Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2022 10:56:12 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Pop top bar, can be bent
In-Reply-To: <51301301.3570875.1658242003852@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi David,
I had 4 struts two on each side. Now I have one set. One on each side.
Eric Caron
> On Jul 19, 2022, at 10:46 AM, ddbjorkman@verizon.net wrote:
>
> Hi Eric. Using one strut on one side may not be good for one's top. All the stress is on one side. You may want to just get a less heavy duty set of struts. Anyone like to chime in on this one? My feelings on this issue may be incorrect.
>
> Dave B.
> the Boston one
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Tue, Jul 19, 2022 9:30 am
> Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Pop top bar, can be bent
>
> Hi Dave,
>
> You are correct in all your assumptions.
>
> The pop top has a roof rack on the back. There is a ladder on the rear hatch.
>
> The previous owners had a box on the roof. They had a double set of struts to support the weight. They traveled extensively and used that space on long trips. I have the box but don’t plan to use it. But the rack is very nice.
>
> Anyway, I tried to lower the roof with box off and could not do it. I’ve removed one set of struts and now it is good.
>
> But, I suspect they used the bar that goes left to right to pull the top down and it bent.
>
> Years ago on this list it was recommended to me to not use that bar. Instead to place your hands on the side bars just below where the horizontal bar connects. Keep the force up or down level. It seems easier to me and may or may not be less stress on the parts. But, my bar doesn’t get bent.
>
> I also have a Buese Shelf on the bar so that makes using it to lift or drop doable but less obvious. The side method works easier. It is likely easier for short folks as well.
> Tom tells me the shelf will also keep my bar straight.
>
> At the recent bus gathering an experienced bus caretaker saw me do that and made me repeat. He said he never realized how easy that was.
>
> There is usually more than one right way to do things and for now this is my right way to lift and drop the top. It may change some day.
>
> EC
>
> > On Jul 18, 2022, at 11:57 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM <mailto:davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>> wrote:
> >
> > Eric, how does one use the side bars to raise the top? I have never heard
> > of that. I am vertically challenged, being only 5'6". I use a step stool
> > to help with that when raising and lowering the top. I have never had a
> > problem with the bar bending, or the top showing enough resistance to being
> > pushed up to think that the bar could bend. Maybe someone had put a heavy
> > load on top, like a canoe or something, and tried to raise the top.
> >
> > On Mon, Jul 18, 2022 at 7:54 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net <mailto:ericcaron96@comcast.net>> wrote:
> >
> >> Wow! I do appreciate getting a bit of help from my friends.
> >>
> >> At the West River Westies event we had the 84. I recently noticed the
> >> bolt was missing on the right side of the pop top bar that goes left to
> >> right. I put it in with difficulty and the top was a bit challenging to
> >> close.
> >>
> >> At the event I asked a Vw experienced friend to look at the bar and see if
> >> there was something I was missing. I was…. The bar was bent in a partial
> >> curve.
> >>
> >> Two men got in the van and together bent it back. It was much
> >> improved and suddenly the pop top was working smoothly.
> >>
> >> I put a Buese Shelf on the bar and it was a good fit. Tom told me
> >> it would only fit if the bar was very straight and he felt it would help
> >> keep it straight. It will as I always lower and raise from the side bars.
> >>
> >> So, that bar can bend! And I am a believer in using the sides to open and
> >> close.
> >>
> >> And, I get by with a little help from my friends!
> >>
> >> Eric Caron
> >> 84 Westy with a much straighter pop top bar.
> >>
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