attaching stuff to interior

butterfly · Feb 2, 2011

OK Mouldy my man, if new topic = new thread, I ought to be back on your good side.  Major Question: exactly how do you fasten a track for reflectix to the interior of a van?  I did see a hint about cutting to size and snugging it right next to  the window.  I'm working with a Chevy Express with plastic molded interior.  What do you use to hang curtins and how do you attach those?  I can maybe figure our a pressure rod for putting a curtin behind the captain seats if they make one long enough.  Side curtins have me stumped.  Also exactly how do you put up a little cabinet so it's strong and won't come loose? We plan to recline the front seats for sleeping so there won't be a frame and bed for scooting things under...I plan to place non-skid shelf linner under the cooler ect Any other hints about how y'all keep things from shifting in transit? This is going to be a slow conversion.  Once we deal w/ the privacy issue, we'll just toss in what's necess. for creature comforts and refine the living space as $$ and needs dictate.  Thanks for the advice.

KatieinKansas · Feb 2, 2011

"This is going to be a slow conversion.  Once we deal w/ the privacy issue, we'll just toss in what's necess. for creature comforts and refine the living space as $$ and needs dictate.  Thanks for the advice." <div> </div><div>I know what you mean, Butterfly, about a slow conversion as $$ allow.  For now, I'll just take mine on small trips.  Spring break is next month, and I'll be at the nearby state park as it is.   Sounds like you're enjoying your beginnings too.</div><div>Katie</div>

rcm89 · Feb 2, 2011

Sportsmobile uses wall-mount tracks like these http://www.curtain-tracks.com/appli...ecmar-3296-8-aluminum-curtain-track-8-ft.html and then there are all kinds of 'hooks' for it http://www.curtain-tracks.com/appli...um-curtain-track-8-ft.html#compatibleProducts They have held up very well.

Mouldy · Feb 2, 2011

I don't have a bad side <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> . I'm just happy to be here. Maybe i'm greedy for other people and want them to have their own topic. Maybe I'm OCD, and trying to keep things neat... I would say something constructive but it's too late, bed time. Hope the money flows in for ya!

butterfly · Feb 3, 2011

Thanks, Ron for the web info! Took a peek at Sportsmobile pics Wow De Do! Wishing you good weather for spring break, Katie. Mouldy, I appreciate the nudge that made me figure out how to start a thread.  I can be so literal minded, (often need a picture<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif">) also obsessive and something of a germ-a-phobe. Safe travels to all. Judy

Tara · Feb 3, 2011

With reflectix use the reflectix brand tape. For curtains you can mount brackets under lights and seatbelt mounts and run 1x1's. I'll try to upload pics soon.

butterfly · Feb 3, 2011

Tara, thanks for your advice...this is a whole different world w/ new vocabulary to learn as well as skills...pics would be awesome!    I kept misplacing scribbled notes so have made a file folder for all info.  Everyones imput is important to me. I find ALL aspects of vandwelling facinating.   Solar cooking is exciting reading as is hooking up to battery power altho that also makes my eyes cross trying to understand it w/o any background knowledge. I figure if I read it through enough times,  one day it'll  click.  <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif">     I've always felt an urge to "run away" but until I found this site, I didn't know there really WAS someplace to run to.   I feel like a puppy w/ 2 tails to wag. Hope I'm not being too long winded and off topic.

Suanne · Feb 3, 2011

Hi Butterfly, I was pleased to find that the hook side of Velcro sticks to my headliner.  So, for curtains, I just sewed a strip of Velcro to the top of pieces of black fleece material, that I cut to be a little bigger than each window I wanted to cover.When I'm ready to get ready for bed, I hang the curtains.  When I drive, they are stored in a stuff sack. Check it out, maybe Velcro will stick to your headliner as well. Suanne <A href="http://SuanneOnline.blogspot.com" target=_blank target=_blank>http://SuanneOnline.blogspot.com</A>

twokniveskatie · Feb 3, 2011

butterfly, you are so sweet! i am so glad you are here! you have no idea how well you fit in, and how you belong here  <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"><div> </div><div>suanne, i have never even thought of that. gonna fool around witht the velcro tomorrow.</div>

akrvbob · Feb 4, 2011

Katie, explain how you use magnets to attach reflectix to your window. I think it is ingenous! I think I rememember it all, but maybe not. One of the stories on the site used channels to slide in reflectix, but I wrote that over 4 years  ago and don't remember how he attached the channels. My guess is he used L brackets and sheet metal screws. No worries about this thread being off-topic and rambling. This is a great thread!! Very helpful and fun, a great combo! Bob

twokniveskatie · Feb 4, 2011

bob, i have some recent photos of reflectix attachments....i'll dig them up!<div> </div><div>here's some pics for now</div>

blars · Feb 4, 2011

Hmmm, magnets may work for me in some cases - the frame of my Rexhall is steel.

