Gull wing canopy WIP Version 1.2

[Quinny34]

Any increase within 10 minutes means its warmer than fresh batshit....

[Skog07]

LMFAO at this thread... If I was your neighbour I would have been laughing my arse of...

Do you have a temp gauge inside your canopy? I'd be interested in the heat you normally get when in direct sunlight. Mines matt black and even on hot days doesnt seem to get overly hot, warm at best inside. I've got an old dual temp sensor I'll eventually hook up but at the moment internal temp is how long a stubbie can be left in the canopy before going warm whilst working.

Not yet Quinny I havent put a thermometer in the canopy to check the temperature. But on a stinking hot day you can only put your hand on the door for a few seconds. It would be 45 deg plus I reckon in the full sun in there. Stubbies are not a very good guage of temperture as they are consumed too quickly to prevent them tasting like batshit... and the quality and quantity of the work goes through the floor after about the 5th or 6th one...It is also a safety requirement of the workshop to operate heavy industrial machinery whilst intoxicated and at 2am in the morning..

[daveo]

My canopy temps get above 55 deg! Poor old fridge sucks some juice when its that hot. I am in far north QLD though, bloody hot outside the canopy too!

[Skog07]

Trying to fix a bit of stuff that has failed.
When I converted over to a single gas strut the gas strut support failed on the door when I doubled the 300N gas struts up to 640N. In the short term they worked alright but the cantilever brackets to hold the weight of the door collasped.. As only one strut was bearing the weight on its mounts.
Manufactured some brackets in 5mm stainless steel and chopped the old alloy brackets out of the door.
The old alloy bracket which also shows the torn out cantilever bracket in the foreground.

and the new stronger improved bracket. Fabricated out of 316 alloy Tigged together.

[packeteer]

hey Skog, taking a step back in time here, but what did you think of MW's work (when you picked up the box)?

[Skog07]

Compared to others MW toolbox's finish is not as good. Finer details like finish and quaility of welds are not as good and the quality of fixtures like hinges is not the same as others but this is reflected in the price. The turnover of work is much faster using MW toolbox and wasnt given the opportunity to go see progress and make changes like other manufactures offer. When I first looked at their canopies over 2 years ago they were pretty rough but now their quality has improved somewhat.
If I was to compare MW against other manufacturers work I would give MW 3.5 stars and other manufacturers 4-4.5 stars.

[packeteer]

yeah, I got the same impression after visiting the showroom.

So, I'm considering the M2O mob in Vic, they seem to be very good, and price is comparable to MW.

[Skog07]

Only problem with getting things fabricated interstate is if you have an issue with the item or it needs repair, or refinish who or how do you get it done?

[packeteer]

yeah, that is something to consider.

[Skog07]

yeah, that is something to consider.

What are your plans with the canopy, if you have been to MW you should have a rough idea on the design. Which showroom did you go to? The one at Ryde? Their demo one there was average and made in 2.4 chequer plate. You can go 3.0 mm flat finish or 3.0mm propellor plate.
How many doors do you want? door openings ect etc. and do you want it as a removable canopy or fixed on a tray. These options vary the price considerably also last time I saw your ute it was a style side tray. So do you have a tray yet?

[packeteer]

I went to MW in Tempe.

From M2O, I'm looking at 2mm checker plate, side doors only, and extra framing (removable). Also skinned on the outside of the frame)
size = 1750W x 1700L x 850H
around $3200 (without legs)

the only real thing I'm wondering about is whether to get a full length (2.4m) rack on top?

[Skog07]

Welded up a steel frame that bolts onto the Bullbar for a racking system to carry long length of steel, ladders etc.
Obstructs the view a little but is quickly removable.


Also welded up some posts that fit into the recievers that the jack off legs fit into.

It works out perfectly a 1800 X 2400 tarpaulin fits nicely.





Will have to weld a few tabs to stiffen up the posts but it works well..
Also plan to have one that will run along the back and extend out to the length of the overhang on the tarp on the side.
Cheers
Mark

[Skog07]

the only real thing I'm wondering about is whether to get a full length (2.4m) rack on top?

Whats the rack for and can it be built after the fact. When you start running lift with big tyres you soon find out that UG carparks are a no no. Mines at 850mm height which puts it at the top of the headboard of the tray. Ive already torn off a side gate and got away with it luckily...

[packeteer]

yeah, car parks are a no go for me. used to be able to fit under 2.05m, but I've just fitted 33's.

my canopy is also 850 high

the rack is to hold awning, tent and poles.

[Skog07]

My advice is get your tray fitted first and try to keep your RTT below the roofline like in your tray setup by building a steel frame that rests on top of the tray first. Will give you a good idea on fitout without costing to much. Then when you know what you want to do get your GWC built to your spec. I also reckon you should use a aluminium tradies tray these can be modified very easily and are modular remove head boards lower/raise to perfect height and can be turned over easily. .When you get the perfect height/setup then get the custom tray built along to suit the GWC.
You will soon grow tired of the excessive height where you live unless you have a second car.

[Alby]

Agree
I was going to get a big rack but glad I didn't
Just get tray and canopy and try it first

[packeteer]

guys I'm ditching the RTT as we'll usually be 4 up and the RTT can only take 2.

As for the rack vs no rack:
I need somewhere to long items like the Oztent
and a place to mount the awning

what alternative would you suggest?

[BOM83R]

Removable roof rack?? Take off when floating around town, bolt on when going bush.

[Alby]

Pack I am saying get your setup then add the rack after. Don't commit to the rack design until you have the canopy on because you will wish you had done it differently when you see it.

[packeteer]

ok, thanks for the input.