Hi all, I have just finished a minor reno in my new Avan camper, I found in my mini trips (3 now) that I didn't use the small table at front and could have done with a little more bench space SO after a little thought and sitting on the bed at the back looking to the front thinking about it I decided to take out table and cushions but leave the timber seats both sides. I then made a timber cupboard on top of each seat with a bench across the top full width. I used light weight timber so as not to add much weight, I painted the cupboards a colour as close as I could get to the timber work in the camper and the bench top as close to colour of camper bench. Overall I shouldn't have made much difference to overall weight or weight distribution. it all looks good and I will get to try it all out in 2 weeks for 5 days. All has been done so I can remove without any damage and put back to original if needed.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Great job Doug, it looks really professional, I like the idea of being able to revert it too if you ever sell it.
I made a smaller table top for mine when I had it as it was hard getting my gut in behind the table, worked out well.
Mind was a 2B, we kept the double made up at the other end all the time and stored our plastic bins (like yours) under that space with our food etc in it. We had some foam around the edge to stop them rubbing on the furniture and a rubber mat at the front (same one we used outside the door when stopped) to stop the bins from sliding out on the move etc.
I really miss our A'Van and have been tempted at times to get another. We had a full annex, but to be honest only ever used it twice in 7 years, preferred to use the awning only.
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Vic
Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....
Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".
Spread the laughter Share the cheer Let's be happy While we're here.
Thanks Vic, comments like yours make me feel like I have done the right thing getting the Avan camper and also doing long trips in it, my 6 week trip in April/May 2012 is coming together. What did you tow your Avan camper with Vic.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Thanks Vic, comments like yours make me feel like I have done the right thing getting the Avan camper and also doing long trips in it, my 6 week trip in April/May 2012 is coming together. What did you tow your Avan camper with Vic.
(Sheba. Crosses. I don't know why Sheba, maybe Wombat can help, he's up on all that.)
Doug,
I pulled mine with a 4 1999 4 Cyl Auto Camry from Perth. Had enough grunt to do it and a good car, but my rear coil springs collapsed when I got to Townsville and Toyota replaced them with Pedders springs (same size but thicker gauge) which solved the problem and no more "sag".
Before I left, I had to add a auto transmission oil cooler, the 6 cyl had one fitted but not the 4 cyl. Otherwise the vehicle was great.
Later I bought a Mitsubishi Triton Club Cab Ute and towed it with that, with a fibreglass canopy on the back, that allowed me more storage, it was good also.
On another trip to SA & return, while at the Gt Australian Bite, my wife notice the rear wind out window lifting even though it was closed and locked, the wind was a strong northerly blowing out to sea. On closer inspection I found that the window hinges at the top of the window were broken, they had worn through the rivets that were holding them (aluminium I think).
The only things stopping the window coming off and blowing out to sea were the flat chain closer and lever locks on either side at the bottom, however if I had turned into the wind to leave (hinge area into the wind) it would have ripped the window right off and out to sea. I used some wire to wire the hinges closed and also tied some rope criss crossed over the window to keep it on.
There was no mechanic at Border Village and the one at Eucla had gone out golfing somewhere and was not expected back, so drove home like that and fixed the window when I got home to Perth. See pic below taken at Gympie caravan park,( the ground slopes downward).
-- Edited by Vic on Sunday 6th of November 2011 11:07:32 PM
Thanks Vic, sounds like a great and fairly eventful trip and a bit of luck on your side as well, hope to see you in our travels somewhere sometime till then keep safe. DOUG
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Thanks Vic, sounds like a great and fairly eventful trip and a bit of luck on your side as well, hope to see you in our travels somewhere sometime till then keep safe. DOUG
Thanks Doug, I know you are going to enjoy yours, my best travel memories were with the A'Van.......
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Vic
Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....
Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".
Spread the laughter Share the cheer Let's be happy While we're here.
