Penthouse Latch Cover

[carln]

I purchased a Sportsmobile RB 50, penthouse, 2wd, V8 new in 2003 when we retired. We have averaged three months a year traveling in the van. The van currently has 180,000 miles.

April, 2018 we had Sportsmobile replace the canvas and screens, add an electric lift and solar panels. This was a great change. We should have done it sooner.

May, 2019 I was distracted and when I raised the top and one of the latches became reattached and I bent the penthouse tube. Sportsmobile was able to rebend the tube.

October, 2020 I again raised the top and one of the latches became reattached and bent the penthouse tube. Sportsmobile was able to rebend the tube but said that if I bent if again, they might have to replace the tube and that was a big deal in time and money.

I felt really stupid when I bent the tubes. Turns out I'm not the only one this happens to. I met several owners in the waiting room who were there for the same reason I was.

I made a penthouse latch cover to prevent bending the penthouse tube. The cover is made with three pieces of 1/2" baltic birch. The hole in the middle is the size of the latch. There is a rare earth magnet in the center that holds the cover in place. So far the cover works great.

Carl

[Twoxentrix]

I had read about this possibility several times, but was confident that since I had been forewarned (after reading the accounts) it would never happen to me...until one day one of my latches caught. Fortunately I realized very quickly and didn't end out bending any cross bars.
As you, I was going to find a way to protect myself...fun to see the different approaches people take to achieve this resolve.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1




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[snomad]

Remove Before Flight tags stay on each latch with the top up or down as a reminder to keep aware of them. a rubber band keeps them out of the way when not actually hooked.

[doublevan2]

Snomad has the best idea -- I "always ?" turn my hooks around opposite to attachment so they can't reattach !? SO FAR !! ??

[geoffff]

I've had mine accidentally catch twice in 17 years. First time it ripped up the wood over the cab (fixed with wood screws, bolts, and glue). Second time I caught it earlier.

[dawgtnt]

On a quick side note for the pop top latches --

Years ago Sportsmobile had a safety fix for the latches which involved installing a seat belt for each latch. Essentially you have the u-hook and a seat belt attachment to do for safety. I notice none of the pic in this thread have had this done.

BTW - We did forget a latch once, bent it going up and Sportsmobile West sent the tools to fix it. We used them and then shipped back. We did not get it 100% straight so it is slightly lopsided but no issues since then. And it wasn't me that did it initially ....

Kelly

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by dawgtnt

... And it wasn't me that did it initially ....

Kelly

We will require confirmation from your significant other before accepting that... awaiting your next post.

[Amy V]

Originally Posted by carln

I purchased a Sportsmobile RB 50, penthouse, 2wd, V8 new in 2003 when we retired. We have averaged three months a year traveling in the van. The van currently has 180,000 miles.

April, 2018 we had Sportsmobile replace the canvas and screens, add an electric lift and solar panels. This was a great change. We should have done it sooner.

May, 2019 I was distracted and when I raised the top and one of the latches became reattached and I bent the penthouse tube. Sportsmobile was able to rebend the tube.

October, 2020 I again raised the top and one of the latches became reattached and bent the penthouse tube. Sportsmobile was able to rebend the tube but said that if I bent if again, they might have to replace the tube and that was a big deal in time and money.

I felt really stupid when I bent the tubes. Turns out I'm not the only one this happens to. I met several owners in the waiting room who were there for the same reason I was.

I made a penthouse latch cover to prevent bending the penthouse tube. The cover is made with three pieces of 1/2" baltic birch. The hole in the middle is the size of the latch. There is a rare earth magnet in the center that holds the cover in place. So far the cover works great.

Carl

Carl,
this is a very handy tip and diagram. I think we are going to borrow this for exactly the same reasons you mention. Thank you for sharing this.
Amy

[carln]

Amy,
The covers have worked great for us. They are a little insurance against damage. We keep them in the pouch behind the passenger seat.
Carl