Best way to add shelves in closets??

[MommieMara]

Command hooks have not worked. they keep falling down all over the place. I'm back to the drawing board. I'm thinking of drilling a hole in the command hooks and getting the shortest screws I can and doing a command hook screw combo.

[troutslayer]

Sorry to hear that. Especially in light of the fact that I just used Command Hooks in one of my really skinny closets. I went with a 3/16" shelf and don't plan to put much weight on that shelf so hopefully, it will stay up.

[VicS1950]

My experience with Command Hooks on anything which has a bit of texture has been less than excellent. They stick very well to gloss painted surfaces or smooth tile like subway tile, a bit of texture and not so great. It does seem to help to first clean the surface with rubbing alcohol, let dry completely, and then install the hooks.

As to using the hooks with wire shelves, if I had already installed them I would simply add a small screw to each hook unit as mentioned. That will make them stay put for light/medium shelf support duty. The screw will add support and keep the adhesive in contact. Two good things to have.

In fact, it may be a good idea to just use the Command Hooks figuring on needing to add a screw. They will still make shelf installation quick and easy as opposed to some other support methods. I believe that thinking to apply them for shelving support is a basically great idea.

Just my 2 cents.

vic

[Camper_bob]

I engineered and built this whole structure in my closet using 1x1 for framing and 3/16 hardboard tempered panel for the shelves. It was a SERIOUS PITA, but it will hold some serious weight.

I don't know what I was thinking. I needed it to hold socks and t-shirts, not for a bowling ball rack!!

Anyway, I'm probably going to just screw/glue come cleats in my wife's side and use the same hardboard for the shelving and call it good 'nuff. After all, like I said, it's holding a few clothes, not stacks of bricks.

[Swinepartner]

The commad hooks in our bed room aren't holding up either, so gona try Gorilla glue.

[Quahog]

If you wipe down the area with rubbing alcohol, the command hooks stay put. At least that's been my experience.

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by Quahog

If you wipe down the area with rubbing alcohol, the command hooks stay put. At least that's been my experience.

As I mentioned earlier, that is my experience with smooth surfaces. The trailer interior surfaces I've worked with have a bit of texture. Not much texture, but enough to affect adhesion.

Command hooks have their applications. I doubt that they were ever intended as shelving supports. In my opinion, using them to support shelving without an extra fastener is just asking them to do more than they were intended to do.

Just my 2 cents.

vic

[Quahog]

Originally Posted by VicS1950

Command hooks have their applications. I doubt that they were ever intended as shelving supports. In my opinion, using them to support shelving without an extra fastener is just asking them to do more than they were intended to do.

Just my 2 cents.

vic

Originally Posted by Swinepartner

The commad hooks in our bed room aren't holding up either, so gona try Gorilla glue.

I'd agree with your point, Vic. My comment was directed at Swinepartner's, not for using them as shelving supports. That doesn't seem like a good application of them to me but they work great for holding up photos, hooks for hats, jackets, towels, etc. We had several around the camper and when it was time to sell it, they came off clean and easy.

[MommieMara]

I decided I will add a small screw to the hooks to help with support. I will just need to be super careful I don't hit anything I'm not supposed to. They are light duty shelves for kids clothes and towels and such. Wanted to give each kid a shelf and have some of their older slightly worn clothes live in the camper so we have as little to pack as necessary to hit the road. i'm a teacher and summer break is fast approaching and I have an itch to really break in our new camper

[VicS1950]

Another possible mounting method would be using strong cord stretched between a single screw on the top where there is likely some frame structure and a bottom screw to keep the line taut.

My concept would be to use wire shelves and "S" hooks mounted at the appropriate levels. The shelves shouldn't jump out of the hooks while underway, but if that is a concern then the hooks can be crimped closed.

The hooks would be tied into place. I would use a bowline knot at the top. Two half hitches with a lock, or figure "8" loops would secure each hook. The lines can be pre-fabricated using a long enough board using a top screw anchor. The hook locations can be marked on the board to assure consistency. The lines would then be installed and tensioned to the bottom screw as the last step using two half hitches and a lock.

Strong nylon or Dacron cord would work. High tech line would almost guarantee no stretch over time.
APS: High Tech Single Braid Sailing Lines

I would simply use a wood screw or deck screw at the top and bottom.

Advantages:

You will be installing the screws in a strong, relatively safe area for penetration.
The shelf heights can be adjusted if your needs change.
It is a strong, inexpensive, and relatively easy install.

Disadvantage:
The shelves may shift a bit and may scuff the interior. A single stabilizing screw cable tied to each wire shelf should solve that issue.

FWIW. vic

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by VicS1950

Another possible mounting method would be using strong cord stretched between a single screw on the top where there is likely some frame structure and a bottom screw to keep the line taut.

My concept would be to use wire shelves and "S" hooks mounted at the appropriate levels. The shelves shouldn't jump out of the hooks while underway, but if that is a concern then the hooks can be crimped closed.

The hooks would be tied into place. I would use a bowline knot at the top. Two half hitches with a lock, or figure "8" loops would secure each hook. The lines can be pre-fabricated using a long enough board using a top screw anchor. The hook locations can be marked on the board to assure consistency. The lines would then be installed and tensioned to the bottom screw as the last step using two half hitches and a lock.

Strong nylon or Dacron cord would work. High tech line would almost guarantee no stretch over time.
APS: High Tech Single Braid Sailing Lines

I would simply use a wood screw or deck screw at the top and bottom.

Advantages:

You will be installing the screws in a strong, relatively safe area for penetration.
The shelf heights can be adjusted if your needs change.
It is a strong, inexpensive, and relatively easy install.

Disadvantage:
The shelves may shift a bit and may scuff the interior. A single stabilizing screw cable tied to each wire shelf should solve that issue.

FWIW. vic

I really like this idea! Very creative, and you can put it back to "factory" if you ever decide to sell the trailer. Very nice!

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

I really like this idea! Very creative, and you can put it back to "factory" if you ever decide to sell the trailer. Very nice!

Thanks.

It occurs to me that the "S" hooks may not even be needed. The figure "8" knot loops may be able to be just hooked over the extended cross round stock at the end of the shelves. Without hooks a small cable tie may be needed to keep the loops in place on the ends. Overall a bit cheaper than "S" hooks.

vic

[TWP723]

Nice job Vic! I'm stealing your idea!

[eightOsix]

I think it will very difficult to get all the knots exactly even on the vertical cords.
In technical rigging we call this an equalized system. Hard to achieve perfect equalization.
Maybe try using light duty chain instead of cord?
Good luck.

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by eightOsix

I think it will very difficult to get all the knots exactly even on the vertical cords.
In technical rigging we call this an equalized system. Hard to achieve perfect equalization.
Maybe try using light duty chain instead of cord?
Good luck.

That is a good possibility too. Chain is good for stabilization, but may scuff the surfaces more.

Suggesting the mock-up board and high tech line was my way of trying to get uniform results. I suppose that screws or nails could be set at each level on the mock-up board to give something to strain against. That should give consistency. Using S hooks might be easier than not using them.

I guess a lot depends upon how picky you are as to the shelves being exactly level. Once you close the doors...

[Camper_bob]

Perhaps you could use the tension on the cords to adjust the heights? If you were a little high or low on one corner, you could increase or decrease the tension on that cord slightly for the desired fine-tuned adjustment. You'd have to get pretty close with the knots, but I think it could be done.

Or possibly a really tight cord-lok to hold the shelves? I wonder if you could get one tight enough?

I'm having a frenzy of ideas for this project!

[eightOsix]

Chain is good for stabilization, but may scuff the surfaces more.

Plastic chain?

[RoyBraddy]

CHeck out LOWES for the CLOSET ORGANIZER wood kits. They may have just what need.

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Perhaps you could use the tension on the cords to adjust the heights? If you were a little high or low on one corner, you could increase or decrease the tension on that cord slightly for the desired fine-tuned adjustment. You'd have to get pretty close with the knots, but I think it could be done.

Or possibly a really tight cord-lok to hold the shelves? I wonder if you could get one tight enough?

I'm having a frenzy of ideas for this project!

Keep thinking. Many of my threads and suggestions are really just thinking out loud. Hashing it around usually works toward a better solution.

Originally Posted by eightOsix

Plastic chain?

Good thinking. Or maybe plastic covered steel chain?

Originally Posted by RoyBraddy

CHeck out LOWES for the CLOSET ORGANIZER wood kits. They may have just what need.

Yep, or IKEA. Either has some really great organizer products that will work.
The cheap side of me has me looking to less expensive, and lighter weight, solutions.

vic

[Jhmlbrgr]

Here are the shelves I added to my 23B last summer. Just some furring strips and some white pine boards.