Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate it!!
I got my lid built!
I wanted to keep it as low as possible so I built a simple lid that's 3" tall. I used 1.5" angle to square and level the top rails. I made the sides of the lid out of 3"x1"x11 gauge tube and put three 1.25"x11 gauge square cross members across it to bolt the RTT to.
The gas springs work great. The lid stays put when I undo the latches, but once I start to lift the lid they take over and hold it open no problem. I mounted them on the outside because it was the easiest way to do it, and it will keep them out of the way of what I'm hauling and from getting damaged if the load shifts.
I got some seal protectors to help keep crud off them.
I wanted to be able to remove the lid easily for hauling other stuff so I used the same hinges that most use. I also got rid of the plastic bushings they come with and replaced them with metal ones. Just remove the 3 bolts and the lid can come off. That piece of square tube serves two purposes. I welded one at each corner. I can hook the bottom of them with a ratchet strap hung from the rafters and lift the lid a few inches to remove it. I can also use them to mount a removable rack to haul things above the folded up RTT, or mount an awning on adjustable height brackets.
I used some simple latches that accept a pad lock and a weld on stainless steel handle.
Here is a list of part#'s for the items I used in case anyone is interested in using the same parts for their build.
I got the hinges and metal bushings from www.RCPW.com
(6) Metal bushings = BP 3008647
(3) Hinges = BP B2426FS
All the rest of the stuff came from McMaster-Carr
(30') .75"x.75" rubber bulb seal = 93085K82
(1) Weld on Stainless handle = 7088A3
(2) Gas springs, 175#'s = 9416K21
(4) Ball socket for gas springs = 9416K76
(4) Gas spring mounting brackets = 9512K91
(2) Gas spring seal protector = 4185T12
(2) Adjustable draw latches = 13435A61
I got my lid built!
I wanted to keep it as low as possible so I built a simple lid that's 3" tall. I used 1.5" angle to square and level the top rails. I made the sides of the lid out of 3"x1"x11 gauge tube and put three 1.25"x11 gauge square cross members across it to bolt the RTT to.
The gas springs work great. The lid stays put when I undo the latches, but once I start to lift the lid they take over and hold it open no problem. I mounted them on the outside because it was the easiest way to do it, and it will keep them out of the way of what I'm hauling and from getting damaged if the load shifts.
I got some seal protectors to help keep crud off them.
I wanted to be able to remove the lid easily for hauling other stuff so I used the same hinges that most use. I also got rid of the plastic bushings they come with and replaced them with metal ones. Just remove the 3 bolts and the lid can come off. That piece of square tube serves two purposes. I welded one at each corner. I can hook the bottom of them with a ratchet strap hung from the rafters and lift the lid a few inches to remove it. I can also use them to mount a removable rack to haul things above the folded up RTT, or mount an awning on adjustable height brackets.
I used some simple latches that accept a pad lock and a weld on stainless steel handle.
Here is a list of part#'s for the items I used in case anyone is interested in using the same parts for their build.
I got the hinges and metal bushings from www.RCPW.com
(6) Metal bushings = BP 3008647
(3) Hinges = BP B2426FS
All the rest of the stuff came from McMaster-Carr
(30') .75"x.75" rubber bulb seal = 93085K82
(1) Weld on Stainless handle = 7088A3
(2) Gas springs, 175#'s = 9416K21
(4) Ball socket for gas springs = 9416K76
(4) Gas spring mounting brackets = 9512K91
(2) Gas spring seal protector = 4185T12
(2) Adjustable draw latches = 13435A61
