Motorhome & PVC Modding - Accessories & Discount Codes

[Minxy]

Knowing you @Minxy Girl, that perhaps exactly what it is for. Where have you installed the condom dispenser Mel?

No, I'm not a swinger and too old to have to worry about the need for a condom ... although I hear some of them are more 'interesting' nowadays and meant not just for birth control!

 

[ludo]

No, I'm not a swinger and too old to have to worry about the need for a condom ... although I hear some of them are more 'interesting' nowadays and meant not just for birth control!

Perhaps so Mel! Personally, I do like the smell of burning rubber!

 

[Minxy]

Perhaps so Mel! Personally, I do like the smell of burning rubber!

TMI!!!!!!!

 

[Wombles]

At risk of over exciting @Minxy Girl & @ludo - todays addition involves strapping things down!
Being us though ... it's a gas bottle

 

[Wombles]

On a bumpy trip across some rough motorway in Belgium our original German steel gas bottle managed to jump over the fixing feet in the gas locker even though firmly strapped in, so some modifications were required for peace of mind for our replacement Safefill bottle. Firstly Mr Wombles added some dense foam (gym flooring squares) sections glued together with Evostik glue which sit neatly in the brackets to make the bottle fit more snugly:

It stays put just sprung into place

Then as well as the foam inserts he used Fiamma (Carry Bike) straps under the feet then fitted over the top of the bottle to make sure it can't ever jump up & out:

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[RogerThat]

All fitted now & very happy as they all work well:

I love those handles, they look factory-fit

I've also kitted out my van with that spongy grip mat stuff to stop the rattles, got mine for £1 a roll in Tesco in their "odds and sods isle". I also wrap the oven shelf and grill pan in some of it too

 

[Wombles]

I love those handles, they look factory-fit

I've also kitted out my van with that spongy grip mat stuff to stop the rattles, got mine for £1 a roll in Tesco in their "odds and sods isle". I also wrap the oven shelf and grill pan in some of it too

Thank you - glad you like them As they are permanent there was quite a bit of pressure to find ones that wouldn't look too odd.

 

[RogerThat]

Yup, I know where you're coming from!

I also really like that drying handle/rail at the back.

Now wondering where I can install something like that in mine

 

[Wombles]

For anyone who has enough room in their locker (we don't) there is this option by Froli https://www.froli.com/shop/reisemobilzubehoer/zubehoer/41/gasflaschenhalter?number=29095 but check that the collar will fit your type of gas bottle & the base dimensions.

 

[Minxy]

At risk of over exciting @Minxy Girl & @ludo - todays addition involves strapping things down!
Being us though ... it's a gas bottle

I hate those stupid straps that come with the gas bottle holder brackets as its nigh on impossible to pull them tight and stop them slipping, I put some of the drawer anti-slip stuff under the straps and once I've tightened them I then push a small wedge behind the strap which takes the slack out and makes them really tight. We've not had an issue with them 'jumping' out though but we have steel bottles.

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[Wombles]

I hate those stupid straps that come with the gas bottle holder brackets as its nigh on impossible to pull them tight and stop them slipping, I put some of the drawer anti-slip stuff under the straps and once I've tightened them I then push a small wedge behind the strap which takes the slack out and makes them really tight. We've not had an issue with them 'jumping' out though but we have steel bottles.

It was a full 11kg steel bottle that jumped & although lighter at least the Safefill bottle would do less damage but either moving is dangerous so well strapped in now as agree that the standard brackets aren't brilliant. Using the grip mat material is a good idea so may add a bit of that

 

[Minxy]

Using the grip mat material is a good idea so may add a bit of that

Put a little bit on each of the base brackets too, it means the bottom isn't sitting on 'slippy' plastic.

 

[jezport]

Will you have the pre-cut sections for the door steps too? Did you decide to glue yours or fix it another way or isn't there enough clearance to leave it fixed when the step goes in?
Thinking about it for ours as would be easier to keep clean than the original slotted aluminium surface. Do you have them for sale online as well as at Shows?
For anyone who is wondering what this is about see post 680 here

Sorry for the late reply, Been busy.
I can make any size you want. Just send me a message with what you want and your postcode and I will get you a price

 

[Wombles]

Sorry for the late reply, Been busy.
I can make any size you want. Just send me a message with what you want and your postcode and I will get you a price

Thank you - think we have some offcuts that we can try but that might be useful for others.
Do you have to remove yours before putting the step in?

