Skyline Aurora Pop-Top opening on motorway?
- Thread starter Creamytash
- Start date
I’ve had no issues with my Aurora in nearly four years although as a precautionary measure I had the ‘updated’ cams fitted foc by skyline midlands earlier this year.
It would be interesting to see some pics of a ‘failed’ roof and the state of the cams at that time but there are no pics on this thread… have any of the cams bent of broken in any of these occurrences?
It would be interesting to see some pics of a ‘failed’ roof and the state of the cams at that time but there are no pics on this thread… have any of the cams bent of broken in any of these occurrences?
No that’s all there is, I was surprised myself
That's a different type to the aurora with problems I think. These are a key mechanism from cab ceiling
Difficult to get a good pic but this one failed. Could tell it was only catching at the very end of the lever part. On checking, the nut on top was loose. Not replaced with new (although same) cams and new bars in the top
Difficult to get a good pic but this one failed. Could tell it was only catching at the very end of the lever part. On checking, the nut on top was loose. Not replaced with new (although same) cams and new bars in the top
Out of interest, has anyone else on here got a pop top with this just to hold it down??
Thanks
sensiblejohn
Surveyor
The catches are from the Southco E3 range, they seem to use various types, we're now on our second after the original catches failed.
The manufacturers data sheet states a load rating of a load rating of 300N... So around 30kg.
Skyline have been unable to provide me with any data to reassure me that they have done any testing or calculations.
The engineering appraisal I commissioned condemned the fittings in this application.
Aside of this the TUV approval is for the previous type of their roofs with a strap fixing.
I'm currently waiting for some legal advice on the best way to address this, the roof is simply not fit for purpose and as far as I can work out fraudulently marketed as being TUV approved.
Can you involve TUV? As their approval isn't being used correctly, one might say fraudulently, allegedly...
Yes, my "standard" Skyline has these straps. I believe it's just the Aurora (and Skylow?) that has the cams. Never heard any reports of issues with the straps by the way.
Been looking at a pop top myself.. went to see a Skyline ‘approved’ fitter early this afternoon. After seeing info here I thought I’d post this.. basically the guy asked if I had a SWB or LWB… I got a LWB..
a SWB you can have standard or the Aurora lids, LWB you only have the Aurora but can choose between straps or key locks. He personally recommended the straps due the key lock fixings have to be checked & tightened every 3 months!!! At the time, I said to the guy I don’t want the hassle of booking it in & making a journey just for tightening something that I would pay good money for with a 5 year guarantee which is almost worthless or you could say invalid.
That could be an answer or reason to some of problems mentioned ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ bit of a design issue if that is the case!!
a SWB you can have standard or the Aurora lids, LWB you only have the Aurora but can choose between straps or key locks. He personally recommended the straps due the key lock fixings have to be checked & tightened every 3 months!!! At the time, I said to the guy I don’t want the hassle of booking it in & making a journey just for tightening something that I would pay good money for with a 5 year guarantee which is almost worthless or you could say invalid.
That could be an answer or reason to some of problems mentioned ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ bit of a design issue if that is the case!!
Certification Bodies are obligated to protect their mark.
Someone like TUV (whichever of the 2 TUVs it is) should be pretty keen on this.
I had a look at my mate’s Aurora yesterday, his lock tongue is twice the length of yours in this photo.
It fully engages through the keep with 10-20mm poking out of the other side.
Jesus, I'm glad I found this thread. It's putting me off getting a skyline roof now.
I'm surprised nobody has designed a newer style catch or anything. Even something like you'd see on a 90's convertible. My old mx-5 had really sturdy catches
I'm surprised nobody has designed a newer style catch or anything. Even something like you'd see on a 90's convertible. My old mx-5 had really sturdy catches
They are good pop tops and I like the solid frame they use - just ask for strap fixings or an additional safety strap if you’re worried.
Mine (Fitted at HQ in WSM) is LWB Aurora with standard catches and rails not had a problem yet but I’ll probably fit a strap for when I don’t have a roof rack and kayak on top.
Also I very rarely go over indicated 70mph.
Thinking about it… has anyone had a LWB flip or is it just the lighter SWB ones?
Mine (Fitted at HQ in WSM) is LWB Aurora with standard catches and rails not had a problem yet but I’ll probably fit a strap for when I don’t have a roof rack and kayak on top.
Also I very rarely go over indicated 70mph.
Thinking about it… has anyone had a LWB flip or is it just the lighter SWB ones?
Have a look at my post just above..
They may be but there are other pop tops available where the manufacturer / installer has pro-actively developed it, not reacted to many failures with a slightly different design and hoped for the best.
