I keep the nastier smelling stuff in the rear utility roadside bay (behind the rear wheel). By this I mean an Oil jug, a coolant jug, the axle oil and such like that. Also the never-to-be-used set of chains to show if asked. That stuff isn't that tall, so I ended up stacking odds and ends on top of it. What a mess.
So I decided to build a drawer, similar to those over the LP tank. I made it 7" tall and 23" deep. There was a glitch along the way that I'll share. The compartment is fairly flush on the front (left) side of the opening, but the rear (right) side had the frame sticking a ways out from the wall...about 1/2". I used ball-bearing rails (22") that I found at Lowes for about $16. On the rear wall, I found that I had to mount the rail onto a piece of 1/2" plywood. to keep it away from the wall to make sure the drawer wouldn't hit the frame as it tried to come out. Of course, I then had to tear apart my drawer and make it 11-1/2" wide overall to fit the narrowed rails.
Now I have a place for rags, funnels, hitch grease, wax, wheel cleaner, etc.
Nicely done Brad, Keep the ideas and future projects coming. I would hate to think that some day I would run outta things to do :P :P :P
Larry
Thanks. I'm just getting impatient while having to wait for the next step of my slide problem identification and resolution, so I just keep looking at the motorhome and finding odd projects like this to occupy my waiting.
Nice job Brad. I keep our water softener, waste hose ends, extra water hose, nozzle and flairs and I must admit a few other odds and ends. :D
Did that utility bay originally come with an enclosure? On our 95 U320 it is a completely open space. I've read about some who had an enclosure constructed, but I'm just wondering if your was a later addition or if it originally came enclosed.
That may have been standard on later year coaches because I believe that Rich B's 2002 U270 came with such a compartment. I asked at Foretravel parts and they weren't able to come up with a part number for it though... I am buying a welded up a
Aluminum box from Xtreme that would be a fairly simple do it yourself install, but I am not sure what the box itself would cost because I am having them install it. I imagine a metal fabricator shop would do it for less than $500. Of course, depending on your tools etc., you could build one out of angle stock and sheet metal cheaper.
Don
I put one in our 2000 adnd made it out of PLy and sprayed to exterior with bed liner, It sits in a sheet metal frame and also sits on top of frame at back. I now have one on each side behind rear tires. Pass side one sits above the AGM batteries and has a large slide out storage bow. Cost almost nothing to make and work great.
John
I have a very useful slide-out double deck draw for jugs, bottles and what have you. Holds gallon jugs perfectly. Its well built and made from aluminum. Think it may be factory it's that well made.
Keith
How about some pictures John! Especially the passenger side one above the chassis batteries... Do you have a Slide for your batteries?
Don
Late to the thread, but yes, it was enclosed when the coach was built. Just such a tall area, it begged for at least a shelf, which was my first plan. The drawer idea came later when I stumbled upon the rails at Lowes for a really decent price. It is plywood with a metal frame, and it is covered by FT's felt material. $15 worth of wood; $15 worth of rails, an old leftover drawer pull, and a little bit of free retired time.
The other side has a similar door, but it is all open to the starting battery tray. I hadn't really looked at it with an eye to adding anything there. Fuel filter access is there, too, so I really wouldn't want to make access difficult. I always end up with a lot of empty space.
Mine above Batteries is removed by taking 2 screws out and right now as before trip to Dallas I was working under coach and took the box/drawer out so it really cannot be seen in place right now.. I will post when I put it all together though.
Brad, it literally takes me 2 mins to remove for filter access.
John H
Please do post pictures. I always love another good project!
My 95 has the 2 Primus heat boilers and pump located in that compartment.
Here are a couple of pictures the welded aluminum box that is going into our coach. I will be wrapping the outside of the box before it goes in with dinymat and prepping for drawer or a slide out tool box installation.
Don
Don, what is Dinymat?
A cheaper version of Dynamat? ;D Just a Typo... Dynamat Xtreme (http://www.dynamatstore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=27) I used to wrap the step box before I put the inch and a half polyurethane foam insulation around it, I then wrapped that with aluminum sheet metal and foil tape. I have a bunch left over from the step box project and though a bit of a waste on the outside of the compartment box, it will reflect a lot of heat away from the exhaust. I still have to put the Resonator in... after that, should be a lot cooler back there anyway.
Don
where can I get Dinymat?
always looking for a cheaper version..................