Other Pre-Trip Jobs

I have finally fitted the floors to the Jerrycan lockers, using 1mm stainless steel sheeting.  The sheets are bonded to the tops of the two outriggers and the top of the jackable sills (flush with the outer edge of the locker frame) with silicone sealant.  I did consider using PU adhesive or mechanical fixings, but the PU adhesive would have been a permanent bond, causing potential work issues later, and mechanical fasteners (bolts or rivets) would have rubbed against the water/oil/fuel cans, causing wear damage and potential leaks.  In order to achieve a good bond, the Schutz was thoroughly removed from the galvanized chassis coating on the top surfaces of the outriggers (only where the stainless sheet covered them), and a thick layer of silicone sealant was applied over the entirity contact areas.  Heavy objects and G-clamps were used to hold the sheets firmly against the outriggers and sills for 72 hours while the silicone set.  The 20L MoD water can is now in the left locker, and three 5L oil bottles are in the right locker (with room to spare for a few bits and pieces).

I still need to fit the retractable blinds over the side windows, mainly to prevent sunlight obscuring the laptop screen while the kids watch DVDs on the long drives, fit thick washers to the rear dampers to stop their bottom studs contacting the tops of the leaf springs (with the asociates clunks and squeaks), and cure the slight fuel weep from the pipes around the right side fuel selector valves.  Apart from that, a wash and polish is all that’s needed before we go…  nothing difficult, time consuming or essential.