dandy 6 hard top cover

had a thought of a hard top cover that can then go on legs to act as a canopy when removed from trailer has this been done before?

pinkgorrilla wrote:had a thought of a hard top cover that can then go on legs to act as a canopy when removed from trailer has this been done before?

I might be having a thick moment (Less of that in the cheap seats. No it hasn't lasted for 49 years) but I don't have a clue of what your trying to say!

More of a description or scan a drawing please?

pinkgorrilla wrote:had a thought of a hard top cover that can then go on legs to act as a canopy when removed from trailer has this been done before?

Cant see it being easy but you made me think a frame made from any old frame tent and your pvc trailer cover put over it would make a sun canopy

pinkgorrilla wrote:had a thought of a hard top cover that can then go on legs to act as a canopy when removed from trailer has this been done before?

You see you got me thinking and i forgot to say to the forum

Welcome to the forum

I need more of a description to grasp what your saying, I can be a bit dopey at times

to the forum, i'm very intrigued by your idea.

Hi and to the forum Pinkgorrilla.

I see what your saying but all depends on the weight also you would have to make a frame to fit as I can not see that it would be attached to the Dandy the other problem is as its a hard top you would have to be very careful when packing the Dandy away so it don't pinch the PVC and be careful of weight also it would have to be a tight fit as when driving in wet the spray would get up and under although will not damage the Dandy but it would be dirty could be a paddling pool

thanks for the welcome everyone. if you could imagine a box with the bottom removed that just dropped over the top of the dandy as its water proof cover. theni a socket on each corner so when i was at a campsite a leg could slot into each socket and then i would have a canopy. im unsure of the materials i would use and it would probably have a pitch on it to allow rain to run off in a desired direction.

Not saying you can't do it. You would need a degree of constructional ability in either ply or fibreglass.
Very interested in any plans you have. It does sound like hard work especially if you were turning this into a full awning.
The sides and the attachment to the main body of the Dandy being a further series of challenges.

Some of the more conventional solutions might well be easier.

I was wondering about doing something similar on our Discovery, but mounting cycle carriers on the top. It's added to the long list of winter improvements

I thought about this when I had a Destiny. I was after a way to carry bikes without having to lift them onto the roof of my MPV. I have a towbar mounted bike carrier to avoid that kind of lifting when I am not towing.

The basic idea was to have some plywood and add ribs on one side (the upper side when on the dandy) for strength. The ribs would have notches cut out before attaching to give me a way to tie down the bikes. Rather than make a full box I would have a deeper rib front and back with ratchet straps attached to secure the whole assembly to the dandy. Attaching the straps at the hitch end is easy, but at the other end more of a problem as the structure at the back of the destiny did not look strong enough.

On arriving, take the bikes off and then remove the wooden cover. Turn it over so that the ribs are underneath and the smooth side is facing up. You then have a nice deck rather than a muddy area.

I sold the destiny and the plywood ended up strengthening my shed floor. Now that I have a Dandy again (4/5) I am thinking again about how to transport bikes and the deck option and a custom awning with poles that slot into the edge of the deck. It is definitely a winter project along with a custom front box. It looks easier to attach at the back of the 4/5 than it would have been on the Destiny.

500 kgs

jake001 wrote:500 kgs

Jake raised a good point, my old suspension wasn't rusted but it failed because it had twisted causing uneven tyre wear which was how we noticed ..... probably because I used to put far too much weight on the 500kg suspension. It may be wiser to get some sort of rack for bikes for the car or upgrade the suspension to something that will take a heavier load.

If the deck hinges on the door side using long hinges it will end up on the ground nicely where you want it under the awning.

500Kg is an issue, but I was planning on uprating the suspension units to 750Kg.....especially after I found this post on the forum

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New suspension, bigger wheels and ride height raised......nice