Pop tops in the wind.

Post by **Winchweight** » 26 Dec 2013, 16:55

We are touring Scotland over Christmas and given the weather forecast, I wondered what would be the safe maximum wind speed to leave it up?

We have a Brickwerks thermal screen for it, it's a Westfalia pop top.

So what do you think?

Post by **Dazco** » 26 Dec 2013, 17:16

When the van starts rocking ( yeah I know whst you are all thinking ) drop the pop top . Not worth risking IMO , you might also find it a bit warmer at night.

Post by **nicq** » 26 Dec 2013, 17:24

you might also find it a bit warmer at night.

Especially for those sleeping in the pop top

Post by **keith** » 26 Dec 2013, 17:29

We were in the storm in Bristol in October....it was trying to tear the thermal wrap off but the bungees took the strain.
Camped at damage barton....cliff top site when awnings and tents were destroyed...no problem.

Never had an issue.

Post by **Winchweight** » 26 Dec 2013, 17:33

Hmmm....

Unsure what's a safe working limit. We will drop it tonight as it's forecasting 25mph, but as well as the canvass I'm worried about the fibre glass top getting trashed.

Post by **keith** » 26 Dec 2013, 17:39

25 mph is nowt.......said from my settee.

Sure you will be fine....enjoy

Post by **Plasticman** » 26 Dec 2013, 17:42

when we had a devon side pop , west coast or ireland blowing a hoolie we parked with the solid side/end windward and alweays had an internal prop so neither wind nor hooligans could collapse us.....we ended up moving the van as it realy did seem to be leaving the ground on 2 wheels. pop was fine and with a westy style park a*** to the wind you will be fine
mm

Post by **lloydy** » 26 Dec 2013, 17:44

i've had mine up in proper electrical storms in the black forest, massive winds, bins and tents flattened on the campsite. Poptop was fine, van rocked a bit nothing more. I know yours is not a original westy, but does it have the proper poptop with the 'H' bars? Really sturdy in my opinion, i also have the jack bombay poptop gas struts fitted. Guess these help a bit too

Post by **Winchweight** » 26 Dec 2013, 18:20

Yes mate, H bars here. What at the struts you mention? Are they an after market upgrade!

Post by **lloydy** » 26 Dec 2013, 18:30

they are to help pop the top when you have roof racks or other stuff on the roof, makes it real easy
http://poptopshocks.blogspot.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **Winchweight** » 26 Dec 2013, 20:29

Arghhhh...... I'll add them to the list too.

Post by **keith** » 27 Dec 2013, 12:25

Bloody el.....it was windy last night.

Post by **discipleofsketch** » 27 Dec 2013, 12:36

It was pretty windy at VanWest last year, blew our quechua base seconds awning over, which I've slept in in high winds before. Ended up turning the van round so it was end-on to the wind, as the canvas was taking a hammering side-on. Wooden props inside.

Post by **discipleofsketch** » 27 Dec 2013, 12:38

Oh - also accidently drove off with it open once, got up to 50mph before the noise of the flapping canvas made me realise!

Post by **California Dreamin** » 27 Dec 2013, 14:51

discipleofsketch wrote:Oh - also accidently drove off with it open once, got up to 50mph before the noise of the flapping canvas made me realise!

Been there ^^ seen it done it lol.....very embarrassing

I'm incline to agree that with the addition of a thermal wrap they will withstand most storms without issue, park with the wind coming at the ASS. However, what we find is, the noise and draft reaches a point at which we put the poptop down..certainly more than 25mph....probably at 45/50mph gusts or over.

Martin

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Pop tops in the wind.

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