Flanders 17.56-1 Mods

[macca]

Flanders, looks fantastic BUT. Your gas regulator installation needs to be rectified. Your regulator is too low and they should not be horizontal, they need to be vertical. If your reg vented it would blow gas back to your van . Sorry to be a pain, love the box though. On an expanda the regs are not too high, due to lid but you need to get it higher. Its to do with vaporization etc. Maybe ask a local gas guy in your area. A couple handy links, only guides and maybe not relevant to all states.

http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WKDuDk6Ozpw=&tabid=341&mid=1541

http://www.bromicplumbing.com.au/media/Regulators.pdf



Cheers Geoff

 

[Stone Stomper]

Looks great, I'm not sure but there was an issue when the regulator was lower than the out let of the bottles causing a wax build up in the reg and blocking them, but this may of been on older regs.

 

[bigman0510]

Where do I place my order for the toolbox???

 

[Flanders]

Flanders, looks fantastic BUT. Your gas regulator installation needs to be rectified. Your regulator is too low and they should not be horizontal, they need to be vertical. If your reg vented it would blow gas back to your van . Sorry to be a pain, love the box though. On an expanda the regs are not too high, due to lid but you need to get it higher. Its to do with vaporization etc. Maybe ask a local gas guy in your area. A couple handy links, only guides and maybe not relevant to all states.

http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WKDuDk6Ozpw=&tabid=341&mid=1541

http://www.bromicplumbing.com.au/media/Regulators.pdf



Cheers Geoff

G'day Geoff. Thanks for letting me know. All the gas was doe by a qualified gas fitter so I thought it was all OK. I will get it checked out ASAP

 

[Brad]

Hey @Flanders, box looks great. Not sure if your gas guy showed you, but there are flexible gas hoses you can get also to go from the regulator to the gas bottles. Did you see those?

 

[macca]

G'day Geoff. Thanks for letting me know. All the gas was doe by a qualified gas fitter so I thought it was all OK. I will get it checked out ASAP

No worries flanders. I had a look at my expanda, the reg is as high as the standard fixing bracket allows, maybe use that as your height again. They are limited because of the lid anyway. That image I posted probably exaggerates the height, you are never going to get that on a caravan like an expanda. But on mine they had looped the copper pig tails so they go quite high. Anyway should be an easy fix.

Where do I place my order?

 

[Flanders]

No worries flanders. I had a look at my expanda, the reg is as high as the standard fixing bracket allows, maybe use that as your height again. They are limited because of the lid anyway. That image I posted probably exaggerates the height, you are never going to get that on a caravan like an expanda. But on mine they had looped the copper pig tails so they go quite high. Anyway should be an easy fix.

Where do I place my order?

Thanks Geoff. I had a look this morning and I will have to change it. Should be an easy fix. And thanks @Brad I have seen those flexible hoses and will use them. I'm still on the road until 5 October so I will limit the usage until I can get something done. In regards to getting a box I will check with my fabrication plant how busy they are and see if I can get one costed for you, can't promise you anything though. I'm really happy with it. It's light and fits everything in well. I can get the dimensions to you if that is any help

 

[Soaring]

Thanks Geoff. I had a look this morning and I will have to change it. Should be an easy fix. And thanks @Brad I have seen those flexible hoses and will use them. I'm still on the road until 5 October so I will limit the usage until I can get something done. In regards to getting a box I will check with my fabrication plant how busy they are and see if I can get one costed for you, can't promise you anything though. I'm really happy with it. It's light and fits everything in well. I can get the dimensions to you if that is any help

@Flanders, if you are going to get one costed up.........maybe two would make it more worthwhile. I'm certainly interested

 

[Brooksy]

Cheers Flanders, I very keen to have the tool box built as we are leaving on a big trip in a couple off months, also was wondering how you ran the tap to the front off the box? Thanks brooksy

 

[D4Dazz]

Does anyone know if it is OK, or in fact legal to have the gas bottle concealed in a toolbox? I was going to do something similar however I was concern about possible gas leaks into a sealed toolbox..?it would just take one small spark it all to go bang!!!

 

[Flanders]

Does anyone know if it is OK, or in fact legal to have the gas bottle concealed in a toolbox? I was going to do something similar however I was concern about possible gas leaks into a sealed toolbox..?it would just take one small spark it all to go bang!!!

G'day Daz. Pretty sure you can as long as it is vented properly. If you search for other toolboxes on here there are some that have done it that way

 

[Brad & Donna]

Gas bottles are now mounted

View attachment 15734

Hi Flanders,

Mate did you ever change your gas regulator position ? I am in process of building up my own toolbox and have the same issue of trying to locate gas regulator in a "neat & tidy" place but also meet regulations.

Also be keen to know if your are running regulator in this position is it working ok ? Many stories about issues with regulators being below gas bottle outlets and getting blocked up ? Although these stories seem to be older, can't seem to find any more recent issues (on this forum or others)

Thanks mate,

 

[Flanders]

Hi Flanders,

Mate did you ever change your gas regulator position ? I am in process of building up my own toolbox and have the same issue of trying to locate gas regulator in a "neat & tidy" place but also meet regulations.

