Venturcraft questions

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sdnative

sdnative

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I picked up a Ventrurcraft Trailblazer awhile back and finally had a chance to open it up and test it out. I have questions so I figure I would consult the MUD subject matter experts on these things - the CSC clubhouse.


the fiberglass lid and fold out extension seems a bit thin. Any risk of cracking by crawling in and out of bed?

my trailer did not come with a skidplate. Are these really good to have or not needed? Worth fabricating something?

Are aftermarket parts available anywhere? Some things are worn out and I would like to replace.

during a garden hose "simulated rain test". There is significant leakage around the area circled (both sides). Is this normal? Is there a rain fly that is supposed to be there? There is a velcro strip on both sides where a fly could attach to. If not how to you keep water from getting in in this area?
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The canvas is not in bad shape, but not great either. Is replacement canvas available? Looks like @Saddletramp has new canvas. I emailed Bear Creek Canvas and they said they do not make replacement canvas for this trailer.

I thought I would use the hard top, but after removing it solo once or twice I am seriously considering a soft top. Any recommendations?

Here is some paperwork that came with the trailer. I haven't seen this anywhere on the web so figure I would put it here
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After owning one for a number of years I know of no place that has spare parts but if it came down to needing any parts Iike anything that was made of metal I am sure a machine shop could fabricate them and any of the plastic connectors on the poles I am sure someone with a 3D printer could probably make some parts. Never had any issue with the fiberglass platform for the bed as It seem to hold up fine. I used s small step stool to climb in and out of the bed. As far as the leakage I never really camped in the rain but just by nature of the design I would expect a little leakage in that area. The Velcro strip just below what you have circle should be around the entire perimeter of the trail and that is for the soft top. No rainfly that I know was made for it. Mined did not have a skidplate but I knew a few others that did but I dragged mine around many trails and never had an issue but I was running 31" tires on mine. I had both Hard and Soft top and recommend soft top. I local upholstery shop that specializes in RV and or boat upholstery could easily make you a cover as that is what @Saddletramp had done.

I hope I helped answer some of your questions.
 
Rudster said:
After owning one for a number of years I know of no place that has spare parts but if it came down to needing any parts Iike anything that was made of metal I am sure a machine shop could fabricate them and any of the plastic connectors on the poles I am sure someone with a 3D printer could probably make some parts. Never had any issue with the fiberglass platform for the bed as It seem to hold up fine. I used s small step stool to climb in and out of the bed. As far as the leakage I never really camped in the rain but just by nature of the design I would expect a little leakage in that area. The Velcro strip just below what you have circle should be around the entire perimeter of the trail and that is for the soft top. No rainfly that I know was made for it. Mined did not have a skidplate but I knew a few others that did but I dragged mine around many trails and never had an issue but I was running 31" tires on mine. I had both Hard and Soft top and recommend soft top. I local upholstery shop that specializes in RV and or boat upholstery could easily make you a cover as that is what @Saddletramp had done.

I hope I helped answer some of your questions.
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Thanks for the reply. Very helpful.

The leakage in that area was fairly significant. I imagine any good amount of rain and the mattress would be soaked. I may have a fly made for it. Anyone else have issues with leaking? How did you deal with it?

I also have 31" tires, plenty of clearance. I am not feeling the need for a skid at this time.
 
@Saddletramp has a shop that already has the pattern made for the soft top. Steve helped me get one made for mine and I think he has has 1-2 made for his. I think he also had a shop make new canvas for him, probably your best resource. I can’t help with the leaking concern, haven’t used it in the rain, but would not worry about it, I’d probably just stuff something in the opening if it started leaking. I wouldn’t be concerned about the bed deck as long as you have the prop support set up and well planted. If you separate the trailer from the tow rig at camp, chock the trailer wheels so it doesn’t move around while climbing in and out and risk the deck support from failing.
 
I have used mine in multiple days of rain, no leaks. Bear Creek made a new canvas for mine but I had to ship the original canvas to them and wait about a month for it to come back. Cost was about $1k if I recall correctly.
The vinyl covers were made at Phoenix Tent and Awning, I think the covers were $350 including the new Velcro for the fiberglass lid. Marty was the contact and I still have the diagram he did for making the covers.

In the pictures below you can see the little white flaps in the area you circled, these cover the gap where the lid hinges and fabric opening exists. I made my own awning that secures to the Velcro under the front flap, installed two grommets in the corners to allow a awning pole to slip thru and allows for tensioning the modified Noah tarp.
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hope this helps


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The skid plates are un necessary. Wasted weight.

Fiberglass lid is more than heavy enough, don’t worry about it ever cracking.

All of the pole parts are and fittings are made in the marine canvas industry and the poles. West Marine Supply has everything necessary.

if you have a new canvas made get it a few inches longer in the drop down, this helps solve off camber setup and accounts for bigger tires. Example below
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Saddletramp said:
I have used mine in multiple days of rain, no leaks. Bear Creek made a new canvas for mine but I had to ship the original canvas to them and wait about a month for it to come back. Cost was about $1k if I recall correctly.
The vinyl covers were made at Phoenix Tent and Awning, I think the covers were $350 including the new Velcro for the fiberglass lid. Marty was the contact and I still have the diagram he did for making the covers.

In the pictures below you can see the little white flaps in the area you circled, these cover the gap where the lid hinges and fabric opening exists. I made my own awning that secures to the Velcro under the front flap, installed two grommets in the corners to allow a awning pole to slip thru and allows for tensioning the modified Noah tarp.
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hope this helps


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Click to expand...

When you get a chance next time you have it open can you post some close up pics of the white flaps and how they cover that opening?

The leak path on mine is the water runs down the canvas onto the small ledge of the fiberglass top. Most of that area has a lip preventing water from getting in, except the area circled. The water will make its way down the ledge and into the interior via the area circled. Rain falling straight down will be deflected by the white flaps, so I don't see that as the main issue but rather the path I described and show here:

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