Dishwasher Conversion to Pot and Pan Drawer

[billyrabbit]

On our 2005 Winnebago Vectra 36RD, the water and drain lines are protected by a thick metal covering which also opens up a moveable flap to allow the slide to retract. There is a large opening to the outside when this happens which will allow all kinds of critters access to the interior.
I intend to disconnect the water and drain lines and remove the metal part that causes the huge opening to take place. I've been looking for a way to get at the mounting bolts for the metal bracket but have been unsuccessful. It seems the power is supplied by an outlet behind the dishwasher. Once the metal bracket is removed I hope to be able to seal off this area from critter entry.

Has anyone else taken this approach?

Any ideas on how to get access to the mounting mechanism for the dishwasher, i.e. can it be pulled out?

How can the metal bracket be removed short of an angle grinder or metal cutting blade in a reciprocating saw?

Looking forward to hearing from the group.

Bill K.

[imnprsd]

Can you post pictures?

[billyrabbit]

The RV is in a storage lot so it will be a few days until I have the Motorhome back home. Will post pictures next week.

[cbeierl]

Just adding the same info I posted on irv2.com: There's an opening into the water bay, but not to the outdoors (unless you have the water bay door open).

[cbeierl]

See attached Installation and Removal instructions for the FP DishDrawer.

I see NO reason to attempt to remove that metal angle/guard attached to the slide--it has no connection with the outside in any way and I don't think you'd gain a thing, even if you remove the dishwasher.

[imnprsd]

I don't know if this addresses the nature of this post, but for any of you who don't want to remove your dishwasher, but you are finding it a real PITA to lock in place, this is what I did:

* Disconnected the water and plugged it under the sink.

* Disconnected the power under the sink.

* Gutted the racks and cut a 1/8" of luan wood to fit inside the dishwasher so I can stack pots and pans inside.

* And then I drilled a hole through the trash door and into the dishwasher side plastic... added a 3/8" female threaded insert and epoxy'd it in place. ...And now I use a 3/8" bolt 3" long to prevent the dishwasher from jarring lose in corner turns.

Works great and I don't miss the dishwasher at all, because now I have more pots and pans storage.