Metal top camper owners

Though I've seen pictures of them over the the last few years and have noticed a few of them here, I've never saw one "live in the tin" so to speak. How do they work? could those of you who own one post some pictures of the inside workings and gadgetry and so on..... Thanks, JP

Thanx for the intrests - ill post some pix soon= the actual farme mounts to the cutout arae on the vans roof- sealed & such- the actual roof that pops up is on fixed hinges - (sides) that when =pushed up allow a roof area to be pushed up on top and sealed by the sides. The sides are "locked" by some simple locking clips - 4 usually- not allowing the top to fold down or collapse. Windows are allso in teh sides -covered by screens & yes they slide. it is a very simple system-1st designed & used on our vans as early as 1961. These contuniued in production until the 1968/9 model years i believe with a total of only 312 units ever being made. Im being specific to the ones made by= "Travel equipment copr" of Elkhart Ind. There were sever other ones =diff mfg's=made yet =in late 60's were made of fabric & some in fibergless - the later ones were solid mounted & did not collapse. I own 2 tops = one on my 1967 chev van - done @ the factory with conversion & 1- from a 1961 econoline I have sold yet new owner did not wnat the top so -i kept it. It is the only one i have ever seen with a different design windows in it. Sort of like a stsgecoack look - design looks like the actual top area in teglass areas. Many of these alunimum skinned tops had also hammocks & holders installed for the kids sleeping areas.There were also propane stoves , sinks, and many other acessories offered in teh van conversion 's'. All im speaking of were by travel equip. corp.Im bad @ posting pics here -yet will try & do so.may have some in my gallery??

Thanks for the information Twinpilot. The more I see of these the cooler I think they are. I looked through the gallery but didn't see any interior pics. I don't think I missed any but if I did, it wouldn't be the first time.

not my van, but one that sold a number of years ago. Best interior photos that I have seen. http://www.oldcooltoys.com/travelwagon.html

WOW, Thats a nice camper. They can't come too much cleaner than that. Yours in your avitar looks nice too. Thanks alot Mike, I saved the link. Between what Twinpilot posted and those pictures I think I got it figured out. Thats not to say I'm in ANY way tired of looking at these cool campers, so any one who has more pic's...I'm all eyes!! JP

Twinpilot,

I get concerned when people start quoting production numbers on these vans since the real records are few and far between. What is your source on the 312 number?

Mike

Hi Mike -I knew u'd sign in soon. That production #'s was fron a man that had worked for that company -knew the tops & about them. Was in some research i did online & contacted him= wasnt many as id thought.

Sent you a private message, we need to talk. I'm really interested in the information that you have and the guy that you found.

-Mike

Hey, if you do meet with the guy that made them, ask him why they didn't treat all the edges of the roof after they had cut a hole in it. Thats the only place on my van that has rust, and there is no sign of any paint at all on whats left of the cut edge....!!

Twinpilot, where you be? I sent you a PM, let's talk.

Sy, In the 60's and 70's many conversions were done in Elkhart IN in small garages or small shops. Get them out asap, quality sucked. As time went on and the FORD, chevy and dodge Co's made them clean up there quality or no more "legal" conversions from them, I used to work there.

Like everything done is usa - all the top guys did was to cut the hole - mount en in & get the buckx for the mods. sad -yet true-edges were never treated ,painted or anything. Have you ever removed a factory viynl covered top. Tha will scare you & all the manafactured did them the same way - never any paint , finish or body work under those viynl covers .They rusted badly in most cases.The 2 tops ive seen & have are all same ways -yet never any bad rust in the cutout areas. Im guessing thats because of being here in Idaho & wa. state always .?? I do know there is a nice way to get the tops (alunimum) back to being shiny -like new alunimum .Im doing my top this summer & resealing it also.

Twinpilot001 wrote:I do know there is a nice way to get the tops (alunimum) back to being shiny -like new alunimum .Im doing my top this summer & resealing it also.

HOW?!