Ordering countertop from FWC

[BillTheHiker]

Does anyone know what the available sizes and prices are for ordering a piece of finished countertop board from FWC? I get my Fleet shell in a few weeks and want to build a countertop between the battery box in the rear, driver side to the front wall, which should be about 4-5 feet long. If FWC is pricey I can do what others have done and get a piece of white melamine board at Home Depot

 

[kmcintyre]

I watched craigslist and replaced my countertop with some 5/16" (maybe 1/2") corian.

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

My drawer Cabinet is about 20 inches wide. Camper floor is 78". So there counter is About 58" wide. Call FWC or email Roy. - roy@fourwh.com and ask.
You can always go to Home Depot and ask if you can purchase a "ready- made " counter. They might even be able to cut it down if you don't own a table saw.

 

[billharr]

I ordered a counter all three counter tops from FWC when I did my build. Hinged unit over the fridge area, stove and sink area holes precut and the small unit for the front cabinet on the passengers side. Cheaper than I could have made, as I would have to buy a 4x8 sheet of laminate. I have worked with formica before, much better to let someone else do it and it looks factory because it is. See link in my signature for more info.

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

I wish I had known the info that Bill has shared when I did mine 5 years ago. Its holding up well though it would have been nice to have just 3 inches more depth. (bigger is sometimes better).

Working in the galley we discovered that if you extend the bed bottom out 6-10 inches without the cushion and place a smaill towell down to protect the bedding, the meal maker can set small items on it .

 

[BillTheHiker]

Thanks for all the input. FWC previously emailed me that only a few specific lengths may be ordered and no custom cutting, but no specifics and no pricing. I will call my dealer and just have him order minimum of five feet. Once I get the camper I can measure then take it to a cabinet maker to cut. Another reason to get it from FWC is the laminate will match that on the top of the battery box.

 

[Mark G]

The problem with factory laminate (Formica) is the particle board backing. Moisture makes the underside swell and will bow the top if not well fastened down. If I were going to use it I would do it old school; glue it to plywood with contact adhesive and edge it with a trim router. Laminate fabricators usually have scraps you can buy rather than a full sheet.

I chose Ikea butcher block for mine. About $150.

 

[BillTheHiker]

I just spoke with FWC parts department. Their countertops are on marine grade plywood and they use the same laminate color/pattern on all the campers, which is the Formica brand Jamocha Granite pattern. They gave me a rough estimate of $90-100 for the materials for a 5x2 board. They get the boards with the laminate already glued on. I doubt if I can save anything by doing it myself because I would have to buy a 4x8 sheet of plywood and for the laminate which is available at Lowes. I doubt I can find a smaller section that matches the pattern.

 

[billharr]

My counter was plywood in 2013

 

[nikonron]

Mine is also made from 3/4" plywood. Ron