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Topic: Securing stuff in the cabover space (Read 553 times) previous topic - next topic
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Securing stuff in the cabover space
I'm using the cabover space for storing stuff in large plastic bins.

Are there smart ways to secure these bins so that they don't fall onto my head while driving?

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #1 –

Eye screws and bungees?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-10-Zinc-Plated-Steel-Screw-Eye-50-Pack-803212/204273861

If the bunk's flip-up, pass-thru is in the down position, anything falling off will be in back of the driver's seat.
We carry stuff up in the bunk all the time and have not suffered from falling items, as long as they are push forward.
Heavy items sink into the mattress and our bedding and stay put. YMMV

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #2 –

Heavy "mesh" shelf liner placed under the plastic storage boxes keeps them in place; I cut pieces a little larger than the bottom of the box, and just lay the container on top of the mesh. (I don't glue or tape the mesh to the container.) The thick mesh works much better than the thin stuff!

This is a similar product to what I've used:

Amazon.com - Grip Liner Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner, Anti-Slip Mat Drawer Liner...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #3 –
This isn't my image, I found it on the forum and it belongs to Paul and Kathleen.  But I'll admit to copying a good idea, and had a friend make me something similar.  It keeps the plastic storage bins in the cab and can be removed easily if I need to use the cab for other things.

Hi, I'm Jo!
My little red wagon is a 1997 23.5 TK
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #4 –
As items are already in bins, I suggest looking at expandable shower curtain rods. A 72-inch (standard) rod might be too short- but you could modify as needed.

We used collapsible crates in the overhead, after I removed the mattress. They stayed put without bungie cords, shower rods, etc.. The only time I got clunked was with a shoe that I didn't put in the crate very well. I was driving at the time, and daydreaming... it woke me up!

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #5 –
I went a different way.  I used some aluminum angle iron to make a pair of arms, an attachment to the underside of the part of the bunk that raises up, and to make pockets that protect the aft edging.  If I want to use the area as a bed, I raise the folding portion up to vertical, I tuck the braces against the underside, and lower the folding portion to flat.  When traveling, I raise the folding portion up, pull the two arms out and tuck their ends into the aluminum pockets I made.  It is rock solid, and nothing falls down anymore.  It takes up no space because it folds into the bed.

Ken F in OR
'08 MB
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #6 –
Great ideas. Thanks. I like especially the idea of the u-form board with hinges. I also thought about tilting the bed like shown in Ken's post but I guess I will not like the looks.

For my next trip I will try to drive with the cabover bed down. Strangely enough it did not occur to me before to do that. However, I recently had an (empty) bin that I had put up there at the driver side coming down on me while driving. Nothing  bad happened but it made clear to me that I have to make sure that this does not happen again. Having the bed down needs nothing but a little crouching when getting in and out of the driver seat.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
. Having the bed down needs nothing but a little crouching when getting in and out of the driver seat.

Just be careful the first few times you enter or exit the driver's seat, it is real easy to wack your head on the lowered bunk BTDT.
We leave it down all the time, since the bunk is our permanent bed.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #8 –
I always leave the cab over bed folded up.  How else can I pull myself up out of the driver's seat?  ☺ The area above is usually full of blankets, pillows, & rolled up foam bed toppers that don't slide on the carpet covering, although I do make sure they are pushed well forward.
The one thing that has clonked me on the head more than once is a small thermometer i normally keep on the ledge above me where I can easily reach it & read temp while driving. The sensor is on a long wire & I either hang it inside the freezer to monitor the cold  or outside the driver's window to monitor the heat.I
I'd love to buy another one of these but haven't been able to find one.
Susie
2007 MB
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #9 –
We carry all sorts of stuff, (golf clubs, tailgater, scrapbook hobby stuff, etc) with bed in down position and have never had a problem with stuff moving except for the relatively light tailgater that we secure with adjustable rods.  Like Larry said, you have to duck to get to front seats, but not a problem for us.  I tend to pump my head once on each trip and after that I remember to tuck  :-)
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #10 –
I seem to recall the older LD’s did not have the ability to fold the bed back. Is my recollection correct?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #11 –
We travel with the 'bed' down also.   We keep all sort of stuff from sleeping gear, chairs, camera gear, heaters, just about everything at one time or another have been up there.  I'm sure I've hit my head getting up it's just that  I don't remember. 

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #12 –
We have had the same problem with items falling on me when I drive.  Nothing ever falls on the admiral. Due to my height, leaving the bed in the down position is impractical.  We try to wedge things in to avoid an avalanche, but the boards with the hinges will be my next project.

Thanks Squeakytiki!
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #13 –
Similar to what Ken Fears has done, I recall seeing an LD with hinges at the ceiling and at the edge of the mattress (owner installed).  He would put "stuff" on the more inboard of the mattress half and then fold it up to meet the hinges and thus, a barrier was formed.  I'm thinking there had to be some gizmo that allowed for the space between the two points which helped them meet. 

At any rate, it seemed like a good idea and I recall it from about 12 years ago.  Saw it at one of the first LD Caravan Club gatherings we ever attended.

TinaP
2006 MB "Wild Thing"
2006 MB
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #14 –
Greg, our 89 TK has the removable extra part for the cab over area.  We have it in place all the time (made into the bed) but if we remember right it doesn't fold over - it just lifts up and then gets put back in above the cab on top of the remaining part (further back).

We use tubs (more recently) and use a bungee.  We have a cargo net we bought but didn't install yet.
Because our bed is down all the time while we have had some things fall they don't hit the driver/passenger.

Jane and Scott
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #15 –
Why half measures?

Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #17 –
"This isn't my image, I found it on the forum and it belongs to Paul and Kathleen."

Paul and Kathleen Smith?  Haven't seen a post from them in many years.  Still active in RV'ing?  They spent a lot of time in Mexico, and had a daughter that lived there, I'm pretty sure.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie
2015 Leisure Travel Unity (Sally Forth) - 2024 -
2009 Pleasure-Way Excel TS (Joyce) - 2019 - 2024
2018 Sportsmobile - (Hopper) 2023 - 2024
2005 RB (Dorrie Anne) - 2009-2022, 1985 TK (Gertie) - 1991-2001
1999 Mountain Aire (Francine) - 2001 - 2009
Re: Securing stuff in the cabover space
Reply #18 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Nice!
Looks like a lot of work.

Larry
You would be the man that knows Larry. I really thought one other person would do it. Guessed wrong on that We love it

PS Judie no picture, wrong thread
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy