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Front "storage" area under Dinette?


Wayfinder

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Has anyone come up with a safe and reasonable solution to use the front-most area under the dinette site, next to bathroom?  I'm nervous to put anything in there due to the one inlet line going into the black tank.  Also, due to the mild odor in the hull, (not nasty, just different), all I can think of is storing soft, seasonal clothes in two heavy duty outdoor garbage bags, or a vacuum sealed bag.

I just don't want anything moving around in there, and should be very soft.  I was considering doing a mod of a nice pull-out box or bin of sorts.  Maybe a soft cooler, like the one under the table in this picture.  Again, I would want to keep that sealed in a heavy plastic bag too.

Ideas and threads are welcome.

Thanks,

Chris

dinette-storage-area.thumb.jpg.a68a90e2051f8bf353bcbc68a9b5c900.jpg

Chris
2016 Legacy Elite II  o--o  Hull #110 o--o  Wayfinder  o--o  Twin Bed  o--o  2020 RAM 1500 Limited 5.7L 
Augusta, Georgia

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How lovely for Oliver to just lay wire bundles over the frame right where you need to store items..... 

IMG_3663.thumb.JPG.812ee070502bc41a657130dcb58fb6b4.JPG.1d3b89dd2efce24a70c338b973914d5d.JPG

This has been working fine for one camping season. You could substitute materials, but the foam board is SUPER light weight, inexpensive, fire retardant, won't absorb water, and is easy to find at any box store. The big problem is what do you do with the unused material...?

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5272-how-to-flat-foam-storage-tray-for-the-front-dinette-seat-compartment/

John Davies

Spokane WA

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SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: 

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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Chris -

There have been a number of solutions/ideas for this area over the years.

Some people place a support of some sort to cover the wires and pipes and then store whatever in there.  I simply found a plastic container/bin that has a removable top and set it in there - it barely fits but I really do not take it out very often.  Mainly I use it to store extra food.

Bill

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Near Asheville, NC

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Great ideas.

Also, while Wayfinder is in my so-called dry-dock this month for minor repairs and clean-up, I've been pushing air through the hull with a fan on the passenger-side bed area hatch, and keeping both dinette hatches open for exhaust, all windows are open.  This is in hopes of reducing some of the inner hull odors.  The good thing is it's not musty, just odors of older plastics, glues, and fiberglass, etc.  It's dry as a whistle otherwise.

I may have some fiber board around my GA house.  I certainly have plenty of extra Reflectix and 1/8 inch thin plywood. It's free and would make for a nice light-weight platform.

Chris

Chris
2016 Legacy Elite II  o--o  Hull #110 o--o  Wayfinder  o--o  Twin Bed  o--o  2020 RAM 1500 Limited 5.7L 
Augusta, Georgia

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15 minutes ago, Wayfinder said:

I may have some fiber board around my GA house.  I certainly have plenty of extra Reflectix and 1/8 inch thin plywood. It's free and would make for a nice light-weight platform.

Chris

Chris, read all of that thread, you need to build up the frame rail at least 2" to clear wires and provide a level platform. That gets it above the height of the big waste water pipe.

John Davies

Spokane WA

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SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: 

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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15 minutes ago, Wayfinder said:

I certainly have plenty of extra Reflectix and 1/8 inch thin plywood.

Great - take some of that Reflectix and add insulation wherever you can get it.  Both this area and inside the areas near both wheel wells are easy to get to.  Don't forget about the underside of the access hatches - not only does this help with temperatures but it also tends to reduce noise - like from the water pump.

Bill

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Near Asheville, NC

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I keep my inverter in that space, which on its own probably isn't helpful info, but to do so I attached some 1x2 PVC strips crosswise (scraping the insulation away where needed and attaching them to the fiberglass with epoxy), then screwed a removable mounting board onto those strips.  The strips provide clearance for the wiring loom(s) that goes over the 'hump' (I'd advise grouping the mess of wires together and wrapping them while you're at it), and with multiple strips you should also get the mounting board over the plumbing (mine was stolen by gypsies so I didn't have to worry about it).  That will give you a nice, flat surface for storage, with the plumbing valve being the only thing remaining that could be damaged, but it's pretty tough.  Here's what mine looks like, but obviously you could make the board as large as you want -

IMG_4288.thumb.jpeg.609dea46ac39fdd9b1e768fa503835e4.jpeg

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I have a plastic bin/Tupperware on the left side of the space that contains spare parts, fuses, tape, and other odds and ends.  It doesn’t move at all, that’s over several years.  On top of it, we have a large first aid kit and a fanny pack.  To the right, closer to the bath we have a cloth shopping bag filled with spare paper towels and toilet paper.  It stays pretty secure as well, but is very lightweight so I don’t worry about it.  Mike

Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L

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On 9/29/2021 at 4:43 PM, 1Lessworker said:

I made a sheet metal box to fit in the space but not hit or rub on any wires or tubing. It is suspended from the flange so it can not drop down. It is easy to remove and reinstall. 

20210929_191807.jpg

20210929_191742.jpg

that's genius! how do i do that?

2021 Elite II #841, 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4, 3.0 diesel

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If you live near even a small town (8,000 people) there is probably a sheet metal shop near you.  Simply take measurements, make a rough drawing of what you want and take it to them.  You don't need "handy", you don't need talent and you don't need equipment - all you need is money.  😃

Bill

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Near Asheville, NC

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On 9/29/2021 at 7:43 PM, 1Lessworker said:

I made a sheet metal box to fit in the space but not hit or rub on any wires or tubing. It is suspended from the flange so it can not drop down. It is easy to remove and reinstall. 

20210929_191807.jpg

20210929_191742.jpg

That is very nice.  I like the floor in your Oliver too.

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VBristo & Cameron: Most any heating company could make you one. Just have to fit-check it once made to see if it will hit wires or valves & the fiberglass  cover will not rock around. Because i worked for a  HVACR company and had installed LOTS of furnaces and AC units, I had experience  in fabricating sheet metal fittings. Because of the small size 26ga or 24ga metal is fine.

 

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Sue & Harold

 

Oliver Elite II Twin bed,  Hull #508, Ram 2500

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12 hours ago, topgun2 said:

If you live near even a small town (8,000 people) there is probably a sheet metal shop near you.  Simply take measurements, make a rough drawing of what you want and take it to them.  You don't need "handy", you don't need talent and you don't need equipment - all you need is money.  😃

Bill

Thanks, Bill.

May I ask what gauge sheet metal you used?  Imagine too thick, and the dinette seat might be affected.

EDIT: OOps!  Just saw your other post!

 

mb

Edited by VBistro
didn't see a [post in the thread

MaryBeth
Boulder, CO

2022 Elite II #953
TV: 2021 Ford Expedition Max Platinum, Max Tow Package

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You could always mock it up with cardboard.  

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2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

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On 10/2/2021 at 3:52 PM, 1Lessworker said:

VBristo & Cameron: Most any heating company could make you one. Just have to fit-check it once made to see if it will hit wires or valves & the fiberglass  cover will not rock around. Because i worked for a  HVACR company and had installed LOTS of furnaces and AC units, I had experience  in fabricating sheet metal fittings. Because of the small size 26ga or 24ga metal is fine.

 

Very clever design.  Could you please post the dimensions of the insert box?

spacer.pngNorth Texas | 2022 LEII, Hull #990, delivered 2/17/22 | 2014 BMW X5 35d

 

 

 

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