Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 16:37
BenSpoon, Utemad and Traveller2 --
Gosh! You guys frightened the hell out of me with your comments about cargo barriers and the problems they can cause. Having stirred up the thoughts about the possible problems, I know that Murphy's Law will ensure the it happens on the next trip.
So, although in a state of blue-funk I delayed replying until I went out to the fourby (NM Pajero with full, single rear door), climbed inside, had a good look at everything and then experimented. For this purpose I pretended that back door and driver's side of vehicle was hard up against
rock faces.
From the back
seat I was able to get my arm past the barrier and open the rear side window. Useless for entry as it is designed as a vent/airflow windo and only hinges open about 5cm. However, a good "wack" on the clip mechanism would spring it off and allow the window to be opened much wider. This would allow some small stuff to be pulled out.
More encouraging was the cargo barrier itself. The way the top bolts are positioned, I had no trouble getting to them with a spanner and undoing both bolts. Likewise for the bottom bolts into the floor ... a much tighter fit, but achievable.
But, even though the top bolts are easily accessible, there is a real possibility of dropping the spanner on the wrong side of the barrier and not being able to reach it. So, two thoughts occured to me (sometimes, despite what SWMBO says, I do get a
bright idea or two), fist is to attach the spanner to the barrier by a cord or small chain; the second was to replace nut with a wing nut, thus removing necessity for a spanner.
Now I'm only left with what to do about drawer unit. Haven't bought or made one yet ... but plan to do so. More I think about it, the more I'm inclined to make my own with some form of "release" to open or remove top if access is blocked because rear door can't be opened.
If I'm successful in putting any "
bright ideas" into reality I'll post the results. In the meantime I'll think about what to do and have a tinny or two to help me think more easily and creatively.
But, many thanks you all for your thoughts ../ and stirring me into action.
Regards,
Bernard
AnswerID:
115732
Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 17:04
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 17:04
A wingnut.... brilliant in its simplicity.
with the drawers, on my last bus I had custom made ones that used ply panels ontop or the drawers with sliding bolt locks on the panels that lock in when the panels are down. There was a piano hinge running down the middle of the Left and right sides, so only half the drawer cover had to be lifted off the drawers at once, meaning I could leave my fridge and heavy stuff on one side and still access the other side. If you cover the panels with marine carpet and just trim it around the lock, they sit flush with the top of the carpet- quick release and no protruding metal edges.
The panels, once removed, also doubled as a table, ground cover, sandboard, a hard surface to drive on in boggy sand, windbreak for the stove.....
FollowupID:
371339
Follow Up By: Member - Bernard - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 17:29
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 17:29
BenSpoon, you're a genius ...
... but don't tell everyone I said so. You've just sent my thoughts off on a totally different tangent.
In the Pajero the third row of seats fold flush into the floor and have a cover which keeps the area level. So, when you remove the seats (a simple two minute task) you have this amazingly handy underfloor storage area of around 90 litre capacity.
Obviously it would be stupid to lose this area ... as would (and does) happen with some of the standard drawer units. However, provided this area was used for storing stuff only used infrequently, it would be possible to design a unit still giving access to this area when needed.
But -- by working on a variation of your suggestion it would be possible to solve the previous problems and still keep this (seldom accessed) storage area.
Thanks again ... now I'll need another tinny or two while I find a new sheet of paper.
Regards,
Bernard
FollowupID:
371343