Aluminium Canopy build up
Submitted: Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 16:45
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Kingrat
Hi all
Just bought a 3 door jack off alu canopy for the BT50, now the fun begins!
I know i want a drop down fridge slide, slide out kitchen and some drawers and of course water, spare fuel, electrics, shower? .....
But how has everyone tackled the issue of liftimg the fridge slide and drawers above the lip - there is about 70mm from floor of canopy to bottom of door opening.
What material have you used as a spacer/packer and how do you attach it to the canopy floor?
look forward to some great ideas
Thanks
Reply By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 19:53
Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 19:53
I had a similar problem with my D-Max extra cab with a fibre glass canopy with a drop of about the same from the "door sill" to the floor of the tray, in the end I decided against having a drop down fridge slide that would need to be packed up to the sill height, and went for a lower profile fridge that I could leave inside the canopy and access it from the side easily. To be able to open the fridge and have the lid in or past a vertical position, the height when open needed to be no greater than 890 mm to avoid jamming my fingers against the roof of the canopy. The only two fridges that I could find of suitable size were a 61 ltr Everkool and a 50 ltr Trailblaza, for obvious reasons I bought the Trailblaza (another subject).
A piece of slotted angle attached to the floor across each end held with "Riv-nuts and Bolts" enables turn buckles from the fridge handles to the slotted angle to hold it solidly in position.
AnswerID:
619102
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 22:39
Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 22:39
Kingy,
Wouldn't be hard to fabricate a false floor for all, or part of your canopy. If so, you can have loose sections in the floor where you could store heavy and little used items. Rather than a heavy drop slide, a better option is an upright fridge. An 80L Engel upright is only 5kgs heavier than a 40L Engel chest fridge. And regardless what many people think, all the cold air doesn't fall out when you open the door, because it's full of food, drinks etc.
Just be careful of weight, setting up your canopy. Aluminium might be light, but if you add enough of it, it becomes heavy! Things like lithium batteries, exxy I know, plastic drawers, and as little metal as possible keep weight down. You'll need to allow for water, fuel, beer, tucker & maybe some
tools and parts.
Some years ago, we got an alloy camper made, and added plenty of options. It's got a double bed, drawers underneath, slide out kitchen, shelves, roof rack, & extra storage. When eventually weighed it, ute was
well over GVM. These days we travel with bare essentials.
Bob
AnswerID:
619132
Follow Up By: Kingrat - Friday, May 25, 2018 at 14:48
Friday, May 25, 2018 at 14:48
Thanks Bob, agree about the weight issue. One option i am considering is something like the "wolf pack" army plastic boxes, light weight but strong. This may solve two problems-using the canopy for camping and using for work/exhibitions, just change the contents in boxes or better still have other boxes ready to go depending on use. Also thought about a basic slide for these to make them easier to get at.
Slide out kitchen is one of those luxury items, might go with simple bench and cooker!
I had thought of the false floor space usage, remove a drawer to access, no wasted space.
Upright fridge sounds good but the price could be an issue given i already have a 50l waeco.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, May 25, 2018 at 19:19
Friday, May 25, 2018 at 19:19
Yeah, we've got plastic boxes, with lids in our heavy canopy, they work
well and would suit your purpose too.
Have 6 Oates drawers from Bunnings, and after a few trips last year with them held together with duct tape, I made a ply surround for them. Going on a 6-8 week trip into WA, through some of the deserts, so wanted things to be a little more organised this year.
Oates Drawers in ply surround.
Expensive exercise buying more fridges, eh!
Bob
FollowupID:
891373
Follow Up By: Harry - Friday, Jun 08, 2018 at 08:01
Friday, Jun 08, 2018 at 08:01
Does that mean a trip down the Canning this year Bob??
FollowupID:
891704
Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jun 09, 2018 at 07:52
Saturday, Jun 09, 2018 at 07:52
Ha ha, no Harry, cancelled till 2019.
Currently listening to it rain at
our camp opposite
Rawlinna railway station. Got here after dark, saw the Indian-Pacific, met a lovely local who pointed out the
campsite and mentioned the rain was gone! Has only just started, so will see what daylight brings.
Will be refuelling at
Well 33 maybe in a week, on way to
Newman.
Bob
FollowupID:
891715
Follow Up By: Member - Harry C - Saturday, Jun 09, 2018 at 13:01
Saturday, Jun 09, 2018 at 13:01
Just looked at the weather radar for
Rawlinna area shows it to be fine enough. I will be passing through your
home town around mid August will you be back by then?? We will be heading through to
Bedourie and will stop to have a look through the new
Waltzing Matilda Centre. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.
Harry
FollowupID:
891720