Roof canvas getting caught when closing

I just noticed the last couple of times (might be longer but only just noticed) the roof has been lowered the canvas seems to fold outside the roof seals, it has to be pushed in by hand from both sides to allow the close. Wonder why it’s doing this and how to fix it.

icic said:

I just noticed the last couple of times (might be longer but only just noticed) the roof has been lowered the canvas seems to fold outside the roof seals, it has to be pushed in by hand from both sides to allow the close. Wonder why it’s doing this and how to fix it.



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Looks as if the plastic insert that makes it fold inwards has been damaged. I trust you do have a downwind door open when closing?

icic said:

I just noticed the last couple of times (might be longer but only just noticed) the roof has been lowered the canvas seems to fold outside the roof seals, it has to be pushed in by hand from both sides to allow the close. Wonder why it’s doing this and how to fix it.



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Use of a bellows bungee may help. Available from CampervanBits.

vmaxkiddy said:

Use of a bellows bungee may help. Available from CampervanBits.

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I’m using a bellows bungee alreafy

vmaxkiddy said:

Use of a bellows bungee may help. Available from CampervanBits.

Click to expand...

WelshGas said:

Looks as if the plastic insert that makes it fold inwards has been damaged. I trust you do have a downwind door open when closing?

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Can you get replacements for these ? It’s still under warranty, does the warranty normally cover something like this ?

icic said:

Can you get replacements for these ? It’s still under warranty, does the warranty normally cover something like this ?

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I don't believe you can get replacements, just a new bellows.
You could try a warranty claim but they might say " user error" so be prepared for a fight.

WelshGas said:

I don't believe you can get replacements, just a new bellows.
You could try a warranty claim but they might say " user error" so be prepared for a fight.

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If not covered by the warranty it might be covered under your van insurance, just depends what’s included in the small print.

I had a similar problem, where the stiffener got trapped and bent outward. Initially I thought it had snapped but it had just bent. I looked at ways of fixing by sliding a couple of old credit cards down the sleeve but finally fixed it by simply bending it back to straighten it. Best done with roof almost closed and possibly with a bit of warmth to avoid it being too brittle.

WelshGas said:

I don't believe you can get replacements, just a new bellows.
You could try a warranty claim but they might say " user error" so be prepared for a fight.

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Trouble is the stiffener is sewn into the sleeve so even if you could get one it would be a bugger to fit!

Mine has bulged out at the front a couple of times. Each time watching it from the start of lowering and pulling the centre stiffener inwards from the inside works. Possibly something to do with having wrong window open or. more likely, sliding door.

Just a thought but maybe the position or tension of the bunge might a problem? Have you tried removing it?

If it is the plastic stiffener, you might be able to heat the plastic with a hairdryer (taking care not to burn the fabric) until it becomes malleable and then bend it back into its correct form. Worth a try.

icic said:

I just noticed the last couple of times (might be longer but only just noticed) the roof has been lowered the canvas seems to fold outside the roof seals, it has to be pushed in by hand from both sides to allow the close. Wonder why it’s doing this and how to fix it.



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These photos tell me that you have the fully opening front "Window" on your T6 and as such there is no vertical stiffener to aid closing. The only stiffeners are in the side and rear sections (These are vertical). This means you have to take particular care of the front section when folding your roof canvas to avoid trapping.
I always fold the front section from within the Cali with neat regular folding (see attached photo). I have tried various methods of folding but have only found this one to be sure you have a correct roof closure with no canvas trapping.

I managed for 12 years of Cali ownership without the bellows bungee, it's unnecessary IMHO, provided you follow a few simple steps: Make sure a cab window, or door is open (personally, I've managed to lower the roof without issue with both cab doors open, as well as the sliding door,) Lower the roof approx halfway and stop, stand on the respective door steps one at a time, and check that the canvas is folding inwards properly by looking along the roof line from front to rear. Continue to lower the roof, and with the sliding roof panel fully open, guide the front of the canvas backward and down into the cab space. Stop once more when the front of the roof is approx. 2-3 inches from fully closed, carry out a further external check along the roofline on both sides. Fully close roof, and carry out final external check as before, and including the front to ensure canvas is correctly stowed inside and not trapped. Push excess canvas up into space above cab with one hand, whilst closing sliding panel with other hand. Takes less time than it takes to type this!

icic said:

I’m using a bellows bungee already

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The bungee cord will eventually loose its bungi-ness. Mine has a plastic toggle ting that allows me to retention periodically.

The bungee must always have a positive pressure on the canvas.

Also as others have suggested, make sure the door is open before closing and stop the closing around half way to make sure the canvas is collapsing inside correctly. If not then pull it in yourself and then close.

On the odd occasion the canvas has not gone back in correctly it is because I have not followed the above steps or there was very high winds.

i just stand up in the cab when lowering the roof and observe the canvas from the inside. Very easy to pull it in if necessary, apart from the very rare occurrence of the rear popping outward. No need for the bungee.