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Topic: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay? (Read 1262 times) previous topic - next topic

Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

In a few weekends after we clean up the current projects, I plan to take the metal drawer in the storage bay and lower it by about 8", put a kitty litter box in it, cut a tunnel through the floor from the living area, and put an insulated cat door in the middle.  The drawer lies pretty much directly below the kitchen sink.

Has anyone else installed something similar, such as an aftermarket laundry chute to the storage bay?  What considerations do I need to make?  Things to look out for?

Using the eye-test only underneath the sink, it appears all the furnace ducts and water lines are above the flooring in the housing itself, so no concerns there.  I'm assuming the propane lines will be similarly visible once I pull out the under-sink lining.

I'm hoping that I'll only be cutting through pure flooring/insulation.  I'm also hoping that the interior electric wiring is done mostly in the walls, and not so much under the flooring.  Can anyone confirm or deny that is the case?  It looks like most major wires to the battery are visible underneath from the storage bay.
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #1 –
Others with more "destruction/construction" experience will reply, but here's a few thoughts based on my general knowledge from reading the Forum.  The floor in your coach is built up of metal (steel?) framing, with a inner "filling" of foam insulation between the frame members.  There is plywood on top (interior floor), and fiberglass underneath (the bay "ceiling").  I've never read anything about Foretravel running wiring or anything else horizontally through the floor "sandwich".  To my knowledge everything of that nature that you would want to avoid cutting should be visible, either above or below the floor.

You will have to avoid the metal framing.  You should be able to locate these metal parts through the fiberglass skin (in the bay ceiling) with a strong magnet.  Once you have the framework located, you can plan your cut.

That's what I (think I) know, however I'd wait for more informed advice before you start hacking!
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: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #2 –
If I were you,I would call James Triana at FT with you build number and ask him for a print of the floor layout,good to have before you go poking holes. ^.^d
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #3 –
When we did our work it was as Chuck describes.  Nothing was run within the foam core.  Everything was secured.  As he mentions, the magnet works and allowed us to make logical fastenings.

George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #4 –
I recommend some type of "shutoff" access to the floor opening in the event you have an inquisitive escape artist that might try to wander while you have the litter box out for cleaning.
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: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #5 –
Hi, James & Erin!

We (me & ScubaGuy) did just that!  We built out a whole cat condo in the basement storage bay.  We actually completed Cat Condo 2.0 last June, and I have a whole tutorial written up about that process. We wrote it all out in a pdf file to send to a friend of ours who was attempting the same project.  She implented hers slightly different, and she wrote up a full tutorial, too.  I'll be happy to send them to you, if you'd like! 

Here are 2 threads where we talked briefly about what we did for The Original Cat Condo: (the tutorial file is for Cat Condo 2.0)

Need Litter Box Solutions for Cat
Cats and our Foretraveling

I completely agree with Chuck.  You will be very surprised at how thick the floor is.  We had no idea that the metal beams existed in the floor; thankfull MOT who cut the hole for us knew, and educated us.  I was able to pass along that information to my friend, and she used a magnet to map out the beams on the ceiling of her bay. 

I have a some great pictures of the hole getting cut. I'll try and find those and will post them in a bit.  ^.^d
The selected media item is not currently available.Amanda and Douglas
Lily *meow* (RIP 7/19/23) and B.T. *meow* (RIP 9/12/18)
1997 U320 40' - "Brawley"
Motorcade #17266
Escapee #113692

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #6 –
We posed this question weeks in advance in case it took some time for the right person to read it... and here all our questions are answered beyond expectations after 2 hours.  You are all wonderful.  Thanks so much - We'll get some pictures up of the finished product when it happens.

