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Old 06-11-2014, 09:23 PM   #1
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Completed a couple of projects

Back in the early winter I started a couple of projects (posted about the early deconstruction here: http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...tion-2884.html)... Then winter got seriously cold and I didn't want to work on the trailer... Then work got busy and I couldn't work on the trailer...

Finally got a couple of the projects done.

The first is my take on the under-bed drawers. I did something a little different -- I used the original cabinet doors as the drawer front. Now, instead of swinging the doors open you pull them out. The drawers are about 18" deep -- this leaves a fair bit of room under the bed for storing camp chairs and similar things.

The drawers ride on a couple of hard casters, so there are no drawer slides that needed to be mounted to the floor or on the side.

Each drawer has a strip of low-friction plastic on each top edge to guide them into position and allow them to slide against each other. A couple of brass latches keep the drawers in place while on the move.

The second is a shelf that goes over the stove, where the range hood used to be. An axiom of efficiency in a small space is that everything must have its place, and everything must be put in its place when not in use. The downside of this is that the commonly used items are constantly being taken out and put away. So a shelf for quick access to the common items is a useful thing. Currently we plan to put the coffee mugs and drink tumblers here, but who knows what will be stored here in the future. To keep the contents of the shelf in place while moving, there's a front side that comes down and latches into place. When we're not moving, it swivels up and a little velcro holds it out of the way.
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Old 06-11-2014, 09:51 PM   #2
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Very nice Doug! I love the ingenuity of folks, thanks for sharing! Hummmmm wheels turning....
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Old 06-11-2014, 11:48 PM   #3
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Nice work, db. Very clean look.
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Old 06-12-2014, 01:05 AM   #4
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Innovative and most excellent workmanship...
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Old 06-12-2014, 06:10 AM   #5
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Nicely done Doug. How did you attach the shelving above the kitchen? I have been wondering if it is wise to drill into the outside wall. Might you have attached from above?
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Old 06-12-2014, 07:53 AM   #6
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Yeah, into the shelf above... 3 screws, all at the back where they bite into the framing inside the hollow shelf. The screws are robertson head, so I can install them with a short bit in a ratcheting socket -- no way to get a screw driver in there.

The fan hood that was there was held in place with 4 machine screws down through the shelf above. This left the heads of the machine screws (and a washer) sticking up above the shelf. This makes the shelf unflat, and catches on things as you put them in and out of the cabinet. Such details strike me as sloppy and annoy me.

No way I'd drill into the outside fiberglass if I could avoid it. Given that here we're under the awning, and there's a big hole in the fiberglass for the range hood vent anyways, I might be convinced to put in a hole if it were necessary, but it wasn't.
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Old 06-12-2014, 07:59 AM   #7
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Thanks Doug. I imagine I will head down that road once we receive our trailer. I also intend on modifying some of the cabinets below the kitchen in a similar fashion to what you have done under the bed of your 19.
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Old 06-12-2014, 08:40 AM   #8
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Wow Doug, I am impressed. Your "slideless drawers" are definitely an original variation of the under bed storage drawer concept, and make it easier to maximize on space. I have had a variation of this concept rumbling around in my head for awhile now. Think I will let it fester a little longer and maybe implement my own plan this fall.
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Old 06-12-2014, 06:38 PM   #9
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Looks great. Thanks for the post.
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Old 09-06-2014, 01:00 PM   #10
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Love those ...really nice !
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Old 09-06-2014, 01:11 PM   #11
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Thanks gabeck...

Since those were installed earlier this year, they've had a lot of km put on them. The results:

- both projects have excellent utility. Usefulness-wise they're both winners.

- the sticky velcro didn't cut it on the shelf flip front -- when it got warm, the velcro held better than the glue. If left open, the velcro would come unstuck and the flip front would fall. I'm going to replace the velcro with magnets this winter.

