Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-22-2018, 06:52 AM   #31
Senior Member
 
boywonder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,045
Quote:
Originally Posted by new2tx View Post
I used a regular paper punch for mine. Holes were just the right size.

Same here..worked fine..I suspect that a leather punch will work too but may take more time.

__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
boywonder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2018, 09:06 AM   #32
Senior Member
 
Flux's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,420
Looking great!!!


Have you checked fit?? I would consider that before moving too much further just in case there's a little grinding that might need to be done. The vans and the tops all have a sculptural element to them.



Just a thought. But it looks like you are on your way!! Nice.
__________________
<br>
Tim - 2013 EB V10 Agile 4x4 SMB PH Ginger Army All Terrain Mobile HQ
Flux is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2018, 10:09 AM   #33
Member
 
michal740's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Albuquerque,NM
Posts: 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flux View Post
Looking great!!!


Have you checked fit?? I would consider that before moving too much further just in case there's a little grinding that might need to be done. The vans and the tops all have a sculptural element to them.



Just a thought. But it looks like you are on your way!! Nice.
I will check fitment for sure,but need to figure out how to move it up. It is
heavier than expected. This also makes me wonder how much it will change
the center of gravity and how it feels while driving. I thins this entire
complete setup must add another 300lbs on the top.
Does anyone remember the difference in feel or handling before and after
the penthouse install?
__________________
2001 E350,Denver fleet 4x4,5.4V8
michal740 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2018, 09:30 AM   #34
Member
 
michal740's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Albuquerque,NM
Posts: 47
So,after few estimates for canvas rebuild that were almost $2k,I have decided to make my own. I can rent commercial sewing machine from a gentleman who runs sewing machine repair shop.
Before I get the material and the machine,I will rebuild the lifting mechanism.
I'll be using extruded aluminum profile from free roof rack with a slider.
I managed to straighten the resting rail,but dont like the original design of the sliding part that is damaged anyway.
Hope to post some more details incoming weekend.
Attached Thumbnails
20181024_205748.jpg   20181024_205836.jpg  
__________________
2001 E350,Denver fleet 4x4,5.4V8
michal740 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2018, 09:48 AM   #35
Senior Member
 
BenJJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 428
Quote:
Originally Posted by michal740 View Post
So,after few estimates for canvas rebuild that were almost $2k,I have decided to make my own. I can rent commercial sewing machine from a gentleman who runs sewing machine repair shop.
Before I get the material and the machine,I will rebuild the lifting mechanism.
I'll be using extruded aluminum profile from free roof rack with a slider.
I managed to straighten the resting rail,but dont like the original design of the sliding part that is damaged anyway.
Hope to post some more details incoming weekend.
Way to not give up! Very excited to see how your canvas turns out and what you come up with for the lift mechanism.
BenJJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2018, 10:12 AM   #36
Senior Member
 
Twoxentrix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,347
Garage
You really did "resurrect" that Top - looks great!
__________________
TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
Twoxentrix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2018, 02:57 PM   #37
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 307
I use waterproof ripstop for mine and Stitch it with a regular home sewing machine also check out my build for some different designs on lifting mechanisms mine goes up with the gas struts super easy super simple there's no weird leverage on any part of it and even if I have a gas strut fail I can still lift it up
Wanderer-RRORC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2018, 05:23 PM   #38
Senior Member
 
Flux's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,420
Quote:
Originally Posted by michal740 View Post
I will check fitment for sure,but need to figure out how to move it up. It is
heavier than expected. This also makes me wonder how much it will change
the center of gravity and how it feels while driving. I thins this entire
complete setup must add another 300lbs on the top.
Does anyone remember the difference in feel or handling before and after
the penthouse install?



I did for sure. But my van was still empty. Mostly it was going around a curve at highway speed with no real grading, just felt like the van was tipping a bit more than I had been used to. Once I built out the van that subsided a bit as all the junk lowered the COG. But still, there are certain roads where there is no grading on turns that make the van feel tipsy. It's just a feeling though.


Good on ya for making your own canvas. I have an industrial sewing machine and it's more about time and effort.
__________________
<br>
Tim - 2013 EB V10 Agile 4x4 SMB PH Ginger Army All Terrain Mobile HQ
Flux is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2018, 09:13 PM   #39
Member
 
michal740's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Albuquerque,NM
Posts: 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wanderer-RRORC View Post
I use waterproof ripstop for mine and Stitch it with a regular home sewing machine also check out my build for some different designs on lifting mechanisms mine goes up with the gas struts super easy super simple there's no weird leverage on any part of it and even if I have a gas strut fail I can still lift it up
Good job on the your canvas. I saw your tread earlier and I enjoyed watching your progress on the build.
I am not sure if gas struts would hold the weight of the PH that is much heavier than I expected.
I have come up with this slide mechanism and did some "test run" on one side. Seem to be working ok. Some hardware changes will need to be done. Mainly nylon nut and nylon washer in between the arm and rail.
Attached Thumbnails
20181025_201741.jpg   20181025_203230.jpg   20181025_204149.jpg  
__________________
2001 E350,Denver fleet 4x4,5.4V8
michal740 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2018, 12:58 PM   #40
Member
 
michal740's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Albuquerque,NM
Posts: 47
Just one quick update.
One side of lifting mechanism is finished,now I need to do the same on the other side. I will reuse the top hoops of the original lift bars. I cut them so I can insert them into 1"1/4 square tubes. Square tubing is 11 gauge and round bars slide perfectly in. Also installed new gasket for the lid.
Attached Thumbnails
20181022_194641.jpg   20181027_154119.jpg   20181027_154139.jpg  
__________________
2001 E350,Denver fleet 4x4,5.4V8
michal740 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.