R-pod Owners Forum : podmod: Rear Shelf https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : podmod: Rear Shelf Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 30 May 2026 15:40:38 +0000 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:11:38 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1829 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ podmod: Rear Shelf : You can go to an auto parts store,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=20873#20873 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1829
Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 1:11pm

You can go to an auto parts store, they have various sizes of stretchable cargo netting.]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:11:38 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=20873#20873 podmod: Rear Shelf : I didn't put a net on. I... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=20835#20835 Author: DocTom
Subject: 1829
Posted: 06 Nov 2011 at 9:04am

I didn't put a net on. I have a little deeper lip that seems to hold things in place. When travelling I only have light/bulky objects like towels, paper products, rain gear, blanket, pillows etc. When we stop we use it for other heavier things, but when not moving there isn't too much danger of anything coming down. So far it hasn't been a problem.]]> Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:04:30 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=20835#20835 podmod: Rear Shelf : Hey this was such a good idea... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=20825#20825 Author: drjenk
Subject: 1829
Posted: 06 Nov 2011 at 12:38am

Hey this was such a good idea I did it also.  But has anyone found a decent bungie cargo net that would fit?  Or is the only way to buy some bungie cord and knot it?

Thanks
]]> Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:38:50 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=20825#20825 podmod: Rear Shelf : Got a shelf built and installed... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17785#17785 Author: DocTom
Subject: 1829
Posted: 17 Jul 2011 at 7:51pm

Got a shelf built and installed yesterday morning (a carpenter friend did mine did the work).  We made the lip a bit wider, otherwise no change. The only problem . . . the shelf was squared up perfectly but the pod is slightly off square. Worked OK though, and will be very helpful, we plan on using it to store sweatshirts, towels, jackets, rain gear, extra TP and paper towels, etc. Light stuff!
Thanks again for the idea and plans.]]> Sun, 17 Jul 2011 19:51:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17785#17785 podmod: Rear Shelf : So far so good, I have the wall... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17167#17167 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1829
Posted: 30 Jun 2011 at 10:17pm

So far so good, I have the wall anchors in place and moved the pocket thingy down a few inches.  The hardest part, as always, was putting that first hole in the wall.  My shelf is going to be roughly 2/3 the width of the bathroom wall, mostly because I already have a scrap piece of plywood that is cut to that width with straight edges and a decent finish.  I thought about going all the way but I'm worried about bumping my head when I sit up if I do.  I'm going to rip strips of plywood to mount to the wall anchors, I used 1" anchors and kept the original screws which leaves me with about 1/2" of throw when they are all the way out.  Using 1/4" plywood and possibly countersinking a little I should be fine.  I'll probably use finishing nails to secure the shelf floor to the anchored strips.

I ran out of time because I also had to mow the lawn tonight, I'm not sure I'll have time until Saturday to finish it.  But, thanks to Outbound for the kick in the butt to finally get this done.  I've only wanted this since I bought my 'pod almost 2 years ago.

]]> Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:17:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17167#17167 podmod: Rear Shelf : Originally posted by techntrekOutbound,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17103#17103 Author: Outbound
Subject: 1829
Posted: 28 Jun 2011 at 8:57pm

Originally posted by techntrek

Outbound, looking back would you have done anything different?  I think I'm going to tackle this this weekend.

To tell the truth... no, I wouldn't change the design at all.  I think that the minimalistic look works the best and helps to prevent a closed-in/cluttered feeling.  I'm very happy with the results.  I'm also very happy with my stain selection on the select pine that I used.

Just make sure that you:
a) Use a double-wide piece of wood on the end of the frame against the curve of the roof.  It has to be ripped at an angle to accommodate the curve of the roof.  I didn't take this into account when I built and ripped mine, so I ended up having to glue a second piece against it on the inside of the frame to add strength.
b) Fasten the moulding on the front and the top and bottom finished plywood with screws (along with using screws in the molly bolts) instead of using glue... Just in case you have to remove the shelf.

Good luck with your shelf!


]]> Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:57:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17103#17103 podmod: Rear Shelf : Outbound, looking back would you... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17100#17100 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1829
Posted: 28 Jun 2011 at 8:35pm

Outbound, looking back would you have done anything different?  I think I'm going to tackle this this weekend.]]> Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:35:19 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=17100#17100 podmod: Rear Shelf : Thanks, information appreciated.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16082#16082 Author: DocTom
Subject: 1829
Posted: 27 May 2011 at 9:39pm

Thanks, information appreciated. I will probably try this before the summer is out! Great place for sweatshirts,towels, Tee's, etc.]]> Fri, 27 May 2011 21:39:41 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16082#16082 podmod: Rear Shelf : Originally posted by DocTomWhat... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16079#16079 Author: Outbound
Subject: 1829
Posted: 27 May 2011 at 5:44pm

Originally posted by DocTom

What length bolts did you use, & how thick are the walls?

I used 3/4" molly bolts.  But, I used longer screws I had bought separately in order to accommodate the width of the shelf's wood frame.  The longer screws were 1 1/4". 

