shelves for back of fwd

Submitted: Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:12
ThreadID: 22942 Views:2387 Replies:10 FollowUps:3
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Hi all
Was hoping to make some shelves to put in the back of the cruiser for our next trip. Can not afford the u bute type roller drawers. I was hoping someone who has made some may be able to tell me the best thing to make them from eg marine ply, or MDF or pineboard or similar and how thick. Will be carrying usual camping gear for a family of 4 for 4 weeks so will be fairly loaded up. Any help would be greatfully appreciated. Thanks Mike
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Reply By: mprice2233 - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:36

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:36
Mike,
I was in the same predicament as you when looking at rear cargo systems for my Prado (too expensive to justify) but I was told about a product sold (in Sydney) by Capral Aluminium that is called Qubelok, which is an aluminium square tubing system (with joiners for about $1 ea) that I have used to build a set of drawers and shelves. The best thing that I found using this product is the ease with which it goes together allowing for you to custom fit to your own needs. The tube is very strong and also extremely lightweight. I also used 17mm CD?? ply from Mr Ply&Wood which fits neatly into rebates on the side of the tube to give a flush finish.
While it took some time to get it right I am more than happy with the results that fit my needs exactly.

Marty
AnswerID: 111094

Follow Up By: mikeE - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:45

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:45
Thanks marty, I check it out, sounds good. Just had a look at some wooden ones made by a friend and they are really heavy so the aluminium sounds good.
Mike
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FollowupID: 367514

Reply By: Member - Troopytrek - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:45

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:45
G'day mikeE,
We are setting up our troopcarrier for a three month trip commencing July1. We actually made our own roller drawer system covered it in marine carpet and has all the bells & whistles like the bought one for under half the money.

Troopytrek!!!!
AnswerID: 111095

Follow Up By: mikeE - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:48

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:48
Troopytrek
Hopefully once can make the shelves will have a go at putting in some drawers, but am not that handy and am concerned may end up with a heap of firewood. Thanks for the reply
Mike
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FollowupID: 367517

Reply By: Richard - Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:57

Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 21:57
Built a platform using varnished (looks) pine to support a 40ltr engle and a plastic 3 drawer storage setup. Was initially used in an NM Pajero. Survived many trips including a Simpson crossing. Transplanted it into an LC100TD.
AnswerID: 111097

Reply By: locallaw - Friday, May 13, 2005 at 11:08

Friday, May 13, 2005 at 11:08
Gidday,I made my unit the same as Marty but I used the Plastic boxes from Bunnings.If you want i can take some piccies and email them to you.I also made the fridge slide first and built the alumn frame around them.Nice and light.
Seeya Locallaw
AnswerID: 111154

Reply By: slave - Friday, May 13, 2005 at 14:37

Friday, May 13, 2005 at 14:37
I found this site recently which may be useful

http://equip4.co.nz/technical.htm

HTH

mrs slave
AnswerID: 111188

Reply By: robak (QLD) - Friday, May 13, 2005 at 16:55

Friday, May 13, 2005 at 16:55
Hi Mike

From what I know, there is no need to use marine ply unless your're building the hull of a boat. I think the decks of boats are not even built with it. It doesn't really have any better waterproofing or strength qualities then exterior or structural plywood. It just costs a lot more so everyone will try to sell it to you.

Cheers

R.
AnswerID: 111202

Reply By: Crackles - Friday, May 13, 2005 at 21:12

Friday, May 13, 2005 at 21:12
Keeping the weight down yet being strong enough to withstand the riggors of 4x4 driving is the challenge. After building 4 boxing systems I've settled on using 15 x 15 angle for the frame & 20 x 20 square tubing for uprights. I use steel mesh for the sides to save weight & allow ventilation for the fridge. I've bent up 2mm Aluminium for the draws which runs on laminex strips. This saves on alot of space but would next time spend the $$$ & fit proper two stage extendable slides. (about $120 pr)
The top is marine ply (important to stop moisture getting in) & covered in waterproof carpet. I assembled the whole thing include a fridge slide for $600.
Marine ply draws are ok but work out heavier & dearer than aluminium. MDF falls to bits quicker especially if it gets wet & pine is too bulky loosing valuable packing space. The cheapest system is probably plastic crates fitted in a steel frame but again they waste a bit of space.
Cheers Craig.............
AnswerID: 111231

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 00:00

Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 00:00
Have a bit of a search of the site, theres about 1000 threads on this with URL's and photos
AnswerID: 111242

Reply By: Taize - Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 00:53

Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 00:53
I made a storage system for the Pajero out of ply and qubelock. It was relatively easy even for someone with not much skill like me.

Here is a pic of the results

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AnswerID: 111245

Reply By: awill4x4 - Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 15:21

Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 15:21
I took a minimalist view with my GQ and just made a false floor as I need the space to fit in a large Southern Cross tent. I made the frame out of Stainless Steel and just used thin plywood to keep the weight down. It also needs to be removed after use so the plywood can be removed by 6 quarter turn race fasteners. I just use 4 plastic boxes alongside the fridge on top of the false floor.
With the fridge on top of the floor it was sitting pretty high so I designed a tilting mechanism which is accessed from the rear of the car and is simply to rods running towards the front engaging in some locking brackets. These rods have return springs so they always give positive latching and to disengage them so the fridge tilts it's simply pull back both rods about 25mm then turn so that they lock open and the fridge can tilt.
I'll see if I can post some links so you can see how it works.
Regards Andrew.
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AnswerID: 111269

Follow Up By: mikeE - Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 17:21

Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 17:21
To all who replied
thankyou for your advice and I'll give it a crack and see how it goes
I knew there would be plenty of geniuses out there

Thanks for your help
Mike
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FollowupID: 367647

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