 

[jezport]

Thank you - think we have some offcuts that we can try but that might be useful for others.
Do you have to remove yours before putting the step in?

yes

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[Wombles]

On a bumpy trip across some rough motorway in Belgium our original German steel gas bottle managed to jump over the fixing feet in the gas locker even though firmly strapped in, so some modifications were required for peace of mind for our replacement Safefill bottle. Firstly Mr Wombles added some dense foam (gym flooring squares) sections glued together with Evostik glue which sit neatly in the brackets to make the bottle fit more snugly:

View attachment 297004

View attachment 297005

It stays put just sprung into place

View attachment 297006

Then as well as the foam inserts he used Fiamma (Carry Bike) straps under the feet then fitted over the top of the bottle to make sure it can't ever jump up & out:

View attachment 297007

View attachment 297009

More Fiamma (Carry Bike) straps being put to good use again fixed under the feet to secure this 5kg steel bottle:

 

[Wombles]

Lifting bottles in & out of this sideways locker is a bit awkward & although a lot easier now (with the largest bottle being a lighter Safefill one) to reduce the risk of damage to the bottom of the locker entry frame we wanted to add a protective strip - bought this aluminium angle for £7.25.

Corners rounded with a file:

Glued into place making sure it doesn't interfere with the seal on the door:

 

[Wombles]

Those Funsters who have already done this will know what this marking out is for ...

 

[Wombles]

Had to be a bit brave to do this but great idea so thank you to those posted previously about their versions of this

It's a gas bottle inspection & access point to turn the gas on & off without having to empty the under bed garage:

 

[Wombles]

Needed to buy the right size hole saw & not planning on doing this often so went for a Silverline 427630 holesaw
one Amazon product ASIN B000LFYR4O £10.70

There are cheaper versions but wanted a tough one with a rubber seal so chose Osculati marine inspection hatch 102mm in black - most chandlery shops sell these for around £6 plus extra for stainless steel screws. Suggest a bead of silicone around the hole opening before screwing the hatch frame into place to make sure the locker remains a sealed unit.

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[Minxy]

Needed to buy the right size hole saw & not planning on doing this often so went for a Silverline 427630 holesaw
one Amazon product ASIN B000LFYR4O £10.70

View attachment 297729

There are cheaper versions but wanted a tough one with a rubber seal so chose Osculati marine inspection hatch 102mm in black - most chandlery shops sell these for around £6 plus extra for stainless steel screws. Suggest a bead of silicone around the hole opening before screwing the hatch frame into place to make sure the locker remains a sealed unit.

I used the old fashioned method of drilling holes and then using a jigsaw to cut out the bits between them.

 

[Jev88]

Wouldn't it be safer to have left the has bottle in an enclosed space rather than introducing a large hole?

 

[Minxy]

Wouldn't it be safer to have left the has bottle in an enclosed space rather than introducing a large hole?

It is still in the gas locker which it is only accessible by opening the large door to it which is on the side so you have to move anything you've got stored inside the rear of the camper to do so, putting in the hatch means that you can get your arm in to turn the gas off/on easily. I did this on mine previously (mines on the opposite side of the camper). These hatches have a seal on the screw in cover so the locker is still safe. Since I did it I've put a kitchen cupboard handle on my hatch to make it easier to turn.

 

[Wombles]

Wouldn't it be safer to have left the has bottle in an enclosed space rather than introducing a large hole?

It is a very useful hole & we wouldn't have added this unless we were sure it is as safe as without it. It's not an original idea from us but a popular one on here chosen by @Minxy Girl & other Funsters plus we have seen versions of this many times on German & French Facebook groups.

 

[Wombles]

Some new toys to try for the washing up:

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[Wombles]

Joseph Joseph stainless steel cutlery drainer Amazon product ASIN B01N5JRY8G £15.99. Have had plastic ones with holes in the bottom previously but like that this one captures any excess water & pulls apart easily for cleaning.

