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Bellows bungee

JohnCalifornia

JohnCalifornia

VIP Member
Messages
367
Location
Wakefield
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 199
Hi , what’s everyone’s thoughts on fitting the bellows bungee? My Cali came with one fitted and someone commented on it been too tight. I slackened it off today but didn’t make much difference . My Cali is a T6 with the large opening at the front so I assume it’s the newer type fabric. Do these fold in any easier than other fabrics? Should I remove it or leave it on ? Is there any long term damage to the fabric where it attaches to the frame if it’s in continuous use? They don’t come fitted from the factory with them so I assume they are not needed really.
Thanks for any replies
 
JohnCalifornia said:
Hi , what’s everyone’s thoughts on fitting the bellows bungee? My Cali came with one fitted and someone commented on it been too tight. I slackened it off today but didn’t make much difference . My Cali is a T6 with the large opening at the front so I assume it’s the newer type fabric. Do these fold in any easier than other fabrics? Should I remove it or leave it on ? Is there any long term damage to the fabric where it attaches to the frame if it’s in continuous use? They don’t come fitted from the factory with them so I assume they are not needed really.
Thanks for any replies
Click to expand...
In my opinion on the T6 you have I don’t think the bungee is needed. I had a T5.1 and a T6 and the T6 roof canvas was much better and folded in easily. Also spoils the opening front having a bungee on!
Just take care whilst lowering the roof to stop and check the sides etc are folding in nicely, and of course ensure you have the doors open.
 
JohnCalifornia said:
Hi , what’s everyone’s thoughts on fitting the bellows bungee? My Cali came with one fitted and someone commented on it been too tight. I slackened it off today but didn’t make much difference . My Cali is a T6 with the large opening at the front so I assume it’s the newer type fabric. Do these fold in any easier than other fabrics? Should I remove it or leave it on ? Is there any long term damage to the fabric where it attaches to the frame if it’s in continuous use? They don’t come fitted from the factory with them so I assume they are not needed really.
Thanks for any replies
Click to expand...
Take it off. It puts undue stress on the fabric and might cause a corner to pull out of its retaining channel on the poptop roof (quite a common issue with T6's).
What is important is that you open a door or wind down the windows completely before raising or lowering the poptop to prevent the material billowing out and fouling in the scissor mechanism.

FYI the newest double skinned fabric was introduced on Calis built after Sept 22.
 
Just watched a California Chris video on the different fabric on the new bellows on new vans. Looks like it’s double layered or something like that . I think I will take it off. I’ll be very careful obviously when opening and closing the roof. If they don’t come factory fitted then then not needed. Also will spoil the look when I’m looking out of the massive opening at the front of the bellows.
 
Agree. Take it off. It causes more tension at the corners so the canvas pulls out of the roof slot.
 
I have a bungee fitted.l do not know why it is under discussion. Why not fit it anyway? I have not had any problem lowering the roof to now (canvas outside)
I have not lowered the roof without the bungee..so?
 
Dingbat said:
I have a bungee fitted.l do not know why it is under discussion. Why not fit it anyway? I have not had any problem lowering the roof to now (canvas outside)
I have not lowered the roof without the bungee..so?
Click to expand...
I’m asking the question as it’s not fitted from the factory so why is it needed. Has anyone actually had any damage caused by having one of these bungees fittedL? Would the warranty be void on a new Cali if one was fitted and the bellows detached themselves from the frame? My Cali doesn’t have an extended warranty (yet)
 
2016 ocean here with bungee. zero issues but i tend to agree its not needed
 
I added a bungee to our T6 to guard against the unfortunate scissor action mentioned by other members here but it did pull away the front nearside corner of the bellows from time to time. Easily pushed back into place though. I left it off our T6.1 as the folding straps look stronger and have had no problem yet with bellows catching in hinges. We do follow the recommended closing procedure.
 
Well I’ve taken the bungee off and will see how it goes. My reasoning is if it’s not fitted from the factory or as an option from the factory it is not required. Also I have the large opening at the front so if we ever have to open it we don’t have the bungee strapped through the middle of the opening ( I know I could move it up or down). Thanks for everyone’s comments
 
JohnCalifornia said:
Hi , what’s everyone’s thoughts on fitting the bellows bungee? My Cali came with one fitted and someone commented on it been too tight. I slackened it off today but didn’t make much difference . My Cali is a T6 with the large opening at the front so I assume it’s the newer type fabric. Do these fold in any easier than other fabrics? Should I remove it or leave it on ? Is there any long term damage to the fabric where it attaches to the frame if it’s in continuous use? They don’t come fitted from the factory with them so I assume they are not needed really.
Thanks for any replies
Click to expand...
yes took ours off, looks like a good idea but does not really work well.
 
