A little storage mod in the Warwick XL

Had a little time to kill after I had cut the lawns and hedge so a little mod in the van,,


I removed the inside step board and tidied up the wiring for the step lights and did a few measurements, I had 2 spare battery boxes that with a bit of trimming fitted the space, screwed them down and marked the top board for a access point, this was easily cut with a sharp stanly knife, fastened the board back in place, I just have to trim the access door a fit a piano hinge, storage for the chargers for Christine’s scooters and a few other bits
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Brilliant!

Our vans are quite limited on storage space already, making use of "lost" space like this is excellent 

Great mod. Been thinking about investigating that potential space . Looks well worthwhile extra storage.
I am assuming you intend to piano hinge but not right across behind drivers seat.What is your idea regarding the carpet, are you going to cut it to allow lift up access? I shall be interested to see pics of finished project before going down similar route.

I will be using a piano hinge across the opening only in line with the passenger seat , my local carpet place does binding so may see if they can match the binding tape and slit it so it leaves the main part down

Thanks for that. I believe that will make a neat and very worthwhile additional storage
Klim

Finished it off today , used a full length piano hinge as my cutting was not as good as I would have liked , added a strengthening wooden angle to the back edge , overall very pleased and extra storage , I would have liked to get the carpet altered but no one in my area does carpet binding with tape

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Having been spurred on by freelanders  storage mod I have finally got around to doing mine.  A slightly different way about it which is probably  a little more work but the same result,accessing  very useable space.
I separated the step board just behind drivers seat  with multi tool so as not to get involved with EM40 wiring,which also allowed me to remove the rest of step board to the workshop to work on. I put the floor led lights and cables into plastic conduit to protect them from stored items when in use.
I then made support for refitting step board against the piece left in place and a support to strengthen step at access hole location and to blank off area to right which has heating pipe work.
Access cut into step board,edges cleaned and softwood edging fitted. Cut out was then trimmed to size allowing for edging to also be fitted. Thin battens fitted under back and left to support hatch. Step board then refitted. Once complete and carpet back down there is no evidence that an access has been fitted as no cuts appear on front edge,this is a potential hidey hole if required. There is a suppriseing amount of useful storage in this otherwise enclosed space.



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I utilised the space under the step to install a Victron 30amp B2B (I made it fan cooled) and a 1.5kW inverter (internally fan cooled). I also implemented an additional chassis connection. The use of this dead space avoided using up the limited space under the bed. It also meant a lot of the cabling was concealed. I added two extra vents to improve air flow. I also moved the heating duct.

This is a photo of the job in progress. I was planning on hinging the step cover but have not got round to it. Anyway, I have not needed to access the installation since it was put in.

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Baggiecamper…….. that is an excellent example of the amount of space not utilised.

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I carried out a similar mod based on FreelanderUK (Chris's) great idea.  I can't understand why A/S don't carry this out as an original fit. We use it as a boot/shoe locker.  The EM40 is quite easy to remove, 4 corner screws, lift and rotate 45 degrees, it will then pass through the opening, there is plenty of length on the cable loom, it also provides a good opportunity to check the condition of the connectors underneath.  I fabricated a new top piece made out of 19mm rather than 12mm to provide extra strength as the cut-out will weaken it, bought the timber from A/S so it matched. Tidied up the light wiring loom and covered it in with plywood so the shoes wouldn't damage anything.
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I think we are all IN STEP for using the wasted space



Before I decided to fill the step with electrical stuff I was considering making the storage even bigger by making it higher and moving the black fibre glass away from the passenger seat.

Monty-plym………. I notice your model year does not have the vent outlet in the step.That makes it even more worthwhile utilising the space left empty by AS.
Nice job!

Very tidy job as usual Kdc. I have to agree it’s a better idea having no vent at the front as I get no air flow from it anyway to far from heater I suppose. Kevin