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07-31-2021, 09:13 AM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Riverside Ca.
Posts: 740
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Two short questions on the top. I did not see if it is manual or a power top and what ever it is power or manual does it struggle to rise with the canoe? Very Nice Good Luck!
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07-31-2021, 09:14 AM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Riverside Ca.
Posts: 740
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Two questions please? If it is manual or power and does it struggle to rise with the canoe?Also Good Luck very nice.
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07-31-2021, 11:09 AM
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#33
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 31
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It is powered, and it does not struggle.
The only struggling is when I am lifting the canoe 8+' solo :-)
With a canoe, I always lash bow and stern to the bumpers (too). Don't forget to loosen those lines before pressing "Up". I am sure that would cause a lot of problems for the canoe!
Seriously, I do not know the load rating with the power top, but on long outings where the roof rack is loaded with gear, I have never noted any struggling raising the penthouse.
Hope this helps.
__________________
... Bob
2006 Sportsmobile SWB
E350 6.0l
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07-31-2021, 12:02 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,381
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According to Sportsmobile, roof load rating is 150lbs (that includes any racks and items you store up top, AND the recommendation is that the weight is positioned to be distributed evenly to all 4 corners). Some of us have a little more (I have about 175lbs) and have not had issues. BUT, I would suggest making some support poles that stand up in each corner (on the inside) to take some of the burden off the cross bars while the top is in the “up” position. Just cut some 2” dowels about an inch longer than the space between the top and the bottom railing it would rest on. Couple threads out there with alternatives.
__________________
TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
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07-31-2021, 12:21 PM
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#35
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 31
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I've not weighed the various bits on my roof, but maybe this close:
- Yakima tracks and mounting hardware: ~3#
- Bars and towers: ~12#
- Residential grade PV panel: ~20#
- Yakima Load Warrior: 25#
So, fixed bits, maybe 60#
Things one might stow up top
- Canoe: 58#
- Mother-in-law: 110#
One or the other - we are good to go :-)
__________________
... Bob
2006 Sportsmobile SWB
E350 6.0l
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07-31-2021, 12:30 PM
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#36
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 31
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More seriously, the things to really think about are the road you are on and wind loading IMO. Aggressive back-country roads with a lot of vibration and tossing about are going to stress the top, more than Interstate cruising.
I have installed a Yakima windscreen on the leading cross bar to create a bit better wind-flow at Interstate speeds.
The lift mechanisms are strong. It is a fiberglass roof though, so proper mounting of track hardware is indicated, especially if one has high profile loads. Hence my comment about also holding down things like canoes at stem and stern to reduce stress on other mounting hardware.
FWIW
__________________
... Bob
2006 Sportsmobile SWB
E350 6.0l
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07-31-2021, 12:41 PM
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#37
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 31
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So here is an anecdote for you:
In the Yukon, industry is maintaining the road between British Columbia and Alaska. In the Winter, the road bed freezes hard and heaves. In the Summer, the crews repair the road.
Rinse, lather, repeat.
At maybe 65 mph, I hit an unannounced frost heave. All 4 wheels and 10,000# left the ground. I really like how stable the SMB platform is. I was also glad that I had done a decent job with the roof rack mounting system - Hah!
It is easy to think about "static" roof loading. But these vehicles and the roads they travel on are anything but.
__________________
... Bob
2006 Sportsmobile SWB
E350 6.0l
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07-31-2021, 07:07 PM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: OH
Posts: 518
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Quote:
Originally Posted by graybeard
Just installed some “saddle-blanket” seat covers (looks great!). By this time next week, the penthouse roof will be LineX’d :-)
Right now, with all the dirt roads, it needs a wash!
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Thats a sweet RB50! But Chris are you SURE you're selling her because I am reading that youre still adding things!
Please share where you sourced the blanket seat covers from?
__________________
2011 V10 E350 XLT SD Quigley/AOR (RIP'd)
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08-01-2021, 07:49 AM
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#39
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 31
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Seat Covers Unlimited out of Mesa AZ.
Re: Selling, it takes two to tango. If I don't find a buyer, there are things to do now, before the snow flies, and I don't defer maintenance :-)
... Bob
__________________
... Bob
2006 Sportsmobile SWB
E350 6.0l
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08-04-2021, 08:08 PM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: OH
Posts: 518
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Quote:
Originally Posted by graybeard
Seat Covers Unlimited out of Mesa AZ.
Re: Selling, it takes two to tango. If I don't find a buyer, there are things to do now, before the snow flies, and I don't defer maintenance :-)
... Bob
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Bob thanks for that info... I have looked at Seat Covers Unl. online but it’s great to see how nice they look in your pics.
And sure there’s always ongoing maintenance!
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Miss Piggy
AWOL
Linear Mode
