we dont have a garage big enough for the 80's viscount 14 ft pop top, so after its all clean and dry i pull the pop top down and then wrap it up in a huge tarp like a chrissie present. seems like its christmas when we unwrap it because we are off somewhere lol. now management came home from work yesterday and said thats not right i should be storing it with the pop top up to ventilate it or somesuch. i could still wrap it up in the tarp, it just wouldnt come down the side as much as it does at present. can someone give me a few clues as to the best procedure thanks in advance....pete
Cruising Granny said
02:49 PM Jul 14, 2010
Most pop tops are stored with the top up to prevent mould and dirt accumulating on the vinyl.
I don't know what the manufacturers recommend.
In one sense I would think the vinyl would be better preserved if it's shut in, but then again it would be easier to keep clean and dry open.
Vinyl is my preferred annexe material, but after 4 years my awning roof has shrunk 6 inches both ways and gone brittle. It's also delaminating and falling to bits. Nothing is forever.
What do the pop-top experts say?
elliemike said
07:49 PM Jul 14, 2010
We always store the Hiace with the roof closed. We had a camper trailer for 7 years in NZ and always had that closed when stored. All canvas in that. Never noticed any problems with the Campermatic, nor with our present Hi Ace. As long as the material is dry and not damp when stored it should be ok. Of course the material is canvas, in both vehicles.
We did have a VW Kombi years ago that had "Pink and White" stripped (I know, I know) vinyl in the pop top. Never any problem with that either.
Having said that I remember the vinyl was prone to condensation inside when up, and us sleeping in it with not enough ventilation.
I would think that a little ventilation in a stored vehicle would keep the air sweet as well. Our Hiace has a weatherproof roof vent that is always open a little. (fixed that way) And of course the safety gas vent in the "Whizzbang" door step allows air to flow.
I would suggest the Tarp might not allow enough air flow through your van. That is if all the vents are covered.
Just a thought Regards Mike and Ellie
clazandaza said
09:18 PM Jul 14, 2010
We store ours down with a caravan cover over the entire van. Even with Cairns wet weather we have had no mould or similar dramas. I think that sunshine is the biggest enemy of vinyl as shown by Granny's testimony.
Terro said
09:56 PM Jul 14, 2010
When we first got our pop top I asked much the same question and have seen it asked many times since. On my initial question the consensus was to store with the top up. This would allow the springs on the scissor action to be relaxed and the gas struts to be fully extended and take the pressure off. I also hold the top up with some adjustable struts on the corners of the pop top to take the weight off from the awning. Also use these when set up on a CP. On the other hand other answers have been the opposite. It all depends on what you believe to be correct for you and your van.
all the best,
Terry.
Smokeydk said
09:14 AM Jul 15, 2010
I just got a new van........I asked the same question..was told with new modern materials.......its not a problem having roof top down........as long as its dry...incase the struts start rusting.
we dont have a garage big enough for the 80's viscount 14 ft pop top, so after its all clean and dry i pull the pop top down and then wrap it up in a huge tarp like a chrissie present. seems like its christmas when we unwrap it because we are off somewhere lol. now management came home from work yesterday and said thats not right i should be storing it with the pop top up to ventilate it or somesuch. i could still wrap it up in the tarp, it just wouldnt come down the side as much as it does at present. can someone give me a few clues as to the best procedure thanks in advance....pete
We did have a VW Kombi years ago that had "Pink and White" stripped (I know, I know) vinyl in the pop top. Never any problem with that either.
Having said that I remember the vinyl was prone to condensation inside when up, and us sleeping in it with not enough ventilation.
I would think that a little ventilation in a stored vehicle would keep the air sweet as well.
Our Hiace has a weatherproof roof vent that is always open a little. (fixed that way) And of course the safety gas vent in the "Whizzbang" door step allows air to flow.
I would suggest the Tarp might not allow enough air flow through your van. That is if all the vents are covered.
Just a thought
Regards
Mike and Ellie
all the best,
Terry.