Crazy Idea#1

[Eyedropper]

This is a partial copy of a post from the newbies thread, but I thought that there may be more action over here...

Has anyone ever tried a pop-up trolley top? I'm thinking a forward facing hinge that lifts the roof up at the front about 12" high, with canvas or nylon sides and screen windows. Enough for ventilation and additional headroom, but drops back down for travel or if the sunshine turns liquid. I will try to get something on paper and post it later.

[mikeschn]

You'll get more response if you can post a sketch or a picture of a sketch or drawing...

There are other folks thinking the same way as you...

And then there are folks that are building hinged roofs that you can adapt to your design...

Don't forget the vintage designs, like the Wild Goose http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/pln_wildgoose.pdf

Mike...

[S. Heisley]

It would just be a simple modification, probably narrower and longer, from some of these:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=50969

Check out Bruce Osborne's and also Cracker39's (Dale's). Just pull from the ideas and run with them.

[KCStudly]

Sharon (^) is too humble. Check out her "My Away" build, too, for an excellent execution of a lifting roof design.

Mike Young's Westfalia inspired Where or When Jr. lift top is also a good reference (although he had little concern for wet weather since he lives in AZ).

[S. Heisley]

Thanks, KC.
However, if I read it correctly, I think Eyedropper is looking for a trolley top that lifts on all sides, in both the back and front. The two that I mentioned do that.

[Eyedropper]

Nope, just lifting in the front. He "where or When" is very close. I have a design sketched up now. I just need to find my camera and dust off the desk top computer to post pics of my sketch. Can't do it from the iPad.

[S. Heisley]

...Interesting idea for a trolly top. It sounds like that would work, then. The biggest problem that people have had is the weight, especially on the ones where they lift both ends. By lifting only one end, it lifts fairly well. The Where & When uses an actuator to lift the rising portion. Cracker39 solved the weight problem on his by making a foamie roof. For what you are doing, you might take a look at the Compact drawings, in the Design Resources (if you haven't already done so).