EarthRoamer XV-JP "Northwest Edition"

[mk216v]

Yes and no.

No, I do not know why Dion the parts were not handled more elegantly. No, I do not know what possessed him to cut all the wires, cables, hoses, etc. when he did his demolition. I do know that it'll take dozens of extra hours of work to repair the damage he did by being in a hurry (or clueless; take your pick.)

Unfortunately, I do know what's up with the roof.

This is not the roof:

View attachment 338938

This is a partly-finished mold Dion made so he could make more roofs. It is not a structural part.

THIS is the roof:

View attachment 338941

This is what was used to make the mold. It is structural. It could hold up the roof rack. It could hold up the spare tire. It could raise up and allow standing roof. It can keep the rain out. A roof is a really valuable thing to have on one's camper.

Sadly, I don't have this roof. I sure expected to have this roof. If you had had this e-mail exchange (click on it) with Dion shortly before delivery, you, too, would have expected a roof:

View attachment 338949

What happened to the roof? I initially thought Dion had kept it as sort of an "I'll teach Mike to say anything bad about Red Cannon Expeditions and my thousand of hours of hard work" lesson for me. However, I made return of the roof something critical for the attorney to work with Dion on, and unbelievably, the attorney last week reported this bad-as-it-gets news:

"He indicated that the gel coat he was using did not set because it was 18 degrees outside when he was trying to create the new roof. He said that he sent you the mold so whomever you took the Jeep to next, could use the mold to build you a new roof. Not sure if any of this is true; just passing along what he told me."

​

So, I have no roof, and instead have an unfinished mold ratchet-strapped to the cabin. Not owning a bunch of balsa and a chopper gun, this isn't real convenient. In fact, it totally sucks. I'll have to pay to have a roof made by some fiberglass company, and it'll take me a fair amount of work to finish the mold before doing so. And the vehicle is undriveable in its current condition, nor can I reasonably put it up for sale.

Does Dion still have the roof? Did he destroy it on purpose to cause me a big problem? Or is he really so inept that he ruined the roof while working to gel coat it? None of the three possibilities reflects well on him, but I will tell you this . . . with no roof, the flimsy mold up in the airstream, the curbside door filler panel falling out, the caulk holding the front half of the cabin having failed, and only a couple of bolts in place holding on the back half of the cabin, I could not have made two miles down a highway at speed, let alone the two thousand required to get back to Portland. It was good that I decided in the end to have it transported, better that they assigned an enclosed transporter, and excellent that my wingman and I did not show up as scheduled in Fairfield to pick up the Jeep, thus providing for seven days and half-a-continent to be between me and Dion when I learned I had no roof.

I know it's just a truck, it's only money, no one's dead or dying, and so on. But it was nevertheless a seriously bad time for me a week ago when the driver backed my XV-JP out of the trailer, what with pretty much everything turning out worse than the very bad situation I had already expected.

******????
I'm confused about a few things;
#1 Now I don't know a lot about fiberglassing but as veilside says below, the gel coat not setting doesn't make the roof completely unusable does it? Why couldn't the gel coat just be redone?

#2 Based on this video on the Red Cannon Expedition Facebook page (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QN7PklbTg&feature=youtu.be), it sure looks to me that Dion Kranz of Red Cannon Expedition is wearing just a t-shirt while working on your cabin roof, so I'd assume he heats his shop at least somewhat. Sure, it could have gotten colder OUTSIDE when he did the gel coat work, but if he's working on the roof INSIDE, in a shop with obvious insulation(and presumably heat), then what sizable difference would it make if it's 18deg outside? Ok so maybe the gel coat isn't perfect, but it could just be re-done when you got the Jeep back on the west coast right?(see point #1)

#3 Didn't Red Cannon Expedition just buy a new building earlier this year? I saw it on their Facebook page;
https://www.facebook.com/redcannonexpedition/posts/423746427829385
http://ktvo.com/news/local/red-cannon-expedition-looking-to-expand-operations
https://www.facebook.com/redcannone...41830.280905525446810/433348316869196/?type=3
So your Jeep was in Dion's possession during this time right? I wonder if the money you sent Dion Kranz of Red Cannon Expedition for YOUR Jeep project, went right into furnishing HIS new building. The timelines seem to match up, and the lack of progress on your Jeep seems to line up. Hrmmmmm......

#4 So instead of Dion emailing you back and letting you know that supposedly the gelcoat didn't set well on the lengthened roof, he decides FOR YOU on YOUR JEEP, keeps YOUR Earthroamer top, and sends you this roof mold of his instead, so that you can dump MORE money into his complete abomination of workmanship?

How the hell does that make any sense?

