Can you remove the kitchen booth?
by Charchar (PA)
Question: Our Hyline camper has the kitchen booth, a wall with a square opening, then the loveseat. I want to take out the booth in order to put in a futon instead of the loveseat, but want to know if the skinny wall between them can be removed & how?
Answer: Many RVers have been able to make major renovations in their RVs, either as do-it-yourself projects or by hiring a company that specializes in this type of work.
It will really depend on the specific configuration of your RV and how any essential wiring, plumbing and structural integrity has been designed.
The wall may or may not be part of the integral structure. And it may or may not have electrical or plumbing lines running though it. It depends on your particular configuration.
If we were contemplating doing similar modifications, we would start by looking at the schematics for our RV and talking with our RV manufacturer. We then would probably go to a place (or several) that does renovations to get their opinion. Often, companies that do renovations have had the experience of working with many brands and floor plans of RVs and know what they are doing.
You can also search online for a brand-specific forum or other site that might have blogs or videos of similar projects for your brand and/or type of RV.
If it were us – and we are relatively handy – we would only attempt to take down walls if we were confident that it wouldn’t affect the structural integrity of our motorhome.
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Mattress for RV
by Charlie (Texas)
Question: Where can you find the odd size mattress for an RV? I would also like to know if you can use a Sleep Number bed in an RV.
Answer:
It seems that there are more sources for RV mattresses these days than in there were in the past. We have seen them at Camping World and mattress stores. You can check what might be available in your local mattress stores or RV supply stores in your area. To find a mattress that fits properly, be sure to take some measurements to use in your comparison shopping.
Sleep Number does show RV mattresses on their website. Here are a couple sources that might meet your needs:
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Adding Extra Fridge or Freezer
by Gen (Cairo, GA)
Question: We are not very technically-minded and need help with the following please. We would like to know if it is okay to plug in an extra fridge with a freezer compartment (stand up unit) or just a small stand up freezer in the toyhauler section of our motor home. We don’t want to overload any circuits or trip any breakers or fuses. We are currently hooked up to a 50 amp service. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Answer: With 50 amps available, you should be able to support a small refrigerator and/or freezer unit, but you may have to do some power management and should find the ideal circuit to use for the new refrigerator.
If possible, look at the electrical schematics for your RV. If needed, consult the manufacturer. You may have an outlet in the toy hauler that might be useable for the new refrigerator/freezer unit, but do take a look at the specs for your RV to determine what else is connected to that circuit.
We looked up the power draw for a small 14.8 cubic foot refrigerator and it really doesn’t use a lot of power while running. Note that the start-up draw will be higher than the running draw. For instance, if the running amps are about 5 amps but the start-up draw is twice that at 10 amps. Any appliance that has a motor or compressor will have a higher start-up power draw.
Also give some thought to immobilizing the refrigerator/freezer so it does not move around while driving.
Here is a chart that might be helpful in assessing your overall power use:
| Appliance | Watts | Amps* | |
| Air Conditioner 13,500 Btu | 1700 | 14 | |
| Air Conditioner 15,000 Btu | 1950 | 16 | |
| Blender | 300 | 2.5 | |
| Coffeemaker | 900 | 7.5 | |
| Computer (desktop) | 100 | 8 | |
| Computer (printer) | 240 | 2.0 | |
| Converter (30 amp) | 550 | 4.5 | |
| Converter (40 amp) | 650 | 5.5 | |
| Converter (75 amp) | 1050 | 8.5 | |
| Heater (electric) | ** | 12.5 | |
| Hair Dryer | 1200 | 10.0 | |
| Iron | 1200 | 10.5 | |
| Microwave 450 Watt | 900 | 7.5 | |
| Microwave 650 Watt | 1,300 | 10.5 | |
| Refrig/Freezer | 600 | 5-8 | |
| TV | 100 | .75 | |
| TV Satellite & Receiver | 170 | 1.5 | |
| VCR | 90 | .75 | |
| Washer/Dryer (RV type) | 1900 | 16.0 |
* Normal running amperage; start up may draw more amps
** See wattage rating for heater
Jill Miller is the founder of Your RV Lifestyle. Trading corporate America for the open road, Jill, along with her partner Jose, began their RV journey, making an unconventional start by wintering in New Jersey. A natural adventurer, she was motivated by a desire to explore the USA and beyond, embracing the varied landscapes, communities, and cultures across the country.
For Jill, the allure of RV living was not about material accumulation, but rather the pursuit of an adventurous, fulfilling lifestyle. A lover of golf, bicycling, hiking, and line dancing, she has carried her passions across the country, engaging with them in diverse settings. Jill’s commitment to the RV lifestyle came after years of careful research, numerous consultations with RV owners, and personal trials, including living in a rental RV.