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Topic: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today) (Read 723 times) previous topic - next topic

Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Cup tray would not stay open when put on brakes.  So I built a tray to solve the problem. Chappell
Chappell & Mary
36' 2004 Foretravel U270 build #6273

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #1 –
This is the photo I intended to post. Chappell
Chappell & Mary
36' 2004 Foretravel U270 build #6273

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #2 –
Very nice!
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #3 –
Great idea and photo. I have the same dash and the drawer will not stay open while driving and especially when braking.
I'm making one for our FT. Many thanks.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #4 –
Jon,

The lock mechanism for the dash drawer is a flimsy arrangement, but can to altered to hold better. Try viewing from the floor and bend the bar with the notch downward a little more.

Quote

Great idea and photo. I have the same dash and the drawer will not stay open while driving and especially when braking. I'm making one or our FT. Many thanks.

Jon Ohman
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #5 –
Quote
The lock mechanism for the dash drawer is a flimsy arrangement, but can to altered to hold better

I have had to adjust the mechanism several times - and - install a pressure lock at the back of the drawer to keep it closed.  Seems there should have been something installed at the factory but when I mentioned it to them, they sent me a simple brass lock that works very well.  Of course it took me quite a while to disassemble, build a bracket to hold the lock and reassemble - but that was one of my first projects after getting the coach and I had fun.
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #6 –
Jim, I have bent and notched the bar to no avail. It still slams closed when braking. Makes it hard to have a little java while driving in the am. However, I will look under there again and she if some type of clamp would work that would be easy to install/uninstall.
I really just want to have some coffee once in awhile while driving.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #7 –
Quote from: qcj –
This is the photo I intended to post. Chappell

I LOVE it!!  We have the same tray. It will lock with just the cup holders out, but at lunch or snack time when we want the whole gizmo to stay out I have to use a spring loaded tension rod (for curtains) braced from the underside of the drawer to the floor. Not pretty, but it prevents sandwich and grapes from disappearing into the "void" that exists beneath the dash.  I am going to see if Flanagan can whip something like that up when we are in Nac in April ... but it will probably run about $300.00!!!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #8 –
Quote

Jim, I have bent and notched the bar to no avail. It still slams closed when braking. Makes it hard to have a little java while driving in the am. However, I will look under there again and she if some type of clamp would work that would be easy to install/uninstall. I really just want to have some coffee once in awhile while driving. Jon Ohman

Jon,

It is hard to reach, but maybe the nylon catch that grasps the notch is loose or even missing. Removing the drawer (black plastic release levers on each track, like any of the other drawers) allows you to reach it easier. I did file the notch to be abruptly square. It's possible the bar itself may be loose and moving around too easily. A little redesigning may be in order, but persistence will pay off.
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #9 –
Hmm.  Maybe some flip down sides that can hold a wine glass by the stem!  Ok, maybe not while driving for some! 

Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #10 –
Quote

I LOVE it!! We have the same tray. It will lock with just the cup holders out, but at lunch or snack time when we want the whole gizmo to stay out I have to use a spring loaded tension rod (for curtains) braced from the underside of the drawer to the floor. Not pretty, but it prevents sandwich and grapes from disappearing into the "void" that exists beneath the dash. I am going to see if Flanagan can whip something like that up when we are in Nac in April ... but it will probably run about $300.00!!!

Carol & Jeff Savournin
'02 U320 / 40'

Carrol,

You might try bending the forward end of the bar sideways a little so that when the drawer is all the way out it hits the white nylon stop squarely.
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Jim Frerichs –
Carrol,

You might try bending the forward end of the bar sideways a little so that when the drawer is all the way out it hits the white nylon stop squarely.

Yeah ... been there, done that, Flanagan has done that ... it just doesn't last. Careful and meticulous operation of the drawer and mechanism does not prolong the proper operation. The thing just sucks.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #12 –
Quote

Hmm. Maybe some flip down sides that can hold a wine glass by the stem! Ok, maybe not while driving for some!

Well, one has to be a little more innovative so you don't spill the wine. My redneck favorite is to wedge the bottle on the floor and suck on an attached small plastic tube. Why is it that after a couple of serious responses the conversation goes into inverted flight?
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #13 –
I will be happy to help anyone any way I can. Wood working has been a hobby of mine for about 50 years, but anyone with a little working knowledge of wood could build one of these.  It is not that complicated and it works great. After putting on the brakes with a drink can in the holder and it went forward fast enough to dent the can I figured it was time to do something.  I built the tray out of cherry to match my cabinets. I live in Nac. and anyone who would like to see it and measure it just let me know.  Chappell
Chappell & Mary
36' 2004 Foretravel U270 build #6273

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #14 –
We will be in Nac on April 1 ... I would LOVE to see that thing in person, take photos and measurements!  I will PM you with my arrival and hope that you have a few spare minutes!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs
 

Re: Chappell's drink tray mod (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #15 –
Sure like the wood detail in the first photo, clearly the maker likes working with wood, it appears to me.  If I have such a need, will try to copy some details, simple but effective.
Thanks
Chub