Installation Guide - Upper Shelvings
Measure and determine the shelving height and depth
For upper shelvings, first decide the height of each shelving, you will need to avoid location with obstacles like lamp, switch/wire covers. also for each shelving, the placement(height, and distance from wall) of left and right side brackets must be symmetrical.
Pay attention to the clearance of the first shelve above the water heater cover, you should be able to open the cover for about 40 degree, so you have access to the plumbing at the back of the water heater.
The upper brackets can be cut with a utility knife to adapt shelving depth
Once you have decided on the height and depth of each shelving, use dry-erase marker and a straight edge to draw a line to be aligned with the front and another with the bottom of the brackets. Note the brackets are about 3/4" in height, so the line should be 3/4" lower (It's not recommended to use the top of the brackets to align with the line, as it's difficult to see for the top shelvings unless you are very tall. )
Note it's NOT recommended to use bubble level to ensure the lines are horizontal, as 1) the trailer might not be perfectly level, 2) due to the very limited space in the closet, it's difficult check if the bubble is centered. Instead, use the heater cover as reference, mark 2 dots from the front and back of the cover upwards at desired height. then connect them use a straight edge.
Once you have all lines drawn, use tape measure to double check the height of each line from the heater cover -
1. Are lines on the left and right walls at the same height?
2. Are front and back of the line at the same height (parallel with the heater cover)?
3. Are vertical lines to be aligned with the front of the brackets at the same depth from the back wall for both left and right side?
Take one upper shelve front brackets (do NOT peel off the backing of double side tape), use the line drawn to do a dry fit, check the placement of brackets and make sure they are clear of any obstacles.
Cut brackets to length
Place the front and back brackets together with joint aligned. use a utility knife to cut at the first grove within the desired length. If the desired depth is 12" then cut at the groove closest to 12" as show in this picture
Place the brackets on the wall with double-sided tape
Peel off the backing of double-sided tape on brackets, align them with the lines drawn in previous steps, press them against the wall. For back brackets slightly tilt it away from the wall and slide the joint section under the front bracket joint, make sure the screw holes align, then press it against the wall.
Place a stainless steel rod(the longer one) across the left and right side bracket, let it rest on the grooves but do not try to snap it into the groove yet), visually check if its level.
Repeat this for all brackets.
Drill pilot holes
Use a 1/16 drill bit to drill shallow pilot holes. The closet walls are laminated with rather hard surface layer. so the initial resistance is high but once the drill bit penetrates the surface layer it can drill through the plywood with little effort - so don't apply too much force press the drill against the surface, or you might end up drilling through the wall.
You can use masking tape as guide to prevent drilling too deep.
Screw the brackets onto the wall
Use electric drill driver to drive the screw into the pilot holes, then use screw driver to hand drive the last couple of turns to avoid over tighten.
Snap in stainless steel rods
Start from the top shelving, from the back side towards the front, this way the snapped-in rods do not get in the way.
1. place one end of the rod on the groove, press the rod end into the groove, you could also use your finger to pull from under to snap it into the groove, please push or pull close to the end of the rod, otherwise you might bend the rod.
2. Once one end of the rod is snapped in, twist and push the rod towards the wall so the other end do not stick out from the groove.
3. Snap the other end into the groove.
4. For the front rod, first push it into the hole on the left, twist and make sure it's all the way in.
5. Use the groove to snap the right end of rod in place.
Repeat this for all shelvings, and you have completed the installation of upper shelvings.