One of the things that Winnebago should have done is create a rear hatch for the coach battery compartment. Many others have done this (where do you think I found out the model of hatch to use?), but I wanted to show how really easy it is, as well as the specific approach I used.

Here is where it will go:

I created a cardboard template from the hatch I used – a BOMAR G7711-11 from Pompanette – they are listed in their online catalog under “access hatches”. I chose a black one – they also come in white. I made sure that the hatch would fit in the space – the hatch has quite a large “lip” (flange), and takes up almost the entire space – which I wanted (for easy access). I traced out the area to cut.

I then used blue masking tape to further outline the area, and provide a surface to tape the “painters plastic” to (to keep any plastic bits out of the van).

I used a Dremel tool with a plastic cutting attachment (on my drill this is a coarse spiral drill) to cut the plastic. You need to move the Dremel tool back and forth in the cut so that the hot plastic does not “stick”. You might be able to use a hand tool (like a small hacksaw), but the plastic get VERY thin near the bottom – and it is VERY flexible, so that may be a real pain to do – that is why I chose the Dremel. Here is what you get when you cut the hole out:

Now you need to add something to stiffen the opening, and provide a strong surface to screw the hatch down on. I used aluminum flat stock.

Then you just bolt up the hatch – I uses Stainless Steel bolts, as I am a sucker for spending $ at the hardware store….

That really is all there is to it! Now I can easily get to my wheel chocks, hand tools, etc. Here is the hatch closed:

Since there are just two humans and one cat that travel in this van, and since the built-in bed leaves much to be desired, we decided to remove the back seat (that folds into a bed), and build a platform bed that can still turn into a seat for eating, etc.

I know I need more photos here – sorry.

Since I did not take any photos during the construction, I will try my best to explain this – contact me if you have any questions about this!

• Removed the back seat and subframe – this left a gaping hole in the flooring, as well as 4 very large holes in the floor.
• Cut a piece of 3/4 inch birch plywood to fit this gaping hole, countersunk the “stock” bolts into this piece of wood, bolted in to the floor (using silicone around the bolt holes) then sunk 4 brass inserts into this piece of wood – the “new” seat uses these inserts to bolt to, so it COULD be removed if needed.
• Made a box out of 3/4 inch birch plywood, held together with aluminum angle – this will be what the “platform” rests on in the front.
• Cut sections of 3/4 inch birch plywood to form the “platform” – sections are held together with brass piano hinges, allowing the sections to be folded “up” into a bench seat.
• The seat is held in the “up” position with some cool pins.
• The “front” of the bed needs a support – I made one out of scrap plywood – it folds up to fit under the seat.

This allows us to sleep on a bed that is almost as nice as home. The great folks at Soaring Heart Futons set us up with a foam mattress and wool topper that fit just right. We chose a single bed size, for ease of finding sheets, etc.

Ah heck, how about some photos, OK?

Hated the armrests – never used them, they got in the way when we used the “pass-through” to the back, made swiveling the seats a pain – so we removed them. But we needed something to hold our “seat back pockets” in place, so we reused the bolts and combined them with a large coin – still need to get “better” screws and washer though…