Time to fit out the new tug

[jazzeddie1234]

I can't put it off any longer. The old diy layout for the Dmax fitted ok but I need to change things around because the Cannon does not have a long range tank - which means jerries, and jerries need to be easy to fill, which means moving the fridge, and the fridge needs to easy to fill, which means moving the toolbox....sigh. Also the back seat area is a different shape and we now have a dog.

First test fit. I cut a cardboard template and then off to bunnings to buy some 17mm formply and 12mm basic plywood. My ladder and chairs used to lay on top of everything but will now slide under. I first made it in one piece but it was way to heavy for me to lift and cutting it in half makes it much easier to get in.

So far so good. Jerries are easy to access - I'm hoping no one notices me filling them as they are right next to the filler door and I've 3d printed a drip tray that fits in the necks so any spills with run outside the open window. The fridge is fine on the other side - easy to access via the other window. The honda generator is rarely used these days so it will slide all the way back between to fridge and the jerries and sitt over the strong centre supports.

Next job is make custom shape boxes for the jerries etc and figure out how to stop things moving around but easy to slide out if necessary

 

[Drover]

In my Colorado I carried Jerry cans (steel fuel, plastic water ) in large plastic HD crates, catch spills in any and didn't need to move them, had always planned to buy a 100lt tank that fitted against the headboard from a mob in Bundy, jury still out regarding Ranger set up as I carry 2 jerries on on back of van..
With a hard lid tub now at least I don;t have to lift full ones, impossible anyway and Im keeping the hard lid set up as its far easier than a canopy to get at things and would only load more junk.

 

[poor but proud]

things like jerry cans,as you age you start to think smaller all my extra fuel and any water is in 10 liter containers now i also carry a small 12volt fuel transfer pump so i do not even have to hold them up to refill

 

[jazzeddie1234]

Im keeping the hard lid

Yeah my Dmax has a hard lid and it is great for forcing me to think about what to take on trips.

My plan for emptying the jerries is to use my jiggle thing siphon but me being me, I have looked at fitting one of those diesel heater fuel pickup tubes and use a universal fuel pump to drain into a tee fitting on the breather hose....

 

[Drover]

I also look at ways not to lift the things up, actually for many, many years now ................... If I have to do a fuel transfer its the jiggle hose, had a small electric fuel pump but slow as a wet week so went back to the jiggler, Jerry's on back of van get jiggled into smaller can for transfer as I cant lift the mungrels out of their racks when full , careful planning means rarely used anyway ............ In the Colorado I could just syphon straight from can in tray into fuel tank, dreamy stuff...

I have cunning plans like that as well @jazzeddie1234, sometimes I carry them out, was wondering if a plastic tank on front of tub and plumbed into tank then I knew I would spill fuel so stuff it..................

 

[poor but proud]

I also look at ways not to lift the things up, actually for many, many years now ................... If I have to do a fuel transfer its the jiggle hose, had a small electric fuel pump but slow as a wet week so went back to the jiggler, Jerry's on back of van get jiggled into smaller can for transfer as I cant lift the mungrels out of their racks when full , careful planning means rarely used anyway ............ In the Colorado I could just syphon straight from can in tray into fuel tank, dreamy stuff...

I have cunning plans like that as well @jazzeddie1234, sometimes I carry them out, was wondering if a plastic tank on front of tub and plumbed into tank then I knew I would spill fuel so stuff it..................

the little 12volt is slow,but these days whos in a hurry？i put that extra juice in when i want to , not when i have to,in the last 10 years i have only had to use my reserve twice,so i not big on carting lots of unnecessary weight , using extra fuel ,for something i very rarely use or need, i have helped other travellers who usually say they have a faulty fuel gauge, but funny i never got paid for that fuel