TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon May 24, 2010 9:35 am

PDXWesty wrote: I was referring to the PVC brackets. Are they pre-made or just standard tees with a slot cut n them?

I made mine yesterday from parts at Home Depo.

1/2" PVC "T" Joint $1.29
12" threaded pipe $.99
1/2" PVC end cap $.39
Metal eyelet pack of two $2.19

Cheap and quick! I assembled them in about a minute. Drilled for the eyelet and dremeled the base of the T. EASY!

Mon May 24, 2010 9:46 am

PDXWesty wrote: I was referring to the PVC brackets. Are they pre-made or just standard tees with a slot cut n them?

Oh.. looks like sprinkler parts with a cut. The grey rod is a sprinkler riser, and the white is a PVC junction.

K

Mon May 24, 2010 9:57 am

thewump wrote: PDXWesty wrote: I was referring to the PVC brackets. Are they pre-made or just standard tees with a slot cut n them?

Oh.. looks like sprinkler parts with a cut. The grey rod is a sprinkler riser, and the white is a PVC junction.

K

The gray pipe is probably Schedule 80 PVC while the fitting is Schedule 40. The least someone could do who wants to duplicate this set up is use a Schedule 80 fitting and a glued joint instead of a threaded one. The Sch 80 fittings are going to be way stronger and may have UV inhibitors as well. I can just see these thing getting knocked and a gas lantern falling to the ground and catching the van or something else on fire.

Mon May 24, 2010 10:11 am

Wildthings wrote: thewump wrote: PDXWesty wrote: I was referring to the PVC brackets. Are they pre-made or just standard tees with a slot cut n them?

Oh.. looks like sprinkler parts with a cut. The grey rod is a sprinkler riser, and the white is a PVC junction.

K

The gray pipe is probably Schedule 80 PVC while the fitting is Schedule 40. The least someone could do who wants to duplicate this set up is use a Schedule 80 fitting and a glued joint instead of a threaded one. The Sch 80 fittings are going to be way stronger and may have UV inhibitors as well. I can just see these thing getting knocked and a gas lantern falling to the ground and catching the van or something else on fire.

Good points.. Worth realizing that sprinkler riser pipes (gray) are DESIGNED to fail to protect the underlying supply lines.. I'd be tempted to go with a non threaded T and glue in a piece of white PVC.

K

Mon May 24, 2010 10:18 am

the grey parts are far more eleastic and will have some 'give' to them.
the white is very hard & can crack especially when a split is cut into them,
though a grey T with a split would be more likely to 'stretch' if over loaded or beat-up but wouldn't crack like the white

I upgraded my folding canoe from the brittle white fittings to the Grey for the flexibility. I now float in security with my Foldbote ;-)

Mon May 24, 2010 10:40 am

thewump wrote: How about this internal plumbing item I picked up in Mexico, perfect when nature calls in the middle of the night.

K

I tried one of these things once, but by the time I got all my turds stuff into the bottle, the whole van stunk so badly that I had to sleep outside . . . in the rain.

I still have the thing. I was thinking about lining it with some room-temperature liver.

Richie

Mon May 24, 2010 11:32 am

RicoS wrote:
I tried one of these things once, but by the time I got all my turds stuff into the bottle, the whole van stunk so badly that I had to sleep outside . . . in the rain.

I still have the thing. I was thinking about lining it with some room-temperature liver.

Richie

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Thu May 27, 2010 6:13 pm

speedygeorge wrote:
Any pics of ladder

It's a little wider than I care for it to be, but there again it's made for household use. It collapses down to just over 2 feet.

I bought it from a company on eBay; search for "telescopic ladder". Target also has one; it's a 10-footer, but it costs as much as GW's ladder.

Thu May 27, 2010 8:34 pm

1621 wrote: 1621, What's that panel to the (photo) right of the heater vent? a Co2 monitor?
Also, the black plate above and to the right? A Cigarette lighter jack??
Just wondering.
Cheers

Thu May 27, 2010 9:07 pm

Corn1849 wrote: 1621 wrote: 1621, What's that panel to the (photo) right of the heater vent? a Co2 monitor?
Also, the black plate above and to the right? A Cigarette lighter jack??
Just wondering.
Cheers

Yes and yes. The monitor is a dual LP/CO detector on a switch that I use when camping (sleeping in the van and using the cooktop, heater buddy, etc.). You can see it here: http://www.mtiindustries.com/re6.htm

The 12v outlet is from West Marine and is for my kids when they want to plug in an electric blanket.

