Chevy Express Project (Europe, Switzerland) - Page 3

saabman · 03-22-2009, 10:48 AM

Haha! Yes very good idea!

saabman · 04-02-2009, 03:32 PM

Well thanx to Surfgeek33:

Sorry about the poor quality pics but my camera wasn't charged I had to use my mobile phone...

surfgeek33 · 04-08-2009, 07:19 AM

Lookin' good!

saabman · 05-01-2009, 04:17 AM

OK now I have got over my first trip I have tackled a couple of jobs i hadn't yet done:
Build a sink unit & fit the dog kennel.

First with the Sink:

Bought a piece of wood, a plastic basin and recuperated a Whale Flipper pump my dad had on his old boat and was about to throw out!

For the pump I ordered a set of new rubber O rings.

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I cut the holes in the wood to fit the Tap/Pump and basin :

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On the van the wood plank slots into the seat bench and the ropes attach to the top wing nuts under the bench. on the other end the ropes just fit through the wood should be good for about 30-35 kg of load.

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For the dog I just use the underside of the other bench. I cut a Varikennel dor to size and just fitted two pieces of wood for the hinges to slot into. She also has a small bowl for water while on the road...

saabman · 05-06-2009, 04:02 PM

Hi all SMB fans! OK I still am not an SMB owner, but I guess that considering my location won't be so soon

More work done: Fiamma F45 Plus awning fitted, and Galley test

Before I go any futher the awning and fitments cost 208 USD.

Brackets before fitting:

Thule bars 765 and 951 feet:

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Home-made Fiamma brackets, thanx to Roubo for the help

Side front and back of Fiamma awning

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Had to make thread for a stopper screw so that with vibrations the awning doesn't slide off!

'Cause the brackets are just sandwiched plates over the Thule bar!

Straight as a die! Ready to unfold

unrolled to the max!

No bad...

Well earned rest

Greggd · 05-06-2009, 04:34 PM

Great job Sabbman ,
Are you sure that you will have the necessary support with the two Thule Rack Brackets . Even
though that you probably won't be driving on many Washboard Roads you will still be subjecting the Fiamma and mounts to harmonic vibration while traveling and you should make a habit before , during and at the end of your destination to check your fastener's . I am happy to see that you finally got your Fiamma Awning and I know that you will enjoy it .
Greggde

saabman · 05-06-2009, 11:40 PM

Yes I know, I have actually 3 brackets two either end and one in the center. As for vibration I have used a combination of "Nyloc" nuts and stop washers, this should avoid things falling apart

I also have had quite a close look at all the brackets and mounting systems for these awnings and they don't seem to have much more fittings than mine...

I am planning a bit of testing and then check torque on the bolts...

Greggd · 05-07-2009, 08:05 AM

Sabbman ,
Even with the Nyloc Nuts I check the Well Nuts used by SportsMobile with frequency . I carry
a pair of Nut Drivers at all times in my side Barn Door compartment 7/16 and 1/2 inch . For some unexplained reason , there is always one nut on each of the two side brackets that work themselves loose ! always the rear nut on each bracket and never the front door 7/16 nuts . I have been at the SportsMobile facility West on two different occasions when customers Vans came in with cracked or torn sheet metal and both times it was next to the very same rear nut's that work themselves loose on our Van . We Love the Fiamma Awning so it is a simple matter of checking and snugging these nuts with frequency .
Greggde

saabman · 05-07-2009, 08:14 AM

Yes you are right it doesn't take much to give 'em a twist from time to time and avoid trouble...
Thanx for the input, it's great

jage · 05-07-2009, 08:35 AM

Another thing you can do to add a bit more safety is to go ahead and drill through the top and bottom plate and yakima bars. A few holes won't hurt and that way loosening won't allow the plates to work off the bars.

So, how does your sink fit when you close up the back doors? Or does it do something other than fold?