Canvas Replacement on Pop-top

[campfrugal]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

I like the pop top as it fits my garage in California and rides cheaply on the ferries here!

Yes Bobbie, you bring up a good point about the 'height' restriction of 7 1/2 feet on Washington ferries. When I add the dome I will make surre it complies.....I am also considering lowering my Campster. Even though I am a boondocer, being a lo-rider like the Boler, won't cramp my style on
the back roads.

Doc the BoonDOCer.....aka campfrugal

[teri85]

Originally Posted by campfrugal

Teri, that's a great job.

I have had my Campster for 6 months now and have upgreaded, revised, renewed everything except for the pop top....I have a torn Rotator Cuff and can't get my arms to work over my head anymore...I am leaving this
pop top for a Spring Project when my Son visits. Here is what I am designing. 'A permanent' installation of a Lexan plastic doam (Skylite).
I will relocate the existing roof vent to the front left side.

BoonDOCer...aka Campfrugal

Thanks for the complement Doc. I do like the lower profile for towing and storing. My trailer won't be in the garage however as there is too much other stuff in there.

Your modification sounds interesting. Would like to see pics when you get it done.

Isee you are in WA. My mom is on Whidbey Island and I am a native Seattleite. I will have to take my trailer up there when Bobbie is up there.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Sounds like fun.

[teri85]

Finally started sewing the replacement canvas/nylon for my Campster. Got the main section sewn and now have to put in the no-see-um screen for the windows and then covers for them.

I will be attaching the replacement nylon to the wooden frame with one in molding on the bottom of the frame and then staples on the pop-top part.

I am rethinking the windows in the top. Not sure I want to put them on all four sides. I am thinking of just doing two or three. Probably will decide as I am sewing that part and how much of hassle they are. Will see how it goes.

After the replacement nylon I will be getting new foam and reconfiguring the way the bed is set up. Pictures to follow.

[Thee Jimbo]

Great thread, and thanks for the pictures. My top lists to one side or the other when you pop it up. Maybe it is the rotten wood from what Ive read here. On the plus side, I sprayed some silicon lubrricant on the springs and the rails and it goes up and down nicely now, so those dont need to be replaced.

Does anyone know of a pattern for the canvas for the poptop. The one I bought just had window screen stapled in all the way around.

Thanks!!!!

[Linda R002]

Our top has no windows, just yellow canvas. The guy said it came that way. Maybe the windows were an option. I just wonder how important they are as every VW I had, the zippers were the biggest problems.

[teri85]

The canvas on mine had screen in 4 windows, one on each side and no evidence that there was ever a cover for them. I am avoiding zippers as I don't like to sew them and using velcro for the cover of the window netting.

[teri85]

Today I got the screens into the new 'canvas' for the pop-top of my Campster. All that is left is to put the window covering on so I can close the screens for weather when needed. I am using velcro instead of zippers. I hate sewing zippers.

I also only made 2 windows instead of the four that were originally in the canvas. Sewing in the screens is not an easy task, not hard but time consuming. I hope to get the covers done tomorrow and will post pics when the 'canvas' is installed.

[Bill K Jr]

I'm curious. How did you attach the wood frame for the popup mechanism to the trailer?

Bill

[teri85]

HI Bill,

sorry for the delay but I have been out of town. The wooden frame that holds the lift mechanism is secured to the trailer with screws that were there originally. I did replace the screws as they were old and rusty in some cases.

I will try to get some pictures tomorrow. i hope to finish that canvas tomorrow as well.

[teri85]

Mostly. A few minor adjustments might be needed.

I used ripstop nylon that is usually used in tent floors. I made it one long piece, double thickness. Put a window in each of the long sides using no see um netting. Made covers for the windows and they close with velcro. I attached the piece to the pop-top roof with velcro and have staple gunned the bottom to the wooden frame. I need to make a couple of adjustments but all is well. I will try to attach pictures

[Bill K Jr]

Thanks! I was wondering if the screws went up through the roof to attach the frame or sidewats through the lip. I need to do the same thing. Yours looks great. I hop I can do as well.

Bill

[Chris McGurk]

That looks great do you happen to have the messurments for the pop-up. i also have a campster and have been needing to redo the canvas for a few years, but have not had the money to have one made been quoted $250-$300. Not all that good with a sowing machine but i would like to give this a try. Tired of my neck pain when camping

[campfrugal]

Chris, you mentioned your sore NECK....I just sit on a stool to do my cooking.....Since I don't have a height problem with a garage, I don't need a pop top.....MY plan is to use a clear lexan sky lite from a house. I am still looking for one.
Doc the boonDOCer @ campfrugal

[Bobbie Mayer]

Nice job! I am tempted to tackle mine.

[teri85]

Thanks for the compliments. It wasn't that hard to do. The hardest part is the windows, which is why I decided to just do the sides.

Question about dimensions... The opening is 5 feet long by just about 2 feet. I bought 5 yards of material that was 60 inches wide. I wanted to have the fabric pop up be at least 15 inches and figure on a one inch seam with double stitching and one inch fold for attaching to the frame of lift mechanism. I cut a 34 inch length of the fabric and ran a seam along the edge. Pulled it through and then put in the windows.

The biggest challenge was finding a place to cut that length of fabric and then working with it. I used and 8 foot long folding table and actually set up my sewing machine in the trailer and did all the sewing in there (trailer was plugged in to 110V)

There was plenty of material to go around the opening. I made mine a little too exact which made the final attachment a little tricky. I also ended up with 16 inches of height which is fine. The extra fabric I used for the cover over the no see um netting.

The materials cost me about $125.

[Chris McGurk]

Thank you every much Teri i am going to give it a try. :-) wish me luck

[teri85]

Good Luck Chris.

Teri

[Chris McGurk]

Teri do you happen to have any close up pic.'s of the popup mechanism? Not sure if mine has been rigged befor to work or not, there are a lot of little parts. The hardware on both sides don't match.

[teri85]

I'll get out this weekend and take some close ups.