Partition/half wall

[sisterearth]

Hey (sorry if this is in the wrong spot, or if it has been covered, I did search around first) I am thinking the curtain I put between the driving area and the living area is not working with Star dog very well. I was thinking about a half wall with a gate that swings open or maybe slides to the side, about 2' tall. (not meant to keep her in or out, just to separate the areas, and when I want/need to be stealth I can have a temporary curtain up. Any suggestions on how to go about this, and what to use so it is not too heavy? Also forgive my stupid questions, how would I secure it to the van. Conversion style van. Any help or ideas would be cool! Thanks and Peaceful morning to everybelly!

 

[SoulRaven]

Hollow core doors are pretty lightweight. You can get them in both 18" and 24" I believe for closet doors. If cut into 3 pieces, that should provide what you're looking for.

Small L brackets can be used to attach it to the walls and floor.

 

[Wabbit]

Baby gate? Know what I am talking about? Have to find a way to place it, but that should be doable.

 

[sisterearth]

Hey thank you, both good ideas. If I were to screw something in, what do I screw it into? Sorry if it is a dumb question, I am not too handy with tools and such. Right into the metal in the van? Thanks again, Peace!

 

[Wabbit]

I haven't reached the point of using metal screws yet, so no help there. With a baby gate or just small piece of plywood, maybe place it against the back of the seats and use a bungee cord across it to keep it in place. Prob not a permanent solution if you want something that looks a bit more professional, but can prob do it today while work out a better solution? I realize it's a crude solution, but rest assured there are others here who can help answer the question of what to use to secure a more permanent barrier.

 

[Luisafernandes]

There's many posts here with pictures and notes on how to build a partition, mine included if you'd like to look at.

 

[sisterearth]

ok thanks, I figured there were I was not searching correctly. Peace!

 

[Wabbit]

I searched the forum also, but had no luck. Hope you find something. If you want to throw money at the problem, you can buy a new bulk head for your van and install that? Or another crude solution is a net across the opening...lol sorry for silly suggestions. I'm a bit stir crazy today with time on my hands.

 

[Luisafernandes]

2014 Chevy Express 2500 van build: luisafernandes

 

[highdesertranger]

ok right behind the seat are ribs that run from floor to ceiling, you can screw into these. just make sure you know where they are at. also if you have a dome light towards the back of the seats in the middle of the van more than likely the wires go up one of the pillars most likely the drivers side. you can build a wall out of what ever you want, simplest would be plywood, you could get a blank hollow core door I am not a big fan of this because when you cut the door it's hollow and should be furred out, you could build you own wall out of 1x2 lumber and 1/8 paneling. get real plywood paneling if you do it this way, this makes super light weight and fairly strong walls. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

Hey thank you, both good ideas. If I were to screw something in, what do I screw it into? Sorry if it is a dumb question, I am not too handy with tools and such. Right into the metal in the van? Thanks again, Peace!

Yes, you would just screw the suggested L brackets into the floor & walls of the van if you wanted a permanent installation.

Good Luck!

 

[akrvbob]

I think CrynBryan got it right with the KISS principle. A baby gate is cheap and easy. Here is one that goes to 50 inches, but still wouldn't be wide enough but you can just bungy it to the seats no problem. Put the bungies down in the crack and you'll never know they are there.

http://www.amazon.com/Regalo-Easy-Open-Super-White/dp/B001OC5UNK/
Bob

 

[sisterearth]

Hey thanks everyone, Highdesertranger, CrynBryn,and Akrvbob,Off Grid 24/7& everyone else. You guys gave me some good ideas, something temporary and something more permanent when I can get someone to help out. Sorry for the duplicate questions/posts I know that there is so much great information on this site (thank you!) It is operator error on my part not being able to search out the information on here. Thanks everyone again. I appreciate you and what you are doing individually and as a collective. Gives me hope! Peaceful evening.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I was watching one of your videos and you mentioned that your tailpipe was held up by a coat hanger.

That is a VERY temporary expedient.  Coat hanger wire doesn't handle vibration well at all.  There is a high probability it will snap while you are driving, letting the whole shebang drop down into the road.

I'd make getting that fixed a high priority.

Regards
John

 

[sisterearth]

Yes, I am having that taken care of this weekend! I have been driving my car most of this week, just because of that reason, thank you though! I am definitely spending money on tires, the muffler, the running of the van before any major inside improvements! Peaceful day!

 

[Tin Can Express]

Your videos reminded me of a van built by a couple I know. Many years ago when their VW camper van wore out, they salvaged the interior and installed it into a ford cargo van complete with crank out windows ! The Ford was bigger so they built a few extra cabinets to fill in the gaps. That interior is on it's third van now and still looks good. He did get rid of the sink for more floor space as they didn't use it much anyway. I should take a picture next time I see them.

 

[sisterearth]

Wow now that is making the most out of something. I was just thinking yesterday I wish I wouldn't have sold the interior out of a 71 parts vw bus I had, some of it would have been nice to have. I love to see photos of the crank windows!! Peace!

 

[SoulRaven]

That's one of the reasons that I like to keep everything portable, so that it can easily be switched into a new van.

My initial thought, after having wasted a LOT of money on newer vans, was to buy older, junker vans, drive them until they dropped, then simply replace them. To my surprise and great pleasure, they don't drop. They just keep going forever with very minimal maintenance. Turned out that by me trying to go cheap, I stumbled onto the right vintage of vans that just seem to hold up better. No computers or fancy electronics to break down and leave you stranded.

So not only did I save a fortune on purchase price, I've saved a fortune from lack of depreciation, and even more from lack of major mechanical/electrical problems. I could probably sell this rig today for 3-4 times the money I have into it.