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The Problem with Westies (By
Marshall)
Ever gone camping, and actually tried to cook
in the van? It can be difficult - because...You have to keep moving
things around, because there's almost nowhere to put stuff down,
without putting stuff on top of other stuff! Plus, you have to bend
over or squat down to pull things out of the cabinets, or move tables
around to get stuff out. You do this over and over, right? Then, if
you're like me - you get frustrated and irritable with your mate.
After a few of these experiences - your mate decides it's better to
lug other equipment, so you can do your cooking outside, right?
No more!
The Solution:
My Westy organizer puts all the essentials -
and more- at your finger-tips, up and within easy reach. I just dump
all my camping stuff into a box, and when I set up camp, I load the
organizer. That way, I'm not hunched over, looking through cabinets,
or doing table roulette.
It makes camping a whole lot easier!
What Can I keep in It:
What do I keep in my organizer?
Pots, frying pan, coffee pot, spatulas, dishes,
cutlery, dish soap, wash-cloths, spices - whatever.
See the direct-view picture? I've got all that
stuff, and there' still plenty of room to add more.
If I want to add something else - I just use
add a sticky hook or a sticky clip, or route some nylon rope with an
elastic tied on the back to add rope tension.
How to use it:
You never need to remove it - just open the
pop-top - and it's there, it swings down. Partially close the top,
flip it backwards, and the cots hold it up - close the top all the way.
Simple!
See the picture of it stowed - it's so simple
I don't know why I've never seen this before!
How to make one:
- Go to Home Depot, or wherever; buy a 1/4
sheet of 1/4 " pegboard - you know - that pre-drilled Masonite stuff -
it's full of holes. Get a couple of cable ties. This should cost you
less than 5 dollars.
- Hold the board up inside the van, and see
how much you need to lop off the end - in order to get it to fit
properly between the roof-support arms. I think I lopped off about 3
inches or so - but I didn't measure it. I just marked where I thought
it should be cut, and then cut it with a jig-saw.
- Lop off each corner so it'll hang properly
from the horizontal roof bar - you know, the bar we hang our towels to
dry from. Again, I didn't measure. But I think I cut off triangles
that were "5 holes" long on each side.
- Lay it on the floor, and arrange your
camping stuff on it. Stick the hooks and thread the rope through the
holes, "appropriately" so you can support your stuff.
I used some 1/4" nylon or polyester rope to
support the fry pan and the plates - I held tension in the ropes with
some pony-tail holders, supplied by my mate (my wife, in case you were
curious).
For other things, like the spatula, I just
made loops etc. Use your judgment - and if it's not right - well, just
remove it and try something else.
- Take the board to the van - see the picture of mine outside the van, before
I installed it - and use the cable ties to hang it from the main roof
cross-bar. YOU are done!
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