How noisy is a poptop to drive

Hi, thank you all for the advice

Went for second test drive (love it when just given the keys and they say go as far as you like - real trust) and almost squeak free - just a squeak in one place.

A lot of head scratching when we got back as it had been to a specialist who had replaced some parts so tried putting cloth on the gas strut as the sound was in that area and off we went again - still a slight squeak!

So we pulled in and had a think and I raised the roof then pulled the straps a bit tighter - no squeak

Happy days.

And thanks for the comments about the bellows needing to be taught - they were when outside and not hitting the showroom roof.

Pick up at the weekend - fingers crossed.
 
Paul Sussex said:
Hi, thank you all for the advice

Went for second test drive (love it when just given the keys and they say go as far as you like - real trust) and almost squeak free - just a squeak in one place.

A lot of head scratching when we got back as it had been to a specialist who had replaced some parts so tried putting cloth on the gas strut as the sound was in that area and off we went again - still a slight squeak!

So we pulled in and had a think and I raised the roof then pulled the straps a bit tighter - no squeak

Happy days.

And thanks for the comments about the bellows needing to be taught - they were when outside and not hitting the showroom roof.

Pick up at the weekend - fingers crossed.
Click to expand...
Pleased to hear the squeaking was resolved to your satisfaction. :thumbsup:

Did you get to the bottom of the duck tape?
 
Hi Bav

No - re-looked - it is in line with the bed board end - my guess is it was to stop it rubbing (or rubbed) - maybe brave and try and see what is behind it once we have it - as the idea is we keep it for a while and let the kids borrow it (my wife’s idea) can’t see much of it won’t need replacing over time based on how my camping stuff comes back the things we do for our kids (and grand kids).
 
Hi, picked up the camper this weeken.

Pros:
- I have a VW camper
- It has a diesel heater (did not know that)
- My 13 year old loves it (and he is not on his Xbox) - happy days ahead
- We spent the evening at Worthing (Goring) and got our first VW wave (highlight)

Cons:
- Although final test drive no squeak - it’s back (but only on bumps / uneven road)
- Spent today silicon lub the rubbers & mechanics (and cleaned bodywork where it sits)
- Pull straps down hard off we go and it stops for a while but starts again a few miles later (sometime. straps have loosed slightly by themselves)
- driving - push roof up slightly or pull down hard and it stops.
- Common theme - can stop it for a while then comes back

Anyone got any ideas and how to eliminate stuff?
 
Oh and put some cushions snug between the bed frame and the roof - that stopped it for a bit longer - thought I had it cracked but 10 miles later it’s back) - it’s more a squeak / knocking than a creak - if that helps).
 
Paul Sussex said:
Hi, picked up the camper this weeken.

Pros:
- I have a VW camper
- It has a diesel heater (did not know that)
- My 13 year old loves it (and he is not on his Xbox) - happy days ahead
- We spent the evening at Worthing (Goring) and got our first VW wave (highlight)

Cons:
- Although final test drive no squeak - it’s back (but only on bumps / uneven road)
- Spent today silicon lub the rubbers & mechanics (and cleaned bodywork where it sits)
- Pull straps down hard off we go and it stops for a while but starts again a few miles later (sometime. straps have loosed slightly by themselves)
- driving - push roof up slightly or pull down hard and it stops.
- Common theme - can stop it for a while then comes back

Anyone got any ideas and how to eliminate stuff?
Click to expand...
Can’t answer the q’s but I’ll give you a wave as often down at Goring Gap in mine. Two tone blue/white.
 
Need to go investigate why the straps are loosening off while you drive. Perhaps they need replacing, especially the locking mechanism. Otherwise, the van seems fine
 
Hi Jog, have ordered some from Dubstyling - mine are superb short and hard to pull so gone for longer ones (old ones seam a bit brittle / warn).

As a new to this assume making super tight then able to slide them left to right right with slight pressure is not right.
 
New straps would be my first guess. Get them long enough that they can be left in place when the roof goes up and can then be well wrapped around your hand when down and tightening. Mine can’t be moved once tightened.
 
My pop-top is from Westdubs and I’ve noticed a rattling / knocking noise somewhere near above the passenger seat or back a little when driving.
 
@GruB. Mine's a Westdubs as well. I didn't get any unusual noises coming from it but couple of years or so ago, I did notice that it was a bit off centre and on checking all the hinge nuts and bolts realised that some had worked their way loose - they were Nyloc nuts so that shouldn't really have happened. Anyway, I bought some new nuts (stainless steel from eBay) and replaced all the old and now have a mental note to go around them all a couple of times a year - IIRC, I've had to give a few a turn but that's about it and I now keep a spare ratchet spanner in the van as a socket won't allow you to access them all.
 
Last edited:
If you need work/help on your van I’ll recommended VW-T in Henfield who did my conversion. Not far from Worthing and really helpful.
 
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