Removing Centre Chest

[julie_5101611]

Hi, I am after a bit of advice please.We are going long term touring in a few months in our 1998 Abi Dalesman 520 and to make it as comfy as possible we have thought about taking out the centre chest at night to give us a bigger bed and then reattaching it during the day. The chest does split in two (ie you can lift the 2 drawer section of the base) At the moment the top bit is screwed to a piece of baton, does anyone have any ideas about what would be the best way to resecure it during the day and for traveling. We thought about a couple of snib locks but any other ideas would be appreciated.

Cheers

Julie

 

[WatsonJohnG]

A method often used is to fit the turn buckle catches(the type used to retain tables etc)so that they are fixed to the caravan wall inside the frame at the back of the drawers.

The "catches" are then turned through 90 degrees to fit over a suitable wooden strip.

You could achieve the same effect with a sliding bolt each side to fit into a drilled hole in the side of the drawer unit.

Hope that helps

 

[spj]

Hi, the front chest in our Avondale Argente lifts off two simple hook type plates, it is then locked with a small brass sliding bolt on each side, it has never come loose and we remove it every night and place it on the floor as the slatted base just clears it, this leaves a bed 7ft x 6ft. I dont know if this idea will suit your van but it is simple and should be easy to do. Maybe have a look around some new/used vans for ideas, ours is a 2004 so the new ones may be different.

Simon.