17' Series Jayco storm cover modifications

[Brougham]

Hi all, has anyone fitted these to a 2011/12 expanda?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pair-of...m=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313&LH_TitleDesc=0

Says in the instructions that you need to modify them to suit the older lids.

I prefer the look of these over the Holiday Annexes/Kakadu versions.

I assume they are the same sail track fitting to the outer edge of the lid?

Cheers,
Nathan

 

[Crusty181]

That looks like the original Jayco branded storm cover, which is what I have and Im very happy with mine. I think they look really good and its quite a light weight material. The hard lid gas struts are at there limit on my van, and a heavier storm cover would cause my lid to sag under the weight. (Ive since had the struts re-gassed) These storm covers were originally supplied for the old original hard lids, before any of the new variations can about. They issue with the original lid installation is they were slightly to short to reach the van body on each side, requiring 2 inch web straps with press studs on each end to bridge the gap; not a huge issue, more stupid lack of Jayco's attention to deal.

Like many people I thought the plastic sail track riveted to the outside edge of the hard lid looked cheap and horrible. Many people mounted the plastic sail track to the seal edge of the hard lid, under the rubber seal. (we're talking old original style lid here). I went one further and ditched the bottom entry plastic sail track which was supplied, and replaced it with a single sided, side entry alum sail track like annex track which I also fitted under the lid seal. That makes the sail track all but invisible and allows the storm cover to reach the van body and fit as it should without the webbing straps, and I dont have that horrible looking track riveted to the outside edge of the lid

If this gobbledygook is confusing, I can grab some pics so it makes more sense

 

[Brougham]

Thanks for that. Yeah some pics of your install would be awesome.

These are listed as being for 2016-18 lids and some adjustment needed for earlier ones, so wondering how they would fit on my 2011.

 

[Crusty181]

Thanks for that. Yeah some pics of your install would be awesome.

These are listed as being for 2016-18 lids and some adjustment needed for earlier ones, so wondering how they would fit on my 2011.

Jayco were trying to fit the original storm covers to the newer lids with varying degrees of crappy results. Unless they have had the storm cover design modified which is not something Jayco usually do. Maybe worth hitting up a dealer and finding out

BTW is the Ebay price cheaper than the dealers

 

[Brougham]

not sure, havent gotten that far yet.
was just using the ebay link as the pic examples.

 

[Brougham]

Looked at your photos @Crusty181 and love it. Where did you get the sail track from? Is it just glued to the edge? Or is the a piece that goes inside the lid and riveted or screwed in?

 

[Crusty181]

I think I probably got the alum sail track from Tebbs which is a local annex/canvass manufacturer. The track needs to be gently curved a little to follow the lid profile. Push the rubber seal off the lid and pop rivet the track onto the lid, and slide the rubber seal back on. The outside edge of the hard lid is alum so works very well, just keep the rivets as close to the sail insert so the rubber seal will push all the way on

 

[Kman]

That looks like the original Jayco branded storm cover, which is what I have and Im very happy with mine. I think they look really good and its quite a light weight material. The hard lid gas struts are at there limit on my van, and a heavier storm cover would cause my lid to sag under the weight. (Ive since had the struts re-gassed) These storm covers were originally supplied for the old original hard lids, before any of the new variations can about. They issue with the original lid installation is they were slightly to short to reach the van body on each side, requiring 2 inch web straps with press studs on each end to bridge the gap; not a huge issue, more stupid lack of Jayco's attention to deal.

Like many people I thought the plastic sail track riveted to the outside edge of the hard lid looked cheap and horrible. Many people mounted the plastic sail track to the seal edge of the hard lid, under the rubber seal. (we're talking old original style lid here). I went one further and ditched the bottom entry plastic sail track which was supplied, and replaced it with a single sided, side entry alum sail track like annex track which I also fitted under the lid seal. That makes the sail track all but invisible and allows the storm cover to reach the van body and fit as it should without the webbing straps, and I dont have that horrible looking track riveted to the outside edge of the lid

If this gobbledygook is confusing, I can grab some pics so it makes more sense

I know this might be a long shot, but I am interested in looking at the photos of this installation as well please. If this is possible can you send them to me or post them up. My van is a 2015 model and I have been having no luck in getting any information out of dealers about the fitment of their storm covers.
Thanks heaps

 

[Crusty181]

I know this might be a long shot, but I am interested in looking at the photos of this installation as well please. If this is possible can you send them to me or post them up. My van is a 2015 model and I have been having no luck in getting any information out of dealers about the fitment of their storm covers.
Thanks heaps

We're away so good timing, Ill try to remember to grab some pics when we pack up to move on in a week.

 

[Kman]

I just went in and brought a set from Jayco in SA and started fitting them in the caravan park. 4 hours later had them done. Took 3 hour for the first one to work out what works best and the front one was a breeze. I can’t understand why Jayco don’t give any fitting instruction for these. Thanks heaps for your offer.

 

[Coggers]

We're away so good timing, Ill try to remember to grab some pics when we pack up to move on in a week.

Just bought some of these Storm Covers to fit to my 2011 Model. Would love to see your photos if possible Crusty? Thanks in advance.

 

[Crusty181]

Just bought some of these Storm Covers to fit to my 2011 Model. Would love to see your photos if possible Crusty? Thanks in advance.

I grab some tomorrow. If the post goes cold, just drop another prompt in .... i have a habit of failing to follow thru

 

[Coggers]

I grab some tomorrow. If the post goes cold, just drop another prompt in .... i have a habit of failing to follow thru

Thanks Crusty, that would be a great help. I have a 2011 Expanda OB so I know I'm going to have to be a little creative with installation. Looks like there are two approaches to installing the Storm Covers. Either fixing to the outside edge of the lid, which I'm not keen on due to appearances or fixing under the lid seal as you have done which I would prefer myself. I'm just a little unsure how to go about it so some photos of what you did would be great. We're heading away for Easter and the following week and the first 3 days are good weather so I'll probably take my tools with me and do at the park. Thanks again for responding!

 

[Crusty181]

Alum single edged sail track with the 90deg chanel, much like flat annex wall track just single sided. The sail track side sections need to be pre-curved to follow the lid form, pretty easy but easier before its cut to size. Leave a decent gap in the corners, makes it easier to slide the storm cover on, and the cover will follow the rubber curve around the corner anyway. The inside edge of the lid has an alum substrate so just used blind rivets to attach the sail track, and aligned the sail track with inside edge of that alum substate. Spread the pinch weld a little and it neatly slides back over both to its original position. Before you start double check you have clearance around the closed lid to close with the sail track attached, i have enough but my lid and body are slightly out of square. I glued small spacers on the body section the align the lid when closing it. Those spacers also ensure the lid doesnt impact on my press studs. If the storm cover is a little short make up some small press stud straps to attach the free ends of the cover

Good luck

 

[SabreOne]

Crusty, that's an excellent modification, any chance of pictures with the Covers in place?

 

[Crusty181]

Crusty, that's an excellent modification, any chance of pictures with the Covers in place?

Standby

 

[mfexpanda]

Standby

just a pic of the mods please

 

[Crusty181]

just a pic of the mods please

damn you

 

[Crusty181]

Crusty, that's an excellent modification, any chance of pictures with the Covers in place?

I only have the front bed end

 

[BigChris]

I only have the front bed end

View attachment 66624

View attachment 66623

View attachment 66622

@Crusty181 - thank you for sharing this information. Very useful and saves tons of time! Do you remember what rivet diameter and length you used to attach the sail tracks?