Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Looking for roof top storage pod
| Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128162] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 09:58  |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
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I know this topic comes up a lot, sorry for revisiting.
http://www.rvpartscenter.com/RV_Parts/rv_storage_pods.htm doesn't appear to have them any more (product detail pages don't work). I can't find them on Camping World's site either. Any other suggested vendors?
I'd be happy with a used pod too -- anyone have a spare they're willing to part with? I'm in Georgia, but headed up the east coast to Boston and then to the west coast by a northerly route. Can stow stuff in the frog for a short part of the trip.
I don't think my coach ever had a pod. There aren't any mounting bits on the roof. What's the right way to install one, then? I hope the answer isn't "adhesive".. Is there a reliable way to find the body ribs to install mounts?
Thanks!
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
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| Re: Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128169 is a reply to message #128162] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 11:04  |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| Andrew wrote on Wed, 01 June 2011 07:58 |
I don't think my coach ever had a pod. There aren't any mounting bits on the roof. What's the right way to install one, then? I hope the answer isn't "adhesive".. Is there a reliable way to find the body ribs to install mounts?
Thanks!
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Be a bit more than careful when mounting to the ribs. When I had the ceiling out in my '76 I found that the screws that had been used to mount the pod on the roof hand just barely missed going through the wiring which ran through the ribs in the roof. From memory, the ribs are constructed in such a way that wires can be run in them, side to side, and that was the issue in mine.
As I recall, the polly water lines that went from the bath to the kitchen side also went up through the roof, and could be punctured easily if drilling down from above. Your older unit has copper pipes I think, but still could be drilled into and hit.
I wish I could tell you more about what is a safe area vs unsafe, but I really can't, just know it is a potential issue. I just looked at my ceiling photo album and apparently didn't take any photos of the "pod screw" issue that I uncovered. Wish I had. I think the ribs that run in the bathroom area (mine was a side bath palm beach) were the ones with wires and pipes in them, and that is the area a pod mounts.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128171 is a reply to message #128162] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 11:09 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| Andrew wrote on Wed, 01 June 2011 07:58 |
I don't think my coach ever had a pod. There aren't any mounting bits on the roof. What's the right way to install one, then? I hope the answer isn't "adhesive".. Is there a reliable way to find the body ribs to install mounts?
Thanks!
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Second thought: If you do attach to the ribs, use VERY SHORT screws and that will avoid most of the problem I saw in mine. Use screws that are just long enough to go through the pod and roof and into the rib. There is no structural issue to use longer, and that length is what will get you into the most trouble.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128173 is a reply to message #128171] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 11:25 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Andrew,
These drawings will tell you where the ribs are located:
http://bdub.net/GMCdrawings/
Once you know where they are, you can locate the flanges on the
outsides of the "hat sections" by tapping lightly with a plastic
hammer. You'll hear the difference in the rigidity of the surface as
you tap from front to rear across an open span, onto one flange, then
the space between the flanges, and then the other flange. I'd only
drill into the flanges to minimize the chance of damaging wires or
pipes.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 12:09 PM, Rob Allen <profmail@wildblue.net> wrote:
>
>
> Andrew wrote on Wed, 01 June 2011 07:58
>> I don't think my coach ever had a pod. There aren't any mounting bits on the roof. What's the right way to install one, then? I hope the answer isn't "adhesive".. Is there a reliable way to find the body ribs to install mounts?
>>
>> Thanks!
>
>
> Second thought: If you do attach to the ribs, use VERY SHORT screws and that will avoid most of the problem I saw in mine. Use screws that are just long enough to go through the pod and roof and into the rib. There is no structural issue to use longer, and that length is what will get you into the most trouble.
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128187 is a reply to message #128173] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 13:08 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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About 8 well placed well nuts and stainless screws should hold it down, and
seal it from leaking at the same time.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403
On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 9:25 AM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>wrote:
> Andrew,
>
> These drawings will tell you where the ribs are located:
> http://bdub.net/GMCdrawings/
>
> Once you know where they are, you can locate the flanges on the
> outsides of the "hat sections" by tapping lightly with a plastic
> hammer. You'll hear the difference in the rigidity of the surface as
> you tap from front to rear across an open span, onto one flange, then
> the space between the flanges, and then the other flange. I'd only
> drill into the flanges to minimize the chance of damaging wires or
> pipes.
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 12:09 PM, Rob Allen <profmail@wildblue.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Andrew wrote on Wed, 01 June 2011 07:58
> >> I don't think my coach ever had a pod. There aren't any mounting bits on
> the roof. What's the right way to install one, then? I hope the answer isn't
> "adhesive".. Is there a reliable way to find the body ribs to install
> mounts?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >
> >
> > Second thought: If you do attach to the ribs, use VERY SHORT screws and
> that will avoid most of the problem I saw in mine. Use screws that are just
> long enough to go through the pod and roof and into the rib. There is no
> structural issue to use longer, and that length is what will get you into
> the most trouble.
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128223 is a reply to message #128220] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 18:19 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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More like a "U" with serif's. "Hat Section" means a section of it
looks like a sectioned hat: The flanges correspond to the brim.
I don't recall the thickness of the flanges, but it's greater than
that of the skin, and it's augmented by the skin & attaching adhesive.
You shouldn't have any trouble finding well nuts in Savannah: Any
marine supply shop should have them.
Rivet nuts can be used to make the pod removable:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#rivet-nuts/=ckb23o
Rob's got photos posted somewhere showing a simple homemade installation tool.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 7:00 PM, Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hmm, how thick are the rib flanges?
>
> The ribs are like an I-beam, and the flanges are the serifs of the "I", right? And what's a "hat section"? :) Those engineering diagrams are great. I looked at them before, but for some reason assumed the cross-members were part of the chassis.
>
> So it looks like I'd want to carefully drill holes and attach the pod directly with some kind of blind fastener...preferably a self-sealing and reusable one.
>
> Jim mentioned well nuts, I'll have to look to see if I can find highly-rated ones from the local vendors of hardware sundries.
>
> I'd love to have permanent threaded mounts and a removable pod, but I'm not sure I can do that blind, without creating an air gap underneath.
>
> Thanks for the ideas, guys.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128227 is a reply to message #128223] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 18:49 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Andrew, Mens Mall. Jeep Cherokee roof rack, Take the screws out & pry them
out of the sheet metal roof. Or go to you friendly Chysler/Jeep dealer &
order them over the parts counter. They hold the roof racks, & those things
haul couches, bikes, kayaks, Crazy women in recliners, whatever. They are
easily strong enough to hold a roof pod, and the GMC roof is .086" high
strength aluminum.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403
On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 4:19 PM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>wrote:
> More like a "U" with serif's. "Hat Section" means a section of it
> looks like a sectioned hat: The flanges correspond to the brim.
>
> I don't recall the thickness of the flanges, but it's greater than
> that of the skin, and it's augmented by the skin & attaching adhesive.
>
> You shouldn't have any trouble finding well nuts in Savannah: Any
> marine supply shop should have them.
>
> Rivet nuts can be used to make the pod removable:
> http://www.mcmaster.com/#rivet-nuts/=ckb23o
>
> Rob's got photos posted somewhere showing a simple homemade installation
> tool.
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 7:00 PM, Andrew <reynhout@quesera.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hmm, how thick are the rib flanges?
> >
> > The ribs are like an I-beam, and the flanges are the serifs of the "I",
> right? And what's a "hat section"? :) Those engineering diagrams are great.
> I looked at them before, but for some reason assumed the cross-members were
> part of the chassis.
> >
> > So it looks like I'd want to carefully drill holes and attach the pod
> directly with some kind of blind fastener...preferably a self-sealing and
> reusable one.
> >
> > Jim mentioned well nuts, I'll have to look to see if I can find
> highly-rated ones from the local vendors of hardware sundries.
> >
> > I'd love to have permanent threaded mounts and a removable pod, but I'm
> not sure I can do that blind, without creating an air gap underneath.
> >
> > Thanks for the ideas, guys.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128260 is a reply to message #128162] |
Wed, 01 June 2011 22:42 |
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gordh1
Messages: 332
Registered: February 2011
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| Andrew wrote on Wed, 01 June 2011 10:58 |
Is there a reliable way to find the body ribs to install mounts?
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Hi Andrew,
If you have a bath in the middle somewhere, you probably have a plastic roof section inside (no doubt discoloured from age). With a little wiggling and worst, removing a closet door and drawer - maybe a gentle push on the bathroom side roof upwards, you can remove this panel and see the wires and pipes and beams. Look along all the edges for this panel's mounting screws and on mine, the main fastener for the panel was... really only the one screw in the center of the electrical outlet faceplate. 
... is the cross section of the roof ribs running side to side, and the o in the middle = wiring almost without question. The water pipes IIRC were just under the forward part of this panel and were much too big and tangled to be run in the channel, so they had been run <where-ever> but were really close to the outer skin. I'd say ultimately, you'd like to hit the longitudinal c channels shown in the drawings or in the assembly manual. I don't remember more than one or two small wires run around those (for the roof vents I think it was), and a high volt line IIRC was run right in the middle of the coach roof.
Those c channels can be found quite easily on the roof with a dirty (i.e. greasy dirty) glove (no kidding). A bit of hand pressure with the glove sliding back and forth should leave a trace of the beams edges and placement.
HTH!
Gord
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| Re: Looking for roof top storage pod [message #128291 is a reply to message #128162] |
Thu, 02 June 2011 08:40 |
Andrew
Messages: 213
Registered: April 2011
Location: Connecticut
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks, guys. That's all very helpful.
My coach is a couple hundred miles away, so I appreciate the walk-thru. Hopefully now I'll be prepared for when the coach and a pod are in the same place (which isn't likely to be my driveway with time to spare!) 
1973 Sequoia 260 (since 2011)
[Updated on: Thu, 02 June 2011 08:41] Report message to a moderator |
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