Dormobile roof strengthening bar?

[RMS]

Right - Simon has sent pictures of his (thanks ) which shows the bar fibreglassed in along the hinge side, but nothing at the front.

I've also had a reply from Steve at Dormobile, who confirms there should be a 'half-moon' shaped bar glassed in across the hinges and halfway across the front AND back.

I think they have possibly changed the design over the years, perhaps adding the strengthening bars to later models, hence the differences

Oh, and further probing shows that the plates reinforcing the hinges were probably welded to the bar, which makes sense to me.

It looks like I'll be cutting out and fibreglassing in new bars and plates on mine - oh the joys of bits of fibreglass in your fingers and hands, and sticky resin everywhere - brings back memories

Cheers,
Robin.

[RobW]

Might be worth trying to get some pics of the bar etc. As mine was recoated it's possible it was hidden, or as you say, things changed over the years. My roof is suspected to be mid 60's and the bunk fabric is a rather unpleasant tartan. Should get her back tonight so I'll post images when I get time (and light) to take some for the insurance.

[DrivingDutchman]

Don't think I have these bars.
But will check tonight.

Michiel

[Litelandy]

G'day Robin,

I found exactly the same thing as you. Luckily there was enough left of the originals that I was able to duplicate them. Here is a picture of the new ones. I made them from 4130 Chrome Moly tube and plate. I painted them with aviation primer inside and out to ward off corrosion!

I've since bonded them to the roof with structural adhesive and am going to reapply the fibreglass over the top.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

Glen

[RMS]

Ah, perfect Glen - thanks for your picture.

It looks like yours is just the hinge side and the front, like mine.

Did you weld the hinge plates to the bar, and is the front bar welded to the side bar?

Cheers,
Robin.

[Litelandy]

No worries at all Robin.

Yes the braces are only along the hinge side and the front. I had a mate TIG weld the plates to the bar. I'm not sure if that's how the originals were but I figured it'd be much more rigid that way.

I haven't welded the side and front bars together though. I'm relying on the structural adhesive to provide rigidity and keep the bars in place relative to each other in that area.

Cheers

Glen

[RobW]

Can't see on mine as it's behind the canvas.....

[Litelandy]

Gday Robin,

I've stumbled upon some drawings I made up when redoing my braces. I can't say with any certainty that the dimensions and whatnot would be standard to all Land Rover Dormobiles but it's what i could determine from the remnants of my originals. I'm happy to share them if they're any use to you?

Cheers

Glen

[RMS]

Yes please Glen.

Either email them to me and I'll put them up on here, or you can add them in to a post.

Thanks,
Robin.

[DrivingDutchman]

I believe hat is the order of doing it in the first place. First to the roofshell and when the roof is in place to the roof of the Landy itself.
I might have the instructions flating about. I know I e-mailed a copy to John Horne for his roof.

Michiel