Pop Top Advice Please.

Comfortably Numb · Mar 26, 2022

Does anyone have any tips please for closing manual pop top ? We have fitted an isotop internally and have a bungee cord externally and now finding it harder to close.? Is it possibly something that gets easier after a few time of using ??

soulstyledevon · Mar 26, 2022

Have you got the doors open downstairs when shutting the pop top…?
Open the slider and passenger doors.

Sad · Mar 26, 2022

Can't comment on having an isotop fitted, but it does seem to get a bit easier with time and practice...

RoB5urf · Mar 28, 2022

Harder to close in what way? To get the roof down or to close the clips? We've had ours 5 years now and I still find it tricky to close the clips. This was one reason I decided not to opt for a Isotop though I'm sure there are plenty of others on this forum who manage just fine.

Neilos · Mar 28, 2022

I adjusted the clips on ours. The isotop made it very hard to close. It’s an easy adjustment. Just make sure there’s enough pressure to close and seal the roof properly. It’s a 1 or 2mm move but makes all the difference. Also I find if I roll the fabric and then push it behind the clip it’s easier.

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Stu@rt · Mar 28, 2022

Worth mentioning that the clips do get a little easier with use too.

Comfortably Numb · Mar 29, 2022

Thanks for everyone's replies! We do have windows and doors open when bringing down the roof which comes down great, its just the final pull to get the clips fastened which Im glad to hear will get a bit easier too.{ plus a little work on upper body strength]

Corradobrit · Mar 29, 2022

Maybe overkill but could you put together a line and stirrup which you could step on and use body weight to get the latch down and have 2 hands free to compete the closure. Just a thought.

BeagleMum · Mar 29, 2022

Comfortably Numb said:
Thanks for everyone's replies! We do have windows and doors open when bringing down the roof which comes down great, its just the final pull to get the clips fastened which Im glad to hear will get a bit easier too.{ plus a little work on upper body strength]

Had ours 3 years, Isotop fitted which we make sure is rolled/fully pushed out of the way.
We still struggle with the clips they continue to be very stiff but at least they aren’t going to spring open spontaneously.

RoB5urf · Mar 30, 2022

I can't honestly say that the clips have got easier over time. I think how you stow the material behind the clips affects how easy they are to secure. I felt that rolling up the canvas created more bulk than folding it a few times. And one side always seems harder than the other - I've never figured out why.

BeagleMum · Mar 30, 2022

RoB5urf said:
I can't honestly say that the clips have got easier over time. I think how you stow the material behind the clips affects how easy they are to secure. I felt that rolling up the canvas created more bulk than folding it a few times. And one side always seems harder than the other - I've never figured out why.

Yep agree about one side always seeming more difficult

Stu@rt · Mar 30, 2022

RoB5urf said:
I can't honestly say that the clips have got easier over time. I think how you stow the material behind the clips affects how easy they are to secure. I felt that rolling up the canvas created more bulk than folding it a few times. And one side always seems harder than the other - I've never figured out why.

Agree with you about the rolling of the canvas, but is it so important to get it behind the webbing to avoid tears. I have taken to folds, rather than rolls. I pull it towards me and then fold it in 3-4inch sections. Rolling, or general "stuffing" does seem to create additional bulk, I agree.

WelshGas · Mar 30, 2022

RoB5urf said:
I can't honestly say that the clips have got easier over time. I think how you stow the material behind the clips affects how easy they are to secure. I felt that rolling up the canvas created more bulk than folding it a few times. And one side always seems harder than the other - I've never figured out why.

Pure physics. Latching one side will slightly twist the roof, so on the other side you have to overcome the compression resistance of the fabric + the resistance of the twisted roof. The only way to overcome is to latch both simultaneously, which is impossible for one person.

Neilos · Mar 30, 2022

I get one half way. Not fully clipped down. Then roll, fold, stuff the other side in. Clip that down. Then finish off the first one. I had snake bites in my isotop within 2 days if having it though so probably best
Listen to other people!

fixed with tear aid. Bloody annoying and haven’t repeated it since. Fingers crossed I won’t! But there is a lot of material there to get behind the clips.

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G3WRT · Apr 2, 2022

WelshGas said:
Pure physics. Latching one side will slightly twist the roof, so on the other side you have to overcome the compression resistance of the fabric + the resistance of the twisted roof. The only way to overcome is to latch both simultaneously, which is impossible for one person.

then as a one man band operation (mostly) I always sleep downstairs and never raise the roof.... is that a long term mistake i.e. does it deteriorate faster if you do not use it?

Comfortably Numb · Apr 2, 2022

Will try your ideas on folding and see what happens !

WelshGas · Apr 2, 2022

G3WRT said:
then as a one man band operation (mostly) I always sleep downstairs and never raise the roof.... is that a long term mistake i.e. does it deteriorate faster if you do not use it?

Shouldn’t be a problem as long as the bellows is totally dry.

BeeBee · Apr 8, 2022

What was the reasoning behind going for a ‘manual’ pop top on the 6.1. We have an Ocean T6 and this thread makes me wonder if it might have been a ‘retrograde step’ ?

Neilos · Apr 8, 2022

G3WRT said:
then as a one man band operation (mostly) I always sleep downstairs and never raise the roof.... is that a long term mistake i.e. does it deteriorate faster if you do not use it?

It’s worth popping now and then and checking the roof drain holes are not bunged up. Our van is parked tail down hill and I’ve never see debris collect there but I imagine if parked the other way up it could do.

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WelshGas · Apr 8, 2022

BeeBee said:
What was the reasoning behind going for a ‘manual’ pop top on the 6.1. We have an Ocean T6 and this thread makes me wonder if it might have been a ‘retrograde step’ ?

The Coast and Ocean T6.1s were both full campervans with the same kitchens etc: but the Coast had a manual roof, as does the Beach, and fewer standard Options compared to the Ocean. Hence, in their basic form, the Coast was substantially cheaper. The Coast has now been discontinued, at least in the UK.

Corradobrit · Apr 8, 2022

WelshGas said:
The Coast has now been discontinued, at least in the UK.

As well as all other markets as far as I'm aware.

andyinluton · Apr 8, 2022

Neilos said:
It’s worth popping now and then and checking the roof drain holes are not bunged up. Our van is parked tail down hill and I’ve never see debris collect there but I imagine if parked the other way up it could do.

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If the roof is sealing properly in the closed position there shouldn't be any water that needs draining & no way of anything getting to the drain points to block them.

The only time the drains should be needed is if it rains when the roof is up.

ThomasHJ · Apr 8, 2022

BeeBee said:
What was the reasoning behind going for a ‘manual’ pop top on the 6.1. We have an Ocean T6 and this thread makes me wonder if it might have been a ‘retrograde step’ ?

As an addition to @WelshGas's comment above:

From a customer's perspective, a manual roof is/was attractive to some people because it ruled out having potentially very expensive problems with the hydraullic roof.

Pop Top Advice Please.

Comfortably Numb

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

Sad

RoB5urf

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Neilos

Stu@rt

Comfortably Numb

Corradobrit

BeagleMum

RoB5urf

Beach with 2-seat bench

BeagleMum

Stu@rt

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Neilos

G3WRT

Comfortably Numb

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

BeeBee

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WelshGas

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Corradobrit

andyinluton

ThomasHJ

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