Aft raising hatch and bed removal?

[Jolly Rogers]

How easy is it to remove the whole thing? Sorry not sure what the correct term is

[francophile1947]

Hatch is easy to remove - some grind the end of the hinge pins to remove them - I just drilled the rivets out where the hinges fasten to the roof floor.
If you mean remove the AFT, you're on your own

[Jolly Rogers]

I mean the whole roof floor

[Bob]

It hinges from the back, so it must be possible to remove said hinges and whip it out, but why do you want to when it will just push up, and stay there?

If you remove it you will have the fabric dropping down into the van when to roof is lowered.

[Jolly Rogers]

I have put bed boards up there for the kids. So no need for the roof floor. Taking it out would give a bit more space to get the Kids out.

[Bob]

I cant help wondering if there would be any chance of the boards moving and the kids coming down with a crash, but your design is probably better than what I am visualising.

Surely securely fixed boards would be a new floor?

Would the improved access be woth the work/risk? Asking 'cos I don't know

[Jolly Rogers]

No chance of them moving. They fit tightly in the channel for the raising floor

[daveblueozzie]

make sure not too tight ,quick access to get out in an emergency.

[Jolly Rogers]

Dont worry there is a gap of 50cms at one end. It would be nice to have a bit more head space for the kids.

[susan]

We removed ours as we have no need for the above bed,we just wanted more room to cook & wash in the van while standing,it has made such a diffrence and we just put a board across where the gap is so we can still put mattress up there and window covers,when we need the room we just put the board above the drivers cab.As for the light we replaced it with a solar shed light,we put the panel under the sun roof door and place with velcro the light above the seats does us fine plenty of light and room.

[timmyt]

dont want to be a party pooper and i may be wrong but im a bit dubious about removing mine (although there is a very real practical issue) as the aft floor actually ads rigidity to the whole chassis and removing may affect this so be careful!!
up to you guys tho! just bit of friendly advice

[mobilecat]

Dont bother!!

We use roof boards and it would make hardly any difference without the top roof.

If you use two roof boards then you can always shove one along if youa re struggling but to be honest - we have no problems and have only dont that if I want to physcially get up in the roof. I have two roof the boards the same saze and they butt up to the grey panel about the cab area. They are 18mm play and are wide and are not fixed in any way. they but up to the struts at the other end and ca be pushed up in a flash in a emergency. When mini mc comes downstairs in the morning I put my hand up - fling both boards on top of the grey board and hey presto - headroom again for the day time.

Getting rid of the roof bit would mean the kids were a lot colder too as it works as an insulation panel by the main roof and would lower the price of your vehicle if you need to sell it.

[timmyt]

i use exactly the same option as mobilecat works fine for us with a 3 and an 8 yo!