Used to have one, took it off ages ago.
 
JohnCalifornia said:
Well I’ve taken the bungee off and will see how it goes. My reasoning is if it’s not fitted from the factory or as an option from the factory it is not required. Also I have the large opening at the front so if we ever have to open it we don’t have the bungee strapped through the middle of the opening ( I know I could move it up or down). Thanks for everyone’s comments
Click to expand...
I presume you won’t be fitting a SpareSafe then?
 
We bought a bungee as we saw them in use, and a hired van had one (the owner said it was a precaution should someone try and close the roof without a door being opened. Used the roof with bungee for about 3 months, then the corner of the canvas lifted out of the frame. So I took it off. Never had a problem with canvas trapping, just following the procedure and being sensible about operating the roof when windy (second person watching the canvas).
 
I used a Bunny on our T5.1, the better folding mechanism on the later roofs mean I havn't bothered on our newer vans.
I was never really happy with having something rubbing the canvas & potentially causing wicking where it touched.

Having said that when we lower the roof it's usually the wife pressing the button inside whilst I'm outside observing ready to shout stop - so far I've never needed to. Just remember to keep a door open on the down wind side.
 
Bought a bungee when we had a near miss on a windy day in our 5.1. It’s not essential if you have an outside spotter. Bit of a pain without one as you need to check back and forth if you are solo.
 
We're still novices as far as the Cali goes (3 months in). I was advised to fit a bungee by a friend who had an accident so did so. It may not be strictly necessary, but the electric roof still has novelty value for the 8 year old such that they are allowed to press the button when packing up (under supervision). The bungee reduces the risk of excitement overriding caution.

I'm interested in suggestions it might pull the roof out of it's fixing though. Surely that could be addressed by loosening it a bit?

I've actually just bought a 2nd one with the idea of putting it on the roof topper if it's windy to reduce 'flappage'. Not tried that yet but worth a punt for £8 or whatever the cost was.
 
I had the bellows pulling out of the corner track issue. Don't think I had the bungee particularly tight as it does need to be tight enough to ensure that fabric folds inwards even in a breeze. Otherwise no point in having it there. My problem may not have been the fault of the bungee as I need to put my hands up to perhaps not lowering the roof every time the wind got above 20 mph
 
Lee.Van.Cleef said:
We're still novices as far as the Cali goes (3 months in). I was advised to fit a bungee by a friend who had an accident so did so. It may not be strictly necessary, but the electric roof still has novelty value for the 8 year old such that they are allowed to press the button when packing up (under supervision). The bungee reduces the risk of excitement overriding caution.

I'm interested in suggestions it might pull the roof out of it's fixing though. Surely that could be addressed by loosening it a bit?

I've actually just bought a 2nd one with the idea of putting it on the roof topper if it's windy to reduce 'flappage'. Not tried that yet but worth a punt for £8 or whatever the cost was.
Click to expand...
I don't think the Bungee would exert any more force on the Bellows than a light breeze would do. I don't believe the bellows pulling out of its fitting has anything to do with the bungee, more likely inadequate fitting or size variation when the roof is fully extended.
8.5 yrs with one fitted and no problems. It's just an added safety measure just like fitting a SpareSafe, Ghost, Bearlock or DiscLock.
None of which are Factory Options by VW yet many fit them.
 
JohnCalifornia said:
Hi , what’s everyone’s thoughts on fitting the bellows bungee? My Cali came with one fitted and someone commented on it been too tight. I slackened it off today but didn’t make much difference . My Cali is a T6 with the large opening at the front so I assume it’s the newer type fabric. Do these fold in any easier than other fabrics? Should I remove it or leave it on ? Is there any long term damage to the fabric where it attaches to the frame if it’s in continuous use? They don’t come fitted from the factory with them so I assume they are not needed really.
Thanks for any replies
Click to expand...
Take it off and heed the advice already posted. Could put the cord to some other use so don't bin it.
 
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