Eurovan(2002) Pop Top repair/replacement

[grumpdog]

Hey guys looking for some advice and or direction.

Looks like the van I purchased at one point lost its luggage rack and had the pop top rip the seatbelt sewing (not the buckle) resulting in a distinct “bow” to the back third of the pop top.

I can see/feel the bulge from within but no sign of cracking whatsoever inside or outside.

Can I remove the top, disassemble it and bend the structure back to near normal?

I have read cwparrots situation.

Do you think I could remove and heat then pressure the section to return the top to original flat?

I will post a photo or two soon.

This must have happened before.

Whatever advice would be truly appreciated!!!

Thanks so much!!

[kenney158]

I removed my pop top last summer in order to install new canvas.

The top is heavy, so takes some planning. I happened to have an old pulley that I was able to suspend between the rafters of my garage. I tied the rope to the tow bar on my Subaru (after loosing all the bolts holding the top to the body, of course).

Drove the Subaru slowly forward to lift the top. When it was high enough, I drove the EV out from underneath. Slowly lowered the top to the ground and flipped it over to install the canvas. Reversed the procedure to reinstall the pop top.

My top wasn't warped in any way I could tell so not sure what you might need to do to straighten that out. Again, the top is very heavy. Too much just to lift off by hand, IMO.

[grumpdog]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice.

I'll be going there soon and will chronicle the event.

I'm hoping heat and distributive weight will reverse the "bow" enough that the seal sets better at each end.

Meanwhile searching salvage yards for a pop-top just in case!

TC

[kenney158]

Wish I had videoed my job. I did fine a YouTube video before I did my top- it showed a guy pulling the top from his Westy- used a similar method. Good luck with it.

[Xtremjeepn]

I install pop tops on Weekenders a lot.

Only takes two of use to carry around a Westfalia pop top. Which is much more robust than a Winnebago top. So I would imagine the Winnebago top is far easier to remove.


FWIW, taking the top off to install a new tent is 100X harder than just installing a new tent with the top in place. I've done dozens of them.
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http://www.cavevan.com

[milkandrelish]

[Xtremjeepn]

There is a rubber gasket that holds the lower part of the tent in. Just remove it.


There is an aluminum rail that holds the upper tent in. Unscrew it.

Tent loops off over the top.

Clean and repair as you like and reinstall.

Best place for a replacement tent is CaveVan.com
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http://www.cavevan.com

[milkandrelish]

[grumpdog]

After ordering a new complete Pop top directly from Winnebago I got a phone call stating that they are no longer making pop tops at all.

They typically made 10-12 tops per year.

I've looked everywhere for a replacement

Now faced with somehow straightening the "banana curve" !!??

Any suggestions?

I live near Reno, Nv.

Has anyone else encountered or solved a problem like this?

Cheers,

TC

[Destrie]

Did you ever figure out a way to deal with the warped top?
I left my evc out under the sun all summer this year while overseas. I came back to see my top bowed the same way.