How do you protect the hydraulics?

[EMEdmond]

Hello,

We are newbies in the process of buying a 2018 Allegro 32SA. Our plan is to sell our house in the spring and go full time in the RV as I can work from where ever there is an internet and phone connection.

In looking over the vehicle my wife and I liked everything we saw, with the exception of the spidery hydraulics set up in one of the curbside bays. The bay has a passthrough to the other side and I worry about something sliding over and falling on the hydraulics unit and damaging it.

How have other owners fixed this? The salesman said he would glue or screw some boards at the back of the bay to prevent anything from sliding in but I wanted to get as much advice from experts as I could.

Thanks

Eddie

[luvlabs]

Things in storage compartments move a lot less than you think so it isn't a big worry. If you really think you need to, add a piece of rubber backed carpet or a rubber mat on the side you want to store stuff.

[flywithcoop]

Stuff will slide around. I store a outdoor mat in the passthru that has the hydraulic unit. It sometimes does slide over onto the hyd unit but has caused no problems. I will install something to prevent this from happening. Just haven't decided what to install. Don't like the idea of screwing or bolting something through the basement walls that will someday leak water into the compartment. I have thought of making a plywood shelf with support legs (no screws into side walls) to install above the hydraulic unit to protect it and also provide some additional storage space. It would be like a table with four legs. That's just one thought I am exploring more. Anyone have other ideas?

[trx430ex]

Was wondering what to do with that space myself, it did dawn on me that the space right next to the Hydraulic unit. Would be the perfect spot for the dismantled Emglo compressor, (already have) that was talked about on the compressor thread. Then mount the cord reel right next to it. Air hose would be the air tank, with factory tanks scrapped.
Coop your idea of a table like set up would work for both items as they are about the same height.

[EMEdmond]

Originally Posted by flywithcoop

Stuff will slide around. I store a outdoor mat in the passthru that has the hydraulic unit. It sometimes does slide over onto the hyd unit but has caused no problems. I will install something to prevent this from happening. Just haven't decided what to install. Don't like the idea of screwing or bolting something through the basement walls that will someday leak water into the compartment. I have thought of making a plywood shelf with support legs (no screws into side walls) to install above the hydraulic unit to protect it and also provide some additional storage space. It would be like a table with four legs. That's just one thought I am exploring more. Anyone have other ideas?

I was thinking of making (or finding) some kind of nylon strap "cargo webbing" and putting that up but fastening it to the walls of the RV is an issue unless there was some way to glue it that would be secure. I think I might like your "table" idea better.

Eddie

[EMEdmond]

Originally Posted by trx430ex

Was wondering what to do with that space myself, it did dawn on me that the space right next to the Hydraulic unit. Would be the perfect spot for the dismantled Emglo compressor, (already have) that was talked about on the compressor thread. Then mount the cord reel right next to it. Air hose would be the air tank, with factory tanks scrapped.
Coop your idea of a table like set up would work for both items as they are about the same height.

Being a complete newbie at all this I don't know what any of this is but I will be interested in seeing what you come up with

Thanks

[Betr2Trvl]

Even with this shelf I usually don't keep much above the hydraulics, but I still wanted to "protect" them to some degree anyway. This will certainly keep any sort of larger item from sliding off and onto the hydraulics. Anything smaller, and I'd bungee it to the shelf.

I had a low profile bin up on the pass through on that side this summer; the bin you see is actually accessed from the other side and has never moved enough to worry about it sliding all the way across; in fact, I've seen very little movement of anything in my bays or pass throughs.

This shelf is easy to remove given how it attaches. I can't remember if I got the shelving at Lowes or HD; but one had this style and the other did not. I will say, that puttng this simple shelf in was a real pita. There is just so little room to work, and it's really not up to my standards but it is what it is. I would suggest going down a 1/2" - 1" or so if you want to do this; I think it would make it a bit easier to install. I filled the holes with silicon then coated the screws with silicon to minimize any potential for leaks. I also make sure there was nothing that the screws would penetrate behind the bay.....

[jzeurcher]

Fff Ccccc

[EMEdmond]

Originally Posted by Betr2Trvl

Even with this shelf I usually don't keep much above the hydraulics, but I still wanted to "protect" them to some degree anyway. This will certainly keep any sort of larger item from sliding off and onto the hydraulics. Anything smaller, and I'd bungee it to the shelf.

