Holy granby batman

[Fixing stuff]

Hey everyone

New to this forum sorry if this question has been beaten to death but here goes. I bought an 1985 granby and
It's canvas is showing its age. Been patching it here and there with hypolon and vlp glue. I can't see ponying nearly 2000 bucks for the pros to do it or the 1000 bucks to buy the kit from fwc. Does anyone know what a good replacement fabric is. As far as I can tell the fwc fabric is a secret, so I'm looking for a good alternative.

Thanks all

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Perhaps consider the fabric used on curtain sided truck trailers, as it's very strong and waterproof.

 

[Fixing stuff]

Perhaps consider the fabric used on curtain sided truck trailers, as it's very strong and waterproof.

View attachment 101711

That looks promising does anyone know what the name of that stuff

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Er'... It's called Curtain (Side) Material!

This company specializes in curtain sided trailers and serves the CA market, they might be able to help.

http://wildwoodcurtainsides.com/trailer-curtains.php

 

[homemade]

Hey everyone

New to this forum sorry if this question has been beaten to death but here goes. I bought an 1985 granby and
It's canvas is showing its age. Been patching it here and there with hypolon and vlp glue. I can't see ponying nearly 2000 bucks for the pros to do it or the 1000 bucks to buy the kit from fwc. Does anyone know what a good replacement fabric is. As far as I can tell the fwc fabric is a secret, so I'm looking for a good alternative.

Thanks all

I doubt if any material used on one of those campers is anything particularly high tech or that you couldn't buy locally. I used the 18oz pvc coated polyester that I bought from Seattle Fabrics (http://www.seattlefabrics.com/vinyl.html#18 oz. Vinyl Coated Polyester), you can buy online but I would check a good local fabric store like mill end or fabric depot or the like. The 60 inch width is more than wide enough to cut into two strips each of 1/2 of the overall length, glue the strips together with a decent overlap with the vinyl glue they sell. I put the seams at the mid sidewall of the camper, wrap it around then when almost all attached glue the other end. You need to be creative with the windows, I cut the openings carefully when it was all up, glued strips of the fabric to the outside perimeter of the window with screen mesh imbedded, glued strips to the inside window flap and sewed velcro strips on the edges using a sewing awl (they sell them also at Seattle Fabrics). Don't use the industrial self sticking velcro, it doesn't adhere well. If I was to do it again I would skip the velcro, cut arciform windows, glue an outside strip of fabric for a drip guard and sew zippers for the window and screen. It is hard to explain but if you think it out it should work and cost maybe $100 or less.

I think for a minimal cost Seattle Fabrics will send you material samples so you can see if it is what you want.

 

[Fixing stuff]

I doubt if any material used on one of those campers is anything particularly high tech or that you couldn't buy locally. I used the 18oz pvc coated polyester that I bought from Seattle Fabrics (http://www.seattlefabrics.com/vinyl.html#18 oz. Vinyl Coated Polyester), you can buy online but I would check a good local fabric store like mill end or fabric depot or the like. The 60 inch width is more than wide enough to cut into two strips each of 1/2 of the overall length, glue the strips together with a decent overlap with the vinyl glue they sell. I put the seams at the mid sidewall of the camper, wrap it around then when almost all attached glue the other end. You need to be creative with the windows, I cut the openings carefully when it was all up, glued strips of the fabric to the outside perimeter of the window with screen mesh imbedded, glued strips to the inside window flap and sewed velcro strips on the edges using a sewing awl (they sell them also at Seattle Fabrics). Don't use the industrial self sticking velcro, it doesn't adhere well. If I was to do it again I would skip the velcro, cut arciform windows, glue an outside strip of fabric for a drip guard and sew zippers for the window and screen. It is hard to explain but if you think it out it should work and cost maybe $100 or less.

I think for a minimal cost Seattle Fabrics will send you material samples so you can see if it is what you want.

Right on thanks! Ill get on that web site and get some samples and ideas coming

 

[Fixing stuff]

Er'... It's called Curtain (Side) Material!

This company specializes in curtain sided trailers and serves the CA market, they might be able to help.

http://wildwoodcurtainsides.com/trailer-curtains.php

Oh that's what it's called, I thought it might have a trade name. Thanks

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I recently contacted Four Wheel Camper (Again) in an attempt to purchase a fold and roll couch for my Hawk. This latest contact resulted in no less than four phone calls on my part with what seemed to be "Pulling Teeth" to get any kind of assistance, including something as simple as a price on the couch. The price request alone took three calls and I spoke to humans every phone call.

I commented on this to a fellow FWC owner and he stated that he had received great service from All Terrain Campers and that I should contact them (Apparently there is a connection between FWC and ATC, as in a past employee or something) with my request.

