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IoWesty
Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2014
Posts: 181
Location: Iowa
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 Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 7:29 pm Post subject: Storage/Organizational Compartments |
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| I get tired of digging through my duffle bags to find my favorite socks, which, for some reason, are always at the bottom. In addition to the cabinets and compartments built into my '91 Westy, I'm looking for ideas for additional storage, organizational, space. Are there any Rubbermaid or other plastic bins/organizers that work well in a Westfalia? Thanks. |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Storage/Organizational Compartments |
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we (2 adults) use a small cloth zipper bag for our socks&underware one for her one for me of different styling.. helps,
dirty laundry all goes into one stuff sack.. at the base of the closet.
| IoWesty wrote: |
| I get tired of digging through my duffle bags to find my favorite socks, which, for some reason, are always at the bottom. In addition to the cabinets and compartments built into my '91 Westy, I'm looking for ideas for additional storage, organizational, space. Are there any Rubbermaid or other plastic bins/organizers that work well in a Westfalia? Thanks. |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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The MountainSmith cubes...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597694&highlight=mountainsmith
If it's only two of you... one cube each for "clean" and one each for "dirty".
If more than two of you... one cube each for "clean" and compression sacks for dirty.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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+1 on the cubes. As a bonus, the 4-pack fits perfectly between the westy stove and rear closet, bungeed in place...
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'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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| cardboard boxes |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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I have had the cubes for a about 3 seasons now but I also modified the rear closet cabinet in two ways:
1 - added a second door on the side using the old Dometic fridge door
2 - built shelves for the closet
These two things have transformed the rear closet into a more practical space where I can store and quickly find stuff.
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:00 am Post subject: |
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I'm seriously considering a high top conversion. I've done a couple now, it's a storage dream. I've learned enough to know how to use every nook and cranny for canoe paddles, fishing poles, laundry, you name it. My only reluctance is to the use of my pop top for storage on the outside for my Hi-Lift jack, and solar panels, road shower and roof box. i think the HighTop would support it all if its planned for before it's finished inside.
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www.jeffsoldvolkshome.com
2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI 
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:11 am Post subject: |
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I'll try to post some more pics... I'm having technical difficulties.
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www.jeffsoldvolkshome.com
2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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J Charlton 
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007
Posts: 1546
Location: The True North Strong and Free
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:06 am Post subject: high top |
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Hi Jeff - good to see some pics of the interior finishing of the hightop. Looking forward to seeing more.
WRT the other "outside stuff" that you want to carry - I suggest that you look at using Unistrut to build form fitting racking to EG:
- hold your jack across the back
- attach your awning - its nice to be able to elevate the attachment points up to just below the windows, nicer feeling stepping in and out of the van
- attach solar panels - although I now like the idea of deploying a flexible 100w panel draped at an angle to catch sun efficiently better that rigidly mounted panels
John
see other installs, interior finishing etc on the pages http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7442484#7442484
northamericanhightops.com
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NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024 |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:22 am Post subject: |
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I'm working on a 'gimble' mounted solar panel using 12v linerar motors that'll tilt the panel in 3 directions from the flip of a switch. An aluminum frame that is mounted to the roof, and the panel hinged like a carnival ride, each lateral side is able to go up independently, the bottom of the panel will be mounted on a heim joint to allow at least 30 degrees in each direction.
_________________
www.jeffsoldvolkshome.com
2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab |
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HoustonPhotog
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013
Posts: 1514
Location: Houston, TX
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:41 am Post subject: |
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In order to store clothes currently I use two of these under bed storage boxes from the Container Store. one for her one for me. we keep them in the back of the van storage area while driving, then when we pop the top to camp we move the boxes to the top bunk for storage since we sleep on the bottom bunk. they work out ok and its nice they're clear so its easier to find what you need quickly.
