Top 3 plates, on top of bows, m1102

[Mk23]

Working on getting a canopy for my 1102. So, I have the bows, brackets, nice tarp and even one (the front) of the 3 plates.
My question is, were the plates added later.? The bows I got on a kit off another trailer, are not drilled for them... I did end up finding the front one on auction site for $50, but I was wondering, if I had to spend another $350plus so I can have all 3 of the plates, are they really needed?

 

[flyfishtrailer]

I did basically the same thing you are doing, buying the parts and pieces to make the top. I found bows first and didn't add the three plates until later. They do add to the rigidity of the bows to help hold the shape of the cargo cover, but other than that really aren't needed. I did find that once I had them installed, attaching the front and rear of the top to the bows using those 5 little mounts with the swivel heads was difficult when the top was cold. I had to use pliers to stretch it out to put them on.

If I was going to do it all over again (and I had to drill all the holes for them as well), I would just make some (or use 1 long piece of sheet steel the same width) of my own for a fraction of what the 3 pieces sell for. Unless of course you are restoring it in which case your gonna have to bite the bullet. I would throw a thread up in the parts needed section and see if someone has the other two parts lying around. Let me know if you want measurements of the lengths of the pieces and I can grab those for you tomorrow

 

[Mk23]

Your reply is much appreciated!

That's kind of what I was thinking. I will go post a WTB add in the off chance some one might have them, but it think they are not very common.

Yes, if possible I would greatly appreciate the measurements of the rear 2 plates. I believe I had read somewhere they are different sites.

I did basically the same thing you are doing, buying the parts and pieces to make the top. I found bows first and didn't add the three plates until later. They do add to the rigidity of the bows to help hold the shape of the cargo cover, but other than that really aren't needed. I did find that once I had them installed, attaching the front and rear of the top to the bows using those 5 little mounts with the swivel heads was difficult when the top was cold. I had to use pliers to stretch it out to put them on.

If I was going to do it all over again (and I had to drill all the holes for them as well), I would just make some (or use 1 long piece of sheet steel the same width) of my own for a fraction of what the 3 pieces sell for. Unless of course you are restoring it in which case your gonna have to bite the bullet. I would throw a thread up in the parts needed section and see if someone has the other two parts lying around. Let me know if you want measurements of the lengths of the pieces and I can grab those for you tomorrow

 

[flyfishtrailer]

Your reply is much appreciated!

That's kind of what I was thinking. I will go post a WTB add in the off chance some one might have them, but it think they are not very common.

Yes, if possible I would greatly appreciate the measurements of the rear 2 plates. I believe I had read somewhere they are different sites.

So I finally got around to grabbing the tape measure...From front to back the three pieces are the following.......33", 30", and 29". I didn't measure the spacing on the slats on the bottom. Overall width as you know for all three is 12 inches with a slight camber to follow the shape of the bows.

 

[Mk23]

So I finally got around to grabbing the tape measure...From front to back the three pieces are the following.......33", 30", and 29". I didn't measure the spacing on the slats on the bottom. Overall width as you know for all three is 12 inches with a slight camber to follow the shape of the bows.

Thank you very much for taking those measurements!

 

[flyfishtrailer]

Your welcome

 

[flyfishtrailer]

Did you finish the project (as you know we love pictures!)