Let's see those Alu-cab setups

I can send you a pic after I’m off work of where they go if you want. I didn’t have instructions either, and the online instructions didn’t mention the shims at all either.

 

dang mine was rubbing bad. It loosened the shark fin and a ton of water got in during the winter.

 

What type of butyl tape did you use.. I know the make the stuff that is more round like a bead of caulk and the flat stuff for RV roofs. (I would guess the round stuff but just wanted to ask to make sure).

 

I used the flat stuff, this specifically: https://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?55717/Rod+Collins+and+apos;+Bed-It+Tape

 

Glad to see everyone is enjoying their Contour's!

I have some small complaints but less than people who are rocking fiberglass shells, so I think I'm in the clear.

@MGMoverland if you look up a few posts by me, there's a secret I found to getting the m8 hardware in the tracks MUCH easier. Basically buy a set of m8 round hooks, thread them onto the m8 bolts, then use an automotive trim tool (while pulling down on the hooks) to push the bolt where you need it to go. Still fights you, still gets stuck on the powdercoating a bit, but overall much easier.

 

Random tip I just discovered for anyone with a Dickerson fireplace in their canopy camper...
A large neoprene camera lens pouch works perfectly as a cover over the fireplace exhaust to keep dust out. Game changer

 

Lovin mine so far

 

@Dtax what load bars are you running on top of your Counter?

 

Thanks to Tiny Rig I got mine on this past week! Can’t say enough good things about them.

 

the alu cab ones, the i forget the width, but i am going to swap for the smallest ones they offer since these one overhang too much for me. I think i have the medium ones.

 

You can cut the bars to size then put the plastic end caps back on. I trimmed mine to have zero overhang and there have not been any issues. Use a band saw and the coating will stay nice.

 

Anyone know what nut/hardware I can use to hang some parts on the ceiling of the Alu-cab Explorer?

Some accessories use an M8 nut and bolts and some nut extrusion but I can't find it anywhere!

 

FYI:

I just put the 1250mm bars on my contour canopy today. They don't work. The front of the the contour canopy is about an inch wider than the rear, the bars are maxed out with their mounts on the rear, leaving no additional room up to get the load bar mounting feet brackets to line up to the roof rails. You could run two of the 1250mm bars in the rear, very close to each other. Maybe a foot or so apart to strap something small down like a ROAM case.

I ordered these (and confirmed they would work) through OK4WD so hopefully when I call them on Monday they will accept a return. I just placed an order for the 1450mm bars online now as I have a big camping event to get to in 2 weeks. Irritating spending an hour and some change getting all the bolts installed for my awning, ready to mount, in the rain, only to find out they don't work.

 

If I remember correctly, 1/2 inch or 13mm bolt head fits in those rails perfectly

 

sorry you need to deal with that before your trip. PITFA.

Big thank you though for the heads up, the insights, and sharing here. I haven’t swapped yet and now will replan. Appreciate it.

best of luck and have a good trip.

 

Keep in mind the Alu Cab load bars are just aluminum extrusions, so should be able to cut through really easy. I have a metal band saw in the shop here, I will cut mine down after the trip. Should just take 2 minutes a load bar to cut, 2 minutes to finish with a file so you can get the end caps back in, 5 minutes to touch up the paint with a qtip . A nice metal cold saw would be even better.

 

Also, might as well cross post this. I wired all the stock Alu Cab led lights on a switch. Wanted to add some red lights for camping/night vision. Used the new Diode Dynamics rock lights as most of my truck has DD lights.

Bent up some brackets and made the harness with shrinkflex heat shrink and techflex loom.

 

Started some spring fine tuning today and prepping for the Dickinson install. Curious if/how anyone built out a bed/sleep platform for kids in the bottom half without going full goose gear

 

Nice setup.

I didn't make a sleeping platform specifically for kids, but my storage/fridge setup could easily be used by someone who is less than 4 ft tall. Check out my build thread, linked in my sig, for ideas if you want.

 

Did you swap out the standard 3rd gen bulkhead at the front of the bed with an earlier year (2dn gen?) bulkhead to have a mounting bedrail at the front of the bed? If so, where did you source that part?