Table position

[iowcamper]

Not sure im putting this in the right section but here goes

i am wanting to put a table in my van the type that has the base in the floor and is removable.
My floor is covered in lino style tiles
I assume under this is a thin layer of hardboard and under that a metal floor, do i therefore need to drill a hole all the way through the metal floor?? (seems a bit extreme for fitting a table!) or is the metal floor (as i suspect) of a corrugated nature and the base will fit in a dip (not sure if that last bit makes sense to anyone but me!!!)
Is there a specific place where the base must go / should go and how is this measured?

Have looked through wiki but cannot find anything about fitting one of these tables, jk sell the base and the leg but no table top (odd?) presumably a piece of mdf covered with something would do the job

sorry if this is a bit on the simple side but any advice would be appreciated

cheers

iowcamper

[Doctor Foster]

hole in the floor on mine. table leg base screwed down with self tapping screws through the metal floor.

[Doctor Foster]

You can get a tripod type base that neatly folds away If you dont wanna drill a hole in van.

http://www.thecampershak.co.uk/productd ... php?pid=24" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[iowcamper]

update: jk do sell table top they do the whole kit for £45 so have one on the way!

drfstr when you say hole in the floor do you mean the hole goes all the way through the metal or just through the hardboard??

iowcamper

[lloydy]

^^^^^^what he said [ whole in van floor ,metal]

[Doctor Foster]

update: jk do sell table top they do the whole kit for £45 so have one on the way!

drfstr when you say hole in the floor do you mean the hole goes all the way through the metal or just through the hardboard??

iowcamper

All the way through on ours. If I get under the van I can see it!

[kevtherev]

you'll need a three inch hole cutter with a pilot drill.
nice snug fit for the leg base
there's nothing to hit as you get through with the cutter, so drill away

[Ian Hulley]

there's nothing to hit as you get through with the cutter, so drill away

I'd keep an eye out for cables, wires,tanks, pipes and whatever else may have been attached underneath.

Ian.

[kevtherev]

Not much in the middle of mine Ian everything seems to be attached to the chassis rails, no harm in a bit of caution though ....well said.

[lloydy]

Mine misses a crossmember by about 5mm, by design or luck, who knows?

[Ian Hulley]

Not much in the middle of mine Ian

Ya never know what folks have tacked on/re-routed underneath .... better safe than sorry etc etc Besides I didn't think he was fitting it in your's

Ian

[iowcamper]

right thanks chaps

drill right through - double check for pipes cables etc underneath first (presumably a small pilot hole will let me judge that first) i suppose i should check first that there wasnt previously one fitted before the current flooring was put down.

in terms of position in the floor is there a standard position or is it just wherever i think fits best (as long as its not above something important!) ?

were these table all fitted aftermarket or was it something that most of the conversions put in? my conversion is a autohomes i think so would they have been in as standard?

by the way i think the kit on jk seems really good value has the base the pole and the table for £45 in a bundle whereas its about £70 if bought seperately

iowcamper

[kevtherev]

the base..if it's weak and puny it will break off the floor or give a wobbly table.. look around

here's an old favourite of Autosleepers.... very strong

scroll to DESMO TYPE RECESSED BASE - ALUMINIUM

http://www.chandleryworld.co.uk/acatalog/Desmo.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jamesc76]

When I fitted mine I sat in the van holding the table where i wanted it marked floor and drilled the hole, best to have it where you want it! Tho when I redo the interior in mine(all ripped out now) Im not gonna drill the hole this time and use a free standing leg system, got hacked off with the hole thing getting full of grass etc!

[a1winchester]

in terms of position in the floor is there a standard position or is it just wherever i think fits best (as long as its not above something important!) ?

iowcamper

I think it's best if you sit in your preferred seat, and move the table asround so it's where you feel comfortable. Different bench seats and cupboard interior layouts will all have different positions. You need to be able to slide in behind it without being a limbo dancer, and you need to be able to eat off it without knife and fork extensions.

Don't forget the old tradesman's motto - "meaure twice, cut / drill once"

were these table all fitted aftermarket or was it something that most of the conversions put in? my conversion is a autohomes i think so would they have been in as standard?
iowcamper

Most professional conversions have some form of demountable table I think. Autosleepers have 2. One in the main area, and one between the front seats. The front one is quite useful. You might want to consider that too, while you are cutting and carving. Or have 2 floor mounts so you have options where to stick the one table?