Someone design a shelf for the Maggiolina tents

[Corey]

I suck at Google Sketch, but this gives you can idea of what I meant.
On the left side the flap is deployed upwards, but I can not draw on the aluminum part that would fit into the groove on the tent roof.

The right side shows the flap folded over on top of the shelf.
Both would fold in thus making the shelf flat.

I am not sure how much weight can be placed up in those groove channels, maybe Mike knows.

It might be best to stock going with the foldable legs.
Just an idea here though, less chance of kicking the shelf legs during the night.

 

[66LV]

When I was at Overland Expo last year I camped with all the Mag owners. One guy had made a folding shelf made out of aluminum that was similar to the breakfast table. It was approx.15 in. tall,12 in. deep & covered the width of the mattress with the legs fitting between the mattress and the fiberglass. I wish I could remember his name but he drove a nice vintage white jeepster and he lives near Sacramento. Mike S do you know who I'm talking about?

 

[compactcamping]

Corey, Is the track at the top you're referring to like a standard slide in awning track?

If so you could make fabric side that hang down and attach to a plywood shelf. With the fabric sides you should be able to leave it in place and just close to top.

 

[Mike S]

When I was at Overland Expo last year I camped with all the Mag owners. One guy had made a folding shelf made out of aluminum that was similar to the breakfast table. It was approx.15 in. tall,12 in. deep & covered the width of the mattress with the legs fitting between the mattress and the fiberglass. I wish I could remember his name but he drove a nice vintage white jeepster and he lives near Sacramento. Mike S do you know who I'm talking about?

Driving a Jeep Commando?

 

[Corey]

Corey, Is the track at the top you're referring to like a standard slide in awning track?

If so you could make fabric side that hang down and attach to a plywood shelf. With the fabric sides you should be able to leave it in place and just close to top.

No, it is just an opening at the top that something thin can slip into.
I wonder if Mike has a picture of it?

I wish we had better weather here and I could open up the tent.

 

[Lemsteraak]

I think the easiest solution is to hang a little gear hammock or two.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&keyword=gear+hammock&Ntt=gear+hammock&N=377+710&y=0&x=0&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch

Get a couple hooks and slip them in where the fabric is joined to the fiberglass. You will have to modify the hammock a little to fit your tent's width but it is easy to do and works reasonably well. I had one in my Columbus and would transfer it between tents.

The latest Maggiolinas and Columbus all come with gear hammocks built into the roof, but then again they have new headliner and insulation systems too I understand.

I like the old Maggiolinas, above your head there was a sort of box made where the scissor lift meets the roof. Because the roof is higher at the head, Zifer built a box to make it the same lift height as the foot. The box is under the fabric headliner so you don't see it. It is made of plywood, later ones I think are fiberglass. Anyway, you can cut a hole in it, build a door, and make a secret stash. If you have one of these old warhorses, you probably have figured it out already.

Years ago we had some really trick padded ladder covers made up. They had a couple loops so you could hang the cover from the ladder's hooks between the vehicle and the ladder. Kept things a little cleaner. Last version had a big pocket to put your shoes in. Each version got better but also much more expensive. I stopped making them because they were almost $100 at cost. Turns out, with an alloy ladder it is easy to clean by wiping with a rag. Slide your shoes upside down between the tent and the vehicle's roof, keeps them dry and at hand.

Hope this helps

Rich H

of LoftyShelters now AutoHome

 

[66LV]

Driving a Jeep Commando?

Yes ,he had his mag on a trailer, the mag was older with blue fabric.

 

[Mike S]

Yes ,he had his mag on a trailer, the mag was older with blue fabric.

I remember the rig, but can't remember his name. There were a lot of our tents in the camping area. I tried to get around and met everyne, but also had to be at our display most of the time.

I am looking forward to 2010 Expo.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I think the easiest solution is to hang a little gear hammock or two.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&keyword=gear+hammock&Ntt=gear+hammock&N=377+710&y=0&x=0&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch

Get a couple hooks and slip them in where the fabric is joined to the fiberglass. You will have to modify the hammock a little to fit your tent's width but it is easy to do and works reasonably well. I had one in my Columbus and would transfer it between tents.

The latest Maggiolinas and Columbus all come with gear hammocks built into the roof, but then again they have new headliner and insulation systems too I understand.

I like the old Maggiolinas, above your head there was a sort of box made where the scissor lift meets the roof. Because the roof is higher at the head, Zifer built a box to make it the same lift height as the foot. The box is under the fabric headliner so you don't see it. It is made of plywood, later ones I think are fiberglass. Anyway, you can cut a hole in it, build a door, and make a secret stash. If you have one of these old warhorses, you probably have figured it out already.

Years ago we had some really trick padded ladder covers made up. They had a couple loops so you could hang the cover from the ladder's hooks between the vehicle and the ladder. Kept things a little cleaner. Last version had a big pocket to put your shoes in. Each version got better but also much more expensive. I stopped making them because they were almost $100 at cost. Turns out, with an alloy ladder it is easy to clean by wiping with a rag. Slide your shoes upside down between the tent and the vehicle's roof, keeps them dry and at hand.

Hope this helps

Rich H

of LoftyShelters now AutoHome

thank you for taking the time to explain that

 

[UNI]

Corey,

You might want to look into the Camp Logic-Camp Closet for a shelf/closet. The closet folds down flat and comes with a zippered storage bag.
We have one and it works great! Click Here: Camp Logic-Camp Closet

Alan

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Now that closet makes a lot of sense too.

The only issue I have with this disussion is the talk of hanging things from the roof. Now, maybe I haven't explored my tent enough, but I do have the fabric storage pockets on mine. They have these... somewhat flimsy little hooks that hook into the fabric seam around the top shell. The seam is reinforced with a very, very thin strip of aluminum... probably 0.010" thick, and about 1/2" wide. This system seems ok for storing a magazine or two, a watch, my glasses, etc. But I wouldn't put more than that.

Is there some other place you can attach to at the top that I'm missing?

How does the gear loft attach to the top? Did they screw through the fiberglass?

 

[Mike S]

This design element has changed in the late model Maggiolina. I do not have photos, but will try to get some when I get my new tent mounted on the LC.

Now that closet makes a lot of sense too.

The only issue I have with this disussion is the talk of hanging things from the roof. Now, maybe I haven't explored my tent enough, but I do have the fabric storage pockets on mine. They have these... somewhat flimsy little hooks that hook into the fabric seam around the top shell. The seam is reinforced with a very, very thin strip of aluminum... probably 0.010" thick, and about 1/2" wide. This system seems ok for storing a magazine or two, a watch, my glasses, etc. But I wouldn't put more than that.

Is there some other place you can attach to at the top that I'm missing?

How does the gear loft attach to the top? Did they screw through the fiberglass?

 

[Sirocco]

Hinges? legs? breakfast tables? brackets?

why not just take a length of wood, with a bit of cord/wire/string/rope held into each of the 4 corners (length to suit) and bolt them individually into the "box" at the end of the tent? when you fold the tent down, it "should" fold up with it. Try to keep the wood thin to help.

or did I miss something? do some of you not have that box?

surely its no more difficult than that?

G

 

[DaktariEd]

A couple of folks mentioned a cargo net.
Works for me...just slip the cord loops over the strut bolts.

 

[go4aryd]

If you want a stiffer/harder shelf than the cargo net, use the net with a thin sheet of plastic for the shelf. Custom case fabricators often have corrigated poly that would be perfect.