The only other thing in the picture not mentioned is the chest lock visible to the upper left of the seat opening knob. It allows me to lock the bench seat. Did a brief write up with more pictures here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=389601&highlight=chest+lock

Thu May 27, 2010 9:52 pm

1621 wrote: Yes and yes. The monitor is a dual LP/CO detector on a switch that I use when camping (sleeping in the van and using the cooktop, heater buddy, etc.). You can see it here: http://www.mtiindustries.com/re6.htm Ahh, thank you.
A LP/CO detector has been on my cup list (like a bucket list, only smaller :wink:) since we sold our EVC and bought the Westy.
Been thinking about the best location and it looks like you found it.
Only downside is I've already scaraficed a bit of under seat storage for our Propex heater :cry:
BTW, Nice job on the lock.

Thu May 27, 2010 10:16 pm

Remove the wall inside the closet by the window. You will suddenly have a few extra inches of closet space. The real benefit is LIGHT inside the closet coming from the window that was blocked by the wall. Can people see in your closet from outside? A little bit. But the curtain still runs the length of the window and what are they gonna see... blankets? Besides, the windows are tinted.

Fri May 28, 2010 11:37 am

thanks..

Man this is good ..

we should a post like this in the sitckies

:lol:

Fri May 28, 2010 2:57 pm

hint re bottle opener mounting. I'd say behind the passenger seat because then the door does not need to be all the way open and/or you can leave your bed down!! My brand has twist offs so I keep a gripper handy. :)

Fri May 28, 2010 9:50 pm

For those who live and breath the Samba, this is all old news, but we can all appreciate the summarized medium.
I realize that it is all about pictures, so I will add them if I have them, and take the others if someone is interested:

1) Gear Loft
I created a gear loft that suspends goodies out of the way along the ceiling:

This is the typical "Highland" brand or whatever everyone uses for the rear ac deck. When you pop the top you have some great storage.

The mounts I used were there from my rack mounts. It is a top-mounting system from Yakima. Super clean. Here is the outside:

2) Stereo mounting
I was partly frustrated and partly lazy about this whole stereo thing...where to mount what, etc. Anyway, the simple solution was a 1/4" piece of, uhh, crap, forgot the name, but anyway "plastic", and mounted it to the holes on the back of my pre-'87 weekender seat (6 holes). Mounted the amp and ground block and cord routers and I may mount my inverter there as well. Saves you from drilling holes all over, and it looks super clean and keeps everything handy.

3) Camp site leveling and gear caddy
I bought these (un-pictured) levels at Wally world that estimate the inches needed to elevate left, right, front and back to get a nice level sleeping platform. I mounted them (2) on this little jobby, which came from the PO. It cinches up with a small piece of wood in the ash tray slot.

So as a driver, I can just about level the thing without having to get out of my seat and dick around. Works great. I also carry a set of Fiamma ramps and chalks to assist.

4) TV mount
I wanted a full theater system for inside and outside the car, which meant I needed a decent size TV that could work in both areas. I have a thread entitles "structural engineers..." if you are interested.

There may be more, but that is all I can think of right now. I am planning a few more, but I can only think of these:

a) larger moonroof
b) integrated 10" sub (rear seat)
c) wipers sprayers
d) sink-ender (top secret, V2 now in production!)
e) under-cabinet rear drawer (narrow, pulls out when back is open)

Anyway, there are plenty more on the wish list...

Sat May 29, 2010 4:52 am

Classicvibe wrote:

I am parking by you guys when we go camping!

Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:15 am

A quick and easy way to attach your awning to the Vanagon.

Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:26 am

I like that window slide stop idea!

Now I just need an awning...

Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:59 am

I just picked up a couple of cheep solar walkway lamps from Home Depot last week. ($3.88 each)
While I was still in my Westy just for kicks I stuck one in the hole for the front table mount - instant night light! Also, thought they would probably fit the jack stand holes for threshold lights too.
Charge'm up during the day at the camp site during the day & have some light at night!

Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:44 pm

Cool on the awning attachment, I don't like the little clamps that came with the BD awning. Lost it once to a sudden severe gust, awning was off before I could finish the thought that the awning was going to blow off. Your work is better than any ideas I've had.
2 camping trips in the last week and a half without touching a wrench! now I can get back to some of these life improving things. Good discovery this week was that if I turn the drivers seat, which I only use if there are 4 dining inside, the front table situates very nicely turned over the seat and lifted to sink height. Next up is the pvc slider for the rear table, then something to make the closet useful, then something with the under front seat boxes, then the middle chair, then the on-board air compressor, then...