And to be clear, since I see in the picture above I see a "salmon/green" front roof half, and then a "ribbed" rear roof section, but I can't tell from the second pic you posted of the "construction debris" interior, are you saying that even under the mold, you don't have even the "ribbed" rear Earthroamer roof structure at all, and once you unstrap this roof mold and remove the mold, the entire roof front-to-back of the Earthroamer cabin is open sky??
Can you post some pictures of the mold? I've always been curious how these molds are made, and the quality of them.

And Dion didn't even even drive the vehicle as you asked in your email correspondence? He just ratched-strapped this what-looks-to-be-flimsy mold onto the cabin? You are definitely lucky you sent a transporter to pick it up vs fly out and drive it back. I mean that mold would have flown right off by the time you hit 35mph, no?

I bet your heart not only sank but plummeted to the core of the Earth! I probably would have fainted.

I still cannot believe this level of "workmanship" from Dion Kranz of Red Cannon Expedition. Utterly despicable.

 

[veilside180sx]

The "mold" appears to be an 1/8" thick CSM (chopped strand mat) replica of the roof.

CSM is used due it's ability to conform to almost any shape but it's lacks a lot of rigidity. Woven roving & other weave types are used to reinforce it to add structural integrity based on direction of stresses. Foam cores, honeycomb, wood, etc are also used as stiffeners/strengtheners.

 

[mhiscox]

******???? I'm confused about a few things. Welcome to the club.

Now I don't know a lot about fiberglassing but as veilside says below, the gel coat not setting doesn't make the roof completely unusable does it? Why couldn't the gel coat just be redone?I sure would have thought so. Even if I was the one to have to get the roof presentable, it'd have been better than no roof at all.

Based on this video on the Red Cannon Expedition Facebook page (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QN7PklbTg&feature=youtu.be), it sure looks to me that Dion Kranz of Red Cannon Expedition is wearing just a t-shirt while working on your cabin . . . Yes, Dion always had the Jeep inside. I believe there was a time when the furnace went out for a while in the new building, but I don't believe he did any XV-JP work in the new building.

Didn't Red Cannon Expedition just buy a new building earlier this year? I saw it on their Facebook page . . . I was surprised to learn just recently that he was working on getting the new building last summer. I wasn't told about it until months later. I don't presume to know the answer to whether my Jeep money helped fund the building. He certainly did spend time fixing up the building in lieu of doing low/no-cost work to get my Jeep in better shape before delivery.

So instead of Dion emailing you back and letting you know that supposedly the gelcoat didn't set well on the lengthened roof, he decides FOR YOU on YOUR JEEP, keeps YOUR Earthroamer top, and sends you this roof mold of his instead, so that you can dump MORE money into his complete abomination of workmanship? How the hell does that make any sense? I assume that's a rhetorical question, but, no, it doesn't make any sense. That's part of what makes it so irritating.

And to be clear . . . once you unstrap this roof mold and remove the mold, the entire roof front-to-back of the Earthroamer cabin is open sky?? You understand correctly. You see the sky. (And I will get some additional pictures of the mold posted. I'm appreciating the assessments of what I've got and what I'm expected to do with it.)

And Dion didn't even even drive the vehicle as you asked in your email correspondence? He just ratched-strapped this what-looks-to-be-flimsy mold onto the cabin? You are definitely lucky you sent a transporter to pick it up vs fly out and drive it back. I mean that mold would have flown right off by the time you hit 35mph, no? Rhetorical, as well? But, yes, that was my point. The mold would have broken, the curbside filler would have fallen out, the wind pressure against the cabin would have broken the fiberglass through which the cabin was held to the tub by two bolts and the cabin would have come off, and then the cab top, also not attached, would have flown off (though you'd have to guess I'd have caught on by then and come to a stop. 1998 miles from home. I've no idea what Dion hoped to accomplish by leaving me stranded in Iowa.

Even the transporting wasn't carefree. The driver said that those orange ratchet straps were his and that he added them because the mold was shifting around and he was worried it would bounce off and damage one of the other cars. (And he was wise, given that it moved around even with the straps.

Anyway, as I said, it was a real disappointment.

 

[Maninga]

Some stuff I found during a google search of Red Cannon.

Building bought from Fairfield council for $85k, 25k in cash, rest rebated from council based on building works being done and certain milestones being reached.
http://ia-fairfield.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2870

Go Fund Me page set up for materials on the new building. Didn't meet his target
https://www.gofundme.com/redcannon

One of his workers was an Intern, wrote about it here. Looks like there was a roof at one stage
https://lilithshoemaker.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/welcome-to-red-cannon-expedition/

I'll echo what others have been saying, it really sucks to hear what happened to the Jeep. I can only wish you don't lose hope on it, that you find another avenue to rebuild it again and move back to enjoying it.

