Date:         Thu, 3 Feb 2000 22:16:29 EST
Reply-To:     Hailcall12@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathan Richmond <Hailcall12@AOL.COM>
Subject:      camper top problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Help!!! I just finished replacing the seals and canvas on my '83 Westy. While
still unfinished I pulled the van into the garage. Apparently, the latch
didn't latch all the way (I know, bonehead move) and to make a long story
short the leading edge of the top hit the molding on the garage. I stopped
the van at first sound and didn't hit very hard. No damage was noticed right
away. There are no cracks or breaks in the fiberglass. The problem was
noticed when i finished the job and put the new seals on and latched the top.
There is about a 1/8-inch gap in the center, where the top meets the luggage
rack. The gap is about 8 inches long and right at the center. I am thinking
that perhaps the metal reinforcer under the front edge of the camper top has
bent. Has anyone ever encountered a problem like this? Any suggestions on
solutions would be greatly appreciated. I currently have the top latched with
about 50lbs. sitting right on top of gap to force it down.

Nate Richmond