- the latches on the drawers were usually good, but occasionally we'd stop and find one of the drawers open. But since the drawers can't pull out with lifting them over the front glide wheel, they never came right out.

The velcro failing didn't surprise me. It always seems to be a problem whenever I use it. One of these days I'll learn...

The latches on the drawers did surprise me -- I didn't expect the barrel latches to open in any amount of vibration. I wanted a latch that could be opened one-handed, 'cause it's typical to have one hand full when you're opening a drawer to put stuff away. I'm not sure what sort of one-handed latch could work better (at least, not if restricted to options that look good and aren't too fussy to use).
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Old 09-06-2014, 05:20 PM   #12
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Those shelves look very handy. Nice job.
I would not expect barrel latches to unlatch either. Thought they were usually rotated to prevent that but I take these do not rotate.
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Old 09-07-2014, 09:30 AM   #13
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They do... They're these latches: Lee Valley Tools - Important Announcement -- in order for them to open, the latch needs to lift (rotate upwards) and then slide. And they're fairly sticky, so it requires a bit of force. But I guess when the trailer is bumping down the road, lots of little shocks are enough.
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Old 09-07-2014, 10:42 AM   #14
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"The velcro failing didn't surprise me. It always seems to be a problem whenever I use it. One of these days I'll learn... "

Doug,

I've had the same problem with most projects involving Velcro as well, especially outdoor projects. Seems like the Velcro adhesive can't take the heat and sometimes the cold.

But I think I finally cured it with VHB tape. I cut a small square of the tape and apply to both sticky parts on the Velcro tape and it holds exceedingly well. My 2 sets of Umbra hooks are mounted with VHB and they hold all our jackets, rain gear, etc. This is the same stuff that ETI uses [used to use?] to hold on the solar panels on Escapes.

Unless you're really set on replacing the Velcro with magnets, it might be worth a try.

And as soon as we get our 19 home next year, my first project will be your under-bed door project. I really like that one!

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Old 09-07-2014, 01:10 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbailey View Post
- the sticky velcro didn't cut it on the shelf flip front -- when it got warm, the velcro held better than the glue. If left open, the velcro would come unstuck and the flip front would fall. I'm going to replace the velcro with magnets this winter.
The 3M Command series of adhesive hooks and other fasteners include snap-together strips somewhat like Velcro, but much more suitable for rigid objects and using the Command adhesive: Medium Picture Hanging Strips and Black Large Picture Hanging Strips. The magnets sound like a good idea, but these could be an alternative.
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Old 09-07-2014, 05:06 PM   #16
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The adhesive used in the 3M Command retail tapes works well up to around 107F, which can be a problem in the Southern states when the trailer is in outdoor storage. I use 3M RP45 with my products, good to 200F long term, which is also a closed cell foam that can be used indoors, outdoors, and of course in the shower. 3M specification is here:

Â*Â*3Mâ„¢ VHBâ„¢ Tape RP45
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Old 09-07-2014, 07:38 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by tractors1 View Post
The adhesive used in the 3M Command retail tapes works well up to around 107F, which can be a problem in the Southern states when the trailer is in outdoor storage. I use 3M RP45 with my products, good to 200F long term, which is also a closed cell foam that can be used indoors, outdoors, and of course in the shower.
Good tip
The Command hooks and fasteners use separate adhesive strips, so the same "picture hanging strips" could be used with RP45 adhesive.
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Old 09-07-2014, 10:35 PM   #18
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VHB tape looks interesting. Generally useful stuff...

Seems to be a bit hard to get hold of in Canada... Can't find it listed in any of the usual hardware store sites, and it seems to be rather expensive on amazon.ca...

Maybe I'll look for it next time I'm south of the border.
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Old 09-07-2014, 10:49 PM   #19
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Doug,

It's too expensive to buy "retail." I get all of my supplies from eBay. Just looked on eBay Canada. They have plenty. Try a small roll or supply and see which one works best.

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