercial cutting boards are made from. Easy to clean, doesn't harbor bacteria, doesn't kill the knife edges, and not terribly expensive. One side will have a perimeter drainage groove to designate the red meat side.

I've found the micro-absorbent towels in bulk pack. They wash well, but some things just want paper towels. I have no plans for a holder.

We're using back-packing type resin utensils and they work just fine, but I plan to switch to typical SS service. At some point I'll finish making the cooking utensils roll. I keep spacing getting over to a friend's shop to cut out the PE knife scabbards so that I can start sewing.

I've not been as concerned about water to the faucet as much as I've been pondering sink drainage. If on soils that will be OK with just water, then a hose and a shallow ditch. But what about those soils that wouldn't be OK with it, or when it isn't just water?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

They sell these "grey water totes" that the RV people use. They have wheels, and you can just roll them under your drain tube. I just ran my drain tube straight down, and I'll use a tote if I have to.

 

[jcbrandon]

...I want to hard mount a sink/faucet, but I am still scratching my head as to how to feed the water system, either a retractable (think coil hose) for the slide out, or I can attach the water once deployed too, what say you?...

I've always thought a flexible hose raceway would be neat and functional. In addition to the water supply, you might include power and fuel as well. KabelSchlepp is the one I'm familiar with:
http://www.kabelschlepp.com/carrier.htm

 

[Rezarf <><]

Any idea why only the top 1/4 of your photos show up on your trailer thread?

Came up fine for me, sorry.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34725

I'm planning on my cutting board being a removable polyethylene insert into the sink opening. PE is what most commercial cutting boards are made from. Easy to clean, doesn't harbor bacteria, doesn't kill the knife edges, and not terribly expensive. One side will have a perimeter drainage groove to designate the red meat side.

I've found the micro-absorbent towels in bulk pack. They wash well, but some things just want paper towels. I have no plans for a holder.

We're using back-packing type resin utensils and they work just fine, but I plan to switch to typical SS service. At some point I'll finish making the cooking utensils roll. I keep spacing getting over to a friend's shop to cut out the PE knife scabbards so that I can start sewing.

I've not been as concerned about water to the faucet as much as I've been pondering sink drainage. If on soils that will be OK with just water, then a hose and a shallow ditch. But what about those soils that wouldn't be OK with it, or when it isn't just water?

Thanks for the link, I have taken a good look through that thread before! Lots of good stuff there.

As for grey water, I will most likely use a tub to drop a hose into and discard as necessary. I am pretty good with prep before our trips so I don't feel we will have lots of "other" stuff in the sink.

They sell these "grey water totes" that the RV people use. They have wheels, and you can just roll them under your drain tube. I just ran my drain tube straight down, and I'll use a tote if I have to.

I was thinking something like that, perhaps something that can be strapped onto the underside of the bed to save some interior space.

I've always thought a flexible hose raceway would be neat and functional. In addition to the water supply, you might include power and fuel as well. KabelSchlepp is the one I'm familiar with:
http://www.kabelschlepp.com/carrier.htm

Yeah, that is tight! I am most likely going to use regular water safe tubing, with some sort of a bungee system to bring it in tight when not in use... I love the idea of those tracks, however, I don't know if 48" would be worth the costs involved.

Thanks guys keep it coming!

 

[The Adam Blaster]

If you build a pole that folds up to the vertical position to hold the lantern, you could incorporate another pole, or branch, or limb off the main pole that could hold your paper towel roll.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Huh, it's mostly towards the end. Pages 42-47 that I have the problem. On the earlier pages, I was able to see the pics, and realize I've read about and admired your trailer already.

 

[jcbrandon]

... I love the idea of those tracks, however, I don't know if 48" would be worth the costs involved...

Looks like McMaster-Carr sells it by the foot:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#flexible-cable-tracks/=64tqlb

 

[elmo_4_vt]

I'm using a Laminate mainly because of the ease of install, weight, and I have some left over from a kitchen install. A cutting board surface would be nice though and I'll probably have a small cutting board between my stove and sink, but just something small and I'm really restricted to space on mine.

I really like the lantern hook idea though and I'll have to see if I can do something like that.

For the paper towel holder, I'm just going to use a plastic piece that folds mostly flush when the towels aren't installed. The holder will be at the end you pull out, and then I'll install the roll from my storage.

-

Edit:

Here is a CAD drawing of what I think mine will look like. Has a sink and stove permanently mounted and three small drawers. The wings on the left side are just so I can slide it out further without interfering with the propane tank when everything is stored away.

Don

 

[Rezarf <><]

Looks like McMaster-Carr sells it by the foot:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#flexible-cable-tracks/=64tqlb

Thanks for the link, still a bit too high $$$ for me. I love the idea though and may eat my words if it becomes the only acceptable route.

Drew

 

[Ozrockrat]

Computer server cable track???

What about using the cable track off a computer server rack? You can pick them up for near to nothing from a tech recycler and they extend a fair way.

 

[ntsqd]

If you're using a white gas lantern then the hook is the only way to go, but if you're using a propane lantern then you don't need a hook at all. Years ago I built a ~5 foot tall post from 1/2" pipe that attached to the bbq propane tank. Like those 'trees' that are sold, but a whole lot taller. The lantern screws to the top of the post and a 'T' down low allows coupling the stove via a hose. I plan to build a similar post for my pull-out kitchen. Propane connection and post mounting are still fuzzy, too many other details to work out first.

 

[Lynn]

I am most likely going to use regular water safe tubing, with some sort of a bungee system to bring it in tight when not in use... I love the idea of those tracks, however, I don't know if 48" would be worth the costs involved.

I built some portable equipment racks a few years ago that had a slide-out keyboard/monitor drawer. I used bungee cord to pull the power cords and video cables out of the way when stowing the keyboard. Worked great, and a whole lot cheaper than folding raceways.