Super Viking roof mechanism

[keith2]

Hi, recently bought a 1980 T25 Super Viking, and looking forward to Glastonbury in June. However the gas roof supports are shot, and I have purchased new ones from Individual Interiors. You Super Viking owners will know that there are three struts, one each side and on in the middle on some sort of sliding mechanism. Unfortunately the sliding bit on mine has been dismantled and I cannot understand how it works.

I would be very grateful if a Super Viking owner could post a photograph of this sliding centre strut so that I can see what bits I have missing?

Hoping someone can help

[lastofthehardcore]

hi, not much to it really, mine looks home made but works great, i have some on other comp that i will send asap.

[keith2]

Thanks, think I have sussed it with the help of some other members - just slides in a groove to help with the final bit of lowering of the initial lift.

[kebrooks]

Our middle strut was missing too. I have just bought a new strut but does the end of this just sit in the groove or should it have a t piece on the end to hold it in the groove? Crudely demonstrated in photo by green pen!

[keith2]

Hi, welome fellow Viking owner

Hope this picture helps, sent to me from another owner. My centre strut does not have anything through the the bottom of the strut, just runs in the channel.

Cheers

centre strut.jpg

[Steve P]

When my van is back from the mechanic (yes I know, shameful that I haven't the time to do it myself any longer), I will take a photo for you.

[kebrooks]

Thanks Keith and Steve. All help gratefully received. Think we have a plan now.

I'm sure i will have loads more questions in the next few months!

Kate

[kebrooks]

The struts are in and the roof now pops!! Much, much easier to lift roof with fully functioning struts. Hernia avoided x

[Nessi911]

Our middle strut was missing too. I have just bought a new strut but does the end of this just sit in the groove or should it have a t piece on the end to hold it in the groove? Crudely demonstrated in photo by green pen!

Hi Folks

In relation to the above middle/central strut can I ask a couple of questions

1. Where did you get your central strut from and can you buy them as a one piece item as I already have 2 SGS Main Gas struts ready and waiting for fitting but didnt realise that id need this third central one, as the previous owners have obviously never had a working fitted for many years. poptop parts sell the three but not seperately

2. Can you operate this roof safely without this central strut, it doesnt seem very load bearing by the pictures, so Im wondering if I can just do without or does it have a function I havent spotted?.

ANy help or direction gratefully recieved

[kebrooks]

Hi Nessi

I have replied to your PM with the info you asked. Basically i got my three struts from poptop-parts.

Ours had two struts in when we bought it bt they didn't work well and i couldn't even lift the roof. So we automatically just put three in and i can now just about lift it on my own. It is a really heavy and big roof so i think the middle one just helps gives you a bit of welly so that it pops up easier.

Try it with two and see what you think, you can always add another later.

Kate x

[Thorgills]

We have a Super Viking also with no middle strut. In fact one of the side struts stopped working so I fabricated a 'fixed steel strut' with two pieces of tube that slide in one another, with holes for fixing with a cotter pin. We just lay the strut down when folding roof, and hold in place when roof up by sliding a bolt through end of strut and through the original strut bracket on the roof - all solid as a rock!

[Nessi911]

Thanks Guys

Much appreciated..... getting the main struts fitted this weekend, and feel a bit more assured now.