Little Guy Galley Mod

[iOpine]

The best thread on this is found at http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=23859.

But I thought I would start a new thread to describe the mod I did in a little more detail in case somebody else wants to improve on it. Here's what I started with - a Little Guy Rough Rider:



Some nice features, but I didn't like: 1) Open to sleeping area -- bugs, crumbs, etc. 2) Very limited storage room above the 3) heavy particle board 4) hinged lid. I just feel the whole galley area is very limited in its design.

I decided to see if I could address these issues as cheaply and easily as possible by reusing whatever I could and scrounging around in the piles of wood and other leftovers around the shop. It was cheap, but it wasn't as easy as it should have been due to my lack of planning.

To be continued...

[iOpine]

After removing the hinged lid, I was wondering if I could take better advantage of the unused room at the foot of the bed:



I test fit a bulkhead of 1/2" plywood (this still leaves an 80" long sleeping area):



After removing the trim, I found that there was room for a 48" long, 6" wide board:



So I finished out the "trunk" with 1/4" plywood, including replacing the foil insulation and vent cap:

[iOpine]

I ran into trouble when I installed the new "countertop."

I planned to simply screw it into the bottom of the existing supports the original lid laid on. This would lower the top (1/2" ply) about 2", enough to increase storage room, but not enough to significantly impact the toe room under it! It would also include two lids to access my new trunk that would reuse the original hinges.

I knew from the other thread that I'd have to cut slots in it for the latches, but I failed to realize that at this height those latches in the open position come in almost parallel to it. My slots were going to have to be huge!



Back to the drawing board. I finally decided to go with a stepped down ledge of sorts. This had the additional advantage of allowing me to support it at the rear and seal off the trunk area:



Here's the view with a lid open:



And both open:



The "trunk" is actually quite roomy. I can fit 2 bag chairs, a Coleman lantern, can of fuel, collapsible shovel, and various other odds and ends in there with room to spare. The countertop is now much sturdier and roomier, and no more bugs, cooking odors, or crumbs in the sleeping area.

[stomperxj]

That looks really nice. Very clean work. Nice mod

[kennyrayandersen]

nice!

I find the same thing -- I can hardly own anything without making it 'better'

[Miriam C.]

Very nice. I guess what you do in mods depends on what you are storing.

[doug hodder]

Nice clean modification. I can't figure out why they don't do something like that from the get go. I know of others that have had similar comments/complaints on the factory set up. Might be easier to make a bed, but I'd think more storage and an more rigid counter top would be much more advantageous. Just me. Doug

[iOpine]

Very nice. I guess what you do in mods depends on what you are storing.

True. I will be keeping all food out of the TD for now, since we're heading to Alaska next month and my wife's worried about bears. I was thinking I would keep stuff in the "trunk" that isn't usually needed -- like recovery equipment: Hi-Lift jack, chain, shackles, etc. My TD's tongue-heavy anyway and that should all help.

I'll store stuff we will be using daily (our shower tent, fold-up tables, chairs, etc.) on the countertop. The food, cooking appliances, and fridge will park in the tongue box or 4Runner.

After we return, I'll start in on setting up the galley as a galley! I almost feel it isn't really a TD without a real galley.

[b.bodemer]

Very nice look.........................

Barb

[hiker chick]

Inspired and nicely executed. Great job!

Certainly cleaner than my setup.

[starleen2]

Lookin' good

[dreadcptflint]

Very nice.

[wlooper89]

John,

That is a great modification! I have a Little Guy like hiker chick except without her very nice custom paint job. The original shelf always sags and cannot support much weight. Patricia wants us to do something about that and yours is a great idea!

There was an earlier topic looking for a way to modify a Little Guy galley. This member had experienced a collapse of the original shelf from loading more weight on it than it could support. I hope he can benefit from your ideas and photos.

I am still trying to figure out how you sealed the counter top without interfering with the galley door latches. I am sure my closer inspection of your photos will reveal that. This is my stock galley except for the addition of lights and outlets. The center light is stock AA battery, not used much now that the 12V DC ones are in place.



Bill

[35thAV]

iOpine -Nice job - well done!

I can't wait to see what the finished galley looks like

[iOpine]

That is a great modification! I have a Little Guy like hiker chick except without her very nice custom paint job.

Bill,
Thanks! I kind of muddled my way through, but I'm happy with the final result. And, as far as Hiker Chick's great paint job, I'm jealous! Just can't justify the cost.

The original shelf always sags and cannot support much weight. There was an earlier topic looking for a way to modify a Little Guy galley. This member had experienced a collapse of the original shelf from loading more weight on it than it could support.

I agree. Overall I'm very happy with the design and construction of the Little Guy, so I don't want to sound too harsh about this, but to me the shelf area was almost useless. Heavy, yet weak and unstable.
Installing a vertical bulkhead of 1/2" plywood under the new countertop both seals off the two areas and provides rigid support.

I am still trying to figure out how you sealed the counter top without interfering with the galley door latches. I am sure my closer inspection of your photos will reveal that.

I closed the hatch and got inside with a flashlight so I could measure exactly how far the closed latches extend downward when latched. Turns out there's room to attach a support piece beneath them just under the aluminum trim back there. (I used 1"x1/2" oak for strength -- it's stained instead of painted, so you can see it in the last photo above.) I had to notch it a little with a chisel right where the 3 latches come down (also barely visible in the photo). That piece provides a place on which the lowered front of the hinged lids can rest.
I would make a few changes to the way I lowered the front of the countertop if I were starting over. It could be lighter and stronger with a different design.