Viking roof spares and repaires help

[Da dan]

I have just finally bought a Viking roof but it needs work. Can people help?
The outside seams have all perished, does anyone ruffly know how much to be redone? The canvas is good. Or just replace?

Need new air Rams too. Who is Best Buy?

New roof clips but not the rubber ones.

Need a new roof seal but don't know which one as there is not one there and all info I've read is a little misty.

Please help those who know


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[djaychela]

For the gas rams, I think sgs Engineering may be your best bet - got mine from there, with the right ends on, right length and strength, quality items (aluminium ends, not plastic) helpful, knowledgeable staff and next day delivery. Not the cheapest, but not far off.

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

Contact CJH on this forum for an expert reply
Or just search his posts, the Viking roof repair is among them

[Da dan]

Thanks guys. On it in the morn


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[Da dan]

I had no luck with cJH? Any thing else he make known as?


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[racebiz]

As above, I used sgs for new struts on our viking. Not sure if it was here or on brickyard but somebody had a new viking canvas made in I think Kingswood Bristol for quite reasonable money.

[Da dan]

I found it and yes it was. Going to order them today. Thanks guys.


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[CJH]

My ears are burning....

I did replace my canvas, and I'm still very pleased with it (see here). Kingswood were very good. One tweak I'd make to the design would be to do away with the seam above the windows if possible, and ask them to make the front out of a single piece. I had trouble at first with water seeping through the stitching on this seam - it's fixed now with seam sealer, but it would be better without the need to do that. I'd probably also delete the front vent - the two big ones at the ends provide plenty of ventilation.

For the seal around the edge of the fibreglass elevating section try Camper Shop (aka Poptop Parts). I recommend you call him and discuss it - he sells the right section by the metre, so just tell him how much you need. Note that it doesn't need to be a watertight seal, since any water that gets past it would still be outside the roof canvas, so this seal acts more as a cushion. On the hinge side, the cushion section between the hinges used to clog up the gutter on mine, leading to some corrosion in the gutter. The seal (cushion) isn't actually needed on that side at all, so just for aesthetic purposes I fitted a simple U-section between the hinges. This meant I needed to buy less than the 10m of cushion section that the chap at Poptop Parts would normally suggest.

Poptop Parts also sell new hinges - they do heavy duty ones as well, but I'm not sure the strength of the originals was ever an issue - I think the fixings are the problem if anything.

I've never been able to trace replacement roof clips - a second hand pair is your most likely option, but they'll need cleaning and repainting probably, and I don't think I've ever come across any at autojumbles etc.

For the struts, yes, definitely go to SGS. I may have a post somewhere with the strut ratings that I settled on after a bit of trial and error.......

[Da dan]

Hey allusive stranger. Really not go for the vent in the middle? So much light in yours. Loved it!! New Rams arriving tomorrow from sgs. All four!!! Re-spay the roof then try and fit. Really liked your pics mr cjh. How did it work with them? Did you tell them what you want or did they free style? Such a good idea with the drip.


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[kevtherev]

Told you.

[CJH]

Hey allusive stranger. Really not go for the vent in the middle? So much light in yours. Loved it!! New Rams arriving tomorrow from sgs. All four!!! Re-spay the roof then try and fit. Really liked your pics mr cjh. How did it work with them? Did you tell them what you want or did they free style? Such a good idea with the drip.

The main reason I woudn't go for the middle vent is that the half-moon shape doesn't look right in my opinion. Maybe I'd square off the corners a bit next time rather than removing it. But it really isn't needed - the two big end vents give plenty of ventilation, and if I park with the roof elevated towards the sun on a hot day then rather than creating an oven it actually creates cool shade under there which keeps the whole van a little cooler.

Kingswood Canvas were easy to work with - they're well set up for bespoke work. I sent them a couple of photoshopped images of what I wanted (below) and a description of the mods, and I also sent them my original canvas as a template. They may well have kept a template, I don't know. If anything the new canvas was a fraction tight - there's almost no stretch in the material they use. Better that way than too big and baggy, but I'd be tempted to get them to add a centimetre to the overall length.

[Da dan]

Did you send off your old one or have they a patten? I will give them a ring and see. I have someone coming over to take a look at the seems and then go from there!! Thanks for all the good help thought! Cool camping!!!!


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[JonB]

Da dan,
I've dropped a couple of emails to kingswood but not had anything back yet (not sure if it's spam filters somewhere), I'm hoping to call next week during work. If you do get in touch would you mind letting me know? I'm looking for 2 windows, big vents and drip skirt as per CJH.
Jon

[Da dan]

I phoned them yesterday no joy, but it was 430 on a bank holiday weekend. I was on my way home!!!


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[JonB]

I'll try myself next week (time permitting), will PM you if I get through.