To recap, we purchased a very slightly used 2018 Grand Design Reflection 303 RLS at Lazy Days RV in Sefner, Florida. We are really enjoying our new home. It is 34 feet in length and without water, propane or our stuff it weights 9,980 pounds (it's dry weight).
As with any new home, we want to make it "ours". Rhonda has placed some personal items here and there, and I am trying to organize the exterior storage areas and keep the truly needed stuff and discarding the stuff no longer used or accessed.
One thing that we have had an issue with, is a work place for both of us. The rig's dinette table and chairs wete just too small for either one of us to work at comfortably, and we definitely can't both work at the same time there.
One thing we discussed, is that the rear couch isn't used much. We have some paperwork, mini-computer and some other things on the end tables, and we store the vacuum and and other things in the end tables. So we started trying to find what others have done in this area to make it more useful for our purposes.
I had an idea of what to do in the area, but to be honest, I am more of a mechanical guy and not very strong with wood working and electrical installations. We were looking to install a table in the area that allowed us to work, eat and enjoy the view. Also, we wanted to "brighten" our home a little. All of the dark wood, window treatments and tinted windows leave it a little dark even on a sunny day. I know, we haven't had many sunny days lately, but we did remember it was kind of dark when the sun did shine in Tampa.
We searched IKEA, Amazon, Staples and other stores looking for a desk with storage that is 90 plus inches wide, but we couldn't find an economic solution.
We figured out that we had to make a custom desk area. To be honest, this is our home, and I was very worried that I would screw it up. We couldn't afford that. We also needed to buy some power tools and we were on a budget for materials and finishing of $1000 max. After looking at Lowe's and Home Depot, I found the best price for what seemed to be good (not contractor quality) power tools at Amazon Porter Cable power tool set and for me they worked fine.
Next, we first started looking for a desk top solution with some file cabinets on each side. A butcher block counter top would be good, or so we thought. We found this solution at Lowes Butcher Block counter top for $240. When we went to look at it, it was much more than either one of us could handle, especially since I can't carry more than 15 pounds (recent back surgery). This counter top is eight feet long and 2 feet wide, and it weighed over 80 lbs, and shipping to our RV would have added another $150. I would still have to cut it, and it just wasn't what I was looking for.
I made a drawing of what I was looking to do for the area and shared it with my better half, Rhonda. This would help her envision what I was trying to do so I could get her input and thoughts. Once I had her thoughts, then I started putting together a list of wood that I needed to make it. Below is the final drawing with the required wood list, but there were 3 or 4 drawings before it. As you can see, I am not a draftsman 😕
Shopping list on top of the last sketch of our plan
I love my wife, she is so supportive and understanding. I then started ordering things, including the file cabinets Amazon File Cabinets for each side. Since we were full steam ahead, we found someone local who wanted the couch and the dinette table and chairs, and now we had an empty spot at the back of our home and a pile of things where the dinette used to be.
End table, before it's destruction
Now that the sofa-bed is history, time to start removing the end tables that were built into the unit. They are assembled well and utilizes many fasteners, brads and 2" wood screws, about 24 screws in each. Pop off the trim molding, then remove the door and side panels for access to the screws.
End table, molding and side panel removed to expose screws and wiring
There are screws that fasten the unit to the floor and both back and side walls. Disconnect the electrical outlet so it can be moved out of the way to access the screws. Please note, there is both 110 VAC and 12 VDC wires in the area. The 12 VDC wiring is for the trailer lights, stop, brake, etc.
White green and black 12 VAC for rear brake//turn signal on the right, 110 VAC romex coming from floor and going left
We had just enough time for removal of the end tables when our file cabinets arrived. We started layout of the area, and we always knew that the file cabinets were not high enough for the table and decided that we would put a pedestal with convenience outlets to the front.
Set up of file cabinets, time to start measuring!
We then purchased wood, wire, junction boxes and fasteners that we thought were required for the project. We started cutting and fastening parts and pieces, checking their fit and finishing them with polyurethane.
Below are pictures of that process. We used the original electrical outlets and added additional ones for the front convenience outlets. I used a 4 x 4 electrical box for wire junctions on each side. This is all on the same existing 15 amp circuit - this area is for 2 laptops, printer, and USB charging. Not exactly the circuit size we wanted, 20 Amp would work much better, but we have to work with what we have! We are both on notice that these outlets are for low-draw items only.
Storage of wood and other items to keep them dry
The great outdoors was our workshop!
Placement of support strips screwed into studding for table top support
Pedestals that fit under the file cabinets
Table top wood, sanded and 3 coats of polyurethane
What's not pictured is the 5/8" high grade plywood that is fastened to the bottoms of the file cabinets, which is then fastened to 2 x 2's inside the pedestals. The pedestals are fastened to the wall and to the floor using "L" brackets. It took a while for us to figure out how to anchor all of this so it will withstand bumpy highways!
Fit-up time for pedestals and file cabinets
Access panel for both 110 VAC and 12 VDC and original outlet
Pretty close to finished product
I installed the original outlets in an access panel located behind the file cabinets (see pictures above). We use those outlets to plug in a couple of pop-up power outlets which I purchased at Amazon. We use the pop-up outlets and USB chargers for items on the desk. The desktop planks have (2) 1 x 8 stiffeners underneath and are fastened to the one by fours previously anchored to the side walls and back wall.
I wish we had pictures of us moving out the screen from the passenger side rear window as this was the only way to get the desktop wood into our fifth wheel. Wow, God was definitely on our side, we would have had to cut that butcher block counter in half to get it in our home!
We purchased two chairs at Office Depot that were on sale to finish the look! Before and after pictures are below.
Budget numbers were close. We spent about $420 for wood, fasteners, electrical supplies and finishing items (sandpaper, polyurethane, brushes, etc.). The file cabinets and popup receptacles was about $370. The chairs that were on sale and Office Depot had a 30% off sale were around $140 each for $280; which brings the project total to $1070. I have a bit of wood, fasteners, finishing and electrical supplies left over for other little projects in the future.
We have some corner molding to install along the top of the desk. When that is done, we will perform one more lite sanding and coating of polyurethane.
As you can see, I am not a carpenter or electrician, but for the first project, we are pleased. I am so blessed with Rhonda. She was a big help with lifting and moving materials and the file cabinets; her keen eye helped when I missed something; and she was the one who thought of bringing the table top wood in thru the side window!
Please let us know your thoughts and ask questions. Pass it along so others can learn how their rig may be assembled and how to modify it!
Until next time, God Bless!
