propane tank placement

[munchkin]

Just bought a used 1982 Viking. IPlease send ideas--


1. In the previous owner's infinite wisdom, they welded a window air conditioner case to the tongue (as the brace) at the same place that the propane tank/s should be mounted. It is sealed, etc. However, the propane lines have to be capped off for travel or left open and the tanks attatched at the campsite. It does have the dual regulator. How best to cap them for travel or will the lines be fine left open as they presently are? Also, any suggestions on where to store the tanks during the drive? Should we attempt to mount to the tongue space that is left or any ideas?


2. We need to add a platform for a twin bed or larger  or find a used small dinette or small sofa size bench that folds out to replace the larger storage trunk that is presently there? (We have 3 adults, 2 teenagers and 1 preteen with which to travel.) Any ideas?

Thanks! By the way, in case it isn't readily apparent, we're newbies.

[ScoobyDoo]

Just bought a used 1982 Viking. IPlease send ideas--


1.  Also, any suggestions on where to store the tanks during the drive? Should we attempt to mount to the tongue space that is left or any ideas?


.

  Welcome: I can't tell you where to carry the tanks, but I can tell you they need to be outside. If the tank gets warm it will vent. If it is inclosed you just made a bomb, all it needs is a spark. Years ago it was decided the safest place for the tanks was on the tounge.

[munchkin]

'
Thanks--pretty sure of that.

[munchkin]

tank problem solved with brackets mounted beside a/c unit.

but, still need extra bed ideas. Anybody know of an old pop-up junkyard?

[ScouterMom]

what is the floor plan and size of your camper?  

I'm working on an old remodel (73 starcraft) and have been looking at dozens of online remodel albums.  keep looking and you will find some really cool ideas!

one thing I noticed in someone's album was that they re-built some of their interior for more beds - I noticed that their frames are almost identical to the frame of a drawer base for our waterbeds.  I've had an extra one for a number of years in our basement - 2 huge drawers, with a piece of plywood on top - it has made an excellent 'spare' bed for my son's friends to spend the night.  It would be really easy to adapt it to my camper - putting in doors where it would need to fit over the wheel well. (as the drawer would not work in around the wheel)

There is alot of 'ready made' stuff you could pick up at re-sale shops or garage sales, or even frame up yourself to reconfigure your camper.

Laura

[munchkin]

Thnanks!

To the front parallel to the bunk is a dinette--storage under both with a water tank in one.  As you walk in, you face this strange homemade table that houses a mini-fridge. Other items could set on top--just a cubed? type table.  Just to the left of it is the sink/stove unit. It's directly over the wheel well. Still heading left, another short cabinet--came with the sink unit apparently. On the door side from the back bunk to the door is a huge storage bench--drawers built in a couple of doors and cabinet space in the rest. No access from top--could fix that.


Thinking about mounting a bracket on the storage bench (20 inches deep)--using a make-shift narrow (table-like) addition to add on when another bed is needed to extend bench to 30 inches deep--stowing away during day.  Then making a seat cushion for bench with 20 inch seat and 10 inch back(can't go much higher as it is against canvas) to flip down as bed cushion. Or we could add a back to bench, but seems even more trouble. Any ideas? Really don't want to replace it yet--adds quiet a bit of storage, but I'm open to ideas.

Also, destroying the homemade table--possibly shifting sink cabinet to allow fridge to set under stove and making another, neater storage table. If we can't shift it, I guess just a storage unit to make fridge more accesssable (you now have to lift it up an inch to open door--what an unholy mess this is!!) I did see an unit today on craigslist where they had a taller cabinet placed on the short table between back bunk and sink unit that you could set down when folding, but I would have to put it in same space, so as not to block dinette. By the way, the dinette table leg is gone--table top is fine, so I'm looking for a leg.

Would like to put counter tops on both tables on either sink side--we used clearance counter top when we remodeled kitchen and cut ourselves. Hoping to find a similar deal--checked Home Depot today--where we bought the kitchen ones--but they no longer handle the countertops in clearance. I might check with Lowe's tomorrow.


That's the layout--I'll deal with the rest later. Open to ideas and thanks! Right now, we're redoing interior roof and patching exterior first. You might not believe the wet, mushy wood. Or, wasn't that you with the same problem?

Thanks for all your help!


Munchkin

[munchkin]

Forgot to tell you the size--12 foot box. Thanks again!

[ScouterMom]

yup - that's me - in fact i found MORE wet, mushy stuff this weekend!  
 Oh well - we'll get it all fixed!

I have a similar layout - but in a 10 ft box.  instead of the long storage area, however, I had this closet thing - which I'm going to get rid of.  

on that storage cabinet to the left of the door - what about making a duplicate top, attaching it with a piano hinge along the front edge, and adding legs?  that way it can be 'folded' during the day, (doubled up with the legs off) and the storage cabinet used normally.  then at night, you screw on the legs & fold out the top - making it the width of a single bed, and add cushions or an air mattress to sleep on.  I'd put on at least 3 legs - maybe 4, depending on the weight of the sleeper and the length of the cabinet.  You would be able to stow loose gear under the 1/2 bunk while someone was sleeping on it.

that's probably the least 'remodeling' - you wouldn't have to tear out the cabinet, or change the configuration of the camper.  a plywood piece as long and wide as the cabinet top would give you a bed twice the width of the cabinet.  With a 12' box, the cabinet is probably 5' or 6' long - which should be long enough for a teen or child, if not a full height adult.

As for counter tops - check with the home improvement stores - if you don't need LARGE counter tops, look for leftover sink cutouts. (the part they cut OUT to make a hole for a kitchen sink) I used to have a very tiny PUP - and found these sink cutouts were the perfect size to replace the tops of my smaller cabinets in that camper.    Home Depot only charged me $1 each for them! In fact, I still have one left - I was going to make an outside shelf for the little camper and never got around to it.  Now I'll probably use it in this camper.

Another idea is to check in with a local kitchen remodeler - or anyone you know who is remodeling their kitchen. sometimes you can get used cabinets and counters that still have plenty of good wear in them for a camper or garage!

Good luck, and I'll be wathing for photos of your progress - I love to see what people come up with!

Laura

[munchkin]

Thanks! Like the extra bed idea. Update me on your roof progress too. Tonight I made the decision to rip the entire thing out--and replace all styrofoam and plywood. We found the 1 large hole we knew about, but also 5 pinholes in the roof. It just keeps coming. But it will definately be ours when we're done. Good luck with yours too!


Munchkin