Welding take 2

We towed Bertie back to CWD today for the next stage of his work. We have talked through lots of options to do with replacing the back step area, and building in some storage, but until the current floor is cut out, it's tricky to see exactly what spaces we're dealing with.

Dan suggested the idea of having a pull-out drawer beneath the back, on some super-strong runners like they use on race trailers for pull-out sections. I LOVE that idea, and it could make a back deck area between the doors to increase (albeit slightly) the living area. The horse-box conversion that was on the last series of Amazing Spaces, and which inspired George's fold-down caravan wall, used that idea of having a patio/deck off the ground...
I drew up how it would be, and showed it to the welders, but they rather poured cold water on the idea :(

Pete the welder said he didn't think the undercarriage has the strength to support something like that, and would be worried what it would do to the integrity of the vehicle... Very practical, and probably true, but I'm still sulking! He was also worried about being able to keep such a drawer water-tight, because of where the joints would need to be. We agreed that it will probably be better to build a storage bin into the floor forward of the step, with a lift-up access in the floor, and a second storage box under the tailgate with a step fixed to it. He's going to start removing the old step tomorrow, and then I guess he'll know more about dimensions etc.

We also talked with Pete about our new ideas for the bunks, and asked him if it would work to use the seat backs to support the hammocks. We talked over a few options, and agreed that they will fix some u-shaped brackets to the tops of the frames to hold poles to make pipe cots.

In further news, I have today ordered some seatbelts, so that Pete can weld the fixing points onto the frames before he finishes. I have no idea if we've got the right ones - who knew there were so many options?!- but let's hope they're OK.