By now you might be wondering why I started this segment with a close up of a National Luna fridge control panel. It has alot to do with how these projects go, things started with the idea that a regular RV style fridge which is floor level and would open sideways into a wheelchair or cause someone to bend over which is tough on those with balance issues. ARB was gracious enough to donate one of their new top opening fridges as seen in this picture.
However what we found was the curve of the van wall meant the fridge couldn't open all the way. The concept was sound but the devil is always in the details. So while we are very grateful for the support of ARB the search was on for a fridge that was top opening but side to side vs lengthways. Lucky for Disabled Explorers we have made some great friends out in the overland world, one of those is Equipt Expedition Outfitters who are the importers for National Luna Fridges (along with Eez-Awn roof tents and Frontrunner racks). Any of you who are Overland Jounal readers will remember that National Luna won the Editors Choice Award.
As you can see in this pic the National Luna comes from the factory setup perfect for our needs. The door can be made to open from either side or lengthways depending on your need. For us the display is in an excellent position to be visible to the driver or when someone is sitting in the gaucho.
This is the control panel and you can see some of the cool features those South Africans build into the fridge, from a selectable low voltage shutoff to the fast cool down mode and the digital temp setting. The stainless steel body should hold up to anything I can think of and the polished interior will clean up nicely for years to come. National Luna does make a split interior model in the Weekender line which I would recommend to someone who needs a freezer and a fridge in the same unit. I am looking forward to using this unit over the years to come and our first trip in the rig to Baja with Overland Training at the end of November.
The last big change isn't one that can be captured in pictures, instead it was a change in design and I have to commend the guys in the shop for not always doing as the customer ask. From the start we knew that storage space would be limited due to the need for an open floorplan for wheelchair users. However on this visit it really struck us just how limited the storage would be. I was ready to just live with that but the shop guys weren't satisified to listen to me, instead we huddled up and tossed around ideas from moving windows to eliminating windows, upper cabinet positions, bed placement, they just kept at it until we came up with a solution that wasn't even on the order sheet. They will custom craft the upper bed to include storage cabinets on each side towards the back and we are changing from long slider upper windows towards the rear to smaller windows towards the front (depending on what can be sourced). It was really impressive to watch these guys take something I told them I could live with and chew it over until the best possible solution presented itself.
The next pics should come from the final days before SEMA and at the show itself. As I type this Nor-cal mobility is installing the Braun wheelchair lift,B&D power transfer drivers seat base and the Sure Grip hand controls. Then the W.A.V.E will go back to Sportsmobile West for the final touches before SEMA.
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