Penthouse Not fitting tight when closed

[yvrr]

I seem to recall that I also had a problem with a J hook which couldn't be tightened enough to pull the top top tight enough but, as I remember it, the problem wasn't running out of thread but that the end of J hook was hitting on the rest of the assembly (i.e., bottoming out). I unscrewed it, put a nut on it, and cut off some of the end with a hacksaw. Unscrewing the nut cleaned up the threads and I reinstalled it...problem solved.

[ehc0720]

I have a 2004 EB. It looks like they use the same size PH top for RB and EB, the front on the EB starts behind the driver and the RB over the driver. On my EB the top comes down behind the metal roof channels and wind and water gets in there. Looks like in the RB the PH top comes down on the smooth portion of the roof. Do all the EB folks have this issue?

[woodbee]

Originally Posted by ehc0720

I have a 2004 EB. It looks like they use the same size PH top for RB and EB, the front on the EB starts behind the driver and the RB over the driver. On my EB the top comes down behind the metal roof channels and wind and water gets in there. Looks like in the RB the PH top comes down on the smooth portion of the roof. Do all the EB folks have this issue?

I have an EB and the rubber gasket follows the contour of the corrugations, it looks like it seals good. I have never had a problem with water or wind.

Woody

[daveb]

I have always had water come in under the top. If the front window is left open wind can be heard and if I hit a hard headwind the front canvas bellows out a bit even with the window closed. My old seal was much better than the one they put on after I had SMB spray the top.

[ehc0720]

Originally Posted by woodbee

I have an EB and the rubber gasket follows the contour of the corrugations, it looks like it seals good. I have never had a problem with water or wind.

Woody

My gasket doesn't follow the corrugations at all, in fact I can stick my finger under the gasket in the low part of the corrugations. Every time it rains or when I wash it water goes under the top and collects in the back corners under the top. I have to raise it and mop up the water. I'm thinking about adding some weather stripping to the gasket to fill in the corrugations.

[Saltydog]

I'm trying to figure out a way to fill the .75" gap under my gasket on the front of my penthouse. I currently have the gasket off to replace it, just rhino lined the roof, and have the tape on hand once I get everything done. My penthouse sits tight all the way around except for the front arches way too high and the gasket doesn't come close to making contact in front. Was thinking about trying to add fiberglass but I'm looking for ideas.

[BrianW]

^^ Photo would be helpful

[GAR]

Good grief, I really want a Penthouse top for my van, but after reading about all the problems with them (of course SMB West says they are all great), I am thinking a fixed top might be the better way to go. Thoughts?

Gar

[BrianW]

There's a lot of them out there that work fine, too. Mine is a 1998 and still works perfectly, for example. Same design as far as I know (manual, not electric).

[Saltydog]

Here's a pic. The fiberglass is flush on the other three sides. Rubber gasket is currently off