The Grey Nomads Forum

Tent storage help please

TeeJay said
11:05 AM Mar 30, 2015

We have an Avan poptop and want to take an Ozent on the back. The rear bumper bar can pull out so we thought we'd get a poly pipe with ends and secure it there. But we have been unable to get polypipe with a large enough diameter [320mm inside measurement]. Has anyone else solved this problem without getting a metal box manufactured?

Long Weekend said
02:20 PM Mar 30, 2015

A little Googling reveals that the largest standard PVC pipe available in Australia is 315mm outside diameter. Fairly close to what you want.

You would have to do more searching to find a source for this pipe. Once you do find some I suspect the price will be a bit - probably a lot - hefty!

Murray

TeeJay said
02:35 PM Mar 30, 2015

Thanks Murray - we are still trying to find someone that will sell us 2.1m of it. It is hard to tell if the tent will fit in the 315mm one. We cut a bit of timber and have tried it out but still not sure if it will work for the job? Would be good to be able to try the tent out in a piece. Have been to all the irrigation suppliers in Mildura without luck. Thanks, will keep you posted how we get on.

elliemike said
03:30 PM Mar 30, 2015

Try contacting (Phone, Email, Visit) one of the PVC Pipe manufacturers with your query. E.G. Iplex, Pipemakers, Pipeking, Vinidex, etc. I just Google"d these four, there are more. Find one near you.

I worked installing a lot of extruding machinery in a new plant in Canning Vale, WA about 6 years ago. In the process they have wastage that is not up to spec. All sorts of sizes get scrapped. Depends what they have been making, You just might score what you want.

Mike

Bruce and Bev said
03:35 PM Mar 30, 2015

maybe you could store your tent in its bag in the Avan as youre driving, and then put it in your tow vehicle when stopped and using the Avan??????

Goldfinger said
04:12 PM Mar 30, 2015

I built a large PVC tube for the rear of my caravan to hold annex poles and my fishing rods....most of the gear I obtained from Bunnings, <they had plenty of various PVC pipes in their stormwater/plumbing section.. however the rear brackets were from an Ebay seller...same seller used to sell the pipes as well on Ebay..delivered promptly by Courier....I screwed one end on and used blue pipe sealant/glue and the other end I riveted a secure/strong latch with lock fitted to a screw cap.......as a tradesman I'm a good fisherman however it came together nicely...very secure..wasn't really dear with all components about $75 odd....good luck...
Hoo Roo

Back to the drawing board...I just measured the diameter of my PVC tube..only 150mm......length no problem..just the diameter..holds all my rods and poles...any larger and there would be too much underhang reducing my ability to clear some of my prospecting roads...

-- Edited by Goldfinger on Monday 30th of March 2015 04:22:02 PM

Brenda and Alan said
05:16 PM Mar 30, 2015

If you try sheet metal workshops you will be able to get one rolled out of .75 ,1.0 or 1.2 mm to any size you want. They could also fabricate the end caps probably cheaper than the large dia. PVC pipe and lighter overall.

Alan

-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Monday 30th of March 2015 05:16:38 PM

Bruce and Bev said
05:25 PM Mar 30, 2015

Alan may have the idea - don't forget to talk to them about a good locking mechanism. Some Parks and free camping areas suffer from thefts of anything not locked up or down

PeterD said
12:02 AM Mar 31, 2015

TeeJay wrote:
It is hard to tell if the tent will fit in the 315mm one.

Take the tent with you. Try poking it into the intended pipe and see how easily it slides. Do that before they cut you a length.

goldcoaster said
07:56 AM Apr 1, 2015

If you were on the Gold Coast I would give you a off cut.

goldcoaster said
07:57 AM Apr 1, 2015

Check your local Plumber

TeeJay said
09:05 AM Apr 1, 2015

Goldcoaster - wish we lived in the GC - would be at your door instantly! Have tried all plumbers, irrigation specialists, hardware shops etc. Seems not many people use large diameter pipe here. BUT good news is someone has a 'friend' who knows someone in our local water supply [council] and is checking for us.
I really appreciate helpful suggestions from all.
Put a plan in to a local metal fabricator and he called back asking how much we wanted to spend and said the labour is over $500 !!!
Bruce & Bev - we have taken the tent in the van but my wife is over jumping it! If we just have a one night stop we don't put it up. We used to have a Falcon and it fitted in the boot with the 1/3 back seat down, quite convenient but now have a Mazda BT 50 and it won't fit in the tray.
After all the negatives I have to say what a good thing the Oztent is. We have a caravan connector so when we put it up it makes a breezeway and spare room. Much quicker to put up than an annex.
Thanks again everyone - will keep you posted.
Terry
[also a retired radio/electronics tech]