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Date:         Sun, 5 May 2002 10:56:03 -0400
Reply-To:     Craig Rogers <rogers23@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Craig Rogers <rogers23@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Pop Top Heart Stopper
Comments: To: Alan Pickersgill <alanpick@MAGMA.CA>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

That happened to me once after being stuck in an ice storm with the top up. I guess it didn't latch correctly due to all the ice. It was interesting that the wind in the canvas made the top not fully erected, even at highway speed. I don't think you could rip the top off, whereas if the canvas wasn't there you would surely end up with a convertible.

Sincerely,

Craig Rogers ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alan Pickersgill" <alanpick@MAGMA.CA> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2002 9:21 AM Subject: Pop Top Heart Stopper

> On recent trip was camping in South Carolina. In the morning I closed the roof in the same, very careful way I have for years - hundreds of times. Have had a vision of what would happen if it came open at speed - took air and opened. So I always listen the click from the latch. Always check to make sure no canvas trapped by the top. All seemed normal. > > Got onto the freeway - heard a funny howling . Just as I was coming up level with an 18 wheeler I decided that I'd better trust my intuition and stop to check. When level with 18 wheeler - Huge noise and up popped the roof. Looked in the mirror nobody in sight, so I just slowed , let the 18 wheeler go well ahead to avoid buffeting, pulled to right lane and off onto the shoulder - roof settled down in place below about 2Okmh. > > Absolutely no damage to any part of the system that I could find. The support struts appear to be undamaged, the canvas didn't tear or pull loose - nothing I could find. I always imagined it would come off. > > Anyone else had this happen. Any hidden damage I might check for? > > Anybody got a really simple safety device to ensure this couldn't happen - the latch is designed to be such a device but it failed! I swear it sounded exactly the same as every other time when it was really closed. > > Alan Pickersgill > 85 Transporter converted to Westfalia >


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