Elmer the L400: Obsessed? just keen to get the big jobs done ... honest

I have been accused of getting a little obsessed about my projects, and I suppose I have a track record. I once built a kit car from scrap donor to passing the MOT in just over 2 weeks which surprised even me. This is different, I'm spending far more time sat with a cuppa thinking and sketching than actual building but then I like to get teh job done.

So, Saturday, its meant to be a day of rest which I interpret as getting the rest done!

I reckon I had the base construction done and dusty even though the sliding bed was not really working so it was time to take it all apart, lift the floor boards up to smooth, sand and varnish the underneath. I'd used hardwood ply which is exterior rated but a wee coat of varnish would protect against spills and moisture.

I was surprised at how quickly it came out and I even remembered to mark up the position of at the panels. Essentially there's one large box and a second long panel but its all the bits on top that takes the time. I didn't bother taking photos - too boring - but while it was drying I headed off to B&Q (again!) to fetch a contour gauge, more screws, and gather ideas for hinges, fixings etc.

Back at it later in the day (had a few odd jobs to do at may parents') and I tested out a brainwave; table storage. One of the biggest challenges in a small home/caravan/camper is making as many of the big bit multifunction and able to be stowed both securely yet easily laid hands on without getting in the way. It's also critical to be able to access all the storage boxes/areas. It's my current obsession and something that is seldom covered in camper conversion blogs.

First 2 successes; table, and bed box

Table: When I bought the conversion pod from eBay (a very well made homemade one for a VW caddy) it came with 3 boxes which became a bed and a demountable table with fits to one of the boxes it looked like this

I've used one of the 3 boxes as the rear drawer but the one with the 'foot' is in the same place, as a front drawer and table mount.

what I noticed was that as the drawer runners are 17.5mm wide, there's a gap that the 12mm thick table could slot into. I made a right angle piece to hold the table level and stop it from sliding forwards when I brake and it acts as a divider for the storage dookets over the n/s wheelarch.

the rear of the table rests on the insulation on the wheelarch

Bed box: a 1500mm box with only one open end would be a complete pain and only slightly better with 2 open ends. Even with a slatted top (slats for a comfy sprung bed base) access would hard so I've made a 'drop in' slatted frame so when I can lift the whole bed top up to access the box from inside the car.