Whats this for ? (1 Viewer)

[EyUp]

At the back of my lounge I have a drawer unit which looks to be screwed down on either side. However when lifting the cushions I see a webbing strap attached to the bed section and a locking buckle attached to the drawers with the webbing going through it.

Whats this for ? It doesn't seem to do owt !

I half thought id like to have the option to be able to remove these drawers and have some cushions made up to give us a bit more lounging about area in the classic U shape

C

 

[funflair]

Is it a restraint to stop the drawers smacking you in the back of the head if you hit something HARD.

Martin

 

[Jaws]

Is there something similar at the other end of the bench?

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[EyUp]

Is there something similar at the other end of the bench?

Yep, both sides.

 

[EyUp]

Is it a restraint to stop the drawers smacking you in the back of the head if you hit something HARD.

Martin

Really ? Id have to be going some for the draw to fly 7mtrs

 

[bigtwin]

Really ? Id have to be going some for the draw to fly 7mtrs

Hmm!

If you suddenly stop then anything that is unrestrained will continue moving at the speed you were previously travelling at and it will rapidly overtake the front windscreen! The only thing that will slow them down before they too impact something solid is the air resistance (drag) within the van (I.e. Next to nothing).

Ian

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[Jaws]

Just wondering if they were being used as 'hinges' to allow the seat squab to be swung up ?
The only time I have ever seen such things were in caravans.. the bottom draw and cabinet below were not as appeared and were in fact a clever disguise for the pull out slats that converted the two side benches to one big double bed

 

[Jaws]

Have you took the drawers out to see what the webbing is attached to ?

 

[EyUp]

Hmm!
The only thing that will slow them down before they too impact something solid is the air resistance (drag) within the van (I.e. Next to nothing).

Gravity would have it bouncing off the floor in no time.

I doubt very much that it would reach the front of the van without hitting the floor first with a head on stop. But yes, I appreciate that I wouldn't want it rolling around as I cartwheeled down the M1 at 80mph so a tie down makes sense.

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[EyUp]

Just wondering if they were being used as 'hinges' to allow the seat squab to be swung up ?
The only time I have ever seen such things were in caravans.. the bottom draw and cabinet below were not as appeared and were in fact a clever disguise for the pull out slats that converted the two side benches to one big double bed

Dont think so. The slats for the bed slide neatly under the drawers. I

 

[Jaws]

I .. ? what ??

 

[EyUp]

...... I... am Spartacus

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[movan]

Not sure if @Busman had these .. will see if he can be contacted ..

 

[pappajohn]

Gravity would have it bouncing off the floor in no time.

I doubt very much that it would reach the front of the van without hitting the floor first with a head on stop. But yes, I appreciate that I wouldn't want it rolling around as I cartwheeled down the M1 at 80mph so a tie down makes sense.

It may hit the floor but the floor aint going to stop it....the dash would, the screen probably wouldnt.

 

[Allanm]

Is it a Swift? Ours has the same. The slats under the side seats slide back to enable access to under the seats.

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[pappajohn]

It IS a restraint/tie down.
Undo both straps and lift out the whole drawer unit.
My old kontiki had the same thing AND a cushion and backrest to replace it with.
The quadrant bead around the bottom is only secured to the base, not the drawer unit....or was it the other way round ?

 

[EyUp]

Is it a Swift? Ours has the same. The slats under the side seats slide back to enable access to under the seats.

No Eldiss. My seat slats hing up. The webbing is attached to the wood the slats sit on.

I think the idea of the webbing to stop the unit ripping off and flying forward is sound but it just doesnt seem substantial enough in my eyes.
I would have thought it would have been more heafty than a plastic buckle !!

I suppose the thing to do is contact the dealer !

 

[EyUp]

It IS a restraint/tie down.
Undo both straps and lift out the whole drawer unit.
My old kontiki had the same thing AND a cushion and backrest to replace it with.
The quadrant bead around the bottom is only secured to the base, not the drawer unit....or was it the other way round ?

Ill give it a go..... BRB

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[EyUp]

Well blow my socks off. It only lifts right off ! I had presumed that the whole unit was screwed securely down and the strap were somert else !

So I suppose the next question is.. would I go to my dealer for some foam and some same covering ? This is great, hopefully be able to try both systems and see what works best for us.

 

[pappajohn]

Mine had a couple of small offset pin brass door bolts rather than straps...much neater and a positive hold.
It also allows a 7ft x 6ft bed when you have the cushions.

 

[EyUp]

Mine had a couple of small offset pin brass door bolts rather than straps...much neater and a positive hold.
It also allows a 7ft x 6ft bed when you have the cushions.

I must admit, it doesnt seem that secure ! I suppose they do some crash testing on these things though and deemed fit for purpose.

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[Allanm]

Must look at ours to see if the cupboard comes off. On top of ours, we have a tabletop that slides forwards then folds out to a large table

 

[funflair]

I must admit, it doesnt seem that secure ! I suppose they do some crash testing on these things though and deemed fit for purpose.

I'm not sure that they do, I think Hymer might and possibly Bailey as I remember a video of some pretty catastrophic results in their first attempt.

Martin

 

[bigtwin]

Gravity would have it bouncing off the floor in no time.

I doubt very much that it would reach the front of the van without hitting the floor first with a head on stop.

You didn't do physics at school then?

Rest assured the kinetic energy associated with your 20Kg (ish) travelling through your motorhome at 50mph(ish) is going to take some stopping!

Ian

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[EyUp]

Dont patronise me.

I didnt say it wouldn't take some stopping, what I said was 'I doubt very much that it would reach the front of the van without hitting the floor first with a head on stop'

I would bet a months wages that if my van stopped suddenly at 50mph there is no way that unit would not hit the floor before it reached me.

 

[bigtwin]

Dont patronise me.

I didnt say it wouldn't take some stopping, what I said was 'I doubt very much that it would reach the front of the van without hitting the floor first with a head on stop'

I would bet a months wages that if my van stopped suddenly at 50mph there is no way that unit would not hit the floor before it reached me.

It would seem that we have different views on the likely trajectory of the unit but I'd be surprised if the drag was such that the gravitational pull would result in it hitting the floor before it'd travelled 5m(ish).

If you're going to replace it with a cushioned insert it's academic

Ian

 

[rosalan]

I love reading of idealised physics. So at 50mph, the van comes to a dead stop. At this point the driver should be concerned about a cupboard some 20' away ignoring the pull of gravity? I think not! The driver would be more concerned with the mirror passing through his face.

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[bigtwin]

I love reading of idealised physics. So at 50mph, the van comes to a dead stop. At this point the driver should be concerned about a cupboard some 20' away ignoring the pull of gravity? I think not! The driver would be more concerned with the mirror passing through his face.

Belt up!

Edit: why can't I get the smileys to show in my posted response - argh!

 

[rosalan]

 

[EyUp]

It just so happens my next door neighbour is a physics teacher at a private school. Ill get here round with here tape measure and some scales

Anyhow, thanks for the replies folks. Another 'mystery' solved.

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