I contacted ATC and was very pleased with the level of service, price and attitude. This is the second time I've given FWC the chance for sales and it will be the last.

My advice for you is give ATC a call and tell them whats going on and what you need. I bet they beat FWC on all levels.

 

[Fixing stuff]

I recently contacted Four Wheel Camper (Again) in an attempt to purchase a fold and roll couch for my Hawk. This latest contact resulted in no less than four phone calls on my part with what seemed to be "Pulling Teeth" to get any kind of assistance, including something as simple as a price on the couch. The price request alone took three calls and I spoke to humans every phone call.

I commented on this to a fellow FWC owner and he stated that he had received great service from All Terrain Campers and that I should contact them (Apparently there is a connection between FWC and ATC, as in a past employee or something) with my request.

I contacted ATC and was very pleased with the level of service, price and attitude. This is the second time I've given FWC the chance for sales and it will be the last.

My advice for you is give ATC a call and tell them whats going on and what you need. I bet they beat FWC on all levels.

Good thought. They were the ones ones who told me how to patch the old canvas, I'll give them a call today to get a price to replace the canvas. I also got some samples coming from Seattle fabrics comming.

Thanks again.

 

[slowtwitch]

The stuff used for semi trailers stinks to high heaven... I mean really stinks.

st

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

Sorry we could not have been a little better on the phone this week.



We are a small company, and build a very specialized product.

Terry or service manager was gone for the last week at the Overland Expo.

He is our "go to" guy for parts and service and strives to help the customers in any way he can.

We have a new helper in the shop as Terry's assistant, but he is "green".

Unfortunatly we can't hire a new guy and have him to be able to know all of the details on 30 years of campers in only a few weeks.

Sorry we were not able to help.

The guys at ATC will take good care of you.


PS: I take exception to this ... <<I bet they (ATC) beat FWC on all levels>>

ATC being a 2 or 3 man operation with a low over head they will be able to beat us in some areas.

No argument there.

And I also understand you have not had a good experience with us.

But when it comes to the build quality there is a very big difference between the campers.

They build good campers over there in Sac, but VERY different that what we are building here at FWC.

I would highly recommend looking at both campers BEFORE buying one, look at both factories, figure out your needs & wants are, and then choose what suits your needs best.




Again, we applogize that we have not been able to help you.



__________________________________________________________________________

I recently contacted Four Wheel Camper (Again) in an attempt to purchase a fold and roll couch for my Hawk. This latest contact resulted in no less than four phone calls on my part with what seemed to be "Pulling Teeth" to get any kind of assistance, including something as simple as a price on the couch. The price request alone took three calls and I spoke to humans every phone call.

I commented on this to a fellow FWC owner and he stated that he had received great service from All Terrain Campers and that I should contact them (Apparently there is a connection between FWC and ATC, as in a past employee or something) with my request.

I contacted ATC and was very pleased with the level of service, price and attitude. This is the second time I've given FWC the chance for sales and it will be the last.

My advice for you is give ATC a call and tell them whats going on and what you need. I bet they beat FWC on all levels.

.

 

[Fixing stuff]

The stuff used for semi trailers stinks to high heaven... I mean really stinks.

st

Good to know I hate that off gas smell. I called atc 1250 for new soft sides. I'm still leaning to make my own. I know I'll hate myself when things go south.

 

[goodtimes]

Good to know I hate that off gas smell. I called atc 1250 for new soft sides. I'm still leaning to make my own. I know I'll hate myself when things go south.

Seriously????

Was that installed, or just the fabric in a box? That had to be the installed price . . .

6 or 8 months ago ATC quoted me ~$650 for new fabric for my FWC Grandby. That was just the fabric - I would have to do the install.

 

[Fixing stuff]

Seriously????

Was that installed, or just the fabric in a box? That had to be the installed price . . .

6 or 8 months ago ATC quoted me ~$650 for new fabric for my FWC Grandby. That was just the fabric - I would have to do the install.

Yea, that was installed. Did you end up doing the job? How did it go? I totally spaced out asking them just for the fabric. Maybe I'll call them tomorrow and find out.

 

[goodtimes]

Yea, that was installed. Did you end up doing the job? How did it go? I totally spaced out asking them just for the fabric. Maybe I'll call them tomorrow and find out.

OK - 1250 installed sounds better.

I didn't do mine yet - I think I can squeeze a few more years out of it - plus I ran out of $$$, so I didn't replace the top or the door - I figured I could replace those down the road without tearing into any of the other stuff we did (new siding, insulation, propane/electrical/water systems, new seats, new cabinets, new appliances, relocated water & propane, etc).