Small Projects Thread

[jage]

Starting a thread for small things you do to make your SMB better- things that wouldn't really warrant a complete project posting. (Just REPLY to this message with your mini-projects)

Update: I'm going to delete all the comment-only posts. Please discuss in other threads (e.g. start a "In the small projects thread..." post if you're not improving or adding a new project). Thanks!

 

[jage]

Marking the Shore Power Outlet:

Just made an indelible line where it plugs and unplugs- the lines don't line up because it is twisted to "lock". Makes it a lot easier to pop the shore power in, although the indelible ink faded in the sun when I left the plug out.

Update: The marker continued to fade so I took a cutoff disk (essentially a large dremmel) and cut a groove instead. I'll fill it with glue or plastic or something if I ever come across some suitable material.

 

[lowracer]

SHORE POWER LABEL
Great Idea. I also used a label maker to label right above the connection point:

110V MAIN CB OFF

just as a reminder that the main breaker has to be off before connecting or disconnecting this plug. I've labelled a lot of stuff in the van as reminders since I don't like reading the manual every time we camp.

 

[Buji]

NOISE REDUCTION
get a 10 foot roll of weatherstripping. Have someone else drive the van on some crummy roads and start hunting rattles.

 

[yvrr]

I don't think that SMB mounts switches for the off-road lights and backup lights down in the left knee area anymore but that is where ours are located and it was very easy to accidentally turn on one of the switches. (We once drove over Donner Summit at night with the Hella backup lights on...we couldn't figure out why everyone behind us were flashing their high beams!)

Here is a simple solution:

 

[mmocken]

Increased padding on penhouse beds with 1.5" memory foam. Much better! Easy mod.

There is a slight interfearance between the last 6" of the PH bed...it gets compressed by the spring cover. Fortunately, memory foam is very compliant and compresses nicely without major resistance.

 

[mmocken]

Bed Extension and shelf

Made a shelf that fits in PH bed ledge.

Comes in handy when cooking for more counter space.

Also handy for a little extra room for the upstairs mattress so my feet aren't dangling over the edge.

Here is pic ready for storage. Fits above the mattress when the PH is lowered.

 

[tadg-SMB]

Fridge Thermometer

I've added a digital thermometer to our fridge, just a little trimming of the grill, the hardest part was removing the fridge and finding a way to get the sensor in via the drain hole.

$20 from Aerostich http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Mini-Remote-Thermometer-p-17545.html

 

[charlie56]

I typically park in my driveway in front of my garage. Rather than risk hitting the roll-up door, I open the garage door every time I pull up. Having the door opener clipped to the overhead didn't look so good. This small project makes it look like a built-in feature. It is nothing more than the standard remote with a momentary switch installed. The tough part was finding a rocker-type momentary switch to match the others. (found them for $3 at http://www.oznium.com/switches)

The remote is velcro'd to overhead hidden from view so i can get to it to change the battery.

Before view

The Modification
Add a short section of 22 ga wire, solder to the existing switch on the remote.

After view

 

[charlie56]

Ever travel down a washboard and have the bottles of spices or whatever come flying off the shelf above the galley? To stop that, I installed two 4' long "flat" bungy chords across the opening. Just ground down the hooks and thru-bolted the plastic ends to the overhead. Works great. We can put jars and bottles up there now and they don't rattle out.

 

[charlie56]

Motivated by the LED light replacement project, I installed an LED step light.

I used a little 3-lamp accent light from superbright
http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/alm.htm

The light is located on bottom of front barn door. It's that little black rectangle on the bottom rail of the door. It's only about 3/8" deep so it fits between the door and the body when the door is closed.
[thumb:y65u1pod]3928[/thumb:y65u1pod]

Light switch location.
Power for the light came from the overhead reading light just above the door. Routed it down the door piller, through the factory flex connector and into the door.
[thumb:y65u1pod]3929[/thumb:y65u1pod]

 

[charlie56]

This one may need some refinement but ...

The factory bungie chord that holds the rear side barn door has too much play in it for me. To keep the door in its full open position, I made up a piece of 1/16" steel cable that just fits between the doors when they are closed. I mounted a small metal hook to the bushwacker fender flare. There is just enough play in the door hinge to act like a spring to keep the cable taught.

