Replacement Part for Flippac Stabilizing Bar "Hinge"

[Shruk]

After years of replacing the little plastic tabs on the ends of the stabilizing bars, I finally came up with a metal solution rather than the little plastic tabs. I knew it was a matter of time before the little plastic "hinge" piece on the other end failed. I don't have any spares and I'd rather find a more permanent solution. These are the pieces opposite the hood pins on the other end of the stabilizing bars. Has anyone replaced these with something other than plastic parts from FRP?

[haulindave]

I had to build the stabilizing bars for my flippac when I got mine used . Someone had torn off the arms from it before I got it . I called Flippac or FRP and AT and AT didn't have them and told me to call FRP which I had already , but they didn't have any and didn't call me back like they said they would , like most say here ?

Anyway I decided to just make my own . Patched the holes that were there from the old ones . Had some conduit that I heated with torch and flatten in vice then drilled holes in both ends , one for the hood pins and one for the hinge part I got from a folding table to attach to the top of flippac . Easy , works great and no plastic parts ?

I am worried though about the torsion bar that seems to break and people can't get replacements from FRP for them ?

Would be great if AT would take over and stock parts for the Flippac since its pretty obvious that FRP isn't doing a very good job !

[agavelvr]

I had a similar reaction when one of my hinges broke recently. One thing to keep in mind about those plastic hinges...they are the designed failure point in the assembly. If you beef up the support rod ends and hinge, the next weakest point is the fiberglass top or your metal fender. I think we all know who is going to loose that battle. The support legs are prone to snagging tree branches and other overhead obstacles, so you might want those hinges to break, or just remove the support legs when on trail.

You can buy the plastic hinges at Bass Pro or just about any boat shop for around $1. I carry a few extra at all times now in case field repair is required.

[Shruk]

I had a similar reaction when one of my hinges broke recently. One thing to keep in mind about those plastic hinges...they are the designed failure point in the assembly. If you beef up the support rod ends and hinge, the next weakest point is the fiberglass top or your metal fender. I think we all know who is going to loose that battle. The support legs are prone to snagging tree branches and other overhead obstacles, so you might want those hinges to break, or just remove the support legs when on trail.

You can buy the plastic hinges at Bass Pro or just about any boat shop for around $1. I carry a few extra at all times now in case field repair is required.

Thanks for that, I hadn't thought about it that way. I'll have to check out Bass Pro. I thought it was something I needed to buy from them at which point I'd rather risk the fiberglass.