SpaceMate

[GollyOlly]

I just installed the SpaceMate drawer in the garage and what a difference! Installation took me about one hour by myself. Simon, at SpaceMate, provided huge support. I was worried about my projector screen that is stored in the grey 4-inch PVC tube (to the right in the picture). Simon measured out everything before I purchased and assured me with 100% guarantee that it would work. It did, no problem!

By the way, it's easy to install the drawer solo by using two 50mm battens. If you measure and install the mounting bolts and then lay the battens parallel to the tracking slides, lay the SpaceMate on top of the battens. Slide the drawer toward the rear seat and align the bolt holes of the drawer frame with the installed bolts, then slide the battens out one at a time, while lowering the drawer frame onto the bolts. Do the same with the other side and then tighten the nuts as directed in the instructions. Easy Peasey!

I'm really happy with this purchase and it will save a lot of time faffing around in the boot looking for something that is behind something else. Now I can look down and see it!

 

[CamperFam]

Congrats on the purchase - one of the best bits of kit for a Cali, especially if you dont wan tto have to constantly rearrange the rear just to get to something at the back.

 

[dspuk]

People seem hot and cold on these but hands down the best accessory we have bought for the van.

 

[OxonCalifornia]

People seem hot and cold on these but hands down the best accessory we have bought for the van.

Best accessory for the van I’ve bought for the van and Simon was beyond helpful!

 

[Daggartukvan1]

Although I've sold mine having sold our van, it was one of the most useful accessories I bought - transformed rear access.

 

[California_Clarky]

absolutely brilliant item especially if you put your heavy power pack at the back- and as some of us that are getting to point where bending over isn't good for us its a god send, the only improvement I plan to make is to have some sort of extended hard sides ( thin ply ) to you can see exactly where the fill line is because as we all know the is a slight obstruction on the left hand side on the bed extension but that is just and enhancement and doesn't detract from the produce or Simon who was also very helpful in pre-sales

 

[Stargazing]

Looking at fitting one of these for our Beach T6.1 (3 seater bench) as feedback and after sales support looks good and pick up location is a reasonable distance for me. A couple of quick questions if anyone can advise personal experiences. Can't see anything specific on the website. Has anyone got the optional kitchen extension and does it come with flat trays as well as cutouts for the Cadac and sink? Can't work out if it comes as an option for the Beach.
Also, what is the clearance distance from base of tray to underside of multiflex board? My understanding is the bed height differs from the Beach / Ocean depending on 2 seat or 3 seat options.
Might have dreamt this or could even have been part of a nightmare!
Have asked the question direct but any help/advice/experience would be great guidance before I take the plunge thanks.

 

[CamperFam]

Looking at fitting one of these for our Beach T6.1 (3 seater bench) as feedback and after sales support looks good and pick up location is a reasonable distance for me. A couple of quick questions if anyone can advise personal experiences. Can't see anything specific on the website. Has anyone got the optional kitchen extension and does it come with flat trays as well as cutouts for the Cadac and sink? Can't work out if it comes as an option for the Beach.
Also, what is the clearance distance from base of tray to underside of multiflex board? My understanding is the bed height differs from the Beach / Ocean depending on 2 seat or 3 seat options.
Might have dreamt this or could even have been part of a nightmare!
Have asked the question direct but any help/advice/experience would be great guidance before I take the plunge thanks.

Cant advise on either unfortunately as run an Ocean and we dealt with Simon directly - however the site states that it comes with two blank inserts which I read as no cutouts. I would assume you could ask for those to be switched for specific ones via the order additional details (ie 1x Cadac, 1x sink etc).

 

[defender1]

Have just fitted one to our new Ocean this week. Instructions are really clear, it took maybe 15 minutes at most from start to finish and it is a really well made bit of kit. Solid and rattle free construction, and thoughtfully designed. There are little touches like the underside is coated in a soft rubber to prevent damage to the rails. The icing on the cake was that Simon had emailed to say that there was a rubber mat included, along with the catch being metal rather than plastic. Trying it out in earnest this weekend, but certainly very happy with quality of item and ease of access to the floor area under the bed. Loading the van is already easier, plus it is now straightforward to get at everything without having to empty the van first!

 

[GollyOlly]

I agree. This is a great little addition to the Cali.

Does anyone have any constructive tips on how to lock the Spacemate when parked on a nose-down incline so it doesn't automatically slide back in?

Not everyone parks on the straight and level all the time!!!

 

[Stargazing]

Best addition we have invested in - makes my back happy too. Not had the 'nose down' position yet, but maybe a strap from the lock to the underside of the rear shelf would suffice until something more permanent could be achieved - got me thinking now!

