Date:         Mon, 8 Sep 2008 11:18:45 -0400
Reply-To:     Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: fiberglass repair on poptop
Comments: To: Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <6e95da690809071838p228b862od0062a94532090b8@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

>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.