Replacing penthouse sidewalls with stronger material?

[Trek777]

Would it be possible (or even feasible) to replace the canvas sidewalls of the penthouse with a stronger composite material such as Kevlar or Carbon Fiber? I don't know exactly how tough the stock canvas is, but it doesn't seem very strong in terms of safety while someone is sleeping up there. Seems like this could be an easy target for individuals with evil intentions. Technically, my main concerns would be cost, moisture resistance, and whether or not the replacement material could fold up into the same space as the original. Appreciate any thoughts on this!

Trek777

[Greg In Austin]

T,

I would worry that another material, like those you mentioned, would not be weather tight when used to gain a greater strength.
u
I started working with kevlar fibers/threads 25 years ago.

I think you would end up with something much thicker and heavier, and much less flexible.
If you kept the weight and flexibility, I think you get something less weather-tight.

...but I am interested to hear if something is possible.

We have not had concerns about security, but I can see where there could be a concern.

[DUKCSUN]

Not to minimize your concern (the thought has crossed my mind) but with as high as my van is, if someone with evil intent wanted "access" to the upper canvas area while I was up there they would have to be pretty quiet or REALLY fast with a ladder.

The canvas is actually pretty thick and you would have to have an awfully trick knife to get through it without some serious effort or noise.

Personally, I like the canvas because I don't think it will deflect too much when I send a bullet through it to the aforementioned "evil doer".

My $.02

[oldbonesclimber]

Usually the sound of sliding the action on a 12 Ga. pump ends the concern. It makes for real big eyeballs and things quiet down from there. However hard sides are really nice in the wind. Maybe you could design some really thin carbon fiber panels that would fit inside against the sides and be sized to stack conveniently somewhere in the van. I personally have had NO issues with aggressiveness in the backcountry. (45 yrs) The opportunists seem to congregate near the masses.

Paul

[jage]

How about lining it with carbon-fiber mesh? It would keep knife entry to a minimum. Anything else you would have to give up or block the windows, and fresh air... I would say if it's a big enough concern to replace the canvas, it's big enough to go fixed top.

Oh and lets not forget about bears!
http://sportsmobileforum.com/hosted/jag ... inside.jpg

[BroncoHauler]

Or you could keep some pet vultures on the roof to alert you to intruders.

[Greg In Austin]

LoL. I think I am getting the threads confused ,...

...but I still like the chain gun idea with the optional brass catcher of course...

[jlrray]

people who get too close to van when we're not around get the evil dog bark.. if we're there, they'd get the sound of me racking the gun.

J

[jage]

I guess that's the downside of revolvers... the cocking noise is very subtle. I always think it's funny when normal rifles get pump shotgun sounds in movies, or revolvers get the slide/cock noise.

I think I may have told this before, but my father doesn't generally lock the doors to any of his vehicles when he is around, which includes in the house or sleeping in the truck cap he used to have. He's had a few things stolen out of the driveway over the years, but generally no issues when camping.

However a few years ago he was down in Southern Indiana and was parked in a gravel lot off some back road in one of the forests he frequents. It was pouring rain, absolutely pouring- and he was asleep in the truck cap. Nobody else was around as it had been raining all weekend and everyone else had left before dark.

Round about 2 a.m. the truck shifts and he sits up and realizes that someone opened the cab door and climbed in. There are no other vehicles around and he is miles from anywhere a pedestrian should be encountered. He holds up a pistol and taps on the front glass of the truck cap with it. The intruder takes one look and bolts into the rain and the night, of course leaving the cab door wide open. So dad has to get out, in the pouring rain and go shut it. Arguably the worst part in his opinion.

My thought is of course that he is lucky the guy chose the cab and not the cap first. Which is why my truck cap has/had an inside collar so that I can lock it from the inside. When I was first looking for a way to lock it from the inside I first heard the adage that locks only buy you time. If someone really wants in, they're going to come in.

Anyway, I suppose my dad could have saved himself a broken window by leaving the truck unlocked, and who knows the guy may have just been looking for a dry spot out of the rain, but it's kind of hard to tell in the middle of the night.

[Jeffrey]

Sure am glad I don't live in such paranoia.