Getting your promaster roof set up dialed in will be one of those projects that feels daunting until you really get up presently there on the ladder plus see what you're working with. When you've spent any moment in the van life community, a person know that this RAM MEMORY ProMaster is a bit of a favorite specifically because of the shape. It's boxy, it's wide, and most importantly, it has a relatively toned top compared in order to the sloping curves of a Mercedes Sprinter or a Ford Transit. This particular makes the roof a prime piece of real estate for everything from solar arrays in order to rooftop decks where you can capture a sunset.
But before you start drilling openings or bolting lower heavy gear, right now there are a several things about the particular promaster roof that you actually need to realize. It's not just a big page of metal; it's a structural element with its own quirks, mounting factors, and limitations. Whether or not you're planning the full-time off-grid build or just want a place to transport your kayaks, having the foundation right are the differences between a dry, quiet cabin along with a leaky, whistling headache on the motorway.
Understanding the Factory Mounting Points
One of the best things about working on a promaster roof is that the engineers actually believed ahead. You'll see these little steel "nubs" or hooks sticking up across the edges. These are usually the factory increasing points, and they are your best friends. Most top quality roof racks designed especially for this vehicle use these hooks to obtain the mounting brackets without requiring a person to drill the single hole with the exterior skin.
Using these manufacturing plant points is the huge win for a couple of reasons. First, this preserves the structural integrity of the van. Second, this significantly lowers the particular risk of leakages. Whenever you may avoid putting the new hole within your roof, you need to take that choice. However, these hooks do dictate where your rack systems will sit, which could sometimes be a bit annoying when you're trying to line up a solar panel flawlessly around a vent enthusiast. It's a little bit of a trade-all, but usually, the particular security of these factory mounts will be worth the extra planning.
Dealing with the Slight Curve
Despite the fact that I just called it "flat, " that's the bit of a generalization. The promaster roof actually has a very slight crown to it, and it functions several longitudinal steak. These ribs are there for strength—without them, the top sheet of metal might "oil can" or even flop around and make a load of noise whilst you're driving.
This shape matters when you're installing things like sun panels or the MaxxAir fan. When you attempt to mess a perfectly level vent fan flange onto a bent surface, you're heading to end upward with gaps. Many DIYers solve this particular by using a good adapter (often 3D printed or CNC-machined) that matches the contour of the particular roof ribs. It levels everything away and provides you the flat surface to seal against. Truthfully, don't try to just glob on extra caulk in order to fill a half-inch gap. It may hold for the 30 days, but eventually, the particular vibrations of the road will cause this to fail.
Choosing the Perfect Roof Rack
When it arrives to selecting a stand for your promaster roof , you've essentially got three pathways. You can go with an expensive, off-the-shelf system, the modular aluminum extrusion setup, or a totally custom DIY construct.
The high-end systems from businesses like Aluminess or even Front Runner are gorgeous. They're light-weight, powder-coated, and made to fit the van's aesthetics perfectly. They're also the priciest option. If you have this and want something that just functions perfect out of the box, this is definitely the way in order to go.
After that there's the 80/20 (aluminum extrusion) route. This is probably the most popular choice for people who are handy but don't weld. You employ the manufacturing plant mounting pins with some specialized mounting brackets and then construct a grid of aluminum bars. The beauty here is usually adjustability. If a person decide next year that will you want in order to move your photo voltaic panels to create room for a storage box, you just loosen a few bolts and slide them over.
Lastly, there's the particular DIY steel rack. I see these types of a great deal on budget builds. They're solid as heck, yet man, they are heavy. You have to be careful about your center of gravity. Great rack plus equipment high up on the promaster roof will make the van sway even more in the wind flow and feel "tippy" in turns.
The Solar Strength Dilemma
Most people are putting a lot associated with thought to their sun setup, as well as the promaster roof offers plenty of room for it. A person have two main choices: rigid sections or flexible sections.
Flexible panels look modern because they sit flat against the roof and a person can barely observe them from the ground. But here's the kicker: they will tend to get a smaller lifespan. Because they're glued straight to the particular metal, they obtain incredibly hot, plus heat will be the enemy of solar efficiency. Plus, the development and contraction associated with the van's metal can cause the internal cells to crack with time.
Rigid panels, on the other hand, are much more durable. When you mount them on the rack, there's an air gap underneath. This keeps the particular panels cooler and, as a bonus, provides a bit of shade for the roof itself, which helps keep the interior of the particular van several levels cooler in the summer. It's a bit even more of a "utility" appearance, but for long-term dependability, rigid panels win every time.
Trimming the Scary Hole
At some point in your build, you're most likely going to consider the jigsaw for your promaster roof . It's easily the most nerve-wracking thirty minutes of any van conversion. Whether it's with regard to a skylight or even a ventilation enthusiast, cutting into that metal feels such as a place of simply no return.
The particular key is in the prep. You'll want to tape from the area in order to prevent the base associated with the jigsaw from scratching your paint. Also, make certain you possess a strategy for the steel shavings. Those tiny shards of sizzling metal will rust almost instantly in case they get wet, and they may ruin a color job if they're left sitting on the roof. I generally have a friend keep a vacuum right next to the blade as I reduce. Once the pit is cut, don't miss to file the edges smooth and hit them along with some rust-preventative color before you set up your fan or even window.
Upkeep and Leak Prevention
You can't just set it and forget it when it arrives to your promaster roof . Between the particular UV rays beating lower and the constant oscillation of driving, also the best sealants will eventually require some love.
I'm a big fan of Dicor Lap Sealant for things like fan flanges, yet you have to check out it a few times a year. If a person see it starting to crack or pull away from the metal, it's period to clean this and apply a fresh bead. Another lifesaver is Butyl tape. Put that will under your mounting brackets or fan flanges before you decide to screw all of them down; it generates a water-tight gasket that stays versatile for years.
Also, keep an eye on the particular roof seams. The ProMaster is held together with various factory sealants at the joints, and while they're generally pretty solid, it's not unheard associated with for a little leak to develop close to the rear doors or the front taxi join. Catching the small leak earlier is the distinction between a quick wipe-down and having to rip out the expensive cedar roof because of form.
Final Ideas on Roof Preparation
The most crucial advice I can give is to plan your promaster roof layout most at once. Don't just install a fan in the particular middle of the particular roof because it's easy, only to realize later that you don't have sufficient room left for that solar panels a person want. Obtain a piece of graph document or use some masking tape on the ground of your garage area to map out there where the lover, the rack supports, and the solar panels will go.
It might appear to be a lot of work upfront, but once you're out there upon the road, watching a thunderstorm from the comfort of a dry van or running your refrigerator from the power associated with the sun, you'll be glad you took the time to obtain the roof right. It's the shield that protects your own home found on vehicles, so treat it with a bit of regard, and it'll take care of you for a lengthy time.