Building a 130 tub canopy

[Fraz]

Hey guys,

I want to build a canopy with canvas sides and a hard roof.
What would be the best way that you can think of to have this roof 'openable' so I can still move tall loads?

[bcj]

thinkin' of same thing for my 110 c/chassis- might build hoops independant of roof frame & fix roof by bolting through front & rear hoops or having roof fixed to side rails that then attach to front & rear hoop

brett

110 300tdi

[Fraz]

I thaught of having a roof that hinged from the side rails of the frame that fold into the centre - the only problem would be a reliable seal.
Any ideas on this?

[VladTepes]

Fraz I am having difficulty with the mental picture of where you mean.
Myabe a photo with arrows might help.

[Fraz]

Hi Vlad,
Ive done up a very poor diagram - hope it gets the intent across.
What i was thinking:
remove the red element (some sort of centre pin)
have the 2 roof panels (blue) swing down -on hinges to vertical (green) and stow against the side frame

now that I've drawn the diagram i realise how far fetched it is to have it seal reliably :(

[Killer]

You might find it easier to seal if the roof panels swung around to the outside of the sides rather then the inside. You could make the roof panels so they end up with some pitch, (higher in the centre) and run a channel down the length of one and a corresponding lip on the other.

Cheers, Mick.

[Fraz]

That's not a bad idea.. Hadnt thaught of that one. -cheers!
Does anyone know of anything like this that's been done before? Google isn't being my friend :(

[roverrescue]

Fraz,
Even if you build a moving top will not the rear cross member restrict or at least annoy tall loads moving in and out of tray.
My thoughts would be:
If you carry tall loads regularly make a half canopy and leave room for height at the rear. (think dog cage canopy)
If it is just every now and again build a canopy that can be removed with minimum of hassle.

S

[Fraz]

[snip]
If it is just every now and again build a canopy that can be removed with minimum of hassle.

S

This is what I'm trying to achieve - just playing with options. I mostly move motorbikes, which are a good 30cm+ taller than the roof when in the tray, but do move loads for mates also

the crossmember would have to be removable for this to work - but now I'm leaning toward a one piece 'modular' style roof - something that simply comes off

[BreakingBad]

what about . . .

strong vertical metal frame just behind the cab and both sides (think roll cage quality). each of these frames has mounting brackets to accept removable roof section.

make roof section frame from RHS and bolt to mounting brackets on vertical frame. rivet sheet metal/aluminium to roof section frame. to make more weather resistant you could curve/bend edges to overlap the vertical frame, maybe put a rubber seal under the overlap.

you can then remove the roof by undoing a few bolts.

you can do what you want with the sides and back but to make it more sucure i'd recommend lift up security mesh covered by canvas.

cheers

[spudboy]

Not sure if it is applicable for your design, but I have found some clever hinge in Melbourne that is completely water/dust tight. It is good for something like 500,000 opens and closes or something.

It is like piano hinge but has no joints or gaps in it to leak. You can only buy it in 25 foot rolls, but it is not too expensive ($80 to $100 for 40mm wide hinge).

http://www.conceptlatch.com.au/shopper/img/001075_ContinuousPlasticHinge_129301220667677500_0 4.jpg

Anyway - that might give you some more options.

Cheers
David


Continuous Plastic Hinge
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[Fraz]

That stuff looks great! thanks for that ill be looking further into it :)

Just doing some quick measurements, if i bend the sides toward the centre of the tub the canopy roof will be able to be removed and stored vertically without standing higher than the cabin roof


maybe one of your hinges on one side to have it 'fold' to vertical?

...the plot thickens

thanks guys

[Xtreme]

What about a Series Landy roof mounted on a reasonably solid framework with telescopic SHS corner supports? When you need to carry the bikes you just undo the canvas sides, raise the roof the required 300mm or so and 'pin' it in the raised position. You'd then have a covered trailer with a temporarily raised roof and canvas sides that would be about 300mm short, unless you had them made with a section that could fold down to extend the sides when in the raised position.

Somewhat like a pop top caravan roof only a bit more substantial so you could travel with it in the raised position.

If you wanted to get real fancy and make the roof easier to raise/lower you could fit hydraulic rams on each corner - but maybe I'm getting a bit carried away with possibilities, probably best to KISS.