Lost an item into back shelf space

Sszalay

We are new owners of a T@B S Max which we purchased Aug. 2016.  On our 4th trip out, a magazine I'd placed on the back shelf fell into the 1/2" space between the back shelf and T@B wall.  I have 2 questions: Any ideas on how to easily get it out? If we can't get it out, will it interfere with whatever internal workings of the T@B?  We didn't find an obvious way to get into this space.  Thanks!

Verna

It will not interfere with the internal workings of the T@B. There are heating fins in that space for the Alde, but because of the storage boxes, the magazine is probably being held up against the back wall by the boxes. I've not investigated closely how the factory boxes are constructed, so I really can't help on how to remove the box to get into the area. 

I think I see a screw on the side box in the corner. If you remove the screw and any other visible screws, are you able to get your hand under there to try to locate the magazine?  The opposite corner has the Alde glycol reservoir in it and I know it has screws that need to be removed in order to see the level of glycol in the reservoir. 

Estancio

Forget about it....I am sure there is a treasure chest of items in mine!

ScottG

I don't have the storage box on my 2015 so I've been able to peer down into that black hole. There's a few wires in addition to the exposed Alde fins, but it's mostly empty space. Even if your mag was bouncing around freely, I doubt it could do much damage to anything back there.

LauraRey

My only concern is that the heating fins get pretty hot.  I would take off the left panel as Verna described and see if you can reach it.  

Right.  I'll keep my thoughts to myself.

Photomom

LauraRey said:

My only concern is that the heating fins get pretty hot.  I would take off the left panel as Verna described and see if you can reach it.

Paper burns at 451 degrees. There's a book about it.

ericnliz

@Photomom, 'Ya mean the one that didn't burn up?

marknjudy

Just a thought cuz I don't know but someone else may be able to confirm or deny this. Inwonder if you remived one of the tail lights if it would give you access to that space?

Verna

@marknjudy, the tail lights are held in by some of the strongest caulk and adhesive and are very difficult to remove and reinstall. Leaving it there is a better idea than trying the tail lights!

marknjudy

Good to know, @verna. Hoping never to have to take it off then!

Sszalay

Thanks Verna and all of you folks who commented!   Glad to know you don't think it's a problem.  Next time we visit  our T@B ( it's stored offsite ) we'll check out the screw on the side.  Also I just picked up a grabber at the local automotive store and we'll see if it fits ino that space to reclaim my magazine. 

jgram2

I'd be tempted to straighten a wire coat hanger, keeping the hook end, bending the other end to a 1" 30' angle and try to go fishing with that-maybe 2 hangers-one for each hand. If it wasn't for having to avoid any electrical wiring, it could be a fun challenge for a 7 year old, but probably not a good idea. Curious about your problem, I took a reacher out to T@bit@t and tried it-no joy-too wide to fit in the narrow space. Good luck!

EmergencyKen

@Sszalay, is your magazine still back there? Any issues? Just asking cause I did the same thing this weekend with a handful of hiking maps. 

pthomas745

For those of you searching for this in the future, this is a quick set of instructions on how to get the back shelf lifted out to get behind the little gap.

"This is easy to remedy yourself. My wife and I spent an hour at the most. You will need a #2 square driver. The divider section comes out as one piece of furniture. Open the hinged door and you will see screws on the right and left. Remove those. There are also several screws on the front edge, the one closest to you. You might have to feel those rather than see them. My driver was too long to reach those so I was able to make a shorter Phillips screwdriver work. When all those screws are removed, you can lift the divider section out and access the area where your maps fell. One thing - it was tight sliding the unit out. I ended up removing the side panel that covers the Alde fluid tank - the one on the right as you are looking toward the back of the T@B. When it happened to us, we called Nucamp. The service manager phoned me back and told me what to do. It was quite a relief as I had a $900 iPhone sitting down there."

DaveAnna

Just for info, I went to Lowe’s/Home Depot etc and bought the corner Sheetrock pieces of angle. They come in 8’ and 10’ lengths, maybe longer. The angle is plastic and fits perfect. Touch of silicone or caulk to secure. No more lost items. I’ll try to find link from lowes

dave

DaveAnna

here’s a quick picture. Most home improvement places or hardware store has something like this. Note the holes or slots allow the heat to come up as normal

DaveAnna