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Topic: A New Storage Bay (Read 2100 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
All I need is a round tuit.

The older we get, the harder it is to find those; Snap-On doth not make them anymore.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #26 –
Only thing I might do to the box is paint the outer part with a bed liner or undercoat spray.Then with the leftover paint the safe.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #27 –
Nice job Roger!!!
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #28 –
Here are sketches of my box and brackets.  If you are going to do this you must verify the dimensions of your bay door frame opening.  I left about 1/8' for clearance.  It was a close fit. Your coach may be different so check the dimensions to the coach frame rail and all other clearances as well.  I also had to remove a corner of an angle iron welded to the coach frame at the upper rear corner of the bay door frame, maybe 1/4" x 3/4". 

With the coach all the way up the box will side underneath from the side and rotate up into position.

The brackets hang on the frame and are bolted to the bottom of the door frame.  They need to be made in two parts in order to get them over the frame. Test the fit to verify that the bottom of the frame rails are square to the bay door opening so that the box will sit on the rails.

The box has some very heavy tape wrapped around the outside at the front edge and along the bottom where it sits on the rails.

Slide the rails towards the front of the coach out of the way and put the box into the bay door opening using a bucket and a 2x4 for support. I left about 1/8" for clearance. It was a nice fit.  When you are happy with the fit slide the box back and put a bead of good caulk (ie 3M 4000) all the way around and then slide the box back into place.

I started with a screw in the lower sides and then made sure it was where I wanted at the top and then a screw on each side near the top.  If all is OK then finish with the side and top screws.

Then I crawled under and repositioned the brackets where I wanted them, clamped then at the bottom of the bay door frame, drilled a ¼' hole through the box, the door frame and the bracket and got the ¼' bolt started and tight.  Then I tightened up the bolts under the coach frame rail. Some extra caulk clean up and it was done.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #29 –
I also added a new compartment this past January.  Like what others have done, I had a welder install a cage made out of 3/4 angle iron and then I cut and epoxyed 1/2 in plywood for the the walls and floor. I installed a central vac and a water softener. It has been ideal for the vac but too hot for the water softener. I will be moving the softener to above the water pump, as soon as I get a free weekend. It is an ideal location for the central vac, as I could install the central vac outlet in the foot of the bed, directly above the new compartment. Very easy to drill the hole in the floor and just enough room in the foot of the bed.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #30 –
Quote from: KenKetch –
I installed a central vac and a water softener. It has been ideal for the vac but too hot for the water softener.
I've never messed with a water softener, so I ask this question out of both ignorance and curiosity:  In what way is being in a "hot" compartment bad for the softener?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #31 –
It probably would be a good place for a vacuum. My plan is to measure the temps in there when we stop once we get going again this winter.  I would not keep our water softener in there since it would freeze up here in MN in an unheated bay. I am thinking wheel chocks, a 120v compressor, my 50ft 50 amp extension cord and things like that. Not frequently used but handy when you need them.

Our water softener works well.  Recharges with ordinary table salt in less than 1/2 hour after about 800 gallons.  Our incoming water goes through three filters and the water softener and into the tank. Almost all of our water use is from the tank using the pump.  We fill the tank about once a week and put the fill kit away. We have been in some places where the water was very bad. In those places especially we are glad to have the softener and filters.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I've never messed with a water softener, so I ask this question out of both ignorance and curiosity:  In what way is being in a "hot" compartment bad for the softener?
I don't know but given that the compartment gets hot I worry about what that might be doing to the resin in the softener.  Maybe no problem but I want to move it to above the water pump because it is a heated compartment and I will not need a separate hose.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #33 –
Ken, do you have a resonator installed in place of the Muffler? If you do not then that will make the compartment hot. Change out that big monstrosity and do what a lot of us have. The temp drop is very large and it makes the bed cooler too.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #34 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
My '03 295 came from the factory with bay there. So there must not be a need for an access hatch.

Ever since I removed the muffler and replaced it with a resonator, I've thought about adding a wire basket like Richard did. All I need is a round tuit.

No excuses any more, round tuits and other very usefull hard to find parts.

Search Results : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard...

grab a cold one and enjoy
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #35 –
Back to the storage box's on our coach, I meant to post a picture of the one over Batteries that I did at same time as other but have added a slide out drawer since that time. So for what ever it is worth here it is. I can remove the complete unit in less than 30 seconds to get at fuel filter/primer and of course the Batteries.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #36 –
John,

That is very cool! Thanks for the inspirational images. Good engineering and,---with a few mods, THAT could be a very hot Turbo Chili Cooker like "those bad hands" did on big Cats in the Oil Field.

Bad spot for a beer cooler, right?
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #37 –
Paul, this storage is on opposite side to the resonator which does not get anywhere near as warm as the old Muffler. It is right behind passenger rear duals so lots of air movement.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: A New Storage Bay

Reply #38 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Ken, do you have a resonator installed in place of the Muffler? If you do not then that will make the compartment hot. Change out that big monstrosity and do what a lot of us have. The temp drop is very large and it makes the bed cooler too.
JohnH
John, I have not swapped to a resonator. That is another project on my very long list. Thanks for the suggestion.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.