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Overhead locker
Posted: 26 Apr 2016, 20:09
by Smosh
Thinking of building a full width overhead locker. Struggling with how deep to make it. Anyone got a dimension on there's?
Also, what do you store up there? Is it actually useable space?
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 26 Apr 2016, 21:03
by CovKid
You just have to bear in mind that it can create problems with curtains on one end so ideally should be suspended to create the gap needed.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 26 Apr 2016, 21:32
by Smosh
I'm so please you bought that up! I hadn't thought about that. So just a 25mm gap around the sides so the curtain can pull past.
I haven't quite decided how to fix it up there yet... I know 'sticks like "pooh"' is good, but I wouldn't want something that may come down and donk any passengers on the back of the think box.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 26 Apr 2016, 22:03
by Woodyyellow
My van came with rear, overhead locker, kept banging my head when sitting up in bed!
Now it's all stripped out for s l o w rebuild I'm seriously thinking of not replacing. Not a lot of storage space and the curtains were a mess!
John
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 27 Apr 2016, 06:03
by CovKid
Agree, and its such an awkward shape you're limited as to what you can put in it. Different in a high top ofcourse.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 27 Apr 2016, 07:30
by Smosh
Maybe i need to decide if there is anything I need to actually store up there first.
I was going to mount speakers in the face and some lights in it. I will also need to find another way to line the roof, though that shouldn't be hard.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 27 Apr 2016, 11:44
by petethefeet
We have one in the Devon, I bang my head on it when I go to fold the R&R bed up or down.
Make sure its fix properly to the van, could be a killer in an accident if it comes loose.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 07 May 2016, 16:48
by garyd
We has a full Reimo conversion back in the '90s. This included the wardrobe on the off-side and the full width top locker reaching across from it.
As to 'what do you put in it?' - we used it for clothes - underwear, folded shirts and trousers, etc.
Looking through my photo prints of the interior build the top of the wardrobe is about an inch above the tailgate gas strut mounts on the back of the D pillars. The top locker sat on top of that. At that height it would partially obstruct the top of the driving mirror view out of the back window.
Bear in mind also that Reimo seem to have gone to some lengths to protect users from hard edges of their furniture. The vertical edges of the kitchen cabinet and the horizontal edges of the overhead locker are formed from a soft pliable plastic extrusion (
https://www.reimo.com/en/522001-lux_corner_prof_grey/), so although you may still bump your head it should not cause significant injury (cuts, etc).
As for fixing - if you have the headliner out, you will find vertical faces on the inner edge on the cant rails (edge frame of the roof). I am considering fitting a locker to my current van (no wardrobe) and would seek to fix the side faces of the locker to these vertical cant rail edges. This would put the fixings (self tapping screws?) in shear and less likely to fail.
I would also line the roof in this area by gluing lining carpet direct to the roof insulation foam to maximise height within the locker. Headlining outside can be finished by trapping it above the locker sides.
Being well over 6' tall I would agree about the risk of head banging, although, since we now sleep feet to tailgate, the issue is more pertinent when operating the R&R bed than when getting in or out of bed.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 07 May 2016, 17:46
by Jim San
We have one. Very useful storage in my opinion (clothes, first aid kit, waterproofs, headtorches, small stuff etc, however, I do get all my clothes in there for a longweekend/short week long trip).
Ours also has a shelf at the back (tailgate end), again, pretty useful but when I build my own i'll make the locker deeper and do away with it
I'm planning a rebuild of my interior and a overhead locker will be fitted again. Ours is Westfalia and is fitted to wardrobe on one side and bolted to side on the other.
Yes, you occasionally bang your head when climbing in to bed + it does obscure rear view a bit. My curtains are not a problem as they are fixed to the tailgate.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 08 May 2016, 05:48
by Smosh
Jim San wrote:We have one. Very useful storage in my opinion (clothes, first aid kit, waterproofs, headtorches, small stuff etc, however, I do get all my clothes in there for a longweekend/short week long trip).
Ours also has a shelf at the back (tailgate end), again, pretty useful but when I build my own i'll make the locker deeper and do away with it
I'm planning a rebuild of my interior and a overhead locker will be fitted again. Ours is Westfalia and is fitted to wardrobe on one side and bolted to side on the other.
Yes, you occasionally bang your head when climbing in to bed + it does obscure rear view a bit. My curtains are not a problem as they are fixed to the tailgate.
garyd wrote:We has a full Reimo conversion back in the '90s. This included the wardrobe on the off-side and the full width top locker reaching across from it.
As to 'what do you put in it?' - we used it for clothes - underwear, folded shirts and trousers, etc.
Looking through my photo prints of the interior build the top of the wardrobe is about an inch above the tailgate gas strut mounts on the back of the D pillars. The top locker sat on top of that. At that height it would partially obstruct the top of the driving mirror view out of the back window.
Bear in mind also that Reimo seem to have gone to some lengths to protect users from hard edges of their furniture. The vertical edges of the kitchen cabinet and the horizontal edges of the overhead locker are formed from a soft pliable plastic extrusion (
https://www.reimo.com/en/522001-lux_corner_prof_grey/), so although you may still bump your head it should not cause significant injury (cuts, etc).
As for fixing - if you have the headliner out, you will find vertical faces on the inner edge on the cant rails (edge frame of the roof). I am considering fitting a locker to my current van (no wardrobe) and would seek to fix the side faces of the locker to these vertical cant rail edges. This would put the fixings (self tapping screws?) in shear and less likely to fail.,
I would also line the roof in this area by gluing lining carpet direct to the roof insulation foam to maximise height within the locker. Headlining outside can be finished by trapping it above the locker sides.
Being well over 6' tall I would agree about the risk of head banging, although, since we now sleep feet to tailgate, the issue is more pertinent when operating the R&R bed than when getting in or out of bed.
Somehow I completely missed these replies, sorry. The
additional rear facing shelf sounds useful.
Using the screws in shear is a good point. It's good to hear that you would consider putting one back in.
Not sure I could sleep feet to tail gate, I need the overhang.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 08 May 2016, 13:54
by garyd
Smosh wrote:Not sure I could sleep feet to tail gate, I need the overhang.
I built my own interior and mounted the R&R seat as far forward as it would go. I now have enough length for my 6'4" height to stretch out.
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 08 May 2016, 17:15
by Smosh
Good thinking! Still not convinced it would feel right!?
Re: Overhead locker
Posted: 09 May 2016, 11:28
by garyd
We find it is easier to get in & out. You have the edge of the roof hole to grab onto if necessary and no need to squirm to the back of the van - especially if overhead locker in place!
Can also reach heater 'stat on a cold morning without getting out.