Is basement partition wall of 337RLS structural?

[MichiganMarty]

I have had the panels off inside the basement of our 337RLS and there seems to be a lot of wasted space in there. I would love to convert some of this to usable basement space.

I want to install a small fridge in the basement near the curbside basement door. To do so would require gaining some more space, and installing some venting with a fan to exchange the air in order for the fridge condenser to work at maximum efficiency.

Can anyone tell me if the 2x2 structure for the partition wall is structural (a bearing wall)? In other words, is it needed to support the floor above?

If it is required for floor support, I could still convert some of that space through the use of headers, etc. If it isn't structural, it is a no brainer...

Thanks in advance to all!

[Second Chance]

It would be better to post this over in the tech corner where GD monitors the thread and will respond.

Rob

[Dave and Monica]

Can anyone tell me if the 2x2 structure for the partition wall is structural (a bearing wall)? In other words, is it needed to support the floor above?

Call GD Customer Support at 574-825-9679 and they'll be able to answer your question.

Dave

[mbaker]

If you look at it closely you should see it isn't structural, the wood is basically to hold the panels. The structure of the trailer is an aluminium frame. At least mine is.

Ben

[oldguy]

I don't think it's structural. I opened mine up to fix a leak. The vertical 2x2's are spaced to far apart to provide much support.

John

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[JCR GD]

I have had the panels off inside the basement of our 337RLS and there seems to be a lot of wasted space in there. I would love to convert some of this to usable basement space.

I want to install a small fridge in the basement near the curbside basement door. To do so would require gaining some more space, and installing some venting with a fan to exchange the air in order for the fridge condenser to work at maximum efficiency.

Can anyone tell me if the 2x2 structure for the partition wall is structural (a bearing wall)? In other words, is it needed to support the floor above?

If it is required for floor support, I could still convert some of that space through the use of headers, etc. If it isn't structural, it is a no brainer...

Thanks in advance to all!

Not sure how the heating system is in the 337, but keep in mind, in some trailers those areas are used for heating air return etc. and you want to be careful not to disturb how the air flows through there. Just something to consider.

[Paul & Deb]

Not sure how the heating system is in the 337, but keep in mind, in some trailers those areas are used for heating air return etc. and you want to be careful not to disturb how the air flows through there. Just something to consider.

My feeling exactly and in the 337, that's exactly what's going on behind there.

OP, please report back on what GD tells you so we all know!

[Second Chance]

Not sure how the heating system is in the 337, but keep in mind, in some trailers those areas are used for heating air return etc. and you want to be careful not to disturb how the air flows through there. Just something to consider.

And there's a minimum clearance spec for the heater and water heater, too.

Rob

[Cate&Rob]

That wall is certainly not structural in a 303RLS as there are no vertical 2x2s . . . just pieces of plywood edge screwed together.
But, Jim (JCR GD) is correct that the space behind that walk is the air return for the furnace, from the grate behind the toilet and the opening under the hutch.

Rob

[Canyonlight]

MMarty--regarding the fridge part of your post, we put a 1.7 cu ft Haier in our basement just where you are talking about. Here is the link to the fridge: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Haier-1.7-...Black/42490114

We did not install/modify anything and fridge works tremendously well at 1/2 setting. After contents are cooled down and then unplugged and traveling for 6 hours, beverages are still cold.

In our 303, when the AC is running, a certain amount of cool air "drops" into the basement area (mostly from under the hutch that Rob referenced below but also from the bedroom/other floor heat vents) and keeps the area cool. We found that keeping the basement doors closed helps cooling efficiency in the RV so the cold air is not escaping out open basement doors.

Dan