Front Tub open space

lkc001

Hello all--I remembered seeing somewhere a few people adding some wire/metal screening or something to the back and bottom of the plastic tub to keep items from falling out of the tub.  I did some searching on "tub storage" and cannot find anything.  Any help pointing met in the right direction would be appreciated!

MuttonChops

Did you see this thread:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/57868#Comment_57868 

lkc001

@MuttonChops--yes I did see that one.  The one I was looking for had put a back & floor on the tub with some kind of metal plate that had decorative holes punched all over it for airflow.  Kind of like a decorate floor register but it must come in a sheet and be able to cut it with tin-snips or something?

Awca12a

Can't help you with the thread but for the decorative floor register that you could cut with tin snips, do a google search for perforated metal.   
https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-36-in-x-36-in-Small-Hole-Aluminum-Sheet-in-Black-84327/205058566?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD25H%7C25-4_BUILDERS_HARDWARE%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000035978695%7c58700004046980559%7c92700037059910574&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4fHkBRDcARIsACV58_EpGzorPuhSBVxcuZBZx-XBSGErz6gi7QjagaOB7LuOOQkgMv71AEoaAsdfEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I looked at doing that initially but wanted more rigidity and air flow so ended-up using a simple 1' plastic coated wire shelf instead.  Posted those photos here
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8543/t-b400-second-propane-tank-mount

Travelin3D

I remember that thread and I believe the poster used the kind of decorative grill they put on home radiator covers. You can find it in 2x3 sheets at Home Depot, etc.

Sharon_is_SAM

I looked all over and can’t find pics of the perforated metal screening.  This was the best I could come up with.  This looks like hardware cloth rather than perforated metal sheeting.

lkc001

Well this gives me a few ideas & products to go look at Home Depot!  Thanks!

ADRawli

I think the best material for the back wall might be ‘expanded metal’.  I think I’m going to do mine for my 400 BL out of this in aluminum, but you can get it in other metals as well, i.e. stainless steel. You can order it in a number of thicknesses cut to your specific dimensions here:
https://www.metalsdepot.com/aluminum-products/aluminum-expanded-metal

Sharon_is_SAM

That was the search term of the hour - expanded metal.  @lkc001, try this.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/search?Search=Expanded+metal

lkc001

@Sharon_is_SAM Thank you.  I've been trying to find what others have used---I have one of the plastic-type tubs, not a metal tub.

Sharon_is_SAM

The expanded metal floor is standard T@G issue on their plastic tubs.  

lkc001

I do not have a Tag

Sharon_is_SAM

The TaG forum may have more info regarding using expanded metal on the plastic tubs.

NoVaGuy

Can you cut an opening through the expanded metal for the propane hose?  I would be concerned that the metal might cut the hose during travel.

ScottG

NoVaGuy said:

Can you cut an opening through the expanded metal for the propane hose?  I would be concerned that the metal might cut the hose during travel.

Agreed, but there is probably some sort of  grommet you could fit around the edge of the hole that would eliminate this concern.

Michigan_Mike

I installed expanded metal under the tongue area of my former 320 T@B and fabricated a diamond plate cover and latch so I could store the sewer hose and accessories there.  I used a hand grinder with a diamond blade to cut the expanded metal. You could do the same and just use a sharpie or wax pencil to create your circular area for the propane line, etc. You could also use either flexible tubing that they use to protect wiring or a piece of hose, cut it and insert it over the sharp edges of the expanded metal. That should work. 👍🏻

You could simplify things too, buy some small chicken wire or similar product, fabricate a small frame out of flat aluminum stock that you can buy at Home Depot and place the screening against the flat stock aluminum and hold it in place with small sheet metal screws and small fender washers, etc.  You could easily she be aluminum, depending on the thickness purchased and then sheet-metal it into place. I would recommend that you use stainless screws to eliminate any corrosive action between the aluminum and metal screws.