 

[IdaSHO]

That page is dated 12-1-2015

Here are some shots of a top with a later date than that page

Looks to me like there was indeed a top.

This one is 12-19-2015

https://lilithshoemaker.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/december-14-19-at-red-cannon-expedition/

 

[Haf-E]

I would say that the roof was retained by Red Cannon for other uses - which would basically be theft of your property. It seems like the only part that was really "worked" on any significant amount based on the video - although part of that work was cutting a giant hole into it?

Here is an unfortunately quote from that blog: (https://lilithshoemaker.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/welcome-to-red-cannon-expedition/)

"After some hours of work it's beginning to look nice, more work is still needed to make a polished effect ready for the costumers."


I feel for you, Mike - the only "good" news is that it looks more like you have a good case for the insurance to pay out on... Let it become their problem to deal with Dion. Keep us posted...

 

[mhiscox]

Some stuff I found during a google search of Red Cannon . . .

I am very grateful for having a crack team of researchers helping me out on this. I really appreciate that you guys have found these things.

I'm not adept at Facebook or other social media or at knowing just where to look for useful information. And when I do a Google search and follow the Facebook links, it looks like Red Cannon is doing just great, five stars and 250 likes, or something like that. Nothing of what has gone on here seems to be available to the general public and prospective customers, and I don't understand that. I do know that it will be a real injustice if I have to go through the loss of my truck, my money, my sleep and my previously sunny attitude and Dion comes out of this with nothing but happy Facebook car stereo customers.

I admit to my brain not being up to its usual fine self lately, as the problems have just kept coming over the past month, so I all this support counts for even more. Fortunately, things should get somewhat more settled soon. Early this week I should hear from the local attorney to learn if Dion even responded to him, and the insurance agent should let me know if there's any chance of getting anything from State Farm. And it should become clear whether I'll need to get an Iowa attorney to try to get back some of the money loaned to Dion for the mold making.

In any event, I'm incredibly glad that The Week of Unbelievable and Dreadful Surprises has come to an end.

 

[Haf-E]

It looks pretty clear that your original top became the "master" or "plug" shown in the blog photos and video in order to make additional molds from - which is why he didn't return it - The top, as far as using it as before, is destroyed. He made up a quick mold off of your top (now the master / plug) and included that instead.

 

[Mud Dawg]

It looks pretty clear that your original top became the "master" or "plug" shown in the blog photos and video in order to make additional molds from - which is why he didn't return it - The top, as far as using it as before, is destroyed. He made up a quick mold off of your top (now the master / plug) and included that instead.

^^^ This makes the most sense to me. What other reason would there be for not returning the top (regardless of its condition)?

 

[veilside180sx]

That page is dated 12-1-2015

Here are some shots of a top with a later date than that page

Looks to me like there was indeed a top.

This one is 12-19-2015

https://lilithshoemaker.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/december-14-19-at-red-cannon-expedition/

That looks like it was popped out of the mold he has.

If it did it wouldn't be "that difficult" to kick out another.

Update: actually clicked the link & it's not...just the plug for it.

I'd have to see the mold to tell you what I thought Mike.

 

[IdaSHO]

I am very grateful for having a crack team of researchers helping me out on this. I really appreciate that you guys have found these things.

Mike, with so much potentially incriminating info online, Id suggest you screen shot, print and save everything that can be found before this guy has the chance to remove the pages.

 

[veilside180sx]

Mike, with so much potentially incriminating info online, Id suggest you screen shot, print and save everything that can be found before this guy has the chance to remove the pages.

I'd cache file or screen shot every blog, Facebook post, etc. never know what details are insignificant later or monumental important.

 

[SamM]

Mike,
The way I see it he stole your money, as he in no way did the agreed upon work. That's fraud! Your vehicle was completely destroyed to the point of vandalism. This should be easy to prove to your insurance company and the proper authorities. Maybe you mentioned this, maybe not! Did you have a contract?

I feel your pain in this, Mike! Myself, I would be devastated and I apologize for saying that.

SamM

 

[PaulJensen]

Looking at the mold, i have to ask, why build a water holding reservoir into the roof...???... The former solar tray was like that and we know how well that held water...

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

I'm not the type to sue anyone knowing how costly it is, but if anyone was to file a lawsuit at this point, Mike should hand it over to his insurance company, then I think Earthroamer should as the Red Cannon website refers to his EXPERTISE while working for Earthroamer.

If I was Bill Swails, I'd be filing a Cease and Desist Order to have any mention of Earthroamer stricken from Dion's website! Only saying this because if Dion claims he learned what he knows while working for Earthroamer......and his end product looks like what is sitting in Mike's driveway, I'd never look at an Earthroamer

Gosh, every time I see this it makes my stomach drop. Feel terrible for you Mike! Keep your spirits up