Mods to "Escape Hatch II"

escape artist · 07-20-2014, 06:57 AM

Hi: All... The first mod was a small one. In order for the Spitfire 180 Grill to fit in the front upper storage compartment the door flange required some modification. Reace showed me how they do the propane compartment so with a small hacksaw and hammer I realigned the flange so the "Q" could slide right in.
The second mod was the installation of an "Alf Shelf" over the door. More complicated in the 5.0TA, than the 5.0, but not impossible... for ME!!!
4&1/2" oak crown molding has gotten $$$'s. $12.+ for 3' piece!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

cpaharley2008 · 07-20-2014, 08:05 AM

Nice job Alf…...

Jim Bennett · 07-20-2014, 11:30 AM

Saw your first mod in person, the second looks great too.

PGDriver · 07-20-2014, 11:55 AM

Hi Alf could you please post a photo of what you did with the storage compartment, it sounds interesting.

Jim Bennett · 07-20-2014, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGDriver

Hi Alf could you please post a photo of what you did with the storage compartment, it sounds interesting.

He needed just a bit more height to get the Spitfire grill in, and took some off the bottom inside flange of the access panel to accommodate this. I bet he has a photo to show. He showed me how Reace does the same thing in the lower one to fit the propane bottles in.

PGDriver · 07-20-2014, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

He needed just a bit more height to get the Spitfire grill in, and took some off the bottom inside flange of the access panel to accommodate this. I bet he has a photo to show. He showed me how Reace does the same thing in the lower one to fit the propane bottles in.

And no water leaks?

escape artist · 07-20-2014, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGDriver

Hi Alf could you please post a photo of what you did with the storage compartment, it sounds interesting.

Hi: PGDriver... Here's a pic. or two of the flange alteration. I didn't remove any of it... just cut the gasket, took out the pieces, bent the flange flat then reapplied the gasket pieces... all the while making sure the door still closed properly. I only needed a 1/2" more height. No leaks either!!!
ETI just removes the flange along the bottom for the gas bottles to pass thru. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

cpaharley2008 · 07-20-2014, 01:31 PM

That flange is inside the gasket so water should not leak particularly since only a small piece was cut.

PGDriver · 07-20-2014, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: PGDriver... Here's a pic. or two of the flange alteration. I didn't remove any of it... just cut the gasket, took out the pieces, bent the flange flat then reapplied the gasket pieces... all the while making sure the door still closed properly. I only needed a 1/2" more height. No leaks either!!!
ETI just removes the flange along the bottom for the gas bottles to pass thru. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Nice job Alf, thanks Doug

Vicki A. · 07-20-2014, 05:35 PM

Nice job on the shelf Alf!

Bill and Mary · 07-21-2014, 11:21 AM

Alf, In posts # 29 and 32 of the thread "Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ" Jim Bennett noted that he could store his Spitfire under the dinette seat of his 19 footer. By any chance did you check to see if we can do that with a 5.0TA? I would love to put the 30 pound Spitfire behind the axle rather than out front near the pin.
Thanks, Bill

Jim Bennett · 07-21-2014, 11:47 AM

Bill, I did have to redo the braces that goes from the floor to the rear support piece under the lid, angling them back. I also have to tip the Spitfire 90° forward to fit the opening. Once inside I tip it back, and it nestles nicely onto the cleats I added.

escape artist · 07-28-2014, 04:49 PM

Hi: All... Here's another one that wasn't my idea but came in our new to us 5.0. We have put another one in the 5.0TA and it works just fine. Its a small Rubbermaid cutlery tray!!! 13.4" X 9.1" X 1.84" and slides on the edge of the drawer. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

**Donna D.** · 07-28-2014, 06:31 PM

Cool beans Alf! I need one of these. I took the one out of my Scamp, but it's a bit too wide. Shopping I'll go! !

emers382 · 07-28-2014, 10:26 PM

Wow that cutlery tray looks just like mine. Oh wait that is the one Alf referred to he left it for us

Adrian

cpaharley2008 · 07-30-2014, 08:37 PM

I got my tray today, it will not work in my top drawer, but will work in the bottom drawer, so I flip flopped the contents, works fine, thanks for the lead.

hotfishtacos · 07-30-2014, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: All... Here's another one that wasn't my idea but came in our new to us 5.0. We have put another one in the 5.0TA and it works just fine. Its a small Rubbermaid cutlery tray!!! 13.4" X 9.1" X 1.84" and slides on the edge of the drawer. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

I have the same tray in my top drawer and the weight of the contents caused it to sag in the middle so I added two threaded rods across under the tray sideways...worked out fine!

escape artist · 07-30-2014, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotfishtacos

I have the same tray in my top drawer and the weight of the contents caused it to sag in the middle so I added two threaded rods across under the tray sideways...worked out fine!

Hi: hotfishtacos... You must have real sterling cutlery in your drawers to weigh down the tray!!! We only have used University grade S/S cast offs from the kids.

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Fox hunt · 07-31-2014, 01:49 AM

Does it work in a 17?

escape artist · 07-31-2014, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

Does it work in a 17?

Hi: Fox hunt... I can't see why not. The 5.0 we had was just a stretched 17'er. Same cabinet's I think. Here's a pic of the 5.0 galley. Our small cutlery tray fit in the top drawer too. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

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