Finally had a chance to get out to mum and dads a few weekends ago and do the final tidy up on the draws. They got another lick of paint to freshen them up and then alloy trimming to tidy all the edges. Choose to go this way as I wanted them to look good and really didn’t trust myself to do job I would be happy with in carpet. I am very happy with how they have turned out. Once I was back home the draws were out again so I could do the canopy lighting. I was rushed with my first attempt and really not happy with how they were wired as it was just messy and not overly useful, some of the led strips were not working and all in all it was a disappointing outcome. I had a plan to replace all the split conduit hiding the wires with alloy box section so bought some 12mmx12mm alloy box section, ripped out the existing lights, cut the box section to size and glued it is place. The lights were then all wired up, sadly in a hurry again, but are working a treat and I am also very happy with the outcome. The Alloy box section hides and protects the wires nicely and ties in really well with the trimming on the draws.
The reason the lights were rushed, again, was a late change of plans which freed up a weekend. Given my wife is 31 weeks pregnant it might be the last time in a while we get to go camping so was too good an opportunity to pass up. Lights were all done after I had put the kids to bed and then the draws returned to the back of the car and all packed up on Saturday morning ready to depart for Elanda Point.
The set up I have is planned to be our weekend set up and road trip set up, so short trips or trips like the cape that are shorter stays in lots of places. The camper trailer will be for the long stay trips. Given that everything would need to fit in the tray I needed everything to have its place. Happy to say that it’s worked out quite well. The draw needs a little more use to find out what fits best where but otherwise it’s pretty good.
The draws consist of 5 main parts, section 1 is always mounted in the tray and houses the water tank, switches, hi lift jack and polls for the rear awning. Section 2 is the fridge box and base. Section 3 is the draw, section 4 a slide out shelf and finally section 5 the tap and side cover. To complement the draw system I have the side Ironman awning 2x2.5m and a rear Tigerz11 awning 1.4x2.5m.
Our stainless steel camp kitchen
The Draws - all sections
Section 1 – Water tank, switches and Hi Lift Jack housing
Section 2 and 4 – Draw and Pull out Stainless Steel Shelf
The shelf is held in place with velco on the tailgate and adjustable poles end and is surprisingly stable.
Section 5 – Water tap with stainless steel splash back and cover (3 burner stove, hotplate and bbq utensil housing)
Section 1 detail – seat storage (4 seats)
As you can see from the pics most things have their place. The chairs, stove, fridge, tent (on top of fridge box), poles (on top of section 5) all have a home. The area next to the draw has been left free as either 2 jerry cans or our table and ground sheet fit nicely in that space.
Lights:
5 switches, all run a different circuit of LED light strips.
Switch 1: interior light
Switch 2: Side doors
Switch 3: Rear door
All the above a cool white LED light strips
Switch 4: Side Awning
Switch 5: Rear awning
Both awnings are warm white LED light strips (reduce the bugs
)
As far as the set up goes I was really happy with how it performed. As this was the first trip out there are a few little bugs to iron out but that will happen over coming trips. Elanda point is also a great place to stay, heaps of rooms and relatively quiet on the weekends. Being Queensland the winter nights were cool but come day time it was warm enough for the kids to play in the lake. I dare say it will be one of our first camps away once the baby has joined the family as it’s a relaxing spot with all the facilities required to keep the missus happy.
Camp Ground
Lake
Love a QLD Winter