[thumb:3h0hkoav]3930[/thumb:3h0hkoav]

[thumb:3h0hkoav]3931[/thumb:3h0hkoav]

 

[John and Dana]

Here is the first mod. I made to our new van. This probably should also be under the thread of the 10 best things we have added to our Sportsmobile.
[photo:s7hoc9m8]4578[/photo:s7hoc9m8]

John :b5:

 

[charlie56]

Mini projects of the day.
Installed an Iphone Holder.
$65 from Proclipusa.com but its a perfect fit.
[photo:h2kspjoz]7373[/photo:h2kspjoz]

Installed a different reading light on the ceiling of the rear penthouse.
Hella Halogen Reading Lamp. $37 + S&H from Amazon
Discussion: http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=30618#p30618
[photo:h2kspjoz]7376[/photo:h2kspjoz]

Installed a broom holder.
(I left my last broom on the floor next to the Espar heater outlet. Melted it.)
Holder was $3.50 from Home Depot.
Broom was from Camping World
[photo:h2kspjoz]7375[/photo:h2kspjoz]

 

[charlie56]

Another item off my list.

How many of you have been out on the trail when a great photo opportunity came along and had to fumble for your camera? I usually find mine find buried under the maps on the floor between the seats.
Hows this for a quick release camera mount?
The actual mount is the quick release part of a tripod system.
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-323-Con ... =1-2-fkmr0

It is bolted to a angle bracket that is screwed to the underside of my laptop mount.
viewtopic.php?p=42807#p42807
(I think it would work just as well bolted to the plastic trim on the side of the seats.)

 

[jwintersteller]

I saw Charlie's door stop farther up on this thread and thought it was a good idea. I started with the cables like Charlie did but ended up with a piece of 1" flat stock steel, a bronze bushing and 2 nylon washers. I shaped the metal to hook the fender, and dipped the end in some of that rubber coating. As it was pointed out in Charlie's post, the door hinges have enough spring to keep everything in place.

 

[jwintersteller]

Small Projects Thread part

If you like that, check out my retractable drying rod.
So this was not that small of a project, in fact it took two attempts to get it right. I ordered an extra rafter from Fiamma Inc., if you have one for their awnings, it is the extra extending thing that is suppose to help stabilize it. I made a plate that went over the old center brake light and then a mounting bracket that holds (what was once the "rafter" and is now) the drying rod. The cool thing about that is, I did not have to drill into my roof, it's all on that old brake light mount. When the top is down, it is all tucked away. When it is out, I can hang 2 wetsuits, 2 pair of booties, wet towels and maybe a bit more, with that much on it, it sags but that's it. You may be asking yourself "I wonder if he has ever forgotten to slide it back and closed the top down on it" well in fact I did just that a few weeks ago, not only that, I also latched the top down, as I was doing it I ask myself "why is this so hard". Well I'm happy to report, absolutely on damage.

 

[nasa13]

Ipad mount

pick a spot anywhere, mark two corners and drill holes, stick some bungee through the holes and tie a knot.
Presto
I didnt need the extra speaker but it is easier to hear with the ac on high.

 

[4x4kayaker]

Re: Insulate Penthouse with Reflectix

Getting ready for snow camping and snowboardng! I picked up a roll of Reflectix ST24025 Home Insulation 24"x 25' from Home Depot for around 20 bucks. Simply cut to length, the width of the roll fit perfectly in my GTRV Penthouse Top. See pics below took me ten minutes to cut to fit. Think Ill keep it rolled up in the van, its super lightweight material but you could fold it up and place in the mattress space when you fold down your top. I could tell it was reflecting back my body heat even without my furnace on, think it will be a great insulation barrier for my sons who sleep up top! Package states it metalized aluminium material that reflects back 96% and has a 5/16" insulating airspace.

 

[smshield]

Love that wetsuit drying rack. Am going to do the same thing on my van. I've got a kitesurfing school and we're forever drying gear.

I'd like something a little more sturdy though cuz it'll only be a matter of time till someone hangs a 40# bag of gear on one. Not to mention it's always blowing 20+ mph when I'm out.

I'm thinking of building something with ridges also to hold the hangers/carabiners.

That placement on the rear is superp though, love it.