Re: new van build
You can chose between interior or exterior latches, exterior are simpler, cleaner and hold better, hands down.
I ran my van with no latches and it worked fine on the road but after long harsh trail trips I noticed some
rubbing occuring where the body and top meet so I cured that with latches and a different seal design like
the one on sledmods van. You can also do an interior latch like a smb but it is more complicated and not as
appealing to look at. All of my tops go up and down using an electric motor for several reasons but the main
ones are, if you load down your top or put a roof rack on it you do not have to unload it to pop the top,
If it snows while you are sleeping you do not have to worry about getting smashed in your bed while sleeping.
I have had 5 adults standing on my while it was in the up position that is how strong they are when they are up.
Smb has a patent on there spring loaded scissor design and even though it is about to run out I do not feel it is a stout enough design for me to sell.
Since the tops are operated using a key fob you can walk around the van while you lower or raise it to be sure nothing is getting pinched during the process.
I get asked what if a motor fails, first I have not had one fail yet, even though I know it is a matter of time. if
one does fail you can remove 1 bolt and lower and raise it by physical strength. I do not recommend this however
you will never get stuck in a camping spot with your top up. Also I cannot imagine a actuator failing when it is lowering a top all of the stress occurs during the first 5 inches of the lift, so chances are if it failed it would still lower. I do not know this for sure it is just speculation I will find out when one actually fails.
Derek
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https://WWW.COLORADOCAMPERVAN.COM
00 PSD EB Quigly being converted to a Colorado Camper Van top
73 ford e100 soon to be 4wd with a 4bt
72 bronco aod injected 351 4 linked arb f/r 38in swampers
72 bronco 302 c4 soon to be 4bt w/ 5speed 4 inch lift 33 swampers
81 cj 7 in pieces at the moment injected twin turbo 401
ktm 525 exc, 620sx,
62 caddy convertible waiting for me to install 2007 northstar
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