Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Innovative interiors
Innovative interiors [message #188837] |
Wed, 31 October 2012 13:05 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036 Registered: March 2010 Location: Americus, Georgia
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I think we've successfully hijacked several perfectly good threads with the subject of interior modifications. So let's start a new one.
We all have different needs and wants. Being tall presents its own set of problems, but today I've seen some ideas that interest me.
Basically, we want rear twins. We like to sleep in the privacy of a bedroom, but we don't fit well in a double bed. The standard rear bedroom Royale has twins that are too short. Also, the kitchen counter is huge and takes up 1/2 of the front of the coach. I'm formulating a plan here. I want to see what you think.
One option would be to search for a center kitchen coach. With some cabinet modifications the rear beds could be lengthened enough to be comfortable. There might be another option:
On the standard GM coaches, there's an option called the rear twin layout. I bet most of these are Edgemontes. Since the Edgemonte has 77" beds, that would be my preference.
The kitchen, however is not to our liking. There's too much space wasted on countertop. What if one took the stove and sink out and replaced them with a small bar-type sink, a single portable cooking eye, and a microwave/convection oven (mounted elsewhere). How much space could you gain and what length sofa could you put in the space now occupied by 1/2 the kitchen and the love seat?
This side might be better for 2 comfortable lounge chairs.
On the other side, I'd remove the dinette and put either a sofa or the two chairs from the other side.
Storage space is really not important to us.
In summary this coach would have: a comfortable bedroom for tall people, a dry bath, a small kitchen for we who would just as soon do something other than cook, a comfortable living room with potential for someone to sleep on the sofa. Throw in a low profile furnace and an on demand water heater and, for the Miller's needs, I believe we'd have a "home run".
Even if it wouldn't run I could go in the back yard and stretch out on the long beds or watch TV from the comfortable sofa.
Comments?
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold '84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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Re: Innovative interiors [message #188842 is a reply to message #188837] |
Wed, 31 October 2012 14:46 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629 Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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Stick, don`t rule out the 23's. Our Crestmont couch makes a nice bed with a full size air mattress. You just have to stow it when not in use. The entrance hand rails were added but could be removed and a dropdown table added for more length if needed. I`m only 6'2" so we do OK at 75".
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/crestmont-midas-or-norris/p33004-sofa-bed-75-quot-x46-quot.html
Stick Miller wrote on Wed, 31 October 2012 14:05 | I think we've successfully hijacked several perfectly good threads with the subject of interior modifications. So let's start a new one.
We all have different needs and wants. Being tall presents its own set of problems, but today I've seen some ideas that interest me.
Basically, we want rear twins. We like to sleep in the privacy of a bedroom, but we don't fit well in a double bed. The standard rear bedroom Royale has twins that are too short. Also, the kitchen counter is huge and takes up 1/2 of the front of the coach. I'm formulating a plan here. I want to see what you think.
One option would be to search for a center kitchen coach. With some cabinet modifications the rear beds could be lengthened enough to be comfortable. There might be another option:
On the standard GM coaches, there's an option called the rear twin layout. I bet most of these are Edgemontes. Since the Edgemonte has 77" beds, that would be my preference.
The kitchen, however is not to our liking. There's too much space wasted on countertop. What if one took the stove and sink out and replaced them with a small bar-type sink, a single portable cooking eye, and a microwave/convection oven (mounted elsewhere). How much space could you gain and what length sofa could you put in the space now occupied by 1/2 the kitchen and the love seat?
This side might be better for 2 comfortable lounge chairs.
On the other side, I'd remove the dinette and put either a sofa or the two chairs from the other side.
Storage space is really not important to us.
In summary this coach would have: a comfortable bedroom for tall people, a dry bath, a small kitchen for we who would just as soon do something other than cook, a comfortable living room with potential for someone to sleep on the sofa. Throw in a low profile furnace and an on demand water heater and, for the Miller's needs, I believe we'd have a "home run".
Even if it wouldn't run I could go in the back yard and stretch out on the long beds or watch TV from the comfortable sofa.
Comments?
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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Re: Innovative interiors [message #188847 is a reply to message #188842] |
Wed, 31 October 2012 15:33 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005 Registered: August 2004 Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Space saving for many people includes removing the oven, and putting a microwave in it's place. Just depends upon the desire to do cooking in coach, some love their gas range. Me, I'm afraid to turn it on.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188851 is a reply to message #188850] |
Wed, 31 October 2012 15:54 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036 Registered: March 2010 Location: Americus, Georgia
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Rob - still pretty big if you are serious about space saving. I'd like the whole kitchen to be approximately the size of the top of this unit (not including microwave/convection, but including the sink).
