Help me with this idea.....

[PurpleHeartLC]

Ok....so here's the scoop: I've got 5 kiddos and absolutely NO storage room because I need to use all 3 rows of seats. Aside from my rack, I've got NO room for anything. Can't even install my Power Tank in the back. One of these days ill be in the market for an expedition trailer, but not as of right now. But even if I did have one, I'd still want a drawer system.

So here's my idea....my kiddos that ride in the third row are still short enough that I can't see them in my rear view so is it possible to build a drawer system underneath them. Could I build into a draw system the spots where the jump seats lock into when they're fully deployed? I know it'd give me like stadium setting back there, but honestly, I think that would be pretty neat.

Any suggestions?

 

[FlammableFishie]

Sounds pretty clever, but I don't know how the safety would hold up with mounting those seats on top of a drawer system. You've also got to think about how that would sacrifice your rear view mirror field of view. ALSO depending on how high you put the seats the drawers might be too shallow to be useful. PLUS your kids are going to grow up at some point and then you'll have to pull the fabricated drawer system or pull the third row.

All this being said, it sounds like it could be a pretty cool project, but I don't know how well it would work out logistically... But I wish you the best of luck

 

[Skidoo]

The safety of your kids will require some engineering of drawer and mounting to trust that seats will not shear off and go flying.
If you are comfortable dealing with the math and forces mentioned on this site:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/carcr2.html
Then the design should not be a problem.

 

[PurpleHeartLC]

Sounds pretty clever, but I don't know how the safety would hold up with mounting those seats on top of a drawer system. You've also got to think about how that would sacrifice your rear view mirror field of view. ALSO depending on how high you put the seats the drawers might be too shallow to be useful. PLUS your kids are going to grow up at some point and then you'll have to pull the fabricated drawer system or pull the third row.

All this being said, it sounds like it could be a pretty cool project, but I don't know how well it would work out logistically... But I wish you the best of luck

Thanks for the reply! I had an FJC before this with the MPAC dog barrier, o I'm used to no use of the rear view really. On top of that, my spare on the rear tire carrier and ladder don't do great things for me either. Right now neither one of them are tall enough to even touch the headrest. I'm going to take some measurements tomorrow to see just how deep of a drawer I may be able to get away with.

 

[re_guderian]

What kind of "space" do you need? Grocery run space? Picnic space? 3-day weekend space? A drawer under the seat really isn't going to buy you much, certainly not enough to be worth sacrificing family safety. Rocketbox type roof accessory for short, day outings, trailer for longer... I just went from 2 kids to 4. I feel your pain. They are 13-17. Throw in a dog, and I gotta take the trailer for a picnic at the lake...

 

[PurpleHeartLC]

What kind of "space" do you need? Grocery run space? Picnic space? 3-day weekend space? A drawer under the seat really isn't going to buy you much, certainly not enough to be worth sacrificing family safety. Rocketbox type roof accessory for short, day outings, trailer for longer... I just went from 2 kids to 4. I feel your pain. They are 13-17. Throw in a dog, and I gotta take the trailer for a picnic at the lake...

I'd want to have all of our valuables inside the truck IE - electronics, tools, gun, recovery equipment, inverter, wife's purse, etc. My RTT takes up most of the rack and I use the remaining for Rotopax with water and fuel.

 

[TrekboxX]

I think you could, but I surely wouldn't. The small amount of space you'd gain wouldn't be worth all the engineering and $$$ you'd need to do it right, and you'd still be sacrificing safety IMO. You want the little ones to be as far away from the roof, especially the roof edge, as possible in a rollover. Plus, it's a great reason to buy/build a sweet trailer!

Another idea- perhaps while they are really little you could mount a box under their feet into the floor... But not a long term solution.

 

[re_guderian]

With 5 kids I don't see any practical way around a trailer. By the time you spend on drawers and reengineering the seats, you could just get a M416/101/716, get the rtt in the trailer (it can't sleep all 7 of you anyway), and get heavy water/fuel off the roof into a more practical and safe location, leaving a roof rack/bag/box for light, bulky items. I can't imagine a rotopax of water being enough for seven if you're going somewhere that also requires a rotopax of fuel. You could put a gun in the center console, but I wouldn't with 5 kids in the car. Not to rain on your parade, but I'd go back to the drawing board of wants v needs...

What I mean by that is: how many times a year do you really NEED a power tank, extra fuel, a rtt, AND recovery gear, plus a wife and five kids? If it's more than 3, you're my hero. I'm into my M716 and crappy MDO box about a grand. It sits in my side yard ~350+ days a year, while my wife and I drive a lighter, unmolested Cruiser around for 18000 miles a year. Then, when I NEED it, I just hook up the trailer, fill it with crap, and go. Anywhere...

 

[re_guderian]

Trailer pic

 

[Actualeyes]

There's no way you could legally change the third row like that in Australia - we have Australian Design Rules which in some states even require that you have the third row of seats in when you do you annual inspection! Putting them on a retrofitted structure like that would need an A380 load of engineers with their reports

 

[bonze]

I think conventional wisdom has spoken. I would scour the classifieds like craigslist and find a cheap trailer, rebuild/mod it how you like. A friend of my did this for less than $500 bucks, surely cheaper than any drawer system. Good luck PurpleHeartLC.

