Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2005 22:51:45 -0700
Reply-To: Art McGinn <ajmcginn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Art McGinn <ajmcginn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: GoWesty - ladder to the 2nd floor
In-Reply-To: <42ED0BE9.3090105@colorado.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
We don't think there is any better answer to getting up to the second
floor--and to every other shortcoming of the Westy--than our "Westy
Pal." This is portable toilet, seat, step to upstairs, storage area,
daytime garbage area, hassock (and even keeps the refrig closed if the
latch isn't working)! I drew up plans a couple of years ago and our
neighborhood carpenter built it of plywood. It is very simple but has
worked wonderfully.
Don't have the measurements at hand now but basically it's a wooden
cube with a hinged top over a removable flat wooden seat with a toilet
hole; with a plastic pail line disposable toilet bag underneath, this
makes an excellent night pee system and, with a change to a garbage bag
in the pail, a good daytime wastebasket. The toilet seat is supported on
4 pieces of wood, one glued to each side of the cube inside, and has a
couple of finger holes for easy removal. The hinged top has a vinyl
upholstered cushion attached for comfy seating.
This whole cube sits over a shorter open wood box for storage (we keep
an extra box of Kleenex, 2 rolls of toilet paper and toilet bags there);
4 drilled holes in the cube fit easily over 4 short pegs on the bottom
box and 2 latches lock the two pieces together.
The beauty of the box over box design, aside from the storage, is that
it raises the unit to the right level for sitting, toileting, and for
using as a step stool to the counter and then to the 2nd floor. In
addition, if the boxes are separated, the top cube makes a very
comfortable hassock, a little lower than seat height.
We stained the outside and polyurethaned the inside for easy
maintenance. Used it for a 3 month camping trip and enjoyed it every day
and use it for more sporadic camping now. (In fact Art's off from San
Francisco to Spokane tomorrow.)
If anyone wants more specific plans, let us know.
Kerry & Art
Richard A Jones wrote:
> I have one of TerryK's "steps" that fits in
> the front table bracket. It is a beautiful
> piece of work and a perfect solution to
> the problem of climbing up when the bed is
> open.
>
> I don't use it much, since I sleep down and
> store up, but with a 2nd grandkid two weeks
> ago, I'm sure there will be little fellers
> sleeping up there before too long....
>
> Richard A Jones
> Boulder, Colorado
>
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