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold '84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188862 is a reply to message #188850] |
Wed, 31 October 2012 20:48 |
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Been there, done that with a Sharp Convection/Microwave at that level. It
seems like a good idea until you actually use it. Better to have the
microwave over the refrigerator or somewhere else.
Stick, the idea of a bar sink and a single hot plate sounds Good. For only a
tad more space you can also get a two burner and mount it so it takes up
little width-wise. However, for those that love eating someone else's
cooking while "roughing it", a single burner would do the trick. However,
I'd definitely go for the combination oven mounted at eye level.
Generally, we use a coffee maker and microwave more than anything else.
For the sofa, get one as long as the space allows. A good jack-knife sofa
would fit well opposite some club chairs. For the chairs, some that have a
reclining back would work but you can forget about a flip-up foot rest.
There just isn't room.
Put a TV on a good swivel mount that swings out from the end of the couch
and you'd be good to go. One person could watch TV in a chair and the other
lazy dude could lay on the couch and still see out the upper part of the
lenses. (I do hate watching football in a recliner. I need to mount my TV
higher.)
--
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
http://www.gmceast.com
Rob Mueller wrote:
> Tom,
>
> You can separate the cooktop from the oven and install a Sharp microwave /
> grill / convection oven like this:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/galley-pull-out-drawers/p39534-pull-out-draw
> ers.html
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Thomas Phipps
>
> Space saving for many people includes removing the oven, and putting a
> microwave in it's place. Just depends upon the desire to do
> cooking in coach, some love their gas range. Me, I'm afraid to turn it on.
> Tom
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188868 is a reply to message #188862] |
Wed, 31 October 2012 23:36 |
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jaholland
Messages: 565 Registered: June 2010 Location: Sweet Home Alebamy
Karma: 0
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Stick
Some Time Back I saw a Royale with rear twins
and the 6'6" owner had added an additional 2
feet to the rear behind the rear side windows
and the rear end cap ~ He also added 2 feet
to the frame behind the bogies thus giving
him plenty of head room for twin beds ~
~
I'll find a photo of it somewhere ~
~ Joe ~
{still thinking about those STAG Bucket Seats}
/_]*[__][] *[__|] ~ * '73 TZE063V101887 " "
O----------OO--]* ~ '78 TZE168V100234 " "
" Joe & Lavelle " " "
'sweet home alebamy'
[Updated on: Wed, 31 October 2012 23:39] Report message to a moderator
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188873 is a reply to message #188862] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 05:45 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Byron,
You are absolutely 100% correct vis-à-vis having the microwave somewhere else preferably at eye height which is what I really
wanted.
However, the task goes from a relatively simple to a complex mod with "downsides" in an Avion.
Lets say you put it above the cooktop:
1) You have to make a cabinet for it
2) It blocks the window
2) It complicates having an exhaust hood above the cooktop
Lets say you put it above the refrigerator:
1) You can't have a large two door fridge like the one I have in Double Trouble
2) The microwave door opens the wrong direction - they are all hinged on the left as you face them
If anyone has any ideas where it can go I'm all ears as the interior of The Blue Streak is gutted.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Byron Songer
Been there, done that with a Sharp Convection/Microwave at that level. It
seems like a good idea until you actually use it. Better to have the
microwave over the refrigerator or somewhere else.
Stick, the idea of a bar sink and a single hot plate sounds Good. For only a
tad more space you can also get a two burner and mount it so it takes up
little width-wise. However, for those that love eating someone else's
cooking while "roughing it", a single burner would do the trick. However,
I'd definitely go for the combination oven mounted at eye level.
Generally, we use a coffee maker and microwave more than anything else.
For the sofa, get one as long as the space allows. A good jack-knife sofa
would fit well opposite some club chairs. For the chairs, some that have a
reclining back would work but you can forget about a flip-up foot rest.
There just isn't room.
Put a TV on a good swivel mount that swings out from the end of the couch
and you'd be good to go. One person could watch TV in a chair and the other
lazy dude could lay on the couch and still see out the upper part of the
lenses. (I do hate watching football in a recliner. I need to mount my TV
higher.)
