TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:26 pm

stevem49090 wrote: I was taking a nap this afternoon after work and I had a great thought on a slight modification for the pillow board. Rather than use an elaborate custom made fastner I am going to see if I can find a set of mountable rare earth magnets. They would be cheaper and would not wear out. I also need to know if there is a difference in the roof opening of a 68 to late 71 compared to a 73. I don't want any surprises when I get the kit directions put together. I also have found that the rubber hold-down toggles will break under the weight of the bed when the roof is elevated and the bed is stowed in the roof, especially older rubber toggles. I am debating whether to include the C shaped hooks that mount on the bed base because of that reason or if I should fabricate 2 chains that would hook into the bottom instead. Any thoughts?

Looking forward to getting a kit. Just was curious too about the work-around for securing the bed in the elevated position with the top up?

Also, by the time i cam across this thread, the link to the video was broken and i wasn't able to find it on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/v/wWxxWkBm6j4

Is there a new link for this? It would help people to understand what they would be looking at...

edit: here is the link that works for me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWxxWkBm6j4 (slightly different)

Thanks, great work!

Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:21 pm

The link listed in you post works just fine for me. Can anyone else verify it? I am working on a secondary solution for the rubber toggle problem. It will most likely be a hook and eye type of setup or possibly some type of latch mechanism. I'll post something by weeks end. I'll also get some detailed hinge pictures. They are real close to the ones post a few pages back that I posted of my prototype that I installed in my Westy.

Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:07 pm

stevem49090 wrote: The link listed in you post works just fine for me. Can anyone else verify it? I am working on a secondary solution for the rubber toggle problem. It will most likely be a hook and eye type of setup or possibly some type of latch mechanism. I'll post something by weeks end. I'll also get some detailed hinge pictures. They are real close to the ones post a few pages back that I posted of my prototype that I installed in my Westy.

Link works for me.

Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:06 pm

Steve,
I've been a huge fan of this idea and buying the kit since your first post. However, I've got to admit that I expected more. For $85 + $8 shipping I'm getting about $6 worth of screws and a DVD? The biggest detractor is that you stated the toggles would break when used with the C clips under the load of the bed when in the raised. If that's the case then why would I shell out an extra $10 to buy them?

I'm going to buy it, but I'm waiting for a more complete package.

Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:29 am

I'm posting a few more detailed pictures of the hinges for those of you that asked. I know a few of you have been concerned about the price of the kit, but to be honest I'm only getting about $2 an hour for my time to make them. Stainless steel is expensive and I have to pay to have the stainless angle cut. Check prices at your local hardware for stainless screws and bolts once. The C clips cost $10 a pair if I can find them and the T-nuts cost .50 each and the magnetic pillow board holders are $6.00 each because the magnets are expensive neo-demium magnets. As far as the rubber toggles go I was just pointing out the fact that if you have old crusty ones that are 30+ years old you might want to buy new ones. I replaced mine with new ones and they hold just fine. My intent was to put these out there for a few folks that were looking for a solution. My prototype set me back $350 by the time I bought the mustard vinyl, baltic birch and the tempur-pedic foam. I'm not sure what price range people were looking for. I have made 8 of these kits and I won't make anymore till next spring since it's getting close to camping season.

Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:24 am

Well, I guess I overestimated the demand for this kit. I have had a lot of tire kickers but nobody seems to be interested. So, I have decided to cut my losses and try to recover some of the money I have invested in the kits. I have updated the Ad I posted. The kits with the C-clips are now $55.00 and the kit without them is $45.00. There are only 3 kits with the C-clips and 6 others without. When these kits are gone I don't plan on making any more. I am offering these at my break-even point, not including the labor that went into these.

Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:19 am

its only been a few days since you have had them listed be patient, We know there is a interes in your kits as they are perfect and include instructions even. maybe show pics of a kit installed and ready to use in your ad. I have a late bay but if i had a early I'd be on this like flies on poop!

Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:29 am

Steve,
I sent a payment for the $55 kit plus $8 shipping.

Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:34 am

I still want one, I just been holding off on getting it since i want to clear a few projects and room for new projects.

I'll send payment now if you will reserve one for me.

Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:21 pm

Steve,

I just sent you a payment.

Thanks.

Craig

Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:59 pm

I have found some more c-clips. They are going to run $15.00 a pair shipped, so I'm going to have 2 more kits available but I'm going to add $5 to the cost, so the c-clip kits will go to $60.

Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:30 pm

First orders will be shipping tomorrow.

Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:02 am

What's the maximum tallness a person be and still fit into a early bay pop-top full bed. Can 2 adults fit? Sorry if this sounds stupid but I've never seen any photos of adults in the early bay pop-top full bed.

Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:40 am

6' is about the limit. 1 adult is the max, 2 100 lb or less kids.

Thu May 07, 2009 8:43 am

Whoah, your not making anymore? I just found this thread again ( I had posted with interest several times) and had no idea you had started shipping them. So are you done for real?

Thu May 07, 2009 11:27 am

i know i was stoked about this as well! too bad it took so long and i now have a rivi top this would have saved me some loot and some effort!

Fri May 08, 2009 6:51 am

I'm out of the c-clips so I only have the $45 kits left at this point.

Fri May 08, 2009 7:44 am

What all is included in the $45 kit. And also what will I need to fab myself to make a complete kit?

Fri May 08, 2009 8:33 am

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=231068013A

iirc you can use the ones in the bus, read threw the thread.

Fri May 08, 2009 8:38 am

That's one of the downfalls of making a product yourself. Many folks don't want to pay the price that it takes to make. But the many of the folks that may be tire kicking may be forget that when buying a product, not only are you purchasing the product, but you are also purchasing the knowledge, schooling, parts, equipment, marketing for the product.

Now I understand that all of the above may not apply in this situation, but same basic idea. You have a lot of time invested in the design, trial and error, etc. The price you are charging, I feel is a fair price, and I would certainly pay that, if I was interested in doing the project. Might in the future, but too many other things on my list right now. Good Job on this as I have been following since the beginning. Don't give up on it.