 

[GollyOlly]

Best addition we have invested in - makes my back happy too. Not had the 'nose down' position yet, but maybe a strap from the lock to the underside of the rear shelf would suffice until something more permanent could be achieved - got me thinking now!

Thanks. I don't think I've understood the solution because I can't see how a strap from the rear shelf to the tray lock would stop it sliding back toward the nose. I would agree if I was trying to stop it sliding toward the tail though. It's almost as if I need to put something between the rear seat and the tray to stop it from sliding forward once opened.

 

[California_Clarky]

I think you might want to contact Simon from space mate I believe he had a number of ideas of how to do this. I think one option was to order it with a locking catch but I think also he used to put something soft between the rack and the side of the van.

 

[GollyOlly]

I think you might want to contact Simon from space mate I believe he had a number of ideas of how to do this. I think one option was to order it with a locking catch but I think also he used to put something soft between the rack and the side of the van.

Yup. Thanks. Just waiting on his answer but thought I'd check here in the interim.

 

[Stargazing]

Thanks. I don't think I've understood the solution because I can't see how a strap from the rear shelf to the tray lock would stop it sliding back toward the nose. I would agree if I was trying to stop it sliding toward the tail though. It's almost as if I need to put something between the rear seat and the tray to stop it from sliding forward once opened.

Apologies - should have worded as strap from shelf around back of tray then up through the lock and back - keep tight - cam strap etc. If through lock then would be a visual to not unlatch.
Agree something between the rear seat and tray, less obtrusive and fiddly would be more favourable and quicker when on site. If you get a good solution please post as its something that I have been mulling over.

 

[GollyOlly]

Apologies - should have worded as strap from shelf around back of tray then up through the lock and back - keep tight - cam strap etc. If through lock then would be a visual to not unlatch.
Agree something between the rear seat and tray, less obtrusive and fiddly would be more favourable and quicker when on site. If you get a good solution please post as its something that I have been mulling over.

Will do.

 

[Lequimper]

I’d like to get one of these but I am wondering whether I will still be able to use the little space where the extra under rear seat drawer would go if I had had it fitted. At the moment it’s perfect for my levelling ramps!

Anyone know? TIA.

 

[Moggymog]

If you don't have the drawer could you not access the ramps from the front?

 

[GollyOlly]

I’d like to get one of these but I am wondering whether I will still be able to use the little space where the extra under rear seat drawer would go if I had had it fitted. At the moment it’s perfect for my levelling ramps!

Anyone know? TIA.

Agree with Moggymog. The Spacemate's width on the Ocean goes from the wardrobe across to the panel on the other side. It's as wide as the rear shelf, obviously with space for the drawer to move on either side. There is no room between the wardrobe and the Spacemate. The space next to the fridge/seat has the tyre "stuff" in there as well as the table. I couldn't get leveling ramps in there but if you are able, it is accessible from the front panel. I use it for my TV screen contained in a 4" PVC tube that is almost as long as rear door to forward panel. I have space for some other bits but not leveling ramps (Thule). They go in the Spacemate.

 

[dspuk]

I’d like to get one of these but I am wondering whether I will still be able to use the little space where the extra under rear seat drawer would go if I had had it fitted. At the moment it’s perfect for my levelling ramps!

Anyone know? TIA.

Makes no difference to that drawer space. Goes in the boot only.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

With the Spacemate in place can you still access the Jack and tools or do you need to remove the Spacemate to access them?

 

[Lee.Van.Cleef]

I’d like to get one of these but I am wondering whether I will still be able to use the little space where the extra under rear seat drawer would go if I had had it fitted. At the moment it’s perfect for my levelling ramps!

Anyone know? TIA.

We have a T6 Ocean with a SpaceMate fitted. We store our levelling ramps in that space without any problem. I've popped the plastic blanking cover off so the ramps slide in from the cabin end rather than the 'boot' end.

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

I have been reading this with interest. I have just ordered a SpaceMate!

 

[dspuk]

With the Spacemate in place can you still access the Jack and tools or do you need to remove the Spacemate to access them?

You can. Just lift the rear shelf as normal and pull the tray all the way out. I tend to just pull the seat forward anyway and access from the top if needed.

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

I agree. This is a great little addition to the Cali.

Does anyone have any constructive tips on how to lock the Spacemate when parked on a nose-down incline so it doesn't automatically slide back in?

Not everyone parks on the straight and level all the time!!!

Apology - off topic but what is the colour scheme of your Cali? Looks really good but haven’t seen that combination before.