How to Remove RV Cabinets Like a Professional
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Many RVers love the look of open shelves in their kitchen and bathroom. Removing big, bulky camper cabinetry can seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. But have no fear, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know to make it as easy as possible to remove RV cabinets!
5 Steps to Remove RV Cabinets
Disclaimer: RVs are put together differently depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, each team that works on the RV has varying ways of installing cabinetry. Therefore, it’s possible that you will find hindrances outside of my instructions below. However, this reflects the most common plan for cabinet removal.
Scroll to the bottom of this post to watch a video tutorial of this process!
1. Take Doors Off for Easier Cabinet Removal
Remove the screws in the outer hinges to take the doors off for easier accessibility. I recommend taking out the screws attached to the outside cabinetry–not the ones inside of the doors.
I also suggest taking out the top and bottom screws first, followed by the two inner screws so the door isn’t hanging by one hinge.
2. Pry Up False Bottoms of Shelves
Use a pry bar to lift the false bottoms of the shelves up. Typically, the RV manufacturers hide furring strips with screws in between the panels of the shelves. It’s hollow in between the top and bottom panel.
You might have to crack or break the paneling in order to be able to pry it out. The panels are installed with staples or pin nails. A pry bar should suffice to get them out.
3. Locate Furring Strips & Screws in the Strips
Locate the furring strips inside the cabinet as well as the screws in the furring strips.
4. Remove Screws in Furring Strips as Needed
Remove the screws in the furring strips that are attached to external structures i.e. walls, ceiling, or other cabinetry. (You do not need to remove the others.)
For upper cabinets, I start at the bottom and work my way up so that the cabinet stays anchored to the ceiling. Be careful when you get to the top and make sure you have an extra hand if needed to catch the cabinet when it releases. For lower cabinets, I start at the top and work my way to the floor.
5. Remove the Cabinets
Once all the screws are removed, you should be able to take out the cabinetry.
However, you may run into instances where the manufacturers have added outside screws. For example, screws coming in from the exterior in the roof (upper cabinets) or underneath the flooring (lower cabinets). If this occurs, delicately use a pry bar to get the cabinet loose, hopefully causing little to no damage to the ceiling or flooring.
For a more in-depth look into this process watch this video tutorial:
Yay, your cabinets are removed! Now it is time to decide how to replace them!
Check out these 44 kitchen remodels for inspiration for your RV cabinets.
As a full-time RV-er with decades of interior design experience, I pour my heart and soul into rain2shine ventures. I bring passion and creativity to each project, prioritizing functionality and style. I wear many hats at r2s; not only am I running a successful business, I design every remodel, tackle much of the labor and decorate each project to bring a client’s vision to life.
Rain2shine ventures and myself have been featured on the cover of RV Enthusiast, in O’Henry Magazine, WFMY News 2, and a handful of other publications.
Really need some help with process when there is lighting/wires/plugs in the cabinet bottoms. How to cap it, where to put it, how to get rid of the fixtures permanently if you no longer want them. Thanks for all the great posts!
We have a full tutorial on that! Check it out right here: https://rvinspiration.com/renovate/how-to-replace-rv-light-fixtures/