Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 10:16:10 -0500
Reply-To: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: poptop raise assist
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Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to lower the top with all the
doors and windows closed, unless you are leaving in the pouring rain. This
may assist with slowing the rate of closing, while easing the load off of
your back, but it's at the expense of 'ballooning' the canvas out and
getting it stuck between the roof and the top seals. This will cause damage
and increased wear on the canvas, if you don't take care to pull it all back
in. Sometimes it's hard enough to keep it all from pinching in several
places, as it is. Also, if the canvas is old and slightly weak from
dry-rot, this will eventually blow open a seam or worn spot somewhere. Your
method would pretty much guarantee it to get caught outside of the top seal
and hasten the canvas' demise. I've learned that one the hard way.
my 2 cents,
Mike B.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Mac" <BOBMACDOWELL@WEBTV.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 8:02 AM
Subject: Re: poptop raise assist
> First of all i would like to clear up some points on raising and
> lowering the top. When raising the top make sure that you have at least
> one window open. This allows air to enter the vehicle to make up for the
> added space you creating. If you don't , it makes for a two person job
> to get it up. Second, this is about the top crashing down. Close all the
> doors and windows. close the fresh-air vent on the heater controls. Make
> sure all the windows in the canvas up top are zipped shut. Now! grab the
> metal bar to close the top. Start the top in the downward motion and let
> go of the bar. No the top will not come crashing down. The air you are
> displacing has to have some escape route. You will notice that the
> canvas will bellow out like a balloon. The air escapes thru the zippers
> and all the other little tiny places with small air gaps. If say your
> door seals are gone it naturally will come down at a faster rate. As a
> general rule of thumb, NEVER lower the top unless ALL of the windows and
> doors are CLOSED. I hope this helps. I have been following this topic
> with great interest and i know we have the finest minds working on a
> solution. I know someone will come up with the old head slapper "why
> didn't i think of that"
>
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