Hidden spaces

Ron in BC · 05-15-2015, 01:02 PM

Thanks to Mark's pioneering opening up hidden spaces I had previously opened up the space under the sink by adding a new door to the left of the entrance.

I wanted that area to store, um, long objects, out of the way and out of sight. At first I was just going to use a piece of paneling to cover the area but then I decided to make a locking door from 1/8" steel plate. The panel has 4 ceramic magnets on it and snaps onto the steel door. It isn't bomb proof but anyone looking to do a quick ransack and run probably isn't going to even suspect that there's a hidden compartment there. That's the hope anyway.

Ron

dfandrews · 05-15-2015, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

................... It isn't bomb proof but anyone looking to do a quick ransack and run probably isn't going to even suspect that there's a hidden compartment there. That's the hope anyway.

Ron

Nice idea. Your secret's secure with us.

J Mac · 05-15-2015, 01:10 PM

Your secret stash has just been viewed by 3,700 members and who knows how many visitors.

TAfraser · 05-15-2015, 01:10 PM

Nicely done. I think you're right. A quick, and probably even a leisurely ransack wouldn't expose that compartment.
Tom

grape_escape · 05-15-2015, 02:00 PM

Love it! Thank you for the idea.

**rbryan4** · 05-15-2015, 02:50 PM

Ah. The 'long objects' storage compartment. Nice.

reetired · 05-15-2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Ah. The 'long objects' storage compartment. Nice.

Copy!

markvt · 05-15-2015, 05:34 PM

Hi Ron,
As always very nicely done

Ron when I saw your hidden compartment I had to laught because I all so made a secret false floor hidden compartment . Just don't tell anyone about my hidden floor compartment and I promise I won't say about your new long hidden compartment my lips are sealed.

One thought came up is when you go through customs between the US and Canada do you tell them about your hidden compartments or do you just let the custom officials find them on there own.
Mark

Ron in BC · 05-15-2015, 06:35 PM

OK, it's a deal, my lips are sealed.

Anything I do at the border is open and legal. If I have anything they might want to look at I show them the paperwork and hand them the keys.

Ron

**rbryan4** · 05-15-2015, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

OK, it's a deal, my lips are sealed.

Anything I do at the border is open and legal. If I have anything they might want to look at I show them the paperwork and hand them the keys.

Ron

Yep. That's the best way. The Canadian Border officials are very good at their jobs.

**Donna D.** · 05-15-2015, 09:35 PM

Crossing the border, it's not about your hidden spaces, it's what's in those spaces. Mind your manners, pay attention to the rules for the country and you'll be fine.

**rbryan4** · 05-15-2015, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Crossing the border, it's not about your hidden spaces, it's what's in those spaces. Mind your manners, pay attention to the rules for the country and you'll be fine.

True, but it's funny that some folks just disregard the rules of the country they enter. If you don't like the rules, don't go!

markvt · 05-15-2015, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Crossing the border, it's not about your hidden spaces, it's what's in those spaces. Mind your manners, pay attention to the rules for the country and you'll be fine.

Hi Donna,
I grew up living in a small city called St. Clair ,Michigan which is just across the St. Clair River from Canada. I have been in and out of Canada more times then a lot of people and I can tell you for sure a hidden storage compartment is going to get you a good second look. When every I pass through customs it is alway yes sir no sir and 100% honesty I have nothing to hide.
Mark

MyronL · 05-19-2015, 02:47 PM

Back on topic... don't get me wrong, Ron, I think the hidden security space you made is excellent. For now, though, will continue using mine. Has worked well so far-- no border guard would even touch it.

Ron in BC · 05-19-2015, 06:42 PM

Now I know why they wear gloves. Nothing like hiding in plain sight.

Of course, as most 19 owners probably know, the space is accessible from the outside hatch looking forward. It's just not accessible from the interior. Well, technically it is, you could open the under bed doors and squirm in to access it, just not very convenient.

Ron

gbaglo · 05-19-2015, 07:04 PM

Just considering doing any of this is going to result in a guilty look when the border agent speaks to you. I would try to wipe it from your mind.

**rbryan4** · 05-19-2015, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Just considering doing any of this is going to result in a guilty look when the border agent speaks to you. I would try to wipe it from your mind.

Amen. A hidden space to prevent theft is one thing -- using it to circumvent a border check is quite another.

**Donna D.** · 05-19-2015, 07:52 PM

I'll be adding a small safe to Ten Forward. Thought it would be in by now. Won't happen before the rally. But, have already decided if I ever cross a US border into a foreign country, I'll make certain the door is open and it will be empty when I cross. Border guards don't give you time to go inside and "rearrange." The safe won't be large... like for "long" stuff, just big enough for cash, camera, etc. I don't want to carry on my body all the time. But secure (and relatively) hidden to prevent walk-away conditions. YMMV

Ron in BC · 05-19-2015, 09:49 PM

Just to be really clear, my "hidden space" isn't there to circumvent any laws, quite the opposite, it's there to comply with storage laws for certain items. A second benefit is keeping the goods safer in the event of a break-in.

Yup, Donna's correct, you don't get a chance to go in and "rearrange" items once they've decided to search you. We found that out when we were busted for having 3 green onions

Yep, it's true, we're guilty of having contraband, so embarrassing, but honestly we're still good people.

It was, turn over all keys and wait until they'd gone though the truck and trailer. Luckily, only a gentle reminder green onions were on the forbidden list (a copy of which they helpfully gave us)

Ron

Brian B-P · 05-19-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

It was, turn over all keys and wait until they'd gone though the truck and trailer.

It seems to me that it would be appropriate and adequate to hand them the keys, with a comment to explain that one fits the compartment inside the cabinet beside the door. It would be clear that you are not hiding anything from them.

You'll probably even get some compliments on the design and installation.

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