Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:06:35 -0400
Reply-To: "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Poptop assist
In-Reply-To: <2237649.1178094.1370611070685.JavaMail.root@vznit170136>
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David, I figured it would be easier to respond to your email with a list
post to save some typing.
The ones I used in my video are the Jack Bombay units. I have never tried
to use or install the other version of this that is out there which I think
is Go Westy so I can't speak to them.
I was attracted to this version because of it's simplicity. It was simple
to install and simple to use. I bought two sets of the struts for the
customer, normal duty and heavy duty because there will be times when they
are going to have a Kayak on the roof and might want to pop the top. The
struts snap in and out with ease so there is no problem in swapping them
quickly when you need to.
As far is holding the top up while you stow the canvas, this is easier with
the struts installed than it was before. Think about it, the struts are
helping you hold the top up and even when they are mostly collapsed they
are still trying to do that. So you can lower the top to about a foot of
being closed, and it will just sit there while you make sure your canvas is
pulled in place, and carefully shut the top. Way less effort than using
your head to prop it up (BTDT).
I guess that is all I have to add. It does make opening the top a lot
easier as well. If I was using a Westy on a regular basis I would
definitely have these installed.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
On Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 9:17 AM, David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@verizon.net>wrote:
> Hi Volks;
> I am considering a poptop assist unit. I have 2 questions/concerns.
> First off, I was wondering about lowering, The last foot or so of my
> poptop drop involves pulling in and carefully storing the canvas of one's
> top. I usually do this while holding the top up with my head (insert "well
> that's using your head" joke) while storing the canvas. My concern is I
> have heard that the poptop assisted tops come down with some force
> through that last foot or two. Does this make it any harder to hold up the
> top while storing canvas? Any thoughts on this one?
> My other question involves the best vendor/assist unit to purchase. I
> just e-mailed Ken at VanAgain to see what he has come up with, but I
> would like input from those who have used the assist units as to who is
> selling the best unit. It seems pretty simple, but as I have found out
> from those rear door lift pistons on a Westy, there are better ones and
> worse ones.
>
> Dave B.
>
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
