Hardtop Dolly - Dimensions

[n/a]

Hello,
I'm thinking about custome-making a hardtop dolly (It's too bulky to import). Anyone tried this? Anyone knows the dimensions?
Thanks
Mo
'69 280 SL Silver/Black

[rwmastel]

I made mine from lumber.  Want any dimensions or costs?

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Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[saygold]

Rodd,

I built a hardtop dolly a number of years ago, but left it when I moved.  I would appreciate having the dimensions of yours.

Ken
'66 230SL (white, euro and running)

[Raymond]

I bought a flat furniture dolly from Harbor Freight on sale for $17.  I used it to move the donor engine around my garage while doing my rebuild.  My plan is to use that as a base because it has great casters, and is made of nicely finished plywood and padded with carpet.  You can't buy the parts for $17.  All I need now are the dimensions to build uprights.  I am thinking about galvanized water pipe with foam pipe insulation.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[hauser]

The dolly sold by Buds Benz is a simple design.  It's made from pre drilled  flat bar that the consumer assembles. In some areas where one bar is not enough to carry the weight there are three bars/pieces stacked together.  

I did not hold onto the instructions but perhaps one of our members may have one.



1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[tuultyme]

Here are pictures of how I store my top for the summer.  I do not have enough garage floor space.


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I mounted a ununsed personal water craft lift on the side of the garage; used a lot of lag bolts.  I did build a frame to accommidate the top on the lift.  One day I might build a manual lift to get the top from the car to the storage rack.

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

[andre]

Rodd,

What are the weight bearing areas on your " top dolly"?  That is similar to what I was looking to build, I'm just questioning how to distribute the weight of the HT.  Can you provide more pics and maybe some close ups?

andre

[rwmastel]

Andre,
I traced the curve of the back of the hard top (below the rear glass) and cut a pair of 2" x 8" boards to match as best I could.  This was an attempt to distribute the weight across the width of the rear chrome trim.

The base of the "cart" is a 3/4" plywood at 24" x 60".
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The wood around the edge of the base and the verticle pieces are 2" x 6".  I have a metal angle bracket at the back.  The verticle pieces are 48" long and rest on the lower 2x6.  There is another 24" x 60" piece of plywood on the back for stability.
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I should buy a proper cover for the top while it's stored on it's cart for 8 months of the year.  I just drape the blanket over it.  Here's a couple more shots.
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Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by tuultyme

Here are pictures of how I store my top for the summer.

Bruce,
That's really cool!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[n/a]

Thank you all for the very informative -and innovative- ideas. I appreciate it.
Mo
'69 280 SL Silver/Black