>But for those considering putting these on vans for folks with poor upper >body strength, you should definitely bear in mind the possible difficulties >closing the top - it takes a lot more strength than without the struts, even >with a kayak on the roof. I have the heavy duty struts --- because I usually travel with a kayak on the roof and hope to be travelling with 2 kayaks as soon as I find one at the right price. I am no body builder --- I weigh 155 lbs --- but even with the roof unladen, I find that if I grasp the crossbar that holds up the poptop and lean back; it is easy to bring the poptop down far enough that I can grasp the latch and bring it down using my weight. I use the latch as soon as I can reach it because I don't want to put undue strain on the weird mechanism that holds the poptop up. I've replaced it once already and do not want to do it again. I suggest being paranoid about keeping the top coming down evenly on both sides until you can reach the latch ---- avoid any angles or odd strains.......... Cheers, Doug
My had never been able to lift the poptop --- now she can and is, if anything --- happier than I am with the strut kit. |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.