Roof sag - Clamp thingy?

[jamesC]

It is so frustrating the VW are apparently ignoring the underlying issue. My plan is to use supports inside the roof fabric. If I find a suitably robust solution, I will post it here

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

It is so frustrating the VW are apparently ignoring the underlying issue. My plan is to use supports inside the roof fabric. If I find a suitably robust solution, I will post it here

I think it needs someone to document the issue clearly with VW and when they don't play ball, have a new pump installed by say Kernow and then present VW with the bill.

Straightforward to take them to court.

I'm a bit in two minds myself about this because I'm worried VW might ultimately agree to replace and I'm not sure there's many VW dealers I'd trust to sort it out!!!

Big thread on this here.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...ng-bellows-roof-poptop-tpi.56210/#post-728126

 

[sidepod]

VW clearly states their “acceptable “ limits of droop.
Unfortunately these values render the roof useless in terms of flappy canvas and aesthetics.

It’s not exactly a secret that these vans aren’t fit for purpose but we keep buying them.
Whose to blame here?

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

VW clearly states their “acceptable “ limits of droop.
Unfortunately these values render the roof useless in terms of flappy canvas and aesthetics.

It’s not exactly a secret that these vans aren’t fit for purpose but we keep buying them.
Whose to blame here?

Indeed the TPI says 10 to 20 CMS in 72 hours. If your roof drops 1-2cm in 10 hours then the first re - inflate may not happen and then at 72 hours the cumulative will be maybe 14cms.

If like ours it drops at 5 CMS per 10 hours then it will autocorrect at 10 hours and then every 5 so when the technician returns at 72 hours, the cumulative drop will be between 0 and 2.5 CMS depending when the last re-inflate took place.

The TPI is totally unfit for purpose. The test of how much a roof is allowed to drop should not include the auto correct.

 

[Rosie75]

I am. Not exactly these actually - something I got off Etsy from a German doing 3D printed versions…as recommended by a couple I bumped in to in Lauterbrunnen.

Having spent literally 1.5 years trying to sort my sagging roof out with VW I’ve just started using these and they’re a game changer for me! They take 90 seconds to put them both on and that’s it, the roof is going nowhere…. No thinking about how long until the next auto level, no looking at a wonky roof, no upstairs lights not working. Bliss haha

I’ve been in St Ives since Weds and it’s been super warm in the sun and chilly at night. Before the clamps, this would have been a nightmare.

I’m the kind of person where things like a sagging roof just occupies my brain if it’s not sorted. As in, I’m always conscious / aware of it. My wife thinks I’m mad but it’s the way I’m wired!! VW should have sorted it but tbh I’ve had enough of trying to get it sorted and now I have a solution.

One word of warning… don’t forget to take them off before you put the roof down if you get them!!

We have just spent 3 weeks in Europe and it’s been stinky hot, we experienced the roof sag for the first time, when I found the lights didn’t work. Looked it up on here and yes the roof had sagged on one side. May rattle VW’s cage for fun, then look at these options

 

[Kev56]

We have just spent 3 weeks in Europe and it’s been stinky hot, we experienced the roof sag for the first time, when I found the lights didn’t work. Looked it up on here and yes the roof had sagged on one side. May rattle VW’s cage for fun, then look at these options

Same here, i just dropped the roof and raised again in the morning, after reading the posts on here seems vw are poo pooing their responsability again. Any reports of this happening on the new t7 or whatever its called?

 

[Rosie75]

Same here, i just dropped the roof and raised again in the morning, after reading the posts on here seems vw are poo pooing their responsability again. Any reports of this happening on the new t7 or whatever its called?

Not heard about the T7 yet. I just raised it before I went to bed as it cooled down. It hasn’t actually happened in the UK only when we went abroad. Will give VW a try, I like a challenge, our dealer has been very good so far and not questioned any thugs, let’s see how this goes

 

[Kev56]

Not heard about the T7 yet. I just raised it before I went to bed as it cooled down. It hasn’t actually happened in the UK only when we went abroad. Will give VW a try, I like a challenge, our dealer has been very good so far and not questioned any thugs, let’s see how this goes

Ha, just reminds me of the leaking bellows saga. An epic event which was eventually resolved for most with the updated versions. Pressure from us customers forced the issue to be resolved in the end.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Ha, just reminds me of the leaking bellows saga. An epic event which was eventually resolved for most with the updated versions. Pressure from us customers forced the issue to be resolved in the end.

Not really resolved, there are some people that have leaking bellows and VW have stopped replacing them under warranty.

 

[jamesC]

I was wondering if anybody that uses a vanorak or other roof topper has the roof sag issue?? Using one might stop the hydraulic system from having such extreme temperatures to deal with?

Also, the ingenious "strap" solution from @sidepod actually worked when used over a few days??

 

[Nick from Bath]

I was wondering if anybody that uses a vanorak or other roof topper has the roof sag issue?? Using one might stop the hydraulic system from having such extreme temperatures to deal with?

Also, the ingenious "strap" solution from @sidepod actually worked when used over a few days??

It definitely helps with slowing the rate of sag but doesn't completely stop it in my experience.

Will be trying the strap option this weekend, assuming the hot weather lasts.

 

[Daveb999]

Nah, doesnt stop it but does slow it a little. Have the reflective roof cover on at the moment and still getting the sag. However it’s 34 degrees here today so maybe in “normal” temperatures the cover will help more.

