Built-in cooler progress.

[AlanKilian]

Just at the beginning of removing the front bunk and building in two large coolers and some more storage for our long fall trip this year.

Fit-check: Wine bottles fit upright! #MOSTIMPORTANTFIRST

I'm going to build one in at countertop height on the kitchen side and have one on drawer rails that pulls-out on the door side with a countertop all along the front.

Drain tubes with valves are going to go through the floor so I don't have to bail water out.

I'll send progress updates.
(I can't get the image right-way-round no matter how I orient it before uploading)

[AlanKilian]

Test-fit before starting plywood work.

The one on the left will drop-in and be level with the top of the stove.

The one on the right will be underneath a countertop and roll out on rails for opening.

We'll have a "floor" underneath both coolers so we can store things on the right-side and all along underneath.

[EllPea in CA]

Alan, what kind of coolers are these?

[AlanKilian]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...BZO2SCX8&psc=1


There are several brands that look identical to this one.

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by AlanKilian

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...BZO2SCX8&psc=1


There are several brands that look identical to this one.

Wow, that holds a lot, and is pretty pricey! (Right in line with your nice planned TV!)

Since I've established myself as Mrs. Bossy with the hitch weight stuff, will just mention that when these are full of food (they can hold 300+# each), that's a lot more weight up front than the original bunks would weigh... so, you know where I'm going with this so, will just hush!

[AlanKilian]

I can now travel with a full tank of water which should add 80 pounds or so well behind the axle.


AND I'll fill and weigh before hitching up.

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by AlanKilian

I can now travel with a full tank of water which should add 80 pounds or so well behind the axle.


AND I'll fill and weigh before hitching up.

[Eric Frye]

Alan I did something similar only I opted for a 12v/120v fridge. I'm still working on it and have to install the stove above the fridge, the water and a power outlet along with a drawer face for the fridge.


[IMG]Counter top 4 by Eric Frye, on Flickr[/IMG]

[AlanKilian]

That looks fantastic!

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by Eric Frye

Alan I did something similar only I opted for a 12v/120v fridge. I'm still working on it and have to install the stove above the fridge, the water and a power outlet along with a drawer face for the fridge.


[IMG]Counter top 4 by Eric Frye, on Flickr[/IMG]

Whoa, Eric! Will you show us photos of the rest of the interior? And have you done something special to prevent the drawers from coming open in travel?

[AlanKilian]

Before,
With lower shelf,
After primer and a coat of paint!

[AlanKilian]

I can't believe I found this PERFECT support piece in the metal recycling bin at my maker space!


Installed and screwed to the shell with a temporary center support.

[AlanKilian]

Towball weights as I go:
Empty trailer: 65#
With floor and two coolers: 110#


I guess I'm targeting around 150 pounds, so I'll have to see where things go when I load up the rear with our camping stuff and have the axle moved a few inches forward when it's replaced.


(No desire to get into towball-weight fights here, I just read this: http://www.sunbuster.net.au/wp-conte...allarticle.pdf and I know I NEED to stay under 350" for the car, but I want to be significantly less than that as I expect it would be like 22% of a 1,500 pound trailer.)

[AlanKilian]

Problems and solutions:
With the "permanent" cooler sitting in front of the stove, we won't be able to get to the front rubber latches, so they got deleted and I built a new latch mechanism.

I made a few prototypes and then printed two sweet latches that go through where the cooler has a hole in the lid and a metal plate so you can lock the cooler shut of you're camping in the methadone clinic parking lot.

It looks like these two knobs are going to work really well.

You press down to compress the gasket and give them a 1/4 turn and it's all locked down.

[AlanKilian]

Well, the handle design didn't pass the SRB* so I needed to do a couple of iterations on the design before ending up with the final approved design:

*SRB (Spousal Review Board)

[AlanKilian]

Walls and countertop support progress.


Lots of measure/cut/test/cut/test/cut today.

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by AlanKilian

Well, the handle design didn't pass the SRB* so I needed to do a couple of iterations on the design before ending up with the final approved design:

*SRB (Spousal Review Board)

Obviously well worth the time invested in perfection, especially if said spouse is also the one doing the cooking using the food inside the chests!

[AlanKilian]

Originally Posted by EllPea in CA

Obviously well worth the time invested in perfection, especially if said spouse is also the one doing the cooking using the food inside the chests!

Well, I do all the cooking, but sometimes I need a glass of wine, so it's great to have everyone loving the latches.

[AlanKilian]

More progress, coming together nicely!

I haven't added the sides to the drawer slides yet, so the cooler is still a little jiggly, but it's working really well.

Here's a little video: https://youtu.be/UiCxv94qTeg

[AlanKilian]

Countertop test-fit went perfectly!

Now on to scraping off all that goop and ensolite from the old bunk bed mount.