Little DIYs and hacks

[Elly Swanson]

There are so many fantastic modifications and Cali hacks in the forums, but what little hacks or makes have you done to ease life in such a small space?

 

[Elly Swanson]

Kitchen towel. You don’t need a fancy dispenser. I used 2 lids from Innocent juice bottles and a shoelace, to keep the tube round and allow it to flow, but without going mad . A simple solution to 2 annoying problems.



This is what I did:

• Made a hole in the centre top of the lids with an 11mm knitting needle
• Cut 4 slits down the sides of the lids (to ease pushing them in , but maintain a snug fit)
• Pushed a lid into each end of the tube
• Threaded the shoelace through and tied (knot/bow can be inside the tube).

At the moment it’s just hanging down from the kitchen-side seat headrest but I think I’d like it lower with some sort of box above it. Need to fix the box!!



The Ikea Sunnersta hooks are hanging from the pocket for the loo/nose blowing roll.

 

[MarkVw2017]

Kitchen towel. You don’t need a fancy dispenser. I used 2 lids from Innocent juice bottles and a shoelace, to keep the tube round and allow it to flow, but without going mad . A simple solution to 2 annoying problems.

View attachment 41543

This is what I did:

• Made a hole in the centre top of the lids with an 11mm knitting needle
• Cut 4 slits down the sides of the lids (to ease pushing them in , but maintain a snug fit)
• Pushed a lid into each end of the tube
• Threaded the shoelace through and tied (knot/bow can be inside the tube).

View attachment 41544

At the moment it’s just hanging down from the kitchen-side seat headrest but I think I’d like it lower with some sort of box above it. Need to fix the box!!

View attachment 41545

Great Cali hack, but then again, the price of two innocent smoothie bottles would be the same as a fancy dispenser

 

[Elly Swanson]

Great Cali hack, but then again, the price of two innocent smoothie bottles would be the same as a fancy dispenser

But, Mark, as fancy as they may be you don’t get any free apple juice in a kitchen roll dispenser. These lids were heading for landfill, so double bonus.

 

[MarkVw2017]

But, Mark, as fancy as they may be you don’t get any free apple juice in a kitchen roll dispenser. These lids were heading for landfill, so double bonus.

, very true

 

[California4x4]

I find the small bowl and lack of draining board makes cleaning dishes while wild camping a challenge. In the summer I use outside but when the temperatures are below zero I was looking for a solution for inside. Here it is.
An old draining rack.












Cut down to size and rubber replaced makes a perfect fit drainer.

 

[California4x4]

I then use a collapsible rectangular bowl that fits in the cabinets below the cooker and also fits my largest frying pan.



This serves inside the van or obviously outside. And there is now a large surface area for drip drying into the sink.


The rack still fits on top of the existing bowl.


And the lid closes


The rack doubles as a heat resistant surface


It rolls up when not in use


This lid will also close too.

 

[California4x4]

Maybe this belongs here....

Ice Cold Sparkling Water

After a 7-month deployment to Iraq in 2003, where the drinking water was chlorinated and hot coming from black plastic containers baking in the sun, I developed a rather strong craving for ice cold sparkling water. This addiction comes with the potential to produce a lot of single use plastic...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[California4x4]

There are so many fantastic modifications and Cali hacks in the forums, but what little hacks or makes have you done to ease life in such a small space?

What a great idea. Come on people let’s see what you’ve got!

 

[Elly Swanson]

I find the small bowl and lack of draining board makes cleaning dishes while wild camping a challenge. In the summer I use outside but when the temperatures are below zero I was looking for a solution for inside. Here it is.
An old draining rack.
View attachment 43316



View attachment 43319

View attachment 43317

View attachment 43318

View attachment 43320

View attachment 43321

Cut down to size and rubber replaced makes a perfect fit drainer.

Hi C4x4. I love your hack and have 2 questions:

1. The tool you cut it with, is it a power hack saw type of thing?
2. Could this be done by hand?

 

[briwy]

Quick mod

Fed up with scrabbling about to lift the shelf to get at the gas. Couple of holes and a bit of cord. Doddle now.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[ArunAlec]

The sliding door of the wardrobe is prone to damage if the wardrobe is stuffed with bedding etc, so I made my DIY version of the metal protector I’ve seen available on the Continent. Made of MDF it’s fixed with Velcro into the corner of the wardrobe so that it covers the tambor door when it’s opened.

 

[California4x4]

Hi C4x4. I love your hack and have 2 questions:

1. The tool you cut it with, is it a power hack saw type of thing?
2. Could this be done by hand?

1. Yes it is a Milwaukee portable band saw and is total overkill for this task.

2. A metal hacksaw or mini hacksaw will do the job just fine. The rods (on mine) were hollow stainless steel tubes. There was a sharp edge after the cut but the rubber totally covers it, just be careful when your handling them.

