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Topic: Step Wall on our GV (Read 415 times) previous topic - next topic

Step Wall on our GV

Ok, has anyone ever opened up the short wall on the left of the steps (the wall with the banister) and know what is inside, or the construction? This is on the mid-entry door/steps into our coach.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #1 –
I've wondered many times. Never taken a hard look but I don't see any easy way into it. Good question!

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #2 –
I wouldn't think that there's much behind as the huge propane tank is right there, perhaps the central vacuum catch can, I never found mine ?
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #3 –
Are you referring to the wall itself? Above the floor line or below?
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #4 –
The short wall that starts at the floor at the top of the steps, has the banister railing on it and three switches down by the door frame.
The wall is about 3"+ thick and hollow. The propane compartment is down below. The wall is only down as far as the living area floor and is attached to the outer wall by the door.
I know for a fact that there is a metal structure inside the innermost vertical part of the wall.
When I crawl under the coach I don't see anything up under what would be the bottom of the wall--if it came thru the floor.
The propane pipes are under the floor and quite visible almost everywhere from the tank.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #5 –
Wish I could help ya but our  GV Unihome is very different than the ORED. The wall on ours is probably only 1-1/2 to 2" in depth. I removed the Gas detector out of that wall to the under seat storage cabinets when we changed the dinette to bench seats with drawers and storage below.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #6 –
The wall of which we speak in our coach there's a tambor door behind which is the guts of the central vacuum. The original owner had the dinette deleted and cabinets built in it's place. So above the handle by the stairs is a back lite and mirrored display cabinet.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #7 –
I did get to look inside of that wall. My "CO" detector is mounted at the lower (Bottom) of that wall between the kitchen table and the stair well. I wanted to install a switch near the top of that wall, it is hollow, my wall sets above the compartment just "aft" of the entry door.  I removed the cover plate of the CO detector and was able to run a wire from the basement area (where the inverter sets) to my new switch. I had to drill a hole in the floor to get the wire through and that was the most difficult part of the job. Hope this helps...  ^.^d
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #8 –
Thank you Gerry.
Here is why I asked.
I am contemplating cutting an opening, about 1'-6" square so I can put together an electrical panel that will be out of sight when I close a door I would have to make.
Reasons?
1. Close to the batteries under the steps.
2. The charge controller would be out of sight but close to the batteries.
3. The wires, charge controller, solar panel feeds, battery selector switch, solar panel on/off switch would all be "out of sight" but readily accessible.
4. That wall is really the only wall that is easily accessed for wiring and monitoring due to very little inside walls for mounting all the necessary components.
5. Recessing the components behind a door will still allow me to raise the steps to access the batteries below the steps and keep all wire lengths to minimums.
Now, I did an experiment with some cherry plank that I have. I sanded it smooth(real smooth) and then did two applications of walnut stain. Color and grain are so close to the walnut paneling it looks original! So if I use the cutout paneling for the door I can use the stained cherry for making what would look like a picture frame to hide the cutout edges. Hinged for opening and a latch to keep the door closed.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD
 

Re: Step Wall on our GV

Reply #9 –
Quote from: FourTravelers –
Wish I could help ya but our  GV Unihome is very different than the ORED. The wall on ours is probably only 1-1/2 to 2" in depth. I removed the Gas detector out of that wall to the under seat storage cabinets when we changed the dinette to bench seats with drawers and storage below.


Justin.
  Didn't happen to spot a way to tighten the grab Handel while you were in there. We have the bench seating also but don't see a way to get in there without removing a panel that seems to be glued on.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR