Made myself a new insulated escape hatch lid. Replacements for this model, "Old Style Elixer" are no longer manufactured. This is better anyway. Much stronger, two layers clear polycarbonate panels to stargaze at night and look at the sky in the day. Can't do that with the original cover. Plus, this is much stronger and more secure than the crappy plastic cover it came with. All I have to do now is a few more rivets and fabricate a new Old Style Xlixer Hinge.Following up on the bed moisture and insulation post. So far during this trip, gone almost two weeks now, the bed is definitely warmer and no hint of moisture. I'll be starting a big solar upgrade tomorrow or the next day.

I did the same thing using Stainless steel. Basically had a stainless tray made the correct size with nicely welded corners. Had it cross hatched on top. Adapted the crank hardware and a commercial continuous hinge.Insulated the underside with a nice looking soft foam sheeting using contact cement and placed a seal/gasket to contact the curb and close tightly. It works great. I didn't want the hot sun coming in mine.

I don’t know the dimensions but it looks just like the skylight/dome on my Arctic Fox TC.

Geo*Boy wrote:I don’t know the dimensions but it looks just like the skylight/dome on my Arctic Fox TC.22 inches square, 1-1/2 seating height, 2 inch total height. Stargazing was great last night.

covered wagon wrote:I did the same thing using Stainless steel. Basically had a stainless tray made the correct size with nicely welded corners. Had it cross hatched on top. Adapted the crank hardware and a commercial continuous hinge.Insulated the underside with a nice looking soft foam sheeting using contact cement and placed a seal/gasket to contact the curb and close tightly. It works great. I didn't want the hot sun coming in mine.This fits perfectly on the existing gasket, front to back, side to side. A snug, not tight, not lose fit. The double paine had no moisture form overnight. I'll replicate the mate to the existing hinge. I'm thinking of using a couple gas charged pistons to open the door. If I want sun, I can fit some reflectix and close the shade. I enjoyed the stargazing in bed last light. Looking forward to it's first rain. I expect the double paine design to be a little quieter. I'm getting the feeling I may need to go to West Marine for latches. Being on the road and in immediate need, I'll have to rivet my corners. It'll work fine.

I Made A Replacement Escape Hatch Lid | Good Sam Community

bgum
Explorer
Jan 26, 2022
Good job. Looks factory made but better quality.
covered_wagon
Explorer
Jan 26, 2022
Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
covered wagon wrote:
I did the same thing using Stainless steel. Basically had a stainless tray made the correct size with nicely welded corners. Had it cross hatched on top. Adapted the crank hardware and a commercial continuous hinge.Insulated the underside with a nice looking soft foam sheeting using contact cement and placed a seal/gasket to contact the curb and close tightly. It works great. I didn't want the hot sun coming in mine.

This fits perfectly on the existing gasket, front to back, side to side. A snug, not tight, not lose fit. The double paine had no moisture form overnight. I'll replicate the mate to the existing hinge. I'm thinking of using a couple gas charged pistons to open the door. If I want sun, I can fit some reflectix and close the shade. I enjoyed the stargazing in bed last light. Looking forward to it's first rain. I expect the double paine design to be a little quieter. I'm getting the feeling I may need to go to West Marine for latches. Being on the road and in immediate need, I'll have to rivet my corners. It'll work fine.

Yes,I agree is very good work. So satisfying when DIY solves a big problem.
notsobigjoe
Nomad III
Jan 25, 2022
I've been wanting to replace that Heki POS for some time. Perhaps it is time. Excellent work!!
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2022
Excellent workmanship!
Camper_Jeff___K
Nomad III
Jan 25, 2022
covered wagon wrote:
I did the same thing using Stainless steel. Basically had a stainless tray made the correct size with nicely welded corners. Had it cross hatched on top. Adapted the crank hardware and a commercial continuous hinge.Insulated the underside with a nice looking soft foam sheeting using contact cement and placed a seal/gasket to contact the curb and close tightly. It works great. I didn't want the hot sun coming in mine.

This fits perfectly on the existing gasket, front to back, side to side. A snug, not tight, not lose fit. The double paine had no moisture form overnight. I'll replicate the mate to the existing hinge. I'm thinking of using a couple gas charged pistons to open the door. If I want sun, I can fit some reflectix and close the shade. I enjoyed the stargazing in bed last light. Looking forward to it's first rain. I expect the double paine design to be a little quieter. I'm getting the feeling I may need to go to West Marine for latches. Being on the road and in immediate need, I'll have to rivet my corners. It'll work fine.
Camper_Jeff___K
Nomad III
Jan 25, 2022
Geo*Boy wrote:
I don’t know the dimensions but it looks just like the skylight/dome on my Arctic Fox TC.

22 inches square, 1-1/2 seating height, 2 inch total height. Stargazing was great last night.
Geo_Boy
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2022
I don’t know the dimensions but it looks just like the skylight/dome on my Arctic Fox TC.
covered_wagon
Explorer
Jan 25, 2022
I did the same thing using Stainless steel. Basically had a stainless tray made the correct size with nicely welded corners. Had it cross hatched on top. Adapted the crank hardware and a commercial continuous hinge.Insulated the underside with a nice looking soft foam sheeting using contact cement and placed a seal/gasket to contact the curb and close tightly. It works great. I didn't want the hot sun coming in mine.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 25, 2022
VERY nice!

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