The lower shelf sits directly below the front window and is the support for the kitchen table. The shelf itself was rotten plywood and a complete mess. It was used to cut a new piece of mahogany for replacement. The support beam had some tricky angles I didn't want to replicate so it was refurbished. Unfortunately it wasn't made of mahogany, so the appropriate stain didn't create the appropriate color.
Once sanded, stained, and sealed, the shelf needed a unique part to properly connect it to the aluminum wall. Yes I could have done what the previous owner did and just cut some 1" x 1" wood as a support beam, or maybe used some L-brackets, but I wanted the lower shelf to match the upper shelf in craftsmanship. I ordered this part from Vintage Trailer Supply (.com!) and cut it to length.
Brie helped me level the shelf and install the support beam to its original location and ta-da! Now it can support the table.
And that's a wrap ladies and gents. A front-end shelf ready for road-action!
Since the lower crossbeam is made from a different material than the upper crossbeam, it is clearly not original. I am unclear if the original design had a lower shelf at all. Many of the photos I've seen simply had the metal piece bolted onto the aluminum wall. I suppose I'll have to consult the forums on this one.