Byron Songer
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188874 is a reply to message #188847] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 06:02 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412 Registered: May 2011 Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Show food is, with avery few notable exceptions, poor and expensive. Typical arena fried grease. I find the stove and icebox lifesavers both for nutrition and money. I occasionally use my microwave. I also haul an old aluminum barbecue and a bag of charcoal in the toad for BBQing chickens now and again.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Thomas Phipps <tph1pp5@yahoo.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 4:33 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors
Space saving for many people includes removing the oven, and putting a microwave in it's place. Just depends upon the desire to do cooking in coach, some love their gas range. Me, I'm afraid to turn it on.
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion, under forever re-construction
Vicksburg, MS. 3.7 miles from I-20
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188875 is a reply to message #188873] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 06:27 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412 Registered: May 2011 Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Coming forward from the rear bath on the driver's side, mine has a double sink, counter space, stove, then (not there now) either a couch or dinette up to the driver's seat. Cabinets above, and the microwave is bolted to the bottom of the cabinets between the sink and the stove. Opposite side has door, couch which pulls into a bed, and then icebox again with cabinets above. I've still not decided what to do on the driver's side, dinette or couch. Either has to make a hard surface for dog crates, or a bed for her when she's along. The back end of it has the furnace under. The couch on the passenger side has the freshwater tank under, plus some stowage (jack, blocks, etc) and the water heater. It ain't changing. This setup works well for me.
If I add something on the driver's side which makes a double bed when erected, I can put the crates on the passenger side on the couch bottom. I'm currently thinking convertible dinette with recessed crate clips and the same clips on the couch side. That way, solo, I can leave the dinette to the dogs and sleep on the couch. When she's along, the opposite. The couch bed isn't really comfortable for two people. At show sites, I don't normally crate the dogs, so the dinette could stay erected for table space which I'm currently shy of. I need the double sink - matterofact I use all the kitchen space and stuff.
Realize, my current purpose is probably different than the majority of GMCers.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2012 6:46 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors
Byron,
You are absolutely 100% correct vis-à-vis having the microwave somewhere else preferably at eye height which is what I really
wanted.
However, the task goes from a relatively simple to a complex mod with "downsides" in an Avion.
Lets say you put it above the cooktop:
1) You have to make a cabinet for it
2) It blocks the window
2) It complicates having an exhaust hood above the cooktop
Lets say you put it above the refrigerator:
1) You can't have a large two door fridge like the one I have in Double Trouble
2) The microwave door opens the wrong direction - they are all hinged on the left as you face them
If anyone has any ideas where it can go I'm all ears as the interior of The Blue Streak is gutted.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Byron Songer
Been there, done that with a Sharp Convection/Microwave at that level. It
seems like a good idea until you actually use it. Better to have the
microwave over the refrigerator or somewhere else.
Stick, the idea of a bar sink and a single hot plate sounds Good. For only a
tad more space you can also get a two burner and mount it so it takes up
little width-wise. However, for those that love eating someone else's
cooking while "roughing it", a single burner would do the trick. However,
I'd definitely go for the combination oven mounted at eye level.
Generally, we use a coffee maker and microwave more than anything else.
For the sofa, get one as long as the space allows. A good jack-knife sofa
would fit well opposite some club chairs. For the chairs, some that have a
reclining back would work but you can forget about a flip-up foot rest.
There just isn't room.
Put a TV on a good swivel mount that swings out from the end of the couch
and you'd be good to go. One person could watch TV in a chair and the other
lazy dude could lay on the couch and still see out the upper part of the
lenses. (I do hate watching football in a recliner. I need to mount my TV
higher.)
Byron Songer
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188877 is a reply to message #188873] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 06:56 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Rob,
I know you've seen this, but as a reminder, here's where mine's located:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/our-x-birchaven/p446.html
That location, certainly never my favorite, has proven to be an excellent
one. My original objection of not being able to sit up in bed, facing the
TV and leaning against the wall beneath the microwave, became a non-issue
when I installed an LED TV on the wall above the TV shown -- can only watch
from the facing sofa anyway.
To ensure adequate cooling for the convection/microwave, the shelf, and the
drawer beneath it, leave a 3" slot at the wall. SHE's always wanted me to
put some sort of grille in the open area around the unit, but I've never
found anything I like; the open space is not a problem.
The overhang is not a problem when making up the bed because we don't do
that. We sleep in Travasaks -- sleeping bags with Velcro'd-in sheet. They
eliminate bed-making and stow out of sight in the cabinet beneath the TV
after they're rolled up.
Ken H.
On Thu, Nov 1, 2012 at 6:46 AM, Rob Mueller wrote:
> ...
If anyone has any ideas where it can go I'm all ears as the interior of The
> Blue Streak is gutted.
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188878 is a reply to message #188877] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 07:08 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447 Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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We absolutely love our Travasak. It is sad that they are no longer in
business. Fortunately, we found some surplus sheet sets and bought them.
Should last us forever. I get drowsy just thinking about that Travasak on
top of our air bed.
On Thu, Nov 1, 2012 at 4:56 AM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>wrote:
> Rob,
>
> I know you've seen this, but as a reminder, here's where mine's located:
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/our-x-birchaven/p446.html
>
> That location, certainly never my favorite, has proven to be an excellent
> one. My original objection of not being able to sit up in bed, facing the
> TV and leaning against the wall beneath the microwave, became a non-issue
> when I installed an LED TV on the wall above the TV shown -- can only watch
> from the facing sofa anyway.
>
> To ensure adequate cooling for the convection/microwave, the shelf, and the
> drawer beneath it, leave a 3" slot at the wall. SHE's always wanted me to
> put some sort of grille in the open area around the unit, but I've never
> found anything I like; the open space is not a problem.
>
> The overhang is not a problem when making up the bed because we don't do
> that. We sleep in Travasaks -- sleeping bags with Velcro'd-in sheet. They
> eliminate bed-making and stow out of sight in the cabinet beneath the TV
> after they're rolled up.
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 1, 2012 at 6:46 AM, Rob Mueller wrote:
>
> > ...
>
> If anyone has any ideas where it can go I'm all ears as the interior of The
> > Blue Streak is gutted.
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188885 is a reply to message #188883] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 09:48 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036 Registered: March 2010 Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I agree with mounting the microwave at eye level. We have one at the beach that is part of the vent system. After back surgery, I don't want to bend over to look at a casserole. We traveled with an electric skillet and a coffee pot. That and a refrigerator would be all we'd need.
Each person wants something different. That is why I am fascinated by the prospect of getting longer beds AND a comfortable living room.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold '84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188887 is a reply to message #188885] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 10:08 |
Ray Erspamer
Messages: 1707 Registered: May 2007 Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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We had a large Sharp Convection Microwave mounted under the kitchen counter,
Lisa said said to get rid of it! So I removed it and we gave it to Goodwill,
then I made cabinet doors for the opening and we got a ton more storage space.
Haven't missed the microwave one bit !
Ray
Ray & Lisa
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
________________________________
From: Stick Miller <stickmiller@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thu, November 1, 2012 9:48:24 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors
I agree with mounting the microwave at eye level. We have one at the beach that
is part of the vent system. After back surgery, I don't want to bend over to
look at a casserole. We traveled with an electric skillet and a coffee pot. That
and a refrigerator would be all we'd need.
Each person wants something different. That is why I am fascinated by the
prospect of getting longer beds AND a comfortable living room.
--
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - she left me for another man
Americus, Georgia
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Ray Erspamer
78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen
403, 3.70 Final Drive
Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System,
Holley Hyperspark Ignition System
414-484-9431
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Re: [GMCnet] Innovative interiors [message #188888 is a reply to message #188873] |
Thu, 01 November 2012 10:31 |
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Rob,
In our rear bath Royale there was space above the refrigerator/freezer. I
saw one done that way and thought it was great. Getting power up there was
no problem. Since the refrigerator had a roof vent, the rear was vented. Of
course, the refrigerator/freezer was across from the door and the small
window wasn't present.
Byron
Rob Mueller wrote:
> Byron,
>
> You are absolutely 100% correct vis-à-vis having the microwave somewhere else
> preferably at eye height which is what I really
> wanted.
>
> However, the task goes from a relatively simple to a complex mod with
> "downsides" in an Avion.
>
> Lets say you put it above the cooktop:
>
> 1) You have to make a cabinet for it
> 2) It blocks the window
> 2) It complicates having an exhaust hood above the cooktop
>
> Lets say you put it above the refrigerator:
>
> 1) You can't have a large two door fridge like the one I have in Double
> Trouble
> 2) The microwave door opens the wrong direction - they are all hinged on the
> left as you face them
>
> If anyone has any ideas where it can go I'm all ears as the interior of The
> Blue Streak is gutted.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
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GMCnet mailing list
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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