Also be keen to know if your are running regulator in this position is it working ok ? Many stories about issues with regulators being below gas bottle outlets and getting blocked up ? Although these stories seem to be older, can't seem to find any more recent issues (on this forum or others)

Thanks mate,

G'day Brad & Donna,

I haven't had a chance yet to get the regulator re-located. During our 3 month trip, I had no issues with the regulator in the position you see in the photos, it all worked perfectly. I've had a look and I should be able to put the regulator in the accepted position without too much trouble and make a neat job of it. I will go to flexible hoses instead of the copper as @Brad suggested in the post above. Just need to get some time to get it done, been a bit busy since I returned from our big trip.

 

[Flanders]

Finally got around to checking the weights on the expanda since the front toolbox fit out.

In the toolbox I have the following
baby weber Q
thetford portable toilet
water and sullage hose
buckets
fishing rod holders
ropes / levelling ramps / shade screens

I also had the 2 water tanks full, gas bottles full, front boot full with pop up toilet tent, clothesline, fishing rods, cables and pegs etc. I loaded all our chairs / outdoor table / ground mat and various things in the front side of the van (under the table) as I wanted to be "worst case scenario". Came up with a total weight of 2.48T and 295kg on the ball. The Disco is rated at 3500kg and 350kg so I was pretty happy with this. Averaged 14L / 100Km on the 1500km round trip over Christmas.

 

[ROnEM]

Finally got around to checking the weights on the expanda since the front toolbox fit out.

Came up with a total weight of 2.48T and 295kg on the ball.

@Flanders,

Hope the trip was fantastic. We are planning something similar - just need to get the boss to agree I can take long-service leave.

How do these weights compare with your compliance plate? Particularly the max ball load?

We have the 17.56-2 OB with plenty of factory options fitted - dual water, HWS, dual gas, dual batteries. Just looked at the compliance plate and we have an ATM of 2,442kg with max ball weight of 222kg.

Don't want something to happen and have to deal with the insurance companies.

 

[DRW]

Finally got around to checking the weights on the expanda since the front toolbox fit out.

In the toolbox I have the following
baby weber Q
thetford portable toilet
water and sullage hose
buckets
fishing rod holders
ropes / levelling ramps / shade screens

I also had the 2 water tanks full, gas bottles full, front boot full with pop up toilet tent, clothesline, fishing rods, cables and pegs etc. I loaded all our chairs / outdoor table / ground mat and various things in the front side of the van (under the table) as I wanted to be "worst case scenario". Came up with a total weight of 2.48T and 295kg on the ball. The Disco is rated at 3500kg and 350kg so I was pretty happy with this. Averaged 14L / 100Km on the 1500km round trip over Christmas.

standard or extended draw bat @Flanders

 

[Flanders]

@Flanders,

Hope the trip was fantastic. We are planning something similar - just need to get the boss to agree I can take long-service leave.

How do these weights compare with your compliance plate? Particularly the max ball load?

We have the 17.56-2 OB with plenty of factory options fitted - dual water, HWS, dual gas, dual batteries. Just looked at the compliance plate and we have an ATM of 2,442kg with max ball weight of 222kg.

Don't want something to happen and have to deal with the insurance companies.

Good point Ro. I was mainly checking I wasn't overloading the car, better check against the plate, but knowing what I know now, I should be able to shuffle things around in the van to get it right.

 

[Flanders]

standard or extended draw bat @Flanders

Extended Draw Bar

 

[Ligedy]

My 17.56-2OB has an ATM is 2576kg Max Ball is 254kg... I measured 310kg on the ball with a towsafe... emptying the front water tank and a bit of reshuffling got it back down to 265kg but still more adjustments to come.

My tool box definitely adds a lot of weight to the tow ball... similar things inside, weber, tool kit, pegs, ropes, wheel chocks, levelling timber blocks and on the extended draw bar with dual gas cylinders, dual batteries, inverter, dual solar panels, spare wheel relocated further back and gear/cargo packed over the axles... I'll hopefully get down to the weigh bridge soon but not keen on seeing the real ATM figure.

By the way @Flanders I can't wait to get a Disco one day... my trusty old steed drank on average 20L/100km (Diesel) over 2500ks this xmas trip (sitting on 100 all the way).

 

[Flanders]

My 17.56-2OB has an ATM is 2576kg Max Ball is 254kg... I measured 310kg on the ball with a towsafe... emptying the front water tank and a bit of reshuffling got it back down to 265kg but still more adjustments to come.

My tool box definitely adds a lot of weight to the tow ball... similar things inside, weber, tool kit, pegs, ropes, wheel chocks, levelling timber blocks and on the extended draw bar with dual gas cylinders, dual batteries, inverter, dual solar panels, spare wheel relocated further back and gear/cargo packed over the axles... I'll hopefully get down to the weigh bridge soon but not keen on seeing the real ATM figure.

By the way @Flanders I can't wait to get a Disco one day... my trusty old steed drank on average 20L/100km (Diesel) over 2500ks this xmas trip (sitting on 100 all the way).

G'day Ligedy, yes it can get a bit scary, very hard to tell unless you weigh it. Some of the set ups we seen travelling around, I reckon they would have no idea the weight they were carrying.

Been very happy with the Disco, it hasn't missed a beat. Brilliant off road too