I can promise you it won't be anything half as spectacular as the Cat Condo, however!  Our cats are indoor/outdoor, so this will be more of litter relocation project for times when outdoors is not an option, rather than a true quality of catlife addition.
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Blinded04 –
I can promise you it won't be anything half as spectacular as the Cat Condo, however!  Our cats are indoor/outdoor, so this will be more of litter relocation project for times when outdoors is not an option, rather than a true quality of catlife addition.
HAHAHAHA!!  That is totally fine!  We fully acknowledge we went above and beyond for our cats.  Perhaps to the point of absurdity, but it really works for us - the Cat Condo 2.0 version.  My friend went the same route as you, not nearly something as elaborate.  She suspended her's from the ceiling of the bay.  I think you will find the pdf files interesting, and if nothing else, thought provoking.  :)) 

I've sent them both to your gmail account.  Below is our tutorial, just in case others out there are interested. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Amanda and Douglas
Lily *meow* (RIP 7/19/23) and B.T. *meow* (RIP 9/12/18)
1997 U320 40' - "Brawley"
Motorcade #17266
Escapee #113692

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #8 –
OMG, this posting must be shut down and deleted immediate. I am JUST KIDDING  :-)
Just don't tell my wife please  8)

@ Siren, That is one nice cat condo.

Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #9 –
Yup I am running out excuses as well...clever ideas.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #10 –
Lots of cold air will come up that hole. I think it's wise to keep the living space separate from the garage, and having a huge hole passing through defeats this.

But, I just get grumpy  about people drilling and cutting holes, because it always seem that I'm patching such crazy things from previous owners of my toys (boats, rv, etc) LOL. I often can be heard swearing and yelling "WHY DID YOU DRILL A HOLE HERE YOU FOOL, WATER LEAKS IN!" Fewer holes, fewer leaks!
1998 U270 34'

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: krush –
Lots of cold air will come up that hole. I think it's wise to keep the living space separate from the garage, and having a huge hole passing through defeats this.
Yes, if not done properly, I could see that being a problem.  Believe it or not, our's is actually quite tightly insulated.  We have caulked every seam, and it is carpeted and tiled on both sides, with no air gaps.  We have a heat sensor gun that we shoot down into the hole occasionally, and it is pretty much the same temperature as the rest of the coach, since the coach ends up heating/cooling that well insulated cat condo.

Quote from: krush –
But, I just get grumpy about people drilling and cutting holes, because it always seem that I'm patching such crazy things from previous owners of my toys (boats, rv, etc) LOL. I often can be heard swearing and yelling "WHY DID YOU DRILL A HOLE HERE YOU FOOL, WATER LEAKS IN!" Fewer holes, fewer leaks!
It's okay to get grumpy.  ;)  But no need to worry about our hole.  We are still pretty young and plan to have this coach for many, many years to come.  We kept the 2 metal drawers, and have a way to patch up that hole if we ever want to sell it....but *just* in case, I'll try not to sell it to you, so you won't have to grumble.  ;)
The selected media item is not currently available.Amanda and Douglas
Lily *meow* (RIP 7/19/23) and B.T. *meow* (RIP 9/12/18)
1997 U320 40' - "Brawley"
Motorcade #17266
Escapee #113692

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: krush –
Lots of cold air will come up that hole.

I plan to use an insulated-edge cat door flap, with magnets on the flap to keep it shut.  I used the same one, installed in an insert in the sliding glass door at our home before we sold it - and I have another one currently installed on the small window next to the passenger seat for the cats to get in and out at will.  I've found the front door, front dash, and windshield all let in more cold than the cat flap.  It's a cheap little thing - but really does wonders, very well engineered.  No air will be coming up that hole.  Have to replace it after about 2 years when the insulated edges start to wear out.

Amazon.com: Cat Mate 4 Way Locking Cat Flap, White: Pet Supplies

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #13 –
I have seen a few cat condos over the years and in the rain I and cold walking the pups I have wondered why there are no dog condos
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Did you install a chute/tunnel from living area to storage bay?

Reply #14 –
Not on a Foretravel, but on our last trip I saw a 5th Wheel rigged out very nicely for the family dogs.  In the living room slide-out, they cut a hole in the side wall of the slide and installed a doggy door.  Right outside the opening, they had built a nice wood frame "patio" with chicken wire sides and top.  A hole in the "patio" platform allowed the dogs to walk down a chicken wire covered ramp which ended up in the (fenced) grassy area under the bedroom overhang.  This "yard" was at least partially shaded at all times of the day, and was equipped with a self-filling water dish.  While walking Bella, I saw 2 small Dachshunds running up and down the ramp and thoroughly enjoying their 1st class outdoor exercise area. 
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"