butterfly · Feb 4, 2011

Momentarily misty-eyed from the kind words from Katie n Bob.  Felt like a warm hug.<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"> OK your pics show super magnets being duct taped to curtains which then attach to a screwed in washer...do I have that right?  Seems simple and effective.    Suanne,I'd thought about velcro but wondered if it'd hold the weight...Great to know that works!<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif">     Gonna hit the local fabric outlet store today. see what they have in an elegant black fleece. <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif">

Les H · Feb 4, 2011

Just a thought for those hanging lightweight stuff, ie. curtains and such. Older vehicles used to have screws that held the window trim in place. You can back these screws out a few turns and loop a stiff wire around the screw head and then retighten it. Newer vehicles tend to have snap in place trim. If you gently pry at a seam, you should be able to un snap it without damaging the snap. If it is very cold, forget it. Plastic gets very brittle in the cold, or if it is very old. Once you have it off, you can put short self tapping screws into the sheetmetal without having them show when the trim is reinstalled. Clothing hooks, grab bars, seat belt anchors and the like can all be used to fasten stuff down without wrecking the interior if you are concerned with resale value. Most vans and minivans have removable seats with lock down lugs already built in. My ex- prison bus ( photo on the left) had holes all through the floor, leftovers from the large shackle rings that used to be bolted through the floor. I had to put bolts IN just to fill the holes!
Plenty of places to mount stuff!
Les

Guest · Feb 5, 2011

My van conversion used snaps for the curtains with "screw-snaps" installed in the right places. I have always owned older rigs so do not mind drilling holes anywhere in it but if you didn't want to drill holes or screw in snaps in the trim, maybe you could use existing screw holes by removing screws holding the trim and installing screw-snaps? Just as Les has outlined.... <http://www.seattlefabrics.com/snap_fastners.html> Bri

Guest · Feb 5, 2011

My van conversion used snaps for the curtains with "screw-snaps" installed in the right places. I have always owned older rigs so do not mind drilling holes anywhere in it but if you didn't want to drill holes or screw in snaps in the trim, maybe you could use existing screw holes by removing screws holding the trim and installing screw-snaps? Just as Les has outlined.... <http://www.seattlefabrics.com/snap_fastners.html> Bri

butterfly · Feb 5, 2011

Great ideas  Bri and Les...ours does have the lock down lugs where the seats anchor...I can see good possibilities for those.  Do those clothing hooks actually hold much weight if you use them for hanging clothes?  I see that there are only so many hangers would fit but those look like you'd need to treat them gently.  Definatly hold curtain fabric. yeah, for the moment anyway Bill isn't wanting to drill holes. I'm so smitten w/ this van that I think it will be ours till the end of time.  Need to think of a cool name for it. It's silver.  Maybe Hi-Ho (envision riding into the sunset)  anyone else familiar w/ the Lone Ranger?  <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">

Tara · Feb 6, 2011

Here's some pictures of how I did things.  In the second picture, that's a thin piece of wood (a 2x 1/4?) with velcro stuck to it.

VanFan · Feb 6, 2011

Since we moved alot when I was growing up, it was drilled into my head (pun intended) that you "don't make holes in things!"  Moby's various curtain rods are rigged in different ways. I think Tara gave me the idea a long time ago of using existing fixture mounts where possible.  For curtains behind the front seats, I unscrewed the wood trim on the ceiling that houses mood lights.  On each end, a Velcro strap runs under the trim and over the ends of a cafe curtain rod.  Pulled tight, the straps hold the rod in place.  In the middle of the rod, I screwed a rod bracket in between the trim and ceiling using an existing screw.  It keeps the rod from bowing. I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow of that, as well as my hole-free side and rear door rod installations. I think Katie's magnet idea is pure genius, so you can be sure I'll be looking for ways to put that concept to use!  (I use those super magnets for bug screens on the side doors.  They are great.) Vickie

VanFan · Feb 10, 2011

Here are some pics of the rigged curtain rods in Moby.  (Everything in Moby is rigged, BTW!) The front rod is held by velcro straps running under the wood trim.  (You can ignore the clear stick on hooks, which stick really well when you don't want them to!). The curtains are lined and the extra length hemmed up and sewed into pockets for slippers, etc.  the pockets could be hidden from view by making the lining longer or facing them toward the seat back.

attaching stuff to interior

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