It’s a fun little project. Good luck.

 

[SailSki]

Hi ArunAlec, interesting to see your door protection. I would be interested to make the same but our Cali is in Switzerland at the moment and my tools in the UK....
Any idea where you saw the metal protection available please?

 

[ArunAlec]

Hi ArunAlec, interesting to see your door protection. I would be interested to make the same but our Cali is in Switzerland at the moment and my tools in the UK....
Any idea where you saw the metal protection available please?

I think it might have been a photo that @hotel california posted a year or so back.

 

[Hotel California]

CCN in Amersfoort sell a metal protection for that sliding tambour door . Got a picture posted somewhere . Look at theire website , it’s probaly on there.

Edit : look here for the pictures

New gadgets on the market

As i was visiting CCN in Amerfoort (Netherlands) today i must say they did managed to make some smart afthermarket stuff to make life easyer in the Cali. Anybody seen this. Not the child safety net it is....does it actually comes in a T6 i wonder just now typing here...? Also this is...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Elly Swanson]

1. Yes it is a Milwaukee portable band saw and is total overkill for this task.

2. A metal hacksaw or mini hacksaw will do the job just fine. The rods (on mine) were hollow stainless steel tubes. There was a sharp edge after the cut but the rubber totally covers it, just be careful when your handling them.

It’s a fun little project. Good luck.

Cheers C4x4. You can file down the “raw”edges I should think.

 

[AlanC]

, very true

In the UK Lush are now recycling plastic bottle tops. Just rinse them and take them to your local shop.
I am guessing the same will be true of Lush shops abroad too.

Alan

 

[Lorri]

I find the small bowl and lack of draining board makes cleaning dishes while wild camping a challenge. In the summer I use outside but when the temperatures are below zero I was looking for a solution for inside. Here it is.
An old draining rack.
View attachment 43316

View attachment 43319

View attachment 43317

View attachment 43318

View attachment 43320

View attachment 43321

Cut down to size and rubber replaced makes a perfect fit drainer.

Great idea, where does this come from originally plse

 

[SailSki]

Hi Lorri,
If I understood your question correctly you are asking where the rack came from originally.
Having seen this post I found some today on Amazon using the search “roll up drying rack”. Mine should be arriving over the weekend and I will give it a try....

 

[Autumn]

I do not have photo's of this in my van, but I use this for the same purpose.

LÄMPLIG stainless steel, Trivet - IKEA

LÄMPLIG stainless steel, Trivet. Plastic feet prevent scratching and make the steel non heat-conducting.

www.ikea.com

I also stores on the top of the gas rings, with a bit of shelf liner on top to stop it rattling against the glas when it is shut.

 

[Elly Swanson]

I do not have photo's of this in my van, but I use this for the same purpose.

View attachment 43381

LÄMPLIG stainless steel, Trivet - IKEA

LÄMPLIG stainless steel, Trivet. Plastic feet prevent scratching and make the steel non heat-conducting.

www.ikea.com

I also stores on the top of the gas rings, with a bit of shelf liner on top to stop it rattling against the glas when it is shut.

I think I have one of those lying around somewhere, like everything that I have just lying around I can never find it when I need/want it!.

Did you cut yours down or modify it in any way, Autumn?

 

[California4x4]

Great idea, where does this come from originally plse

Type “roll up drying rack” in Amazon and you should find a selection, you might even find one that matches your kettle.

 

[Elly Swanson]

I find the small bowl and lack of draining board makes cleaning dishes while wild camping a challenge. In the summer I use outside but when the temperatures are below zero I was looking for a solution for inside. Here it is.
An old draining rack.
View attachment 43316

View attachment 43319

View attachment 43317

View attachment 43318

View attachment 43320

View attachment 43321

Cut down to size and rubber replaced makes a perfect fit drainer.

Not a hack, but I bought a silicone mat. It is floppy , rolls up and can be stored in the sink. Can be placed on the lid for the hob and drip into the sink. If I need the hob, it could be placed on the fridge and the water drip into the hob area (won’t be much and it’s only water). If I need the hob and fridge . . . . . .

I could use the over sink idea and the silicone one when I have dinner parties . (Not being sarcastic, just a thought that popped into my head and made me chuckle, my mind always wanders when I see a good hack).

Elements Grey Drying Mat | Dunelm

Made from durable plastic, this drying mat protects work surfaces by collecting water and drains easily for a convenient space saving addition to your kitchen e...

www.dunelm.com

 

[Autumn]

I think I have one of those lying around somewhere, like everything that I have just lying around I can never find it when I need/want it!.

Did you cut yours down or modify it in any way, Autumn?

No this does not need modifying in any way, but if you light the gas while it is still on the hob, the kettle boils but the rubber feet melt and you spend some time wondering where the smell is coming from, or so I have found anyway!!