SilverGate's Safari is Home at Last!

[SilverGate]

Yesterday, I was answering a question on:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448/factory-installed-solar-charging-system-35476-5.html

... regarding the size of our AGM batteries and I inadvertently mentioned that we replaced our knob on our battery compartment with a keyless cam combination lock from Rockler.

[SilverGate]

This is one improvement that we did last spring, but had forgotten to mention it until now.

This theft deterrent for our AGM batteries has worked out very well.

This Keyless Cam Lock is made with Zinc and available from Rockler:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11231&filter=combination%20lock

[SilverGate]

(see previous page)

You can set your own 3-digit combination...

and it replaces any ¾ in. keyed cam lock.

I believe mine is Part #36655, which is 1&1/8th in. long for stock (in this case the battery box inner rim) which is 7/8" or less thick.

Our battery box inner top rim is 5/8 in. thick. (The lock lever fits under this).

SilverGate

[denellen]

Great thread Silvergate! Thanks for the information, and the entertainment. Good story for this AM.

[FOILED]

That is a great little lock! Thanks for this tip!!

Do you have a lock on the back bumper compartment?

Thanks! Kathy

[SilverGate]

SilverGate’s Safari arrived home, the first time, 9 months ago…
And thus began our journey of improvements and adventures…
That many of you have followed here since the beginning.

I hope it has been entertaining as well as informative for you.
I hope that you have had as much fun viewing, as I have had in doing this thread.

Thank you for viewing this thread.
Thank you to those who took a moment to say they liked or learned something here…
And were inspired to camp, cook, explore and/or make improvements with their trailer.
Thank you TBRich, denellen, and Foiled for your recent comments.

I have much to be thankful for this year as Thanksgiving approaches…
I am thankful that family and I are in good health and have a great Airstream, which helps us to enjoy our retirement.

I am thankful that we have these wonderful Airstream Knowledge Sharing Forums, with its wealth of information contributed by a diverse community whose members are rich in knowledge, experience, perspectives, opinions, problems & solutions, and who take the time to share with others in a positive way for our mutual benefit.

I am also thankful for the high quality and caliber of the discussions here and for the wonderful guidance and oversight done by our monitors, who help ensure that these forums function well in an environment that is positive and supportive.

So on the occasion of this thread hitting over 10,000 views…

Thank You All!

Happy and Safe Holidays!

And of course,

Cheers!

SilverGate and Diego Flamingo… and Family

[RIstream'n]

Welcome home. What a ride. Thank you

[mistral blue]

In my opinion, you are a wonderful asset to this fantastic community.

Congratulations on 10,000 views. It was all our pleasure.

Looking forward to many more of your posts.

[TBRich]

Hey, SilverGate...congrats on your thread hitting 10,000 views! That's great, but it doesn't suprise me, as you are not only full of helpful information/contribtuions...but also most entertaining! No one can ever call you boring!

Here's to another 10,000!

TB

[FOILED]

Congratulations Silvergate - you guys are the best!

Thank you so much for taking all the time to share your work and fun with our great Airstream (23rs Rock!!) and for the pictures - I know it is time consuming but so helpful!

You inspire Grant and I constantly and also give us a major kick in the butt to take out the trailer and GO EXPLORE - which is what its all about!!

Hopefully someday - San Diego!!

Cheers, Kathy

[05ModPod]

Hey Fellas;

What a great thread - I have really enjoyed reading all about your travels, fun and interesting quisine and the decorations you have are to die for

Your ideas for all the modifications are super.....if I were to buy a newer Airstream - I think this would be the one I would like....keep me in mind when you want to up grade - the best part will be the trip out to CA to pick it up

Hope to meet you both out there...one day.......Sharon

[SilverGate]

Thanks RIstream’n, mistral blue, TBRich, Foiled, and GT1963…

Thank you for your enthusiastic and kind notes.

I really appreciate them!

Cheers!

SilverGate

[SilverGate]

GT1963, Peter & Sharon, sent me a note yesterday indicating that they are currently restoring their 1963 19’ Globetrotter. Their model did not come with a table. They are making some changes, which will open up some room at the end of their kitchen counter and they thought this would be an opportunity to bring in a rollout or stow-away table. They liked the one that we have after seeing it (post #35 & 36) at:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f396/silvergates-safari-home-last-29471-3.html

Camping World does have a wood, fold-a-way butcher-block table:
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/16295/skunum=16295:src=SRQB

But Sharon says that they like the design and storage space of ours better, especially with the flush top for their vintage tablecloths and puzzels when the leaves are raised.

They asked for more photos and measurements so that they might be able to make one for their trailer. So I saw this as an opportunity that others might also benefit from.

I realized that our Roll-out, Stow-Away Dinette Table along with the Table Stow under the counter top was one of the most distinctive and unique features of this current model of this 23’ Safari and deserves to be featured here.

I have to admit that, so far, we have not had to use this table inside the trailer because our weather here in Southern California is usually very nice, most of the year. But that could change as we approach the winter season with its occasional rain (and snow in the mountains).

So I pulled out the table and took some photos and measurements to help Peter & Sharon, along with others who may be thinking about making this table, or who are just curious about this item.

[SilverGate]

First we go to where this dinette table sleeps…

In the "Table Stow" area as seen in the floor plan at:
http://www.airstream.com/products/2008-fleet/travel-trailers/safari-line/safari-se/floorplans.html

The table with the leaves down is under the graphite counter tabletop and is behind the ¾" door with the black push-knob over a 4 ½" stainless steel handle.

[SilverGate]

The door is opened, revealing the table in the closed position* held in place by a Velcro strap.

The Velcro strap is 1 ½" wide. One end is secured with a Phillips screw & washer. The other end slips through a 3"- "D-ring" and attaches to itself via Velcro. As an additional measure, Larry added metal snaps to make it more secure.

*The dimensions of the table in the closed position are:
23" wide, 11 ½" deep, and 29" high.

Table in the open position: 23" x 38 ¼" x 29" (H) (both leaves up)

Note the center tabletop panel is 10" x 23" (3/4" thick plywood with oak style veneer).

Each leaf is 14" x 23", using ¾" plywood with oak style veneer with rounded corners (the underside has a white veneer)

[SilverGate]

The Velcro strap is then unfastened and the table rolls out on its four casters by pulling on its 1¼" stainless steel pull knob.

Note that it is unobstructed by the fully opened L-Lounge.

[SilverGate]

(See previous page)

Each end of the bottom of the table has two 2" casters, each holding a 1" steel ball.

If you ever take this table outside, make sure it is placed on a mat.
You do not want to get grit inside of these casters.

[SilverGate]

The Table Stow compartment has felt padding on each side and measures:

13 ¼" (W), 27" (D), and 31 ½" (H)

[SilverGate]

Each drop leaf is attached with blind table hinges resulting in a flush top.

The hinge is 2 ½" stainless steel in overall length. The moving part is ¾" wide.

[SilverGate]

Each drop leaf is then raised and supported by a swing-out leg base,
7 ½" (W), 28" (H), ½" thick, attached with 2" brass piano hinge and Phillips screws.