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77K5. The IronMaiden...9/2 headed for Blazer Bash 20!

jack of all trades build, overland, dunes, rocks, trails
Overview Gallery Discussion
Don't misunderstand the intended usage here....
It is for "not in use" weather protection.
It would need to come down to the cowl to keep the door openings covered because of the tube doors
I'm reluctant to do a full cover because this heavy truckers grade tarp is well.....HEAVY!
I would like it to snap on so I could insure it would stay on while being on the trailer and towing at 75mph (would magnets work in this application?
I would also like it to be usable for a bit of camping when necessary hence the two screened Windows on each side and would have to have access through the tailgate, so perhaps the magnet idea would work well back there.....climb in close the gate and pull down the tarp over the tailgate.
 
This style fastener is what immediately pops into my head when i think camvas top. Only down fall of these is you have to have them screwed in to the maiden all over which can be an eye sore and also in the way or just useful for snagging clothing when the canvas isnt on. They do hold down a canvas well tho and are pretty quick for putting on and off.



 
I know many bed covers (the vinyl type) have snap on fasteners around the perimeter, but I don't think they would be suceptible to the airflow that this cover would being mounted like I have pictured and up in the airstream on while on the trailer.

comparing the two pics, I think you can see why I want the tarp where it is in the 2nd pic...basically to keep rain out while it sits outside on a wheeling trip. I do still have complete doors and a good topper as well, but the rollup window tailgate isn't so good.

hpim4679-1280x960-jpg.161436


Maiden w- tarp top.jpg
 
Mr.Clean said:
This style fastener is what immediately pops into my head when i think camvas top. Only down fall of these is you have to have them screwed in to the maiden all over which can be an eye sore and also in the way or just useful for snagging clothing when the canvas isnt on. They do hold down a canvas well tho and are pretty quick for putting on and off.



Click to expand...
I agree Nate, a bit bulky to have screwed all over the body! quick and simple though!
 
Most of the canvas based tarps are "water resistant" at best. If water pools on top (like in a low spot between cage bars, it can leak through a bit. The sunbrella stuff is probably just as water resistant and a lot lighter than truckers tarp, although I see some that are laminated to be waterproof too.

If you need water "proof" there's a Sunbrella brand laminate called "Seamark" that's got a liner in it to make it waterproof. That's what I plan to use for my top.

You can also just use low cost marine vinyl, it's waterproof and you can even sew it together on your wife's sewing machine.

I've also had great success with this kind of bracket holding my Bimini top securely at over 80mph. Doesn't even need the snaps. The fabric gets a rigid piece of plastic sewn in that goes inside the gap between the body and the bracket. Once the fabric is pulled tight, the plastic makes it impossible to pull out. It's the same idea kayline used on their softops. I bet you could do something similar.



 
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Go to a tent and awning shop. A lot of the boats that come into our shop have custom covers from a place called Casper Tent and Awning. Not sure if they have a website or not? Anyway they should have the snaps and whatever else is needed. Honestly there are so many things in the boating Industry that would work awesome in our world.

Edit: and my main point that I forgot to say was they have lighter but better canvas.
 
bp71k5 said:
Most of the canvas based tarps are "water resistant" at best. If water pools on top (like in a low spot between cage bars, it can leak through a bit. The sunbrella stuff is probably just as water resistant and a lot lighter than truckers tarp, although I see some that are laminated to be waterproof too.

If you need water "proof" there's a Sunbrella brand laminate called "Seamark" that's got a liner in it to make it waterproof. That's what I plan to use for my top.

You can also just use low cost marine vinyl, it's waterproof and you can even sew it together on your wife's sewing machine.

I've also had great success with this kind of bracket holding my Bimini top securely at over 80mph. Doesn't even need the snaps. The fabric gets a rigid piece of plastic sewn in that goes inside the gap between the body and the bracket. Once the fabric is pulled tight, the plastic makes it impossible to pull out. It's the same idea kayline used on their softops. I bet you could do something similar.



