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Topic: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King (Read 698 times) previous topic - next topic
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Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
We bring the cats with us when we travel, and they decided if the humans had their own bathroom, they wanted one too. There are a few things we did not want to deal with:
  • The Twin King bathroom is tiny. Yes, we could put the box in the shower, but that leaves a gritty, muddy mess to clean up, and requires the bathroom door to be propped open for access.
  • When parked, we could put the box in the cab in front of the passenger seat, but swiveling the seat leaves no room for that.
There really aren't any other good out-of-the-way spots for a littler box in a Twin King without sacrificing a cupboard. So that's what we did.

We chose the cupboard below the wardrobe to hold the box. We didn't want to cut up the very nice cabinet door, so we replaced it with our own creation: 1/2 inch birch plywood cut and stained to match.

0. Prepare the cabinet. Because this is lined with carpet, there needs to be some protection against (ahem) spillage. We cut a piece of 1/8" plywood to fit, with enough overhang to reach the door, then covered it with peel  and stick floor tiles. This provides a cleanable surface and leaves a handy space below for a fire extinguisher and the litter scoop. We also cut a piece of that rubberized shelf liner to go between the "floor" and the bottom of the box, to keep it from sliding around (the thing in the back of the cabinet is the outdoor shower).



1. Prepare the door. Remove the existing door but leave the hinges and catch in place. Use some 1/2" birch plywood to make a new door. Make a cat-sized opening with the bottom of the hole at the level of the new cabinet floor. We finished ours off with press-on veneer around the edges, then stained it to match the rest of the woodwork. Attach it to the existing hinges and add the door side of the catch. Tip: take the original cabinet door to Home Depot to get the best color match.


2. Fabricate the litter box. Interestingly enough, a standard-sized litter tray is a near perfect fit for this cabinet, so if that's all you need, you're done. We wanted a fully enclosed box for a few reasons (oh, those boys), but the store-bought ones aren't a good fit for the cabinet. We grabbed the right-sized litter tray from the pet department at Walmart, then went over to the household department to find a rubbermaid-style tote with the right dimensions (length x width x height). Using the hole in the new door as a template, carefully mark and cut a hole in the narrow side of the tote.


3. Equip the litter box in the normal fashion, attach the lid, slide it into the cabinet, close the door, and stuff each cat through the hole a couple of times till they get the idea. Here's a shot of the final product.


The main benefit here is that the box stays in place. It's always where the cats expect to find it, and it's not somewhere the people will stumble over it. Yes, you will have one less cabinet for your own stuff, but the end result will be clean, tidy, and out of sight. Aren't your kitties worth it?

Some general notes:
  • Because the box is constructed from a tote, it's "totes" easy to pull it out for cleaning. Unlike the covered litter boxes, this one won't fall apart at the worst possible moment.
  • We had one cat who never really got the concept of "aiming". A box with tall sides is the only realistic answer.
  • Having everything contained in a tote helps keep odors from penetrating the inside of the cabinet.
  • Definitely get one of those litter-trapper mats to keep that stuff from tracking all over the coach.
  • Scoop it clean at least once a day.
fu
2015TK
Re: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
Reply #1 –
Very creative solution! However, I'd like to know what you're feeding that poor cat that might require having a fire extinguisher handy!?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
Reply #2 –
I have always wondered why no one has tried cutting an access hole in the front of one of the couches, one that would open into an external storage bay, and locating the box in there.
It would enable cleaning from outside of the rig and would isolate the smell and debris.
A vent could be located in the exterior bin door for ventilation, even a small computer fan could be used for power ventilation.

Now if we could only teach them to wipe their feet off to eliminate the tracking of the litter all over the interior.

Love cats, especially your cats.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
I have always wondered why no one has tried cutting an access hole in the front of one of the couches, one that would open into an external storage bay, and locating the box in there.

Love cats, especially your cats.
Larry

We gave it some thought, but in the end the "easily reversible to factory condition" option was the one we decided to go with. Cleaning the box from outside is appealing, but having to empty out the other stuff in the compartment to get to the litter box was not ideal, nor was the possibility of escape if "someone" inadvertently left the compartment door unlatched.

As long as you use good quality cat litter, and scoop it frequently, there's little or no smell to speak of. We do stash an air freshener in there behind the tote just in case, but it's probably overkill.

We had one cat, "Fido" who actually did learn to wipe his own feet when coming inside, after demonstrating the concept to him enough times. Here he is cussing at me because I wouldn't let him outside.



fu
2015TK
Re: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
Reply #4 –
"I'd like to know what you're feeding that poor cat that might require having a fire extinguisher handy!?"

I've seen discussions about the effect of bovine methane on the climate, but didn't realize felines might need emergency equipment at hand.  Don't know what the cats' opinion of discussing their personal habits might be, but I had an explosive out loud guffaw.
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
Reply #5 –
Lynne, one or both of my feline RV companions can wake me from a sound sleep at the other end of The Pearl with their "emissions". I may not need a fire extinguisher, but I've considered a breather and eye protection...  :'(
The Pearl - 2000 31'
"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."
Re: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
Reply #6 –
Brilliant!  We've been trying to figure out how to travel with the dog and a cat.  The dog is easy.  The cat box has been holding us back.

2014 TK
The Super Flea
Re: Where to put the kitty litter box in a Twin King
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Sandakat Writer  - 
Brilliant!  We've been trying to figure out how to travel with the dog and a cat.  The dog is easy.  The cat box has been holding us back.

The cupboard solution may also help restrict access to the "doggy treats" inside ;-)
fu
2015TK