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/drawers?productId=10000201&N=62561
I added a spare fridge door into the rear cabinet of my '87 Westy. I plan to tweak the inside of the closet in order to store all of our clothes etc while traveling instead of using the boxes mentioned above. Hope to get the closet interior sorted out in the next month or two.
http://dasmotoclub.com/vanagon-closet-door-addition/
I added a small spare cubby hole door into my bench seat kick plate. this makes it nice to be able to store items in there and get to them very easily.
http://dasmotoclub.com/vanagon-kick-plate-overhaul/
The next big thing I'm in the middle of working on is a new cabinet to sit behind the passenger seat. I built a usable mockup so I can see what I like and don't like over the next few camping trips and I think I've gotten my wrinkles all ironed out. I hope to get the real deal version cutout and assembled in February, I plan to laminate it using the same shade laminate as the westy interior as well as using some spare flat access westfalia cabinet doors for the front of the cabinet. This box was designed to house a thetford marine toilet as well as my Webasto AT2000 heater and associated ducting. I plan to add a few 12v accessories to the box as well.
the usable mockup i have installed now
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Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 8:08 am Post subject: |
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What about removing the left rear window and building a custom box accessible from the outside, it can be about 8" thick and lined, it's otherwise completely unusable space.
_________________
www.jeffsoldvolkshome.com
2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab |
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alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1858
Location: anchor pt. alaska
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:02 am Post subject: |
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| Jeff's Old Volks Home wrote: |
| What about removing the left rear window and building a custom box accessible from the outside, it can be about 8" thick and lined, it's otherwise completely unusable space. |
You must have heard the gears crunching in my head.  . I was considering that while i was thinking about welding panels over my rear side windows.
That was a nice looking mockup. The one thing i dont like about those coolers is all the floor space they take up and having to be accessed from above. Obviously putting it on top of your nice cabinet. I would rather have more counterspace or spot for sink, stove etc. Is there any reason one couldnt put that cooler in the bottom of that cabinet on a shelf mounted on heavy duty full extension drawer glides? It would be like a pull out freezer drawer that are common in homes. |
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HoustonPhotog
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013
Posts: 1514
Location: Houston, TX
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:06 am Post subject: |
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| alaskadan wrote: |
| That was a nice looking mockup. The one thing i dont like about those coolers is all the floor space they take up and having to be accessed from above. Obviously putting it on top of your nice cabinet. I would rather have more counterspace or spot for sink, stove etc. Is there any reason one couldnt put that cooler in the bottom of that cabinet on a shelf mounted on heavy duty full extension drawer glides? It would be like a pull out freezer drawer that are common in homes. |
indeed... i have thought about doing a side slider for the fridge... who know that might still be an option too... I might have to go back and look into it a bit more. I found one place that makes a side sliding tray for these fridges. every place mostly sells sliders that slide the out longwise...
the one thing i do want is it to look as stock as possible... matching trim, laminate, doors etc.
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Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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rubbachicken
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2004
Posts: 3058
Location: socal
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:54 am Post subject: |
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tim, i like this, i'm going to make some 
| Timwhy wrote: |
I use milk crates to store food jugs of drinking water and anything else that needs to be stowed with quick
access. The crates also fit under the seat while the bed is down, so they are not under your step. If needed
they can act as extra seats or even a card table out side of the Westy.
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lucy our westy
lucy's BIG adventure
meet 'burni'
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182 |
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alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1858
Location: anchor pt. alaska
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:56 am Post subject: |
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| Im confused by side slider. You could build it to slide out whichever way you like. Only thing to consider then is what length drawer glides to get. I purchased some rv drawer glides recently for a boat cabinet job . They had a substantially firmer closed position. For a stock look you could make a mock door front to attach to front side of the cooler. When closed it just looks like a really wide door. |
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HoustonPhotog
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013
Posts: 1514
Location: Houston, TX
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:24 am Post subject: |
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| alaskadan wrote: |
| Im confused by side slider. You could build it to slide out whichever way you like. Only thing to consider then is what length drawer glides to get. I purchased some rv drawer glides recently for a boat cabinet job . They had a substantially firmer closed position. For a stock look you could make a mock door front to attach to front side of the cooler. When closed it just looks like a really wide door. |
yea i was just looking for the larger trays that you mount the fridge to, then those slide and also lock into place etc. they're pricey so I need to look into maybe making my own drawer slide like you're recommending.
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Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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