TheSamba.com :: View topic - Trick for securing Vanagon Westy rear table?

Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:10 pm

Is there a trick or a hack for securing the table aft of the stove? I'm sure it used to be secure now it's flopping all over the place and banging the wall when I'm taking corners and such. I tried cranking down the knobs but it's doesn't seem to help. I was just going to wedge a shirt in between the wall and table. But I was hoping for a more aesthetically pleasing solution.

Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:17 pm

I was just about to ask the same question!

I tighten up the rear table, but after awhile, it swings out on left turns. At first the noise freaked me out, but now it's just annoying as I rive mountain roads a lot.

Any simple fixes to keep it secure?

Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:34 pm

I use a door stop wedge under the knob, and that seems to hold it, but I worry about what it would do if I got in an accident with my kids in the back. :shock:

Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:38 pm

Take out the knob... get a skinny marker... stick it through the hole and mark a spot on the pipe. Take out the pipe and center punch a small dent. This will give the knob some grip and when tight make it more difficult to turn/pivot... you could even drill a hole for the same effect.

Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:46 pm

Great idea!

The doorstop is only marginally effective for me. I have a pillow shoved under it as well and it still gets loose at times.

Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:59 pm

Switch out the large rear table for the smaller front table.

Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:17 pm

I have been using a long bungee cord that hooks from behind the stove side cabinet grill to the back edge of the closet cabinet by the side window. Hook the bungee in front of the table and it's good. I also use the smaller front table in the back.

Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:01 pm

Forgive the rotation...

Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:24 pm

that lazy/easy things; stick it under the bench seat/in the wardrobe/leave it at home.

leaving it to smash around will eventually beat a hole in the panel.

Thu Jun 11, 2015 3:52 am

Not my idea,
Pulled it from this thread.....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=318998&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

plummerdesign wrote: The elevating table is neat, especially to access the bins below. My fix was not for bin access, but for keeping the table in place when not using it. Simple solution using a child latch...cheap and works like a charm. No more swinging table!

Been installed now for 18 months and still keeps the table restrained.
Cheers,
Jeffery
.
(Westfalia travel/camping videos at YouTube link below)

Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:00 am

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=323793&highlight=table+magnet

Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:54 am

I have a couple of the black plastic curtain tie back straps from a late bus, one on either side of the table attached to the cabinets, with the snaps on the bottom of the table. Holds tight against the wall and quick to operate. And can't be seen when the table is back.

Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:23 am

caveat: the table on my '81 is modified to sit at 3 different heights and is usually in the middle height position (below)

On the pillar mid point at table area, there is a bolt hole. On later model Westies the hole is covered. It will take a seat belt bolt (or the eye hook sold by some vendors). Since my height mod made the table swivel easier, I run a bungee from that bolt to table arm.

For normal height tables, if one didn't mind losing a bit of function and gaining a bit of "ugly", run a bungee from table underside across front of table to this hook? At one point I'd given thought to making something for this application but couldn't see past something like plate steel with hinged bit that hooked onto arm but that length of steel would bend too much in the event of an accident. Under normal driving conditions, it might be fine though.

Neil.

Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:37 am

Seems like the plastic clips are equivalent to the door stop. It'll keep it from from banging around, but it an accident all bets are off (and hopefully not rear passenger heads :shock: ).

I think I might try drilling out the pipe through the knob hole. That's a great idea to secure it tight and there is no visible difference.

Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:38 am

TequilaSunSet wrote: Take out the knob... ... you could even drill a hole for the same effect.

I've been wondering about a solution to this too. I really like this idea except, at least in it's stock configuration, my knob doesn't contact the table leg directly. Instead, there is a little flap of curved metal that the knob pushes into the leg. Either way, something along Tequila's idea is what I'm going to look into first.

Edit: After reading the thread that 1621 linked to, I'm just going to try to stick a piece of adhesive non-skid material on my "flap thing".

Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:40 am

Some electrical tape around the area where the metal clamp makes contact works too.

Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:52 pm

TequilaSunSet wrote: Take out the knob... get a skinny marker... stick it through the hole and mark a spot on the pipe. Take out the pipe and center punch a small dent. This will give the knob some grip and when tight make it more difficult to turn/pivot... you could even drill a hole for the same effect. I've just done this with a 5/16" bit (but not holes right through) - and slightly bevelled off the screws in the knobs with a Dremel so they locate without any wobble.

Works a bloody treat! :D

Wed Jul 22, 2015 5:15 pm

I've got the same "flap" thing that SCM mentioned. I used a few wraps of "Friction tape" on the pole and so far that has worked like a champ. Do they still even make that stuff? We even took a trip around the North Georgia mountains with no issues (as long as you remember to tighten it down after swiveling it, that is).

Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:30 pm

TequilaSunSet wrote: Take out the knob... get a skinny marker... stick it through the hole and mark a spot on the pipe. Take out the pipe and center punch a small dent. This will give the knob some grip and when tight make it more difficult to turn/pivot... you could even drill a hole for the same effect.

I did the mod to extend the table height already but this has still been a problem. I'll be doing this tomorrow.

Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:51 pm

I used two 2 inch strips of Velcro. fastened one set to the edge of the table, and one set to the wall panel. Worked like a charm. Until I moved to where it gets really hot in the summer, at which point all the things I'd used Velcro for fell apart, because the glue quit working. So if you don't live in the desert, it's a simple and functional fix.