Click to expand...


My tarp cover would be on top of the factory cab roof, and the fiberglass topper that I have made into a "safari" top (see my pic), so I don't see water pooling being a problem. I do have a top like the one you have pictured that I use on my Jeepster when the hardtop is off, your right the front clip (bolts onto the top of the windshield) holds the top in place well, but it balloons up like crazy going down the road...so much so I take it off to keep it from stretching it out.

F.S.F.W said:
Go to a tent and awning shop. A lot of the boats that come into our shop have custom covers from a place called Casper Tent and Awning. Not sure if they have a website or not? Anyway they should have the snaps and whatever else is needed. Honestly there are so many things in the boating Industry that would work awesome in our world.

Edit: and my main point that I forgot to say was they have lighter but better canvas.
Click to expand...

I have a couple calls into some local boat shops right now, awaiting their returns and ideas. I guess I'll not be narrow minded enough to use what I have, I bought it for the durability, and also the color, which I think goes well with the Ryoken Green Zinc. I'll see what they have and some of their work.
thanks for the input.
 
If you are removing it when not in use you need something lite. I agree the trucker tarp looks good but thats a lot of weight on and off.
If your just trying to keep out rain, why not just get a rain fly from a large tent? Or a similar design. you can stake it to the ground for more air or just weight the ends strait down for more privacy.
resource.ashx

Quick google search, Im sure there are better out there.
 
76zimmer said:
I know many bed covers (the vinyl type) have snap on fasteners around the perimeter, but I don't think they would be suceptible to the airflow that this cover would being mounted like I have pictured and up in the airstream on while on the trailer.
Click to expand...
Don't be worried about using snaps to hold it down. It'll be fine. I tow my first gen with a soft top held on just by snaps. 80mph and never had a problem. I also load it backwards so the air is hitting it at the worst possible angle and I've never popped a snap or anything.
 
FAB454 said:
If you are removing it when not in use you need something lite. I agree the trucker tarp looks good but thats a lot of weight on and off.
If your just trying to keep out rain, why not just get a rain fly from a large tent? Or a similar design. you can stake it to the ground for more air or just weight the ends strait down for more privacy.
resource.ashx

Quick google search, Im sure there are better out there.
Click to expand...
I also want to be able to sleep in it if needed so keeping out mosquitos and having some fresh air is a must!
 
With the seats the way they are is sleeping in it even really doable... Probably be easier to sleep in the crew if you tow with it....?
 
In the design that you drew up, ID say 2 of those twist style locks on the cowl and then just a couple good Straps attached to the sliders and back bumper would be fine. I'd put a zippered door where ever you plan on getting in and out.... If you don't want to mess with sewing that stuff you can go to places that make custom boat covers and tell em what you want, then they'll build it for most likely a reasonable price..... Just an option if you find that it's hard to sew
 
As I wander around the yard this week I'll try and remember to take some pics of some of the boat covers. There are some that have a plastic J shaped hook/rail that would be pretty simple and might be able to hook on the edge of your sheetmetal.
 
I just took a tour around the yard and we don't have ANY boats with that style of cover right now. I'll keep watching for one
 
I plan on removing the rear seats, and climbing in through the tailgate area. Should be comfortable enough once I get in there. Mosquitos piss me off so keeping them out is of high importance!
 
shady said:
With the seats the way they are is sleeping in it even really doable... Probably be easier to sleep in the crew if you tow with it....?
Click to expand...
He needs to be able to leave the crew behind and have just the maiden. Sleeping arrangements need to be bug proof or you won't be sleeping. A K5 has more than 6' from the front seat to the tailgate. Because of how the seats lean back and the tailgate tapers in, this space shrinks as you raise your sleeping space off the floor.

It would also be kind of cool to go hammock camping and use the roll cage to hang it.

Texsport-Wilderness-Hammock-in-Olive-Drab-14242.jpg
 
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