A Convenient Simple Outside Folding Shelf / TableAt one of the caravan shows we noticed some caravans were fitted with a Normadic Solutions Lifestyletable , permanently attached to the side of the caravan. These are hinged along the bottom edge and, when opened, provide a convenient shelf which will be as level (in both directions) as the caravan. The back of the shelf (when open) keeps any splatter from the cooking from spraying over the caravan wall. Normadic Solutions have a website www.normadicsolutions.com.au from where the different sizes can be purchased. Currently (Dec 2009), there appears to be four sizes available, ranging from 650 mm wide by 450 mm deep up to 1,000 mm wide by 450 mm deep. Sale prices (Dec 2009) were between AUS$275 and AUS$340 each. Unfortunately, there isn't a size suitable for mounting on our Sportliner in the area where we would be doing the cooking. The other disadvantage in our case is that, being permanently attached to the caravan wall, it covers over any decal on that part of the wall. Consequently when travelling there is a "plain white rectangle" over that part of the wall, which we feel detracts somewhat from the otherwise neat appearance of the A'van. As we particularly liked the idea, as detailed below, we made up a shelf which retained the advantages of the, Lifestyletable , but of a size to suit our A'van, yet be easily removed for when not needed or while travelling. Opened shelf on the nearside rear wall of Sportliner For our Sportliner, the shelf and back are each made up from 7 mm thick (outside grade) plywood, 560 mm wide by 330 mm deep. To each is bonded a similar sized piece of white laminate to give a hard wearing and easily cleaned working surface. Opened shelf, before hanging off the Sportliner wall The shelf and back are hinged together at the rear with a suitable sized piano hinge. The edges of the shelf (left hand, right hand and front), and of the back (left hand, right hand and top) are protected with aluminium angle extrusion 20mm x 12 mm by 1.5 mm thick, mitred at the corners as shown below, secured to the plywood with countersunk wood screws. The extrusion helps to keep the shelf and the back flat. Folding shelf supports (obtainable from most hardware shops) fixed to each side are positioned to hold the shelf at right angles to the back when folded open. Four, 10 mm diameter, "rare earth" magnets (obtainable from Jaycar Electronics), flush mounted as shown in the photograph below, hold the table closed when it is folded up. Opened table showing flush mounted magnetic catches Shelf support track on Sportliner rear wall A 560 mm length of aluminium "sailtrack" (often also referred to as Caragroove) is screwed to the aluminium extrusion near the rear of the A'van. A similar length of sailtrack, but with the open portion (intended to take a rope) squeezed up so that it slides into the groove of the sailtrack fitted to the A'van wall, is fixed along the top edge of the shelf rear portion. Folded up shelf on Sportliner wall The shelf assembly slides into, and hangs securely from, the length of sailtrack fixed to the A'van wall extrusion. Back of shelf The rear of the shelf assembly has a couple of rubber feet fitted where shown, which protect the A'van wall paint from any scuffing when the shelf is being fitted or removed. The exposed parts of the plywood have been given a couple of coats of clear lacquer for weather protection followed by a couple of coats of gloss enamel, colour matched to A'van wall colour. Cooking underway
When not needed, the shelf assembly is either
folded up against the A'van wall as shown above, or in its calico bag in the rear locker.
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