Habitat Owner's Thread

[Martyn]

Did you find a sealing tape that you would recommend?

I couldn’t find the original quote to review it but, you can use waterbased seam sealer on the seams, Gearaid makes a good sealer. Solvent based sealers will degrade the waterproofing in the material. You should start out by checking to make sure the tent material isn’t stretched too tight on the poles as this will open up the stitch holes. Then wet down the material and seams as this allows the fabric and thread to absorb the moisture and swell up closing the gap between the thread and the fabric. If you still have areas that are leaking seal those specific areas with seam seal.

 

[JDaPP]

Thanks, I will give it a try. I got the info from post 157 in this thread (pg11) for me. The tape was in reference to hinge area but wasn't sure if it could be used on seams as well. I am moving back to East coast later this year so trying to get ahead of it. Thanks.

"We have found some tape, it is a Neoprene/EPDM/SBR Foam, with an adhesive backing that is conformable but also expands back to it's original profile quickly. We have started testing this product in the hinge area where the extrusion is not attached to the shell."

 

[ntgbrl]

I used Gear Aid Seam Grip for my tent. It worked ok on stopping water from coming in through the loops on the roof (only 1 loop leaked after a heavy thunderstorm), ill apply a second coat before the winter and hopefully that'll fix it for a few years

Amazon.com: Gear Aid Seam Grip FC Fast Cure Sealant for Tents, Clear, 2 fl oz: Sports & Outdoors

Buy Gear Aid Seam Grip FC Fast Cure Sealant for Tents, Clear, 2 fl oz: Insect & Pest Repellents - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Tugvi]

Reviving this old tread hoping to find the j180s and continue sharing information. Got number 11 about 3 years ago.

 

[ntgbrl]

I have been getting water ingress into the cab of the Jeep so I decided to re-caulk around the hinges. On the first camping trip since re-caulking I noticed the hinge moves a large amount relative to the fiberglass clam shell. I tried to tighten the bolts on the clam with the roof only partially opened but they were already as tight as I could get them. I also noticed the epoxy on the clam shell is cracked nearer the hinge side on both driver and passenger (this area is hidden under the skirt on the portion of the ten over the hood). Is anyone else seeing this behavior on their habitat? (photos attached in the closed and open position, note the gap in the caulk thats not there when closed)

 

[Tugvi]

I have been getting water ingress into the cab of the Jeep so I decided to re-caulk around the hinges. On the first camping trip since re-caulking I noticed the hinge moves a large amount relative to the fiberglass clam shell. I tried to tighten the bolts on the clam with the roof only partially opened but they were already as tight as I could get them. I also noticed the epoxy on the clam shell is cracked nearer the hinge side on both driver and passenger (this area is hidden under the skirt on the portion of the ten over the hood). Is anyone else seeing this behavior on their habitat? (photos attached in the closed and open position, note the gap in the caulk thats not there when closed)
View attachment 739166View attachment 739168

View attachment 739167

I have had the same someone in another tread said that Mario told them to silicone the whole area between the top and windshield gasket. They advised they have not had any leaks since. I will be doing the same soon.

 

[ntgbrl]

Bad news, according to Mario at AT Overland, I am the first JK Habitat to have broken the torsion bar.

I was camping last weekend, and while packing up, I heard an ear-ringing pop. I noticed a bunch of rust debris on the hood, and the fiberglass tube that surrounds the torsion bar was split open. Luckily, I was camping with a friend because I don’t think I could have closed the top by myself, it is a lot heavier than I expected. I had to lift the lid near vertical by standing on the bumper brush guard while my friend manned the hand crank long enough for me to move to the rear and catch the top as it came down.

I sent AT Overland an email hoping they had a torsion bar collecting dust somewhere in their warehouse, but unfortunately they did not. Mario has been helpful explaining the process of replacing the torsion bar. It sounds like it will be a difficult process where the top has to be held vertically and unloaded for the new bar to be slid into place. I emailed and called the company that made the torsion bar, Foote Axle, but their phone and fax lines are disconnected, and I haven't gotten an email reply yet. Not a good sign.

Right now, I’m trying to get the design specs of the torsion bar and find a company that can make one. If I can’t get the specs, then I’ll have to take some measurements and reverse engineer the old one. Either way, it looks like my camper will be out of commission for a while, and I’ll be ground tenting on my week-long Death Valley trip in a couple of months.

PSA for the habitat owners that still frequent this sub: make sure the fiberglass tube over the torsion bar can allow moisture out. I believe rust was a large factor in mine breaking. According to Mario, that tube is in place to keep the contents contained if it breaks, so don’t go cutting yours off.

So, that's where I'm at right now, Ill keep this thread updated with my progress in the hopes that someone will find it helpful in the future.

 

[Ursa Minor]

Bad news, according to Mario at AT Overland, I am the first JK Habitat to have broken the torsion bar.

I sent AT Overland an email hoping they had a torsion bar collecting dust... I’m trying to get the design specs of the torsion bar and find a company that can make one. If I can’t get the specs, then I’ll have to take some measurements and reverse engineer the old one.

Definitely the first one I've heard of!

AT didn't design or manufacture the camper, and they didn't use a spring on the truck camper, they would never have had extra torsion bars, and if they had the design data for them, it would have been provided confidentially from us.

But here's the cool thing:
- I'm subscribed to this thread and get a notification when someone (rarely) posts
- Since it was my design and we made them, I have a box of extra torsion bars collecting dust in case someone broke one someday.
- If I run out of them, I have 2 suppliers that can make more, and all the design data (CAD, material processing) if needed.

So...if you haven't yet, just send an email over to us, include the serial number of the unit for our records and you might be back camping sooner than planned

 

[2Toyotas]

Definitely the first one I've heard of!

AT didn't design or manufacture the camper, and they didn't use a spring on the truck camper, they would never have had extra torsion bars, and if they had the design data for them, it would have been provided confidentially from us.

But here's the cool thing:
- I'm subscribed to this thread and get a notification when someone (rarely) posts
- Since it was my design and we made them, I have a box of extra torsion bars collecting dust in case someone broke one someday.
- If I run out of them, I have 2 suppliers that can make more, and all the design data (CAD, material processing) if needed.

So...if you haven't yet, just send an email over to us, include the serial number of the unit for our records and you might be back camping sooner than planned

Just wow..
"Clapping Hands!"

 

[ntgbrl]

You're life savers Ursa Minor! Email sent.

 

[Ark]

Definitely the first one I've heard of!

AT didn't design or manufacture the camper, and they didn't use a spring on the truck camper, they would never have had extra torsion bars, and if they had the design data for them, it would have been provided confidentially from us.

But here's the cool thing:
- I'm subscribed to this thread and get a notification when someone (rarely) posts
- Since it was my design and we made them, I have a box of extra torsion bars collecting dust in case someone broke one someday.
- If I run out of them, I have 2 suppliers that can make more, and all the design data (CAD, material processing) if needed.

So...if you haven't yet, just send an email over to us, include the serial number of the unit for our records and you might be back camping sooner than planned

Really awesome to see you stepping up! I know you have other outlets as well so no worries.

Totally not relevant since ursa minor has replacements but I had in my head that Sway-a-way (now X-sway) used to make the torsion bars for the old flippac campers. It looks like they still make VW torsion bars so I assume they would potentially have the capability to manufacture something like this?

 

[ntgbrl]

Yeah, Ive been emailing them and they seem interested in manufacturing a replacement, but since Ursa Minor has some spares in stock I wont be needing them anymore.