autohome roof.

[kev savage]

Anyone have any advice on fixing / replacing roof as hydraulic ram has come off and burst through the front plastic surround . Have put van under 'van'port for now in case it rains . Thanks .

[colinthefox]

All these roofs end up like that.

Your options are:-

1. Take the old roof off, strip it down completely, and remake using new materials. I did this originally and it was perfectly OK, but not an easy job. Getting the old roof off can be very tricky, as once you have disconnected the front and rear paqnels, the roof tends to fall off to one side. The aluminium sheet will have a load of pinholes in it letting the water through. These are caused by the steel staples they used to fix the timber frame causing galvanic corrosion in the ally.

2. Go to Autovan who can put a new glass fibre moulded cap on and repair the rest. Easy but relatively expensive.

3. Forget the Autohomes style roof and fit a different kind of pop-top. This was my final solution, which was the best result of all, but quite a technical design, and not cheap either.

I don't think it's much of a plan to try to repair the old roof, as basically it will all be Weetabix mush under the aluminium, and there will be nothing to fix any repair too.

Time to bite the bullet maybe?

Colin.

[kev savage]

Thanks for the quick reply , will now consider the options .
Kev

[MaddogsT25]

I had exactly the same problem. I found a contact who in Poole who used to make new parts for Autohome roof's but stopped making them years ago. My solution was to remove all the roof and fit a second hand high top. It was the best solution as I now have more storage than I could ever want.

[agelinaking]

yeah dude its so simple use fiber roof its easy to use for replacing any where any time.

[kev savage]

Thanks all for advice . Dont really want hightop as wont fit under the vanport . Also we're not tallest of people so we dont need the extra height.
Colin , have seen your van with the new top when ' googling' for info . Autovan Services in Wimbourne have an add for a one piece top . Am going to ring them in the morning. Kev .