Not tried the strap solution yet but will be in the future an d looking forward to hearing how others get on with it

 

[sidepod]

Straps work best if you use a couple of loops instead of just one. Easier to tension

 

[growinglad]

Newish owner and going through a one side saga roof saga at present.

My van is booked in with the main stealer this week.

I’m not overly confident they will do anything other than trying to get more money out of me, I’m struggling to understand what use is an extended warranty.

I purchased the 3D printed brackets from Top Stop on Etsy. Used them for the first time this weekend with sweltering temperatures.

They worked very well.

I removed them last night as we were leaving early this morning and I wanted to wake up and get going.

Blooming roof dropped and auto raised during the night the temp was that high.

The remove before flight tag with a rubber band hangs from the control button so there should be no reason to forget them before lowing the roof.

Not cheap, but should last you the life of the Van.

 

[jamesC]

Newish owner and going through a one side saga roof saga at present.

My van is booked in with the main stealer this week.

I’m not overly confident they will do anything other than trying to get more money out of me, I’m struggling to understand what use is an extended warranty.

I purchased the 3D printed brackets from Top Stop on Etsy. Used them for the first time this weekend with sweltering temperatures.

They worked very well.

I removed them last night as we were leaving early this morning and I wanted to wake up and get going.

Blooming roof dropped and auto raised during the night the temp was that high.

The remove before flight tag with a rubber band hangs from the control button so there should be no reason to forget them before lowing the roof.

Not cheap, but should last you the life of the Van.

View attachment 149100

Any issues removing the device when it is under tension??

 

[jamesC]

It definitely helps with slowing the rate of sag but doesn't completely stop it in my experience.

Will be trying the strap option this weekend, assuming the hot weather lasts.

Did you try the srtap method @Nick from Bath ?

 

[growinglad]

Any issues removing the device when it is under tension??

The thought suddenly crossed my mind after I had them up for 2 days, so I test released them, no problems.

One of them was a little tight, which was wierd as it wasn't the side that drops.

I guess the strap idea could be used in an emergency to take the strain off.

This was the hottest weekend I've been away with the Van (35*C +), under normal circumstances I would have raised the pop up at least four times daily.

I've used them for 5 nights, so far so good. I think I would like to use them 2-3 more times before I have complete faith in them, but first impressions are positive.

It's a shame VW have coned their customers though, there is quite obviously a proplem, but the test is setup that only rams that are about to completely collapse will fail the test.

I guess from the company with the diesel scandal, I shouldn't be too surprised.

 

[Nick from Bath]

Did you try the srtap method @Nick from Bath ?

Was in West Wales so wasn't needed as the temperatures were only in the low 20s but straps were easy to fit. Need to fit something that reliably reminds me that they are there longer term, I'd definitely forget after more than one night. Another lanyard for the steering wheel probably.

 

[Kev56]

Anyone know if the 3d plans are available?

 

[sidepod]

This is the rear section. I’ll find the front tomorrow.

 

[ChristopherW]

I’ve been using the TOP STOP device on my Cali T6.1 for a while now and for me it’s a game changer. The hydraulics are now only required to raise and lower the roof and the device locks the roof in place with no prospect of it going anywhere. The wing nuts supplied do get tight after a few days as the TOP STOP gradually takes more strain : I’ve replaced them with normal nuts and keep a small spanner in the supplied bag. No problems so far, whereas before the sag was developing in less than a day in hot weather.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[growinglad]

I’ve been using the TOP STOP device on my Cali T6.1 for a while now and for me it’s a game changer. The hydraulics are now only required to raise and lower the roof and the device locks the roof in place with no prospect of it going anywhere. The wing nuts supplied do get tight after a few days as the TOP STOP gradually takes more strain : I’ve replaced them with normal nuts and keep a small spanner in the supplied bag. No problems so far, whereas before the sag was developing in less than a day in hot weather.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a good idea.

Actually, now I think about it, the top stop doesn't come with any washers, that could probably help to release the strain a little

 

[jamesC]

This is the rear section. I’ll find the front tomorrow.

I definitely think there is a market for this in the UK. Hopefully made of Aluminium, and less than £180!!

 

[Ian Chappell]

Newish owner and going through a one side saga roof saga at present.

My van is booked in with the main stealer this week.

I’m not overly confident they will do anything other than trying to get more money out of me, I’m struggling to understand what use is an extended warranty.

I purchased the 3D printed brackets from Top Stop on Etsy. Used them for the first time this weekend with sweltering temperatures.

They worked very well.

I removed them last night as we were leaving early this morning and I wanted to wake up and get going.

Blooming roof dropped and auto raised during the night the temp was that high.

The remove before flight tag with a rubber band hangs from the control button so there should be no reason to forget them before lowing the roof.

Not cheap, but should last you the life of the Van.

View attachment 149100

I was looking at these but they are rather pricey for what the are, are there any versions available in the UK.

 

[sidepod]

I definitely think there is a market for this in the UK. Hopefully made of Aluminium, and less than £180!!

That’s kind of why I stopped developing it. Despite knowing several people in the CNC industry, it’s not easy to get the price down especially in my neck of the woods. Everyone wants to add F1 tax to anything that uses machine capacity.
Something like this needs to be sub £50.

On top of that the number of Cali punters who would actually have the ability to install them is tiny.

It would deffo benefit from a 3D print development phase just to get the right material etc.

The strap just seems easier so I just went with that.