T7 Multivan Bellows

[Huddy]

Can anyone advise if it is advisable to use a bungee cord on the bellows to prevent damage when lowering the roof on T7 Ocean Multivan.
Thank you .

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

I thought that on all the newer bellows, it was not recommended. They have a flat spring that helps fold the bellows.
You have to be very careful though. Always have a door or window open, don't open anything down wind (blowing into the window) as it will inflate the bellows and there will be tears. I stop and have a look up and check they are folding in. Some take a walk around to check everything is ok.
Are all T7 bellows hydraulic? Just thinking the bungee might be good for manual pop tops like the T6.1.

I'll be interested to see what the general opinion is on this though.

 

[Huddy]

I thought that on all the newer bellows, it was not recommended. They have a flat spring that helps fold the bellows.
You have to be very careful though. Always have a door or window open, don't open anything upwind as it will inflate the bellows and there will be tears. I stop and have a look up and check they are folding in. Some take a walk around to check everything is ok.
Are all T7 bellows hydraulic? Just thinking the bungee might be good for manual pop tops like the T6.1.

I'll be interested to see what the general opinion is on this though.

Hi Phil
Thanks quick reply.
I do all the things you suggest but someone had recommended a bungee.
I bought a 25 ex demo & on first use spotted a tiny hole & scuff mark near scissor mechanism which you could only see from inside when it was raised.
In discussion with VW dealer as although liveable , the problem would be when I came to sell it.
Not tested in rain but I know dealer did a water test & so assume it can let water in under certain conditions.
Problem appears to be proving I received in this state as could not view upstairs when purchased as battery was flat. They are discussing with VW Customer Service as sounds like they would have to replace the bellows.

 

[Hawthorn37]

The bellows should fold the correct way (inwards) without the help of a bungee. However, once in a blue moon, the flat spring at the rear can go the wrong way., so always advisable to eyeball it is folding okay before fully closing.

A bungee cord won’t help and can lead to the canvas being pulled away from the roof in the rear corners.

 

[Huddy]

The bellows should fold the correct way (inwards) without the help of a bungee. However, once in a blue moon, the flat spring at the rear can go the wrong way., so always advisable to eyeball it is folding okay before fully closing.

A bungee cord won’t help and can lead to the canvas being pulled away from the roof in the rear corners.

Ok thanks.
John

 

[cangyroo]

When I went to pick up my brand new T7 Ocean, 3 weeks ago, the dealer demonstrated the various functions…. Which included the roof going up and down. When lowering the roof, the mechanism literally ‘scissored’ the bellows fabric and sliced a hole in it - a colleague at the dealership said the special hinged strip sewn into the bellows is designed to pull the fabric inwards away from the mechanism as it lowers but was not working properly. So a new bellows is on order. I’m awaiting that to arrive from Germany. The lesson I learnt is to always monitor the bellows to ensure it folds inwards as it lowers. Hey ho !!

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Absolutely should not use a Bungee cord on the T7 or T6.1 bellows.

Appreciate that earlier in this thread some bellows got pinched in the showroom but we've had no issues with ours on the T6.1. Are you sure the dealer had lowered the bed platform because we forgot once and nearly caused a disaster!!!

Also it's advisable to lower and visibly check progress from the outside particularly if it's very windy.

 

[Huddy]

Absolutely should not use a Bungee cord on the T7 or T6.1 bellows.

Appreciate that earlier in this thread some bellows got pinched in the showroom but we've had no issues with ours on the T6.1. Are you sure the dealer had lowered the bed platform because we forgot once and nearly caused a disaster!!!

Also it's advisable to lower and visibly check progress from the outside particularly if it's very windy.

Ok thanks on bungy cord.
Always check when lowering but no way of knowing what they did
on lowering bed before we got it.
It was a demo with 800miles on clock but nobody admitting anything.
Fingers crossed they put it right but dealers always ok on selling but aftercare is a new ballgame.

 

[Dresinho]

When I went to pick up my brand new T7 Ocean, 3 weeks ago, the dealer demonstrated the various functions…. Which included the roof going up and down. When lowering the roof, the mechanism literally ‘scissored’ the bellows fabric and sliced a hole in it - a colleague at the dealership said the special hinged strip sewn into the bellows is designed to pull the fabric inwards away from the mechanism as it lowers but was not working properly. So a new bellows is on order. I’m awaiting that to arrive from Germany. The lesson I learnt is to always monitor the bellows to ensure it folds inwards as it lowers. Hey ho !!

I had exactly the same experience with my brand new Ocean Hybrid a few weeks ago. In fact, the day we picked the van up. It happened soon as we got home. It took a few weeks to get the new belows, and they were replaced free of charge “as a gesture of goodwill” . The windows were open. There is a bit of an incline where we park it, but one of the ribs kept folding outwards… Not sure about the bungee, but definitely I’ll keep an aye while they are folding from now on. I use the California App to action the electric motor and walks around while the roof goes down. For such a premium product, my view is that this is not acceptable.I was told to
Make sure a window was kept open during the process, and that is it. I am pretty sure they will find a technical improvement, but they will not admit an “error” due to the cost of a general recall.

 

[Rubinstein]

Can anyone advise if it is advisable to use a bungee cord on the bellows to prevent damage when lowering the roof on T7 Ocean Multivan.
Thank you .

I don’t use one, just check everything is folded in correctly when the roof is about halfway down. It is possible for the rods in the bellows to bow outwards when the roof first starts to come down, this is pretty obvious from the drivers seat when it starts to happen, I don’t think a bungee would stop that, so best just keep an eye out when operating.

 

[Pjd61]

We’re very much the same as orher comments.. After a close shave just after getting rhe van when the drivers side spring popped out instead of in, I check from inside everytime as it comes down - if the spring starts off folding the correct way then its fine… Didnt think about how you can do it in the app so will try that too!

 

[VW California 25]

Can anyone advise if it is advisable to use a bungee cord on the bellows to prevent damage when lowering the roof on T7 Ocean Multivan.
Thank you .

I have a T7 2025 twice on different occasions I was lowering roof and bellows got stuck at front of roof.
I now have a bungee cord and don’t have any issues, just keep an eye on after a while might have to tighten up bungee cord as it stretches over time.
Don’t have cord to tight just enough to assist.