Canvas support pole project

[Tekboy46]

Those with older Starcrafts or campers that didn't come with canvas support poles that hook to the roof and factory canvas bows might be interested in this; not an earthshaking mod but it supports the canvas a little better than the bungee cord support I made last fall. Originally I made 3 bungee supports to hold the canvas up; I've fought water pooling in the bunkend canvas corners since day one. I'll still use the remaining two outboard bungees I made but this conduit support gives a better "peak" in the canvas center. It rained right after I finished and installed both supports and water ran to the corners and onto the ground and I did a happy dance. A ten foot piece of half inch conduit made both, with about a foot of material left over. I flattened the conduit in a vise then hammered it flat. A Dremel tool and fiber cutoff wheel helped me make the square cutouts that fit over the mirror clip on the end boards.

<img src="http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/6177/2092139930095305960S600x600Q85.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/20935/2790008680095305960S600x600Q85.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/22937/2774547690095305960S600x600Q85.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/19608/2651478290095305960S600x600Q85.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/12056/2023461430095305960S600x600Q85.jpg" border=0>

1979 Starcraft Venture
1996 Ford F150 TV

 

[opipe]

Fantastic!
I am going to hve to give this a try..!
I hope you don't mind....
As you can see, mine sags a little as well.
How long was each piece for each end?...5ft?

<img src="http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/10600/2752112660103808768S600x600Q85.jpg" border=0>

"Keep the rubber side down"

 

[Tekboy46]

Saw your reply so I had to run out and get a decent measurement LOL. Each piece is 58 inches long, end to end... that is, if I flattened out both ends or took the curves out, that's how long the conduit is. So I actually had less than a foot left over. Mind? Heck no... mod and fix ideas here are copied with reckless abandon ROFL! For three bucks worth of conduit (comes in 10 foot pieces) and a Dremel tool you can make these. I filed and sanded the worked ends so there's nothing rough to snag canvas or people.
By the way, your camper looks sharp!

1979 Starcraft Venture
1996 Ford F150 TV

 

[opipe]

Thanks Tekboy!!!
I am appreciate you getting me the exact measurments for me....I am going to have to try this....
Thanks for the compliment as well!
I'll let you know how I make out

"Keep the rubber side down"

 

[Xolthrax]

Wow. I don't have a Starcraft, but that's a <b>great</b> mod. I nominate you for the Mod Hall of Fame for that one.


Joe

<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp">'96 Rockwood Signature Series 1280
<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_suv.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Tow Vehicle">'07 Ford Explorer
<i>Wherever you go, there you are.</i>

Edited by - Xolthrax on August 24 2008 23:06:12

 

[jushavnfun]

Tekboy,
Innovative...The only word that describes you.
I'm still plugging away with my overhaul but you have given me a few ideas to incorporate into it..

Marty & Elizabeth
Proud owners of our vintage PUP, "Riff Raff"

To ALL who have, or are serving... Thank You and Welcome Home!

 

[Tekboy46]

Thanks for the compliments. The water pooling on that sagging canvas drove me nuts. Then I see the newer models with the support bow so I thought I'd try and throw a couple together. The canvas on the old 79's bunkends is a lot happier with these on there. While I was working on electrical in the camper today we had a splash-n-dash toad choker (Oklahoma-eze for strong, fast moving thunderstorm that lasts only 20 minutes or so) and the water ran right off the corners like it should.

1979 Starcraft Venture
1996 Ford F150 TV

 

[Yooperwannabe]

Yes the saggy canvas is a real PITA. DH and I were just talking about it when we were out last week. Can't wait to show him your handy work. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful mod, and you said it wasn't earthshaking. I sure did feel a tremble when I saw it. Ha!

Robin

Me 1955, DH 1958, DD 1986
DGS 1999,2000,2001,2005

 

[jushavnfun]

Tekboy,
Did you also put a slight mod upward in the center of the original canvas support?
This looks very similar to mine, but mine is straight across the end.

Marty

Marty & Elizabeth
Proud owners of our vintage PUP, "Riff Raff"

To ALL who have, or are serving... Thank You and Welcome Home!

 

[dannyoung]

That rocks!!! I'm off to the hardware store right now.

