Since posting the TVAN Tweaks and Tips blog and a couple of YouTube videos showing the Weber BBQ installed in the TVAN I’ve had a few enquiries about how to make the Weber support brackets, to carry and use it in the right hand front storage box of the TVAN.
The brackets are a fairly simple fabrication so there is not a lot of engineering involved, and it was made using some off cuts of steel I already had so the design could be refined if undertaken from the ground up rather than set out to use existing material off cuts.
Basic idea of the brackets is to hold the Weber length-ways in the locker drawer, but high enough that the drawer can still be used to stow bar-b-que consumables and tools. When at camp the Weber is then swung around cross-ways, using the drawer as a support bench, avoiding the need to carry a separate table or stand for the bbq.
When stowed the Weber is a very neat fit in the storage box without room to bounce around, however I use a couple of rubber bungy cords to lash it down for even better security (these rub and leave the black line under the shelf above the Weber). The bungy cords simply hook into holes drilled in each of the support brackets.
The brackets are attached to top of the drawer sheet metal using M6 cap-screws into Nutserts, though regular nylock nuts could be used although a little difficult to access for tightening.
The brackets incorporate some small steel tabs welded to the bracket to retain the Weber’s legs and stop it moving around.
The internal width of the drawer limits the allowable maximum width of the Weber’s feet and a small amount of plastic had to be trimmed off one side for the Weber to fit into the bracket when mounted in the cross-ways “cooking” position.
Readers will also note the addition of an extra piece of steel running across the drawer, joining the two individual brackets (unpainted in image above). This was added to strengthen the assembly and stop sides of the sheet metal drawer from flexing, which I was concerned may eventually lead to fatigue cracking of the drawer. This cross brace has substantially stiffened the assembly, although it does make use of the drawer space a little more fiddly.
Material and approximate dimensions for the right hand side Weber support bracket is shown below, the left hand side is simply a mirror image. Note that it may be worth double checking these against dimensions of your own TVAN drawer. Note also that only the Weber Baby Q1000 will fit underneath the shelf in the storage box when at the 440mm height – if you have a larger Weber (e.g. Q1200) you would need the 550mm height shelf (or no shelf at all).
BBQ Accessories
To get the most out of the Weber when travelling I’ve found the following accessories to be really useful:
- a 5m gas hose with quick-connect fittings allows me to supply the Weber with gas from the standard TVAN kitchen outlet. A long gas hose and the associated fittings can be sourced from any gas equipment supplier, I got mine from Gas Components at Rocklea (Brisbane)
- the gas line tee-piece to allow the Weber and TVAN stove to be used concurrently came from Atlas Trailer Hire
- when traversing rough roads the cast iron grill plates can bounce around in the Weber, breaking the plates or the gas burner ring. To safely store the grill plates I use canvas bags from Underkover Australia, I have a second one for the Weber flat plate and trivet as well.
- there is never enough bench space when camping so I find the KAON stainless steel side tables for the Weber to be fantastic and much sturdier than the plastic Weber versions
- the disposable Weber drip trays and convection trays save a lot of mess around camp when water can often be under rations.
- a Weber plastic scraper is a handy way to keep inside of the BBQ tidy and avoid fat fires
- we always carry foil trays with lids to store left overs – these are sized to suit the Travel Buddy 12V oven in the LandCruiser so we can easily prepare a hot lunch when travelling using left overs that is cooked while we are driving along.
- a wire brush, tongs and all the other BBQ paraphernalia lives in the drawer right below the Weber
For more information on the Weber support brackets check out the video below: