PJ has had a little criticism from GNs who thought she was a tad tall and appeared top heavy. Recently, I took her for a run up the Pacific Hwy from Taree to Port Macquarie and back (for a visit to the oncologist at the hospital there - all is well in that department). PJ ran quite well with no handling dramas or wind problems, but she drank like a drunken sailor. I wasn't impressed, so I decided to have the bottom storage box removed and the overall height reduced by 300mm. The "operation" was done by an engineering firm in Taree. So far, I've only done a bit of driving around town but the improvement in handling and wind resistance is considerable. The unit also feels tighter and more responsive.
Before the bumectomy, I emptied all the storage bins. Afterwards, I reloaded all my stuff and was surprised when it all fitted neatly into the two remaining side bins with ease, and with even room to spare! I had planned to get two tool boxes fitted under the tray behind the rear wheels but I'm not sure I need them now.
You're a clever man Gary, and you have less steps to climb after a drink or two at happy hour! LOL !
Gerty Dancer said
09:38 AM Aug 28, 2013
Looks great Gary, and will be less fuel consumption too.!
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 02:56:02 PM
GaryKelly said
03:48 PM Aug 28, 2013
A drink or two? Better be bloody big glasses then.
Duh said
08:27 PM Aug 28, 2013
GaryKelly wrote:
A drink or two? Better be bloody big glasses then.
Hmmm......you might have to fit hand and grab rails then to assist your climb!
Janno said
11:07 PM Aug 28, 2013
Hi Garry,
I would definitely look into some sort of grab rail. One stumble and you will be a goner. I am particularly wary of these things because I fell off a ladder a few years ago and broke both my feet - put me out of action for over a year. Best to be safe than sorry.
Janno said
11:16 PM Aug 28, 2013
Sorry I misspelt your name Gary - one too many glasses of wine and, no, I wasn't drinking when I fell off the ladder.
GaryKelly said
12:28 AM Aug 29, 2013
No worries, Vic and Janno. I meant to ask the engineer about fitting a grab rail but forgot. It's easy enough to hold onto the inside of the door frame but a handle would be better. And don't worry about putting an extra r in Gary, Janno... as long as you put at least one in there hehe.
neilnruth said
02:45 AM Aug 29, 2013
That looks great now Gary. There will be far less wind resistance between cab and PJ now. Job well done.
Bryan said
03:42 AM Aug 29, 2013
It looks good Gary. The excitement level must be climbing.
Duh said
04:51 AM Aug 29, 2013
You could probably fit one of these simple grab handles yourself Gary, as long as your wall can support the weight placed on it, perhaps with a strengthening plate on the inside of the wall (bolt right through?) Say fix to the left of the doorway outside?
Here is a coupleof pics of the railat the back of my camper. It swivels around and acts as a security bar which holds the stairs up, andyour can lock it with a padlock works well. Shouldn't be too hard to make. The rig will be a lot more stable now you have removed the box.Sorry, can't do anything about the fuel consumtion. 2.6ltr petrol mazda/ford engines use a lot of fuel. Might come down to see it(and you), later in the year, if you are around. Bill
And I agree about the grab rail. When my b-I-l did the reno on Lulu, he added a grab rail for me. It 's saved me from falling a couple of times. Not because of too much wine, just because I'm unco.
Mark said
02:58 AM Sep 7, 2013
Looks much better Gary and in your own words;
"So far, I've only done a bit of driving around town but the improvement in handling and wind resistance is considerable. The unit also feels tighter and more responsive"
PJ has had a little criticism from GNs who thought she was a tad tall and appeared top heavy. Recently, I took her for a run up the Pacific Hwy from Taree to Port Macquarie and back (for a visit to the oncologist at the hospital there - all is well in that department). PJ ran quite well with no handling dramas or wind problems, but she drank like a drunken sailor. I wasn't impressed, so I decided to have the bottom storage box removed and the overall height reduced by 300mm. The "operation" was done by an engineering firm in Taree. So far, I've only done a bit of driving around town but the improvement in handling and wind resistance is considerable. The unit also feels tighter and more responsive.
Before the bumectomy, I emptied all the storage bins. Afterwards, I reloaded all my stuff and was surprised when it all fitted neatly into the two remaining side bins with ease, and with even room to spare! I had planned to get two tool boxes fitted under the tray behind the rear wheels but I'm not sure I need them now.
Before the bumectomy:
After...
You're a clever man Gary, and you have less steps to climb after a drink or two at happy hour! LOL !
Looks great Gary, and will be less fuel consumption too.!
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 02:56:02 PM
Hmmm......you might have to fit hand and grab rails then to assist your climb!
Hi Garry,
I would definitely look into some sort of grab rail. One stumble and you will be a goner. I am particularly wary of these things because I fell off a ladder a few years ago and broke both my feet - put me out of action for over a year. Best to be safe than sorry.
Sorry I misspelt your name Gary - one too many glasses of wine and, no, I wasn't drinking when I fell off the ladder.
You could probably fit one of these simple grab handles yourself Gary, as long as your wall can support the weight placed on it, perhaps with a strengthening plate on the inside of the wall (bolt right through?) Say fix to the left of the doorway outside?
http://www.bigredcaravanparts.com.au/products/GRAB-HANDLE-VECAM-%252d-WHITE.html
Or you could get the more fancy ones with a light in them, would need to be wired to 12V, scroll down on the link for handles;
http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=994_32_139_430
Here is a coupleof pics of the railat the back of my camper. It swivels around and acts as a security bar which holds the stairs up, andyour can lock it with a padlock works well. Shouldn't be too hard to make. The rig will be a lot more stable now you have removed the box.Sorry, can't do anything about the fuel consumtion. 2.6ltr petrol mazda/ford engines use a lot of fuel. Might come down to see it(and you), later in the year, if you are around. Bill
That's a very good idea Bill.
Cheers,
Sheba.
That seems a lot more sensible to me Gary.
And I agree about the grab rail. When my b-I-l did the reno on Lulu, he added a grab rail for me. It 's saved me from falling a couple of times. Not because of too much wine,
just because I'm unco. 
Looks much better Gary and in your own words;
"So far, I've only done a bit of driving around town but the improvement in handling and wind resistance is considerable. The unit also feels tighter and more responsive"
Maybe the "criticism" was meant as concern,
Safe travels
Mark
Mine too Sheba.