<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp"> 1977 StarCraft Starmaster 6
<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_suv.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Tow Vehicle"> 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport

 

[Tekboy46]

Jushavnfun, the tent bows are as they were when I bought the camper. The shape seems to be original as manufactured. The canvas seems to match the "rise" of the bow from each corner, if that makes sense. The bows in my camper are fairly thin walled steel, not anywhere near as thick as conduit walls; I wouldn't try to bend or mod them without a conduit bender. If you try to re-shape them, go slow and easy with a conduit bender or have someone who does electrical and uses a bender all the time try it. My bows are shaped fine for now and I'm not going to touch them because a camper gremlin would eat one or probably both then I'd be making new bows lol.

1979 Starcraft Venture
1996 Ford F150 TV

 

[Beerlifter]

Hey Tek, you got any plans for Labor Day weekend? We are headed to Okemah, Ok. for a short stay at Last Chance. Maybe you could come out for the weekend and test out those new support poles! They tell me it always rains when I go there! Seriously we need to hook up. We aren't that far from each other as I am just in Norman.

Awesome mod by the way. I'll be bringing the Dutchmen by when your done with yours so you can Mod it up!!

Steve
Laura
DD Tara
DD Autumn
'02 Chevy Silverado
'98 Jeep Grand Cherokee
'95 Dutchmen 1002xs

http://community.webshots.com/user/beerlifter
http://lastchancecampground.com/default.aspx

 

[Tekboy46]

BLifter some previous plans for the holiday have been looking very "iffy" for the last few days... if they fall through, we'll be there. Hope LChance isn't fillin' up too fast for the weekend! And thanks for the invite!

1979 Starcraft Venture
1996 Ford F150 TV

 

[kmh1596]

Definitely a great mod you did there! How did it hold the canvas tight before that?

*Kevin*
<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp"> 2004 Rockwood 1940 LTD, <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_suv.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Tow Vehicle"> 96 Cherokee 2dr 5spd, <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_canoe.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Canoe"> ~16' Old Town Canoe
Nights Booked 08: 48, Camped so far: 44

 

[Halister]

Ok I first looked at the pick then read I was like so all campers have those. he he so I say very nice mod didnt even notice it. Looks like it belonged there....

I get enough exercise just pushing my luck.

 

[Tekboy46]

km, it didn't hold tight at all lol. As far as I can tell, the 79 Starcraft had only the bunkend hoop to hold things up. I guess when the canvas was new, the rain puddling in the corners wasn't an issue. But I'm here to tell ya that it's an issue with 29 year old canvas. I like the newer designs with a sharp drop-off on the bunkend corner roof section. But, I'm going to keep modding, patching, Gooping and so forth to this canvas, and maybe try some other things to help support it in a more rain-friendly way.

1979 Starcraft Venture
1996 Ford F150 TV

 

[Danger]

Nicely done. I have a buddy with a starcraft that will really appreciate your mod. Kudos.

<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_bike.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Bicycle">Me-71 <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Kisses">DW-72 <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Black Eye">DS-98 <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Blush">DD-01
<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp"> 1982 Coleman Redwood
<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_camping.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Camping"> 7/11 - nights in '08 so far

 

[opipe]

Hey Tek,
I copied your idea, but with a slight twist.
I used 3/4" conduit hanging around, and it seemed to work fine. I hammered away, bent away, dremelled out the ends, hung to mirror clips, and hung it.
They worked amazing!!!
Now I was a little nervouse having all the sharp edges around the canvas, so I pick up some of the Plasti-dip.
I dipped both ends of both polls in this stuff, and they are totally 100% protected, and could never cut the canvas. The Plasti-dip is designed for putting a platic/rubber coating on handles of hand tools, for grip! it worked amazing.
Oh yeh, and then one other bonus, I have a ceiling fan that is magnetic, and go figure, it hangs perfectly off of this new support.
Thank Tek, this was well worth the effort.
I will get some pics up soon!
Cheers
O

"Keep the rubber side down"

Edited by - opipe on September 09 2008 09:41:33

 

[Tekboy46]

Plastidip! I hadn't used the stuff in years! I guess my mind sent it to the Recycle Bin lol. Good idea O. I'm picking some up for when I can get the camper open again. The stuff is wonderful. I've used the spray version of it but not the dippin' stuff but I'm sure they have the same result. And you've gotta post something more about your magnetic ceiling fan! Looking forward to your pictures when you get time.
I think we're proving that design by committee can be a good thing!

1979 Starcraft Venture
1996 Ford F150 TV