Canopy Modification

[Scooter]

As I am not going to be in the market for a nice new "camping canopy" any time in the near future, I have been thinking about modifying my existing fibreglass one.

What I am thinking of doing is to remove the two side sliding windows.
Then I would make a frame of sorts to fasten some aluminium plate to, thereby creating a door.
Then I would use door rubber or such as the seal, using the same ledge as the window rubbers used.
Some nice hinges to attach and a lock of sorts to finish it off.

I reckon it would work and not ake away from the structural (or lack there of) integrity of the canopy.
But it would allow me easier access to the rear of the loadbin, even if it is not the biggest door.

Any thoughts, or ideas?

[Spartan]

My brother inlaw told me in Joburg there is a place doing exacly that, havent got more detail but it is being done.

[Scooter]

Two things I can think of.

Firstly the door will not be recessed so the seal will have to be tight so as not to allow water and dust in.

And secondly because it doesnt sit recessed, it will be easy to stick screwdriver in and pry the door open. This can be overcome by placing 2 locks on the bottom and by making the frame as close a fit to the hole as possible, thereby giving it rigidity.

[Spartan]

Like the idea

[SuidWes]

Hey Scooter, let me know if you want to buy ali checker plate, got half a sheet that I will not be using....

[Bosvark]

Watter grootte is die plaat,stel meskien belang

Hey Scooter, let me know if you want to buy ali checker plate, got half a sheet that I will not be using....

[ThysdJ]

Scott I know of a few people who did this modification with varying degrees of success. The more successful guys built a frame that attached to the canopy to which the door is attached. This makes up for lost rigidity from the now removed window frame and glass. :D

Are you planning on carrying a load on top of the canopy? :)

[Scooter]

Hey Scooter, let me know if you want to buy ali checker plate, got half a sheet that I will not be using....

Sounds as Jaco, what size is the plate? Im sure it is enough to cover up two windows. PM me with a price.

Scott I know of a few people who did this modification with varying degrees of success. The more successful guys built a frame that attached to the canopy to which the door is attached. This makes up for lost rigidity from the now removed window frame and glass. :D

Are you planning on carrying a load on top of the canopy? :)

Thys, I probably wont be carrying a load on it, bar a table or something. But perhaps designing for a load wouldn't be such a bad thing.

[hentey]

Scott,I was onto the same thing a while ago,and then I saw that BEEKMAN canopy's make side panels that fit into the frame rubbers and it looks really nice.Phoned them and the quate was just over R1000 a piece which isn't that bad.
Your canopy stays original and you can easily convert it back if you want to. Problem solved...........

[Scooter]

Hentey, is that just a panel to replace the glass or is it a door?

And of course, is it not then Beekman canopy specific?

[Mud Dog]

It would be "canopy specific" if it's produced by Beekman, I think. But reading through this post right from the begining I thought that you would loose rigidity by remeving the glass and I was going to suggest a frame with a lip, but Thuys beat me to it :D . If the frame is lipped and the hatch fits inside the lip, it would be very difficult to pry it open, provided the clearance gap is small (between frame and door). The only downfall is the method of attaching the frame IRO security. Perhaps if you used something like 6mm ss bolts with allen key head and nyloc nuts inside, it would make it less possible to remove the whole frame from outside.

[hentey]

Hentey, is that just a panel to replace the glass or is it a door?

And of course, is it not then Beekman canopy specific?

It is a door,but it is for Beekman canopy's as far as I know.Visit beekman's website and you will see.

[ThysdJ]

I saw what you are talking about Hentey, and even that is not too difficult to make. Build a fairly rigid frame with a lip that is the same shape as the window and will fit in the window-rubber, and then build a door that is attached to that frame. The 2 locks will make it pretty secure.

[Scooter]

ok so I did a quick sketch this morning. Have a look and let's throw some ideas around.

Thanks so far guys

One Idea........... quite complex but should work.

DOOR.jpg (14.43 KiB) Viewed 3329 times

[ThysdJ]

That is a good start Scott! It should work brilliantly.

[Mud Dog]

Scott I fooled with you sketch a little. I would have the door completely recessed so that there is no external lip under which one could get a screwdriver in to pry the door. The hinges I would mount to the internal edges so that the buggers can't get to the screws (let in on the door so that the upper gap is not too big). Otherwise the idea should be 100's.
Just my opinion for what it's worth.

DOOR2.JPG (11.13 KiB) Viewed 3281 times

[hentey]

Just an idea........If you make it so that one tilts down(to serve as a table) and one that tilts up(for easier access) Whadya tink?

[Mud Dog]

Excellent idea, Hentey ... you shoulda been twins! ... not like me, I have the brains of two people ... Laurel & Hardy!

[ThysdJ]

Just an idea........If you make it so that one tilts down(to serve as a table) and one that tilts up(for easier access) Whadya tink?

A lot of people building alu-cabs do it that way. I know Niel's canopy has a "table" door.

[Niel]

I know Niel's canopy has a "table" door.

2 plate gas stove is attached and works well for putting the beer down

[Mud Dog]

2 plate gas stove is attached and works well for putting the beer down

Niel, is yours an alu canopy? A gas stove so close to the canopy could pose a problem (IRO glassfibre / resin). The beer of course would be no problem and would look good anywhere

[Scooter]

Scott I fooled with you sketch a little.

No worries Andy, I have people foling with my drawings all day, so nothing new.

I see your point about the screws and have had a few ideas that Im still pondering over. One of the main problems is fitting the new frame to the existing window rubber so that it is snug. I havent removed one fo the windows yet so I haven't had a good look.

The main reason for doing this is to gain access to the rear of the canopy without having to climb inside, as i would like to build a drawer system that allows me to leave the fridge on the lower level, to allow SWAMBO easy access. Of course this means that the space behind the fridge is kinda wasted unless you can get to it from the side,mhence the door idea.

The other side of the canopy, well a 'table' door is a good idea, as that side will have a slide and I wont need easy access.

Keep the ideas rolling guys

[Niel]

for what this is worth , the "table door" should be on the left hand side of the canopy...If you stop then the table is not on the road side

[ThysdJ]

Scott, just make sure the "table door" is not so high that you need to stand on a steppie to use it.

I you stop then the table is not on the road side

Jou slim wetter

[Niel]

Niel, is yours an alu canopy? A gas stove so close to the canopy could pose a problem (IRO glassfibre / resin).

Yes, alu.

The beer of course would be no problem and would look good anywhere

still looks the best in my hand

[Scooter]

for what this is worth , the "table door" should be on the left hand side of the canopy...If you stop then the table is not on the road side

It just so happens thats the side it will be , only because the fridge is on the right though

I will need to check the height, I might be the only one who could use it and that's no good.

Of course all this talk about modifying the windows and all the design in it, I should probably just look at building a new canopy.

[Mud Dog]

You could fit parliment hinges or off-set hinges and then it would drop a lot lower when open. But a complete new alu canopy is a good idea too .... then you can build according to your requirements

[OOOOMS]

I did this last year and with the left door folding down, hinged another door on the inside. this worked perfect for me and the kids.

Also Big Country are doing the same for customers, have a look at theis site otherwise pm me and I can email a pic.

[Spartan]

have a look at theis site

Where is the site

[BenHur]

http://www.bigcountry.co.za/