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 07-11-2014, 06:32 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Looking to purchase a SMB with penthouse top alignment issue

Hey guys!

We are looking at a 1994 Dodge with a popup penthouse. The van has 66k miles on it and appears to be very clean. It drives well. I didn't get to crawl under it, but planning to. Generator starts and runs well. No cooktop, but tons of storage.

It does need some suspension refresh as it sounded like some bushings or shocks were toast when pulling in and out of the driveway.

My biggest concern is the top. It is probably skewed to one side by at least an inch. Enough so that the top actually lands on the edge of the brake light when pulled down. This also causes the top to rest over the rain gutter on the passenger side.

Is this easy to fix?

What do you think a good price for this unit would be?

Thanks!

Jason

Txags is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2014, 08:45 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: Looking to purchase a SMB with penthouse top alignment i

It is probably not that big of a deal. They are fairly straightforward mechanical spring-loaded tops, so just get some advice from someone who can look at it locally. SMB has 3 locations if you didn't already know, one of which may be fairly close to you, but I would say any good mechanic could understand one of these tops. If you can lift it, brace it and then remove the trim, most of which is held in place with screwed down metal snaps w/ covers, you may just find a real obvious problem yourself. It might just be a bent bar or a chain or cable out of alignment.
Also, you should refer to one of the threads/videos here on adjusting the penthouse springs to get a basic idea of what's there and how dangerous the mechanism is. I recommend a 2nd set of hands and eyes if you investigate yourself.

Larrie has an excellent video on this. Search threads by Larrie.

86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2014, 11:07 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 261
Re: Looking to purchase a SMB with penthouse top alignment i

Tops can float left, right front and back depending on if they are closed while on a un-level surface.
Have you tried opening and closing on a level surface?
Other than that Like others said its a basic geometry system. Just watch closely as you open or close it might show itself during the process.
Tracey
__________________
2005 Ford E-350 SMB 4x4
6.0 EB 50 floor plan. sold :(
TraceyAZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2014, 07:51 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Pntyrmvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: GTA, Ontario
Posts: 1,102
Re: Looking to purchase a SMB with penthouse top alignment i

Hi,

The top on my Dodge is a sloppy fit as well.

The solution includes:

1- up and down on level ground

2- have a partner push the top into the sweet spot just as you slowly pull it down

3- jerk the top forward when fully extended upwards and allow it to slide back slightly on lowering. There is a surprising amount of play between the rods and the roof brackets.

Noisy Dodge creaking over bumps? Try the stabilizer bar end link bushings as well as the strut rod bushings. When both are installed EXACTLY as per instructions you will eliminate that creak and groan.

Use name brand or Mopar parts only.

Regards,

Gavin
__________________
"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."
Pntyrmvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2014, 08:41 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
yvrr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Newark, CA
Posts: 795
Re: Looking to purchase a SMB with penthouse top alignment i

If you have a split penthouse bed, raise and hook the front end of the bed before dropping the top down with the other end still on the rails. That will help guide the penthouse down straighter (and maybe further toward the front).
__________________
Jack
'01 Ford EB50p Quigley 4WD
yvrr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2014, 09:42 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
larrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,843
Re: Looking to purchase a SMB with penthouse top alignment i

Make sure you have a window or door open when you raise of lower the penthouse.

Mines a Ford and I agree with being on level ground.
__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.
larrie 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 10:12 AM.


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