Soaring's 17.56-2OB mods

[Soaring]

Well, the mods have started. Just a couple of little ones to get myself warmed up but plenty more to come.

First off some work on the step. I've seen first hand the damage done to a lady's shin when her foot slipped off the slippery metal step and dragged down the sharp edge. Resulted in a six inch gash and plenty of stitches.
Having three little ones who always seem to have their minds on anything other than what they are doing, I thought better to be safe than sorry, so fitted some edge trims, and s rubber step cover I came across at bunnings.

Next up the shower floor.
This is an untested mod, so any feedback is welcome.
Not sure what others do, but I've laid down some foam tile on the shower floor so that the toilet can be used without having to dry the floor after each shower. A quick wipe should do it. as i said unproven do far, but I'll give it a go in a couple of weeks.

The last one for today I have unashamedly stolen from another member here. Unfortunately I can't remember who to say thanks to. The fridge sensor light. Works great!

Plenty more to come.

 

[blacky]

Great work mate will be keeping an eye out for more!

 

[17triton]

Nice job @Soaring good to protect the kids on the step, @Pace did the sensor light thingy. Can't wait to see some more mate.

 

[ckcklopic]

Hi Brad, we have the same set up for the shower floor in our 18.57-9. We usually take the foam out while showering then put it back after. This way the floor doesn't have to be dried off before the kids walk in there to use the loo with their socks on.

 

[Soaring]

Hi Brad, we have the same set up for the shower floor in our 18.57-9. We usually take the foam out while showering then put it back after. This way the floor doesn't have to be dried off before the kids walk in there to use the loo with their socks on.

Good option, thanks @ckcklopic I'll give it a go.

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Well done Soaring but how well does the fridge light work when chocka block ??

 

[Soaring]

Well done Soaring but how well does the fridge light work when chocka block ??

It should still detect the movement of the door opening, but I guess it won't spread much light. If I store the beer there, it won't stay full for long enough to be a problem anyway

 

[Dove]

Thanks Soaring. I liked the rubber step idea and rushed off to Bunnings this morning. After describing what we wanted to 4 different people and being sent all round the store, my wife found it in the bathroom rubber mat section. The bloke who was trying to help us was amazed as he had never seen it before.

For others who might want to do this modification the mat is called "Rubber Stair Tread 75x25". SRS Rubber Matting Black. Product code: RUBST2575*9051. For the rubber edge caps I had to go to Clark Rubber and buy U section weather strip.

Now off to start cutting and gluing.

 

[Soaring]

There you go @Dove I came across it in the doormat section by accident. And thought it might work.

 

[Soaring]

Next Mod. Table storage. I've had this one in mind since before we ordered the expanda. With my soft floor I could just through a tressle table and whatever else on top on the tent, then put the cover over the top. Obviously can't do this with the expanda.
A few other forum members have done this mod lately, here is my tale on it.

I've screwed and glued some aluminium angle to the bed base and this also fixes the two webbing straps with buckles.

The best thing about this is that the table will stay in place with the bed folded out. One if the main reasons for upgrading from a soft floor to an expanda was the quick set up time and ability to do easy overnighters. I won't make any mods that reduce this convenience.

 

[Paul75]

Thanks for sharing this mod @Soaring I'm looking to do the exact same thing when I take delivery. Not having my van yet and being able to play with the bed and see how it all works, do you think this extra weight has the potential to cause damage when bed is folded down?
Cheers.

 

[relgate]

Very nice @Soaring

 

[Adam G]

Nice job on the table soaring

 

[Soaring]

Thanks for sharing this mod @Soaring I'm looking to do the exact same thing when I take delivery. Not having my van yet and being able to play with the bed and see how it all works, do you think this extra weight has the potential to cause damage when bed is folded down?
Cheers.

I figure if the bed can take my fat arse, (plus shmbo) a 15 kg tressle table won't bother it.

 

[Soaring]

Here is a pic of it folded out. I waited until this morning to do this as I wanted the sikaflex to dry.

For anyone thinking about doing this, make sure you measure the clearance between the underside if the bed base and the hinge area of the van from nose cone.
I've only got a couple of mm clearance with the table in place.

Here is a pic if the aluminium angle in place.

And just a heads up to anyone screwing onto the bed base
It seems to be hollow, with the outer surface just a thin layer of Masonite or ply laminated to a very thin sheet of aluminium.
It doesn't provide much purchase for the screws. I did't realise this until I had drilled my first hole, so altered my plans mid way and went with the full length aluminium angle glued and screwed along the whole length.

 

[17triton]

Very neat mate!

 

[Adam G]

And just a heads up to anyone screwing onto the bed base It seems to be hollow, with the outer surface just a thin layer of Masonite or ply laminated to a very thin sheet of aluminium.

That's interesting, when I screwed my eyelets down the sheet aluminium (or steel or whatever it is) was really thick and my first attempt at drilling a hole too small prevented my from driving a stainless steel screw in to it using a cordless impact driver, I had to get the hole size just right before I could get the screw to bite. My screws were all within about 5 centimetres from the edge.

 

[Brad]

Like the table mod @Soaring :thumb:

 

[Thirstyviv]

The table mod looks very good mate, good idea

 

[Paul75]

Hey @Soaring, what glue did you use for the aluminium angle, and did you just paint it white or can you buy it white. Cheers.