I had a low profile bin up on the pass through on that side this summer; the bin you see is actually accessed from the other side and has never moved enough to worry about it sliding all the way across; in fact, I've seen very little movement of anything in my bays or pass throughs.

This shelf is easy to remove given how it attaches. I can't remember if I got the shelving at Lowes or HD; but one had this style and the other did not. I will say, that puttng this simple shelf in was a real pita. There is just so little room to work, and it's really not up to my standards but it is what it is. I would suggest going down a 1/2" - 1" or so if you want to do this; I think it would make it a bit easier to install. I filled the holes with silicon then coated the screws with silicon to minimize any potential for leaks. I also make sure there was nothing that the screws would penetrate behind the bay.....

It took me a second to realize that you were meaning that putting the shelf up was something OTHER than flat, greek, delicious, bread!

Thanks

[flywithcoop]

Originally Posted by Betr2Trvl

Even with this shelf I usually don't keep much above the hydraulics, but I still wanted to "protect" them to some degree anyway. This will certainly keep any sort of larger item from sliding off and onto the hydraulics. Anything smaller, and I'd bungee it to the shelf.

I had a low profile bin up on the pass through on that side this summer; the bin you see is actually accessed from the other side and has never moved enough to worry about it sliding all the way across; in fact, I've seen very little movement of anything in my bays or pass throughs.

This shelf is easy to remove given how it attaches. I can't remember if I got the shelving at Lowes or HD; but one had this style and the other did not. I will say, that puttng this simple shelf in was a real pita. There is just so little room to work, and it's really not up to my standards but it is what it is. I would suggest going down a 1/2" - 1" or so if you want to do this; I think it would make it a bit easier to install. I filled the holes with silicon then coated the screws with silicon to minimize any potential for leaks. I also make sure there was nothing that the screws would penetrate behind the bay.....

I like what you have done. I have that type shelving in my house closets. May use your idea if nothing else comes along. I am still hoping for a suggestion that does nore require drilling holes in the walls.

[DWRichard]

Originally Posted by emerkel

Hello,

We are newbies in the process of buying a 2018 Allegro 32SA. Our plan is to sell our house in the spring and go full time in the RV as I can work from where ever there is an internet and phone connection.

In looking over the vehicle my wife and I liked everything we saw, with the exception of the spidery hydraulics set up in one of the curbside bays. The bay has a passthrough to the other side and I worry about something sliding over and falling on the hydraulics unit and damaging it.

How have other owners fixed this? The salesman said he would glue or screw some boards at the back of the bay to prevent anything from sliding in but I wanted to get as much advice from experts as I could.

Thanks

Eddie

One way is to make sure that whatever you do put in that passthrough is longer than hydraulics bay is deep. A long, flat bin of approximately the same height as the passthrough can't possibly tip and fall into the bay as long as the door is closed.

[DWRichard]

Originally Posted by trx430ex

Was wondering what to do with that space myself, it did dawn on me that the space right next to the Hydraulic unit. Would be the perfect spot for the dismantled Emglo compressor, (already have) that was talked about on the compressor thread. Then mount the cord reel right next to it. Air hose would be the air tank, with factory tanks scrapped.
Coop your idea of a table like set up would work for both items as they are about the same height.

You do realize that the 36LA you're apparently looking at doesn't have air tanks, right?

[fpresto]

I have a 2016 32 SA. I store mostly long things in that pass thru brooms, rolled up mats, sunshades, etc.. That said I have never had an issue in any of the pass thru compartments with things sliding enough to fall and I have been on some terrible roads. Now I wouldn't put things like cans, bottles or any small items in any of them.

[trx430ex]

Originally Posted by DWRichard

You do realize that the 36LA you're apparently looking at doesn't have air tanks, right?

It would be an independent air station, that can air up anything. From rig tires, to bikes, to the air mattresses of the couch in less than a minute.

The only down side for this much air is a 13-15 amp 120 draw, would put a whooping on inverters. But you are on your way in less than a minute, @ 135 PSI max.

It is a lot of air, that just happens to fit in that exact space.

I have owned Emglo compressors all my life, but until that one post. I never thought to take them apart and make something entirely different that is half the size with the same power using the hose,,, as a tank.

That is just brilliant, no tank to fill, fill the hose in less than 10 seconds to 135. Everything else,, is on-demand.

It is also cheap to make, a used Emglo is less than $100, the hose & reel are $70. Cannibalise all the controls off the Emglo, ditch the tank and the frame, get light. Commercial air for $170 and your time & 13-15 amps for a minute or two.