 

[PurpleHeartLC]

Thanks guys for the wisdom! After giving it second thought, maybe I could do a slim line lockable toolbox on top. How about that?

Now for my second question.....anyone know of anyone who's ever installed a fridge perpendicularly to the rear hatch? Since I've got that incredible storage space, I need to have a fridge back there. It's killing me not having one!

 

[PurpleHeartLC]

Oh and another thing: where would everyone recommend me installing a 2000+ watt inverter? I was thinking of that rear corner storage area (passenger side rear) but I'm sure everyone can help me think if a better spot.

Any suggestions for inverters would be great too!

Thanks in advance!

 

[CappyKD]

With 5 kids I don't see any practical way around a trailer. By the time you spend on drawers and reengineering the seats, you could just get a M416/101/716, get the rtt in the trailer (it can't sleep all 7 of you anyway), and get heavy water/fuel off the roof into a more practical and safe location, leaving a roof rack/bag/box for light, bulky items. I can't imagine a rotopax of water being enough for seven if you're going somewhere that also requires a rotopax of fuel. You could put a gun in the center console, but I wouldn't with 5 kids in the car. Not to rain on your parade, but I'd go back to the drawing board of wants v needs...

What I mean by that is: how many times a year do you really NEED a power tank, extra fuel, a rtt, AND recovery gear, plus a wife and five kids? If it's more than 3, you're my hero. I'm into my M716 and ****py MDO box about a grand. It sits in my side yard ~350+ days a year, while my wife and I drive a lighter, unmolested Cruiser around for 18000 miles a year. Then, when I NEED it, I just hook up the trailer, fill it with ****, and go. Anywhere...

Agreed. A cheap M101 A2/A3 can be had for $600 or less, you'll have all of the storage room you need. I have 4 kids and went the Expo trailer build route. I paid $600 for this trailer.

 

[CappyKD]

Oh and another thing: where would everyone recommend me installing a 2000+ watt inverter? I was thinking of that rear corner storage area (passenger side rear) but I'm sure everyone can help me think if a better spot.

Any suggestions for inverters would be great too!

Thanks in advance!

What are you planning to run off of the inverter? I was going to go with a modified sine wave 2000, but I ended up going with a Pure sine wave 1000/2000 for in vehicle, I will put a MSW 1500/3000 in my expo trailer once it's done.

 

[re_guderian]

Oh and another thing: where would everyone recommend me installing a 2000+ watt inverter?...
Thanks in advance!

in a Sienna... you're welcome!

 

[PurpleHeartLC]

What are you planning to run off of the inverter? I was going to go with a modified sine wave 2000, but I ended up going with a Pure sine wave 1000/2000 for in vehicle, I will put a MSW 1500/3000 in my expo trailer once it's done.

I always just think an inverter is good to have. Good to charge up electronics, blenders, those air mattress pumps, etc.

 

[codertimt]

Thanks guys for the wisdom! After giving it second thought, maybe I could do a slim line lockable toolbox on top. How about that?

Now for my second question.....anyone know of anyone who's ever installed a fridge perpendicularly to the rear hatch? Since I've got that incredible storage space, I need to have a fridge back there. It's killing me not having one!

I'm interested in this question also, as I'm hoping to do the same. I've been looking at the inexpensive ones from http://truckfridge.com. They appear to be rebranded Waeco units. Besides the price, that's the only brand with a footprint that seems like it has a chance of fitting at 13.75" of width.

My measurements show that the TF41 should fit if their dimensions are correct, but the TF51 will be too tall as there is no longer 13.75" between the seat back and rear glass at that height from the floor...

http://truckfridge.com/tf41.html
http://truckfridge.com/tf51.html

Not sure how useful the smaller unit would be for your entire fam...but for that hole behind the 3rd row...I'm thinking that's you're only chance...

 

[CappyKD]

I always just think an inverter is good to have. Good to charge up electronics, blenders, those air mattress pumps, etc.

I agree, but charging anything electronic is best done with a PSW inverter and you don't need as big of an inverter. A blender on the other hand, that may require more startup current so it may make more financial sense to use a MSW inverter which can be had for half the price with double the power. I have a Xantrex PSW 1000 for in vehicle. (Charging and sensitive electronics) I will use the larger MSW one in the trailer when I need start up motor current for blender / coffee maker etc.

HTH

 

[pavieSD]

Thanks guys for the wisdom! After giving it second thought, maybe I could do a slim line lockable toolbox on top. How about that?

Now for my second question.....anyone know of anyone who's ever installed a fridge perpendicularly to the rear hatch? Since I've got that incredible storage space, I need to have a fridge back there. It's killing me not having one!

Since you moved your spare up to the rear, you could fab a metal, lockable storage unit where your old spare used to sit. Something that tucks up underneath, acts as a psuedo drawer and allows you to store things out of site and away from prying eyes, kids etc. Seems like that would be a simpler solution then trying to move the seats up, and tides you over until you get the trailer build going.