Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all, here goes my first post - sorry looking advice

We have a 1980 Viking Xplorer with the super Viking roof that is a real pain to close. I have seen a few other good posts on here from members suggesting how they close the roof and what to do. We have everything folded flat and well tucked in but is always a struggle and effort to get the latches in place.

I thought it might be an easy fix if I could get a slightly longer ‘J’ shaped latch hook (not sure if correct name) to simply screw in to replace the existing one and this might work but I can find where I might get one.

See photo of what it looks like closed. The existing one screws out fully and can length can be adjusted by screwing it up or down, if we had a longer one for both latches it would hopefully do the trick.



I tried Protex but they don’t have anything.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Hi,
How about a length of studding from B&Q ,bit of heat and bend the end over yourself. Just remove the existing and find the right thread and away you go.

 

Thanks Diabolov! I was hoping that there might be some off-the-shelf thing that would work if I can just match the thread width.
Not sure if bending with heat will keep its shape without weakening it as it is under quite a bit of constant pressure but maybe worth a go???

If anyone else has any other ideas of where I might locate something that would work please shout.
Cheers!

Length and thread would help - these may be the sort of thing that you need to look for.   https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wall-Fixing- ... SwbXddLFLs

I have a few of these. But don't know the length of yours or if the thread is the same. With heat the hook could be straightened I suppose.

Thanks fellas!

I’ll measure the thread and length when I have the van out at the weekend to see.

The hook part is more of a right angle with a slight curve but as you say Rob with a bit of heat might work although might have to hack a bit off also but good find, closest thing yet!

Thanks

Didn't you look at the boiler hooks then? - they are far closer to what you have currently. No need to bend anything much.

Hi, sorry I took a look at them good find but I thought the collar round them would not work as it’s quite wide.

Took another look and perhaps I was being duh, do these unscrew out from the bit with collar so I can discard that bit and just use the screw part? Ah ha! Cheers!!!

Yes, just unscrew from the expanding piece. As said - depends upon your thread and length needed.

I would check that your roof is fitted correctly and that the hinges are all okay. I have a super Viking and when I bought it it only had one working latch - the other was missing and a cable tie had been used. Didn’t have an issue with closing the roof and using the latch though.

I now have protex latches and they also work fine. If hinges are sound and the frame hasn’t been bent out of shape then the roof should close and allow the latch to work so might be worth investigating. I can post a pic of my latches if that’s any help.

I don't suppose anyonene has the sciatic drawing or photos all around measurements of these latches. Mine have rusted shut an i only have one. I woul like to fabricate a second so as to keep up its original look.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please even just photos. Xx