Replace Penthouse top

[dsdaviser]

Does anyone have suggestions on a place near Virginia? Fort Wayne can do but not until late May.

 

[Twoxentrix]

You’d be hard pressed to find someone on the East Coast that would even consider taking on the project, and anyone that does I’d have reservations with.
Are you attempting removal of a pop-top with another pop-top? Or replacing a pop-top with a hard top?
If your intention is to replace it with a hard top, you may reach out to outfits which have experience doing conversion vans for the disabled and/or ambulance.
Otherwise I would suggest finding someone already familiar with the pop-top’s…may require driving to Texas or Indiana. Either way I’d opt for experience before I factor in convenience.

 

[dsdaviser]

Thanks, sorta what I expected. I have talked with Fort Wayne and they can do it, but not until late May.
The top is a mess and leaking. Just did some FlexSeal and will see.
I will replace it with another pop top because I use this as a stealth RV, and can park in my HOA lot.
You are right on suggesting experience over convenience.
We can always take the train to Chicago for a few nights.

 

[Twoxentrix]

Well then, when you get to Chicago you'll need to hit a dive bar and order the Malort (notably a a rite of passage), then move to the "Chicago Cocktail"...several rounds of the 2 together will alleviate all anxiety concerning the check you'll be writing when you get back to Fort Wayne.

 

[Big_ern_101]

Depending on what Sportsmobile is gonna get for the work I would strongly consider upgrading to a Colorado Camper Van roof. They are super nice.

 

[dsdaviser]

Thanks for that suggestion. I'll look into it. They can ship.

 

[mg93108]

I have a clarifying question and something to contemplate. Are you considering replacing the canvas tent on the pop top or are you talking about completely altering your vehicle radically by removing the existing pop top and installing a custom and permanent raised hard top? If it's the latter, you'd end up spending A LOT of money and you'll need to end up painting the entire van to have it look like it wasn't an afterthought. If it's really that important to have the permanent high top, my advice would be to sell your van and buy what you really want. It will be way less expensive and you won't be destroying one of the very desirable pop tops that so many people like. I'll grant you that they aren't for everyone, but those of us who like them search to find them. We drove three hours with two drivers to find ours.
But you're saying it leaks. If you're convinced that you need to keep your current van for some reason, then just get the pop top fixed properly. Buy new seals, take it to a fiberglass professional, etc. That will be way less expensive than the other route. Those are my thoughts. I've renovated 27 pop top campers of different manufacturers. Hopefully this gives you something to consider. I wish you the best in your project.

 

[dsdaviser]

You are right in your assumptions. The great thing about mine is that it is a Stealth RV that I can park with my HOA forbearance.

I did find a solution, a place near Lynchburg (1 hr) can do a bed liner type rubber spray on the top for $2750. Matching the color does not concern me. Line-X.
SM in Huntington would not work on the older Fords (2012), only in Austin. That was daunting and 4x more counting travel and stay over.

Thanks for reaching out.

 

[gahamby]

Bear in mind, that Line-X job will only be as good as the roof you're spraying it on. If the wood core is shot it's going to be good money after bad. If the canvas is bad, you still have that to solve.

 

[dsdaviser]

Well, dang, I think the wood is compromised. I have until the 20th to cancel.

What are my options in Virginia.
Do you do this work yourself, can I hire you?

 

[dsdaviser]

Canvas is ok.

 

[gahamby]

Well, dang, I think the wood is compromised. I have until the 20th to cancel.

What are my options in Virginia.
Do you do this work yourself, can I hire you?

I don't so you can't. Thanks for the offer though. You need to find a proper fiberglass shop. The closest one that comes to mind is Tim Nolte Surfboards in Point Harbor NC on the way to the Outer Banks. I know there's some closer. Remember, this top not only has to be watertight, It has to say put at 70mph when a semi blows by. There's posts on this forum about rebuilding pop tops. Search around. good luck GH