The curbside (straight) wall is about 7/8" thick and was the one I was most concerned with.  Even though the molly bolts say 3/4" on the package, the included screw is a bit longer: right around 7/8" and in the danger zone for doing damage to the exterior skin of the trailer.  Before beginning, I used a pair of wire cutters to snip the end of the included screw to a hair's width beyond the end of the molly bolt.  I carefully drilled the holes in the wall (just breaking through the inner paneling) and inserted the molly bolt.  I then tightened the screw to seat the bolt.  Finally, I removed the screw, leaving a seated molly bolt ready to receive the shelf and longer screws.

The inner bathroom wall was about 1 1/4" thick as was the curved wall/roof.
]]> Fri, 27 May 2011 17:44:11 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16079#16079 podmod: Rear Shelf : What length bolts did you use,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16078#16078 Author: DocTom
Subject: 1829
Posted: 27 May 2011 at 4:11pm

What length bolts did you use, & how thick are the walls?  Very professional looking! 

]]> Fri, 27 May 2011 16:11:54 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16078#16078 podmod: Rear Shelf : Oooohhhh! I like! Tom, sweetie... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16056#16056 Author: Snowbound
Subject: 1829
Posted: 27 May 2011 at 10:39am

Oooohhhh! I like! Tom, sweetie ......

B
]]> Fri, 27 May 2011 10:39:04 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16056#16056 podmod: Rear Shelf : Very good job! It would also be... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16049#16049 Author: TerryM
Subject: 1829
Posted: 27 May 2011 at 4:27am

Very good job!Smile  It would also be a good place to put blankets and pillows.

Terry
]]> Fri, 27 May 2011 04:27:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16049#16049 podmod: Rear Shelf : Sweet, nice looking job. Look... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16047#16047 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1829
Posted: 26 May 2011 at 8:53pm

Sweet, nice looking job.  Look for "cargo netting" in auto supply stores.  

That is exactly where I want to install one.  I also want to put a shelf on the corner in that space above and forward of the sink.  Not sure if I want to put one on the other rear corner.  

]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 20:53:56 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16047#16047 podmod: Rear Shelf : It looks great and with support... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16041#16041 Author: Guests
Subject: 1829
Posted: 26 May 2011 at 6:58pm

It looks great and with support on 3 walls it should be plenty sturdy too!  Smile]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 18:58:40 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16041#16041 podmod: Rear Shelf : Originally posted by HuronSailorNice... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16039#16039 Author: Outbound
Subject: 1829
Posted: 26 May 2011 at 6:02pm

Originally posted by HuronSailor

Nice job. Did you use a regular stud finder to locate the wall and ceiling studs?

Thanks!

I just used the knock-on-the-wall-with-my-knuckle technique, along with the look-for-filler-the-factory-used-over-the-staples technique to locate the studs.  There wasn't a single stud that I could use.  So, I used 9 molly bolts to hold it in place.
]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 18:02:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16039#16039 podmod: Rear Shelf : Nice job. Did you use a regular... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16037#16037 Author: HuronSailor
Subject: 1829
Posted: 26 May 2011 at 5:46pm

Nice job. Did you use a regular stud finder to locate the wall and ceiling studs?]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 17:46:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16037#16037 podmod: Rear Shelf : I had gotten very tired of... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16036#16036 Author: Outbound
Subject: 1829
Posted: 26 May 2011 at 5:39pm

I had gotten very tired of fishing out my duffel bag of clothes from under the bed on our 2009 RP-171, so I decided to build a shelf over the curbside window of our bed.  I wanted it to be:
  • sturdy: I chose a place where the shelf is supported by three walls (the bathroom wall, the curbside wall and the rear curved wall;
  • open: I didn't want to make the R-POD feel any more closed in/cramped than it already is;
  • integrated and professional: I wanted it to look like it was installed at the factory.
I sketched a shelf of simple design which mimicked the existing open shelves of our R-POD (the one over the microwave and the other over the sink).  To start, I pencilled the walls where I wanted the shelf.  I then traced the back onto a piece of paper in order to capture the curve of the wall.  The shelf is 16" deep and runs just over the valence on the curb side window.  I ripped-down some pine I had in my garage and built a frame:

 
Note: the shelf is level on the wall - my photos, however, are slightly skewed

The angled piece which meets up with the curved wall was interesting... I had to create a little jig for my table saw in order to get the angle right.  Using molly bolts, I fastened the frame to the walls.

After that, it was a simple matter of ripping down some 3/16" leftover plywood I had in my garage from another project for a top and bottom.  I angled the right side of the plywood on the table saw to (roughly) match the curve of the wall.  The trim for the front was made from a piece of select pine - I copied the curve on the left from my traced template and I used a roundover bit on the bottom.


Then it was a coat of sealer, a couple coats of stain (light walnut) followed by a couple coats of satin varnish.  After a light sanding of the varnish, it was done.  I screwed everything in place.


I still haven't found what I want for a netting or plastic hooks matching the rest of the trailer.  I knotted the temporary netting you see in the picture using light-weight bungee cord and held it in place with some 3M Command Hooks.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the results!
]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 17:39:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1829&PID=16036#16036