Getting ready... Modification to the Nova

Despite there being a wedding to attend to in the next week, it's also high time we started getting things ready for the next trip.

High on the list of refinements required was some practical and functional clothing storage for Judy's kit. The Nova we have has a 'wardrobe' either side of the double bed, hanging space above a cupboard with single drawer for your bedtime accessories. We have minimal need for hanging space, certainly not the 700mm worth we had. On our last trip we utilised a 'hanging wardrobe' in Judy's space, which proved to be almost adequate space-wise, but hopeless in the practicality stakes. The problem with a hanging design is that it sways back and forth, spilling the contents into a heap in the bottom of the cupboard. So, we elected to abandon her cupboard as hanging space, mine alone will suffice for my 1 pair of trousers and her slacks and dresses (you have to dress up once at least!).

The design criteria are interesting though: functional, light, space efficient, minimal structural change to existing, very little 'solid' construction to affix shelves to etc.

What I have is a skeleton frame of 1cm square timber: two uprights at the back and 4 shelf rails down each side. The two uprights are made up of a single long piece with 5 shorter pieces glues to it, leaving gaps for the side rails. These uprights are screwed to the van wall and the inside cupboard wall using screws that have just enough (5mm) penetration so as not to damage anything inside the walls, or stick out the other side! The side rails were then simple slipped into their notches in the uprights and secured with a single screw each at the front. A backing board of 4mm paper/cardboard was then inserted and pushed hard up against the rear uprights. The shelves, made of 6mm marine ply were cut to exact size and placed into position on the rails. Everything holds everything else in place. Job done, and pretty good it is too. Total cost? about $40.

Result: heaps of space for clothes, minimal weight increase and the whole thing can be taken out with only a few tiny screw holes left behind. Neat, eh?