UHaul Upper Shelf / Loft Project

[Thomas G.]

I've found that there is not much horizontal space in the CT except for the cushions, so I wanted to add some space to just plop things like a jacket or camera when you walk in the door. Actually the top bunk worked nicely for this, but I took it out for a dinette.

So I added shelves across the front and down the side to the over-stove cabinet. Additionally I added a rear shelf and side shelves. The shelves are made of 3/16" underlayment reinforced with L shaped extruded aluminum. The shelves are painted with exterior mold resistant latex paint matched to the CT's interior color.

No holes were drilled in the fiberglass. Where possible, I used existing holes and aluminum brackets. When necessary, I used an aluminum bracket held in place with 3M Extreme double sided tape.

[Thomas G.]

Next, I wanted to add an additional barrier to keep things in place should the trailer be moved while the shelves were occupied. I blatantly stole Raz's idea for a shock cord and mesh curtain set up, but first I had to figure out how to suspend the shock cord. I ended up buying turned wooden bases at a hobby store and mounted 1/2" PVC pipe in them. I screwed the bases to the aluminum frame. Each pipe is capped with an eyelet screwed into it to guide the shock cord.

[Thomas G.]

Next I bought colored mesh material, sewed a tunnel at the top for the shock cord and sewed loop material to the bottom. I used contact cement to glue hook material to the back of the aluminum upright lip and Velcroed the curtain in place. Then I threaded the shock cord through the curtain top edge. I used a spring lock cord holder (like on the bottom of a jacket) to allow me to re-tension the shock cord as necessary. This spring lock is on one end. The other end is fixed.

I also cut out quarter sized pieces of outdoor carpet and glued them over all the stainless steel nuts to eliminate sharp or snaggy surfaces. I also glued some carpet over the aluminum frame in the corners to provide a friendly surface.

Total added weight is about 8 pounds.

[Thomas G.]

Shock cord spring lock.

[andrew78]

looks great tom

[CindyL]

Looks good, Thomas. A while back, Kevin added a hammock-style shelf over the bed in the back where we throw our night clothes. It hangs from eye hooks across the back (not sure if I have a picture though). On our last trip though, he set up the bunkbed in the VT so we could use the top bunk as a shelf too, since he was sleeping in the front bunk due to my elbow surgery recovery. We tend to pile stuff in the front dinette (not great, but it happens), so the bunk gave us a place to throw stuff since we did not have the dinette.

CindyL

[D Davis]

This is Just the BEES KNEES!!!!! Clever, light weight, and I know it will work! Upper Shelves, Closet Shelves and a Silver Ware drawer is all that is needed for the Uhaul Cts to be Pert Near Perfect. Good Job, Tom.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by CindyL

Looks good, Thomas. ........
CindyL

Thanks. The junk's gotta go somewhere.

[D Davis]

Tom, when you say underlayment, do you mean the thin plywood that is used under bathroom and kitchen floors? It's lightweight, strong, has little x's on it and looks finished. Where do you find the aluminum brackets? Just curious...

[djtriceflt]

Mr. Tom,
I had been thinking of modifying some Scamp bins but your design and appearance is even better! Thanks for sharing another of your very practical enhancements!

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by D Davis

Tom, when you say underlayment, do you mean the thin plywood that is used under bathroom and kitchen floors? It's lightweight, strong, has little x's on it and looks finished. Where do you find the aluminum brackets? Just curious...

Yes the underlayment is just thin plywood used to smooth a floor under linoleum. This didn't have the little x's, but some brands do, to ease layout of tiles. The L shaped extruded aluminum I found at a local metal recycler. The supplier evidently dumps seconds there. The oddly shaped aluminum brackets were just made from aluminum sheet that I also scored at the recyclers. I bent it up in my vice then painted it. I found a local surplus house that sells stainless bolts for $2 a pound, so I splurged on all stainless hardware.

[Lil M.]

Looks grrrreat, Tom! Now you got me thinking about adding a front shelf to to LilScamper.

[D Davis]

I like salvaging materials...it looks like the frames that hold glass shower doors. Love the modern look of the aluminum metal.

[theresa p]

nice!!! we made wooden shelves very similarly a couple of years ago. we have a wooden rim but not the mesh. sure has made a difference in storage!

great job. you'll really love how it helps.

[partslady9]

Stainless at $2 a pound - my heart grows faint, I just paid 80 cents for (1) acorn nut.
What a great job on the shelves, the mesh was super idea.
This site is soooo great to newbies, Thanks to all!!

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by partslady9

Stainless at $2 a pound - my heart grows faint, I just paid 80 cents for (1) acorn nut.
What a great job on the shelves, the mesh was super idea.
This site is soooo great to newbies, Thanks to all!!

Thanks. The stainless hardware is a good deal, but they make you work for it. They bought out new old stock and it is all mixed up in a huge barrel in plastic envelopes. So, I take my time and sort and sort. It is nice to be retired.