So I haven't updated here for a while. Been doing a bit to Penny. Before the trip last month to LCMP I chased down some new beams for under my alloy tray. The 2 existing ones were 100mm and I upgraded to 150mm. While I was at it I moved the tray forwards closer to the cab and straightened and squared it all up again. Was actually easier than I had hoped. Now I have a lovely 150mm gap under the tray to fit in a slim line water tank with 12v pump as well as improving the departure angle. Pictures tell a thousand words so I will let them do the talking!
Existing tray gap to cab.
Original Risers
This support was twisted causing the tray to be unlevel and out of square. It was replaced with new piece direct from Triple M.
Tray off!
Tray is surprisingly light. Flipped it over myself after removing the 4 bolts which hold it down.
Tray back on with new beams.
Gap to cab now. Moved forward around 75mm and lifted 50mm.
Now time for next mod! I needed the tray exactly where I wanted it and all square and level again so I could get the lockable Canvas Canopy I wanted built. Shopped around and around until I found a guy I was happy with at the right price. Ended up with Archerfield Auto Upholstery. He had a mate who worked as a welder/body builder at a truck yard who did cash jobs on the weekend. After chatting with him about exactly what I was looking for and some advice on best options I hadn't thought of, the deal was done! He took some measurements and a few weeks later I dropped off Penny for 2 days so the cage could be installed and canvas sewn. I am absolutely stoked with how it turned out. Exactly as I imagined! Fully lockable steel powder coated black cage with solid alloy roof. 3 doors which hinge up and held by shocks and run full length of the sides and rear. Canvas has full zip in one spot and runs in sail track so it can be removed completely if required for cleaning or mending etc. Doors are all hinged like a tray side, so again if a door is damaged, the whole cage doesn't need to be removed. Tie down rails up top at 2 different levels so it is still easy to use picking up timber etc from Bunnings. The roof is supported by 2 beams front to back so will be very strong. Will easily take spare wheels,or bikes etc when required. The sail track around the top of the cage is doubled up, so I can have some awnings made up to slide into it in the future. Now to start really throwing the camping gear in her and dragging the family away camping so I can work out what works and what doesn't and build up the inside for touring.
I will just dump all the pics so you can see for yourselves!