Store away neatly when not in use:

Will add a section of grip mat underneath to make sure it doesn't move around when travelling.

 

[Wombles]

Usually put wet dishes to dry on a clean tea towel but to reduce the amount of wet items & washing going to try this large draining mat Amazon product ASIN B01BPDXKQ6 £13.30 which captures excess water then folds to pour it away:

It will give more protection to the worktop than a tea towel too & just needs wiping to keep it clean. There is a smaller version Amazon product ASIN B01BPDXKZC £10.24 but it would be full with just a few cups & not big enough for plates or pans.
Both available in green too to add a splash of colour:

Although the links are to Amazon whose prices vary it's worth considering Lakeland too https://www.lakeland.co.uk/in-the-kitchen/kitchen-storage-and-organising/sink/dish-racks,-mats-and-drainers/ as if the same price & enough for free delivery (£40+) or buying in their shops they offer a 3 year guarantee on all products
There are lots of cheaper versions of this type of flexible draining mat in many colours which may work just as well. There are also rigid plastic versions but these can be difficult to store if you have limited space.
If drying up straight after washing up then just stacking wet dishes in a plastic bowl works well. It's easy to carry two bowls of the same size together & handy to use at washing up sinks on campsites too.

 

[Wombles]

Another new toy has just arrived from Germany that we ordered five days ago - the Stopsy http://wohnmobil-caravan-zubehoer-s...y-Tuerstopper-Kastenwagen-Schiebetuer::1.html
Not cheap but know a few Funsters who have this & rate it highly so we contacted the manufacturer who agreed a 10% discount code for members 10MHfun2018 which will be valid until the end of December so maybe an ideal Xmas present for your van too?!

This is to add an extra additional stainless steel stop point for the sliding door on van conversions - much as we love the door wide open on sunny days there are times when we just want it partially open & tried the tennis ball in the runner trick suggested on the forum but doesn't work well enough especially when on a slope so wanted this as a more effective solution.
This small manufacturing company also make a stainless steel drip guard "Regsy" for over the door but they are unable to post that to the UK.

Yay - we finally got around to fixing our Stopsy! When we bought it the weather changed & got very cold so thought it best to wait until warmer to ensure the adhesive took well. For anyone who bought one previously & also hasn't fitted it yet be aware that the adhesive is excellent stuff but does have an expiry date which for us was May. No photos of it fitted yet as did it with the door past the fixing position then shut the door as have to allow 24 hours before use - suggest having an extra pair of hands to stop the door from rolling back if you can. Very simple & easy to fit - clean surfaces with meths, apply adhesive to Stopsy & press into place cleaning off any excess straight away. Most difficult was us agreeing how big the opening should be - it was about 48cm in the end as that lines up with the end of the kitchen unit & is just big enough for us both to step out easily. There's still enough distance to swing the sliding door to close properly too.
Have asked the manufacturer for a discount code again for this year just in case anyone wants one of these handy things

 

[Wombles]

Discs for fixing the sat. nav. onto https://www.halfords.com/technology/sat-nav/sat-nav-accessories/halfords-sat-nav-mounting-disc £3 if near a Halfords or two TomTom branded for £5.95 delivered https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TomTom-9A00-202-GPS-Sat-Nav-Dashboard-Disc-Adhesive-Dash-Mount-Disks-Pack-of-2/232645161259?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

View attachment 259673

With the warm weather decided to do more sticking - this is the only flattish spot to add the disc for the sat. nav. :

Might be useful to know this location for anyone ordering a LHD Relay/Jumper or Ducato:

 

[Wombles]

There isn't a big choice of suitable locations (has to be 15cm down from the ceiling when wall mounting) so went for a 2 in 1 Kidde 10SCO smoke & carbon monoxide alarm Amazon product ASIN B00M1Q70K4 £18.90 instead of separate units. If you try this one be aware that it goes into test mode when you pull out the battery strip which is not surprising but don't drop it when it starts talking to you like Mr Wombles almost did! I forgot to warn him.

Used very strong Heavy Duty Velcro Amazon product ASIN B00186Q7XY £10.45 as didn't want to risk screwing into the bathroom enclosure. It is available in smaller sizes & cheaper packs & only needed a small amount for this but good value size & can be cut & used for so many things.

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