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Old 07-21-2016, 03:35 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by bemerritt View Post
Definitely have been looking for one recently. The super top looks awesome and if the price is right, i'd drive right out from CA and pick it up!
Sounds good, I'll keep you in the loop, what rig do you have the EB or SB?
Thanks
Mark

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Old 07-21-2016, 04:01 PM   #12
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Love your idea, and not to derail, but if you're in the northeast this looks like a good deal:

Fiberglass camper Top Fits 92 Newer Ford Van Sportsmobile | eBay
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Old 07-21-2016, 04:09 PM   #13
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No derail… but this is one of my tops that Jack and I are making. It was damaged so he is selling it on ebay. Since doing a reglass would cost us in the ball park of what he is selling it for...

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Love your idea, and not to derail, but if you're in the northeast this looks like a good deal:

Fiberglass camper Top Fits 92 Newer Ford Van Sportsmobile | eBay
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Old 07-21-2016, 04:25 PM   #14
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It did look very familiar.

And it's sold.
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Old 07-22-2016, 05:28 AM   #15
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MSD,

I like your approach. Just sent you a PM for East Coast distribution and potential retail outlet once you get operational.

Thank you,
Tim
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Old 07-22-2016, 06:15 PM   #16
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Thanks Tim - I'll be in touch after this weekend, heading out on a climbing trip right now. I'm for sure interested.
Cheers ~ Mark

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MSD,

I like your approach. Just sent you a PM for East Coast distribution and potential retail outlet once you get operational.

Thank you,
Tim
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Old 08-05-2016, 03:49 PM   #17
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Well it’s been a slow process but I’m moving forward with producing some van tops. I’ll have a few SB and EB 24” tops here by 8/16. It was a slight challenge to figure freight and the best shipping / trucking company to work with… but I think we have that nailed down now.

The goal with the top for me is to make a quality, strong and light weight top that doesn’t mess with a 2WD or 4WD van suspension or that the van doesn't feel top heavy in any way… and of course set up with a competitive price for the DIY guy. My EB 24” top comes in at just under 120 lbs so I think we are getting really close.

I want these tops to be strong and light weight so I have taken the approach with adding carbon and carbon Kevlar to the top to achieve this, instead of glassing in plywood. Which adds unnecessary weight in my opinion.

I’ll leave you with a few pictures on the product wrapped and on its way, when I get a chance I’ll post pictures of the inside of the roofs to show the finish product to keep it strong and light weight.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Mark
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loaded.jpg   Tops.jpg  
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Old 08-05-2016, 11:37 PM   #18
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I'd be interested too. '99 RB E350.

Do you know what heights you'll be offering? 24" makes a lifted RB look top heavy to me. At the same time, I'm 6' tall and am not sure I'd be able to stand up full height in a 20" after flooring and roof insulation...
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Old 08-05-2016, 11:46 PM   #19
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One other question: can your fixed top accommodate a penthouse bed like a poptop can?
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Old 08-06-2016, 09:08 AM   #20
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SteelheadJones - a 20" fixed won't allow for enough head room for your height. I've been told that a 20" top finished out is about 5' 10" for stand up height at the tallest point, I know it can be adjusted a little but I’ve been told you can’t get to 6’.

Right now we are only going to offer 24" fixed tops for both the Ford SB and EB vans. I do have the options of a smaller top, but want to keep things simple to keep prices where we need them to offer something competitive.

If you used a penthouse bed in a fixed top it would only work for small kids but not adults unless you like to sleep in really tight spaces or adjust to set the bed low, I guess it comes down to how creative you’d like to be in fixing the penthouse bed lower...

I think the rigid fiberglass tops make more sense in climates that are cold in the winter like Colorado since I’d like to be warm and not feel like I’m tent camping in the winter up in the mtns, I also think that it’s better in a humid climate (east) because you can keep things cooler with AC. But again this is just me…

There are pluses and minuses for either fixed top and pop tops, it comes down to what your needs are…
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