Fold down table

**rijidij** · 18th January 2023, 03:04 PM

I want to share this with other Defender owners. Even though it's a finished design as it is, we welcome any feedback for ideas for possible additional features.
Please let us know what you most commonly use your camping table for. What items do you always have on your table, or hanging on the side etc etc.

We've been working on this drop down table for several months now (Rijidij Off Road)
This is the third prototype I've fitted to my County.
There's a few minor tweaks required, but the design is pretty much complete and operational.
It all started with an idea I had, to see if we could design a table that would drop down from the upper panel, to a nice height to work on.

At the top of this picture is my rough model of a scissor type hinge, just to get an idea of whether it would be possible.
At the bottom of the picture is the result of many, many hours on CAD, performed by my friend Mark who is much better at CAD than me

Are you on here Mark ?
The object was to manipulate the hinge components so that they would all neatly fit into each other in the closed position. This proved to be quite tricky, but after Mark's brain nearly exploded, he managed to make it all work.

Hinge-Concept.jpg

Another objective was to fit the table to the vehicle without having to drill holes through the panels.
This one fixes on using the Gullwing frame bolts.
The table will also be able to fit over the original sliding windows, by drilling through the frame, but we haven't test fitted one in this way yet.
The X shape bracket in the below pics is a folding brace. This gives the table a nice solid feel when dropping it down or lifting it up as there is no sideways 'wobble'.
As you can see in the video, the table is very easy to operate.
We used Southco Mini Latches on each side.

Sthco-Ltch.jpg

It will also allow the storage of recovery tracks on the outside. We've included pre laser cut holes to suit the major brands of recovery tracks, Maxtrax and Tred.
Anything possible is made from stainless steel, table top, hinge mechanisms, latches, fasteners etc.

Proto-2-Complete.jpg

Overall, we are very happy with the designs.

Mark has this mesh table top on his defender. This allows the driver to have rear vision through the rear passenger side window or glass gullwing.
He recently road tested this one on a two week camping trip with great success.

Mesh-Platform.jpg

Cheers, Murray

**Slunnie** · 18th January 2023, 04:45 PM

I like it! Especially with the perforated option.

My only comment just relates to the edges of the table, they just need to be more completed. An example of this might be to box them in and to seal the corners (maybe let it drain from the rear/lower). Maybe a trim piece could be used if it is built like that due to manufacturing.

Well done with it!

**rijidij** · 18th January 2023, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I like it! Especially with the perforated option.

My only comment just relates to the edges of the table, they just need to be more completed. An example of this might be to box them in and to seal the corners (maybe let it drain from the rear/lower). Maybe a trim piece could be used if it is built like that due to manufacturing.

Well done with it!

As much as I like the thought of the corners being boxed in to match the top and bottom edges, unfortunately it would add a LOT to the end cost simply due to the extra fabrication time involved.

**Mhasting2004** · 18th January 2023, 06:07 PM

On our trip I liked the ability to just sweep off and leaves or water out the corners so having them open is actually quite nice.

That said It would be pretty trivial to print up a 3d plastic corner bumper... I agree something might be nice to stop kids getting decapitated.... good for zombies though

**Mhasting2004** · 25th January 2023, 05:47 AM

Over 300 views and only 1 comment/suggestion...Hmm either we answered everyone's desires and made a perfect design (unlikely), or so far off the mark that nobody is interested (unfortunate) .

Murray and I would love some feedback (good the bad and hopefully not too much ugly) as we refine the design and do our best to address the desires of the Fender Fans out there. I've never had a table or gullwing setup until this one so my experience is limited to what I find useful. Be great that others with existing setups can share what works well, or not so well, in their current setups so we can see if they cant be addressed.

Cheers

Mark

**B.S.F.** · 25th January 2023, 10:07 AM

I do not own or drive a Defender, but I find a tailgate and a small collapsible table that can be moved around to suit conditions, more versatile than a table fixed to a vehicle.
Pic: Cooking breakfast on the road in the rain.
.W.

**Mhasting2004** · 25th January 2023, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by B.S.F.

I do not own or drive a Defender, but I find a tailgate and a small collapsible table that can be moved around to suit conditions, more versatile than a table fixed to a vehicle.
Pic: Cooking breakfast on the road in the rain.
.W.

Hard to see but that looks like a Perentie?

I agree, a fixed table does not replace the functionality of a collapsible one... But for me this is a cooking/prepping bench while the other is a dining/lounging by fire one... Different heights and uses just like in a kitchen at home.

**B.S.F.** · 25th January 2023, 11:43 AM

It's a Series 1 109.
.W.

**Mhasting2004** · 25th January 2023, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by B.S.F.

It's a Series 1 109.
.W.

Cool. Yeah a tailgate is like the original built in drop down table.

**Tins** · 25th January 2023, 11:57 AM

I reckon it's great. Just not sure where on an OKA it would fit. The idea works for me though...

IMG_2916.jpg

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