New Solardome Installed

[TomW]

Hail took out my original solardome a couple of weeks ago. If you are looking for a well-made replacement solardome, I highly recommend InlandRV's.

Details of the replacement can be found here.

Tom

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by TomW

Hail took out my original solardome a couple of weeks ago. If you are looking for a well-made replacement solardome, I highly recommend InlandRV's.

Details of the replacement can be found here.

Tom

Tom,
The new one is a bit nicer, fer sure~!
One question??
Who really did the repair??
IMHO..
That doesn't look like you on the roof~
ciao
53FC

[silverhawk]

Thanks for letting us in on this project. I will be doing this same job on my 64 Safari soon.
Bob

[AYRSTRM2]

Thanks, Tom for the update. Your craftsmanship on your trailer is beyond compare and it's always good to see your work.

John

[TomW]

Originally Posted by TomW

Hail took out my original solardome a couple of weeks ago...

The same hail also took out my refrigerator's rooftop vent cover. Opting to repair rather than replace, you can click here to see details.

Tom

[flyfshr]

Hey Tom ~

Doesn't the new cover you used have the square corners and doesn't your '67 have the rounded corner housing? There is a rounded corner version available and I believe it is at Andy's.

Brad
FF

[rebel beck]

Tom,
That must have been some hail storm to do that kind of damage to the refridge vent. Hope the rest of your trailer is okay.



Becky

[mccaa891]

Got the same solardome from Inland and replaced it on my 67 O'lander as well. It is a great replacement, and I don't think hail will hurt this one!! Good job Tom and thanks for all the photos as my brother and I had to reference them every evening during the restoration. Maybe I'll post some pictures soon, we went overboard and all of my friends were blown away of how nice it is. I even got family fighting over it as we speak. I love it though!!
sean mccaa

[Overlander & Sea]

Tom, thanks for the great information, it will be very helpful. I'm about to order my Astrodome (14'x26") from InlandRV. Mine was removed and patched by a PO years ago. I found a used frame in good shape. Just one question: Why did you order the white instead of the solar gray? I thought I'd go with white because of the original vintage look & it matches the back fan cover. Thanks again,

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Overlander & Sea

... Why did you order the white instead of the solar gray? ...

My cherry interior is kind of dark; I thought the white version would let more light in. It does.

Tom

[overlander63]

I put the solar grey square version in our bathroom roof vent. There are just some things I don't need to see that clearly...
It still lets in a lot of light.

[azflycaster]

OFF TOPIC NOTE:
Overlander63's last post put him at 11111 posts. Can anyone beat 5 aces?

[Area63]

I have used a Solardaome from Andy as well, had it on the Overlander since 2004. It is indeed a good product, from my experience with the Overlander. I chose the grey cover, to match the Fantastic Vent's translucent grey lids. All three roof openings let in filtered light, which maks for a cheery ambiance inside the trailer during the day.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by TomW

My cherry interior is kind of dark; I thought the white version would let more light in. It does.

Tom

Hi Tom.

Actually, the "solar gray" covers let in more light, than the white covers.

Consensus tell us that the white covers, granted, let in light, but a harsh light.

The same consensus tells us that the solar gray covers, let in more light, thats soft and easy on the eyes.

The solar gray covers out sell the white covers by 3 to 1.

Andy

[mwells4654]

I would like to replace mine - any suggestions where to get the hardware. The PO took out the old one and screwed a peice of pexiglass in it's place.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by TomW

Hail took out my original solardome a couple of weeks ago. If you are looking for a well-made replacement solardome, I highly recommend InlandRV's.

Details of the replacement can be found here.

Tom

Eight years later, the solardome is holding out well. The sealing gasket... not so much, and it has already been replaced once.

The original gasket measures 1" wide by 1/2" thick, and, while six feet of it would only cost ~$4.20, appears to be only available from a source with a $20 minimum order PLUS ~$20 shipping charge.

17 feet of the same gasket material, albeit a quarter-inch narrower, is available from another source for about $20 delivered.

Since the solardome's sealing surface is only about a 1/4" wide, I have gambled $20 & ordered the substitution.

I'll keep you posted on how it works out.

Tom

[TomW]

Okay, the new gasket material came in the other day, and it looks just like OEM other than being 1/4" narrower. I think it will work just fine as long as I am not clumsy about its placement.

I went to install it in preparation of our July 4th trip, and found that the old foam was in good shape other than the double-sided sticky tape succumbing uV.

I cheated & replaced the tape; will let you know how many rounds it goes.

Tom

[TomW]

Originally Posted by TomW

.. and it looks just like OEM other than being 1/4" narrower...

Well, I am just plain lazy - Here it is November, and the new gasket was just installed this past weekend. The Solardome is now weather-tight as well as one of the overhead vent fan covers.

Sealing was not a problem. The only issue is that the glueprint of the wider-than-it-needed-to-be original gasket is visible if one cares to stare straight up with a flashlight.

Success has been declared.

Tom

[ALANSD]

On this subject, my dome cover is attached with two Ladue vent lifters. One of them broke off on the outer side ..looks like it lost a nut over the bracket.
Do these new solardomes have the brackets in them for the lifters, or do I take the brackets off the old one.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

...Do these new solardomes have the brackets in them for the lifters, or do I take the brackets off the old one.

My Solardome did not include any hardware. All metal parts needed were recycled from the old one.

Tom