If you have lived in or spent much time in an RV, you know that storage space is a premium, clothing to kitchen stuff and everything in between. We have been actively looking for a kitchen storage solution that would also add counter space as we have very little of this prime real estate. After watching a particular youtube video using a tool chest as an Island, we had an aha moment. Finding what we were looking for at Home Depot, we set out to convert this tool chest into our practical RV island. This would work for us.

Need A RV Kitchen Island Solution

We own a 28ft 2013 Forest River, Wolfpack Toy Hauler travel trailer. The toy we sold as we no longer used it. We live in our RV full-time from May through October. Our kitchen is typical, I’m sure, for this size of a trailer, but living full time in, it seems that you need more room as more stuff enters to make your life a little better or more complicated. Not sure which. While wintering in Mexico, we had time to watch some YouTube videos, and we saw how others dealt with their limited space issues.

One video, in particular, got our attention; it was this RV couple using a tool chest that they had purchased and repurposed it into an Island. Thinking that this was an incredible idea, with lots of drawers for storage rated for 50lbs. Different drawer configurations are tall to wide, and the unit stands tall enough to make it comfortable to work on.

Tool Chest / RV Island Specs

The tool chest that we purchased specs is as follows Husky from Home Depot.

• 41″L X 18″D X 37″H (kitchen counters are normaly 36″ high so this is a great working surface)
• Top of the chest has a 3/4″ piece of wood attached making it looks like it belongs
• weight of tool chest empty 132lbs or 60kgs
• the drawers are rated at 50 lbs load
• 7 Drawer, top 4″H X 36″W, Draers 2 & 3 3″H X 17″W, Drawers 4 & 5 7″H X 17″W and bottom 2 drawers are 9″H X 17″W
• Our cost of this chest was $300 cad, a good deal for what you get I feel

Converting Tool Chest Into Our RV Island

After picking up our new tool chest/RV Island and bringing it home. We installed the wheels, set the unit into the trailer, and rolled it to the kitchen(a couple of feet). Our kitchen area has a slide-out that takes out our dining area; this provided the location for our new Island.

The tool chest has two locking wheels that help keep the Island from moving too easily. We have since added a block under the Island to the stability (it just sits more stable when leaned upon).

Cindy and I intended to move all our pots and pans into the Island. This would take the weight out of our slide-out drawers, with the added benefit of having all pots into one location and making them easily accessible. All our Tupperwares took up another drawer; spices were combined into two drawers, making finding what you need while cooking a much easier task. Lastly, the top drawer was used for silverware and other misc—kitchen utensils.

We are incredibly pleased with how this upgrade turned out—most kitchen stuff in one location with easy access, complete with much-needed counter space. The combined weight of the Island is approx 200 lbs. I feel that this should not put any undue stress on the RV floor.

Storing Our Island On Travel Day’s

As mentioned earlier, our RV is a toy hauler, which we have converted somewhat; the garage is now our master bedroom. Being a toy hauler, it had anchors mounted on the floor for tieing down toys. Additionally, these anchors were ideal in tying down our Island on travel days. This process is relatively quick as we only need to roll the Island into the back through our bathroom and strap it down.

Tool Chest Conversion To RV Island

• This for us has been a big win, storage space increased with double the counter top space plus having most kitchen items located in one convenint spot.

The Positives

• Increased counter top space
• Increased storage
• Common used items stored in one location
• In-expensive solution to a major issue

The Negatives

• Looks a little out of place being a tool chest
• may not be for everybody as it needs to be securced properly on travel days

Recommended RV Essential

Cindy and I call ourselves nomadic. With this lifestyle, we use certain essentials to make this way of life in the RV easier, more comfortable. With this in mind, we have composed a list of what we feel are essentials. Plus some tips that you might use in planning or taking your next RV adventure.

• RV Travel Safety Essentials to make your life on the road a little safer, giving you peace of mind
• RV Living essentials to make life a little more comfortable, be this resting, working, or playing.

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