L
lohr500
VIP Member
Good idea. I've sent a message asking what can be doneCan you not get the site administrators to close the other threads down and lead them to this one?
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Good idea. I've sent a message asking what can be doneCan you not get the site administrators to close the other threads down and lead them to this one?
I have been away in my van for 15 consecutive nights and I have bought a Cali wrap from the club shop so I can use it without fear of leaks in the night. It gets easier to install it. You need a foldable stool, (which I store in one of the chairs) to reach to feed though the side. Wind doesn't help, especially when you put the rear of the pop top towards the wind. Removing it is very easy. I loop the bungie hooks back on themselves, as they tend to get caught in the poptop hinges. It's bulky and long though, we store it in the load though area (for skis). I would say it's warmer and quieter up top, especially in windy weather. Ok, more hassle but I'm not regretting buying it.Having followed this thread since becoming aware of the issue (after ordering but before delivery), I finally got the opportunity to put our March delivered 04S bellows up in some rain this morning. They were exposed to a few decent downpours over about 5 hours, although winds must have been light as most of the canvas stayed dry. On the exterior there was visible moisture on and below the front mesh, sides remained completely dry, water droplets beading on the rear of the bellows towards the bottom.
Nothing observed on the inside. However, I still don't consider this a conclusive test until it remains dry inside with more visible wetting to the front exterior.
I'm not sure if I'd be happier if they had leaked! At least then the uncertainty would be removed and focus could go towards a temporary solution. I'm tempted just to buy a wrap anyway to remove the anxiety and chance of a ruined holiday (we need the pop top to accommodate a family of 4), but this shouldn't be necessary from both a cost and extra storage perspective. I'd be more than happy with Aquatex if approved, and would prefer to apply whilst the bellows are new and clean so the lack of VW response is frustrating (thanks all who've been pushing this one forward).
I've updated my poll entry, and will update this thread with any changes as they are tested further. For now, I'll keep mulling over what is the most pragmatic way we can enjoy our van whilst reducing the risk of experiencing a leak exactly when it's most inconvenient.
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As contingency (waiting to fully test my Fabsil and Aquatex applications) I use a Comfortz Topper - it's very good quality. Thanks to @ArunAlec, to help put it on, I use some rope, knotted at one end, threaded through the eyelets at the bottom of the front panel - this helps you guide it onto the roof, and then you can remove the rope.I have been away in my van for 15 consecutive nights and I have bought a Cali wrap from the club shop so I can use it without fear of leaks in the night. It gets easier to install it. You need a foldable stool, (which I store in one of the chairs) to reach to feed though the side. Wind doesn't help, especially when you put the rear of the pop top towards the wind. Removing it is very easy. I loop the bungie hooks back on themselves, as they tend to get caught in the poptop hinges. It's bulky and long though, we store it in the load though area (for skis). I would say it's warmer and quieter up top, especially in windy weather. Ok, more hassle but I'm not regretting buying it.
Wow. 80k ish on a van. Here's a 200 quid cover so you can use it ,and they act like they're doing you a favour. Be handy in winter though.Had a pop top cover areive for free from VW today. Of course I’d prefer a solution to the bellows leaking as soon as possible but at least it some acknowledgment of the issue from VW.
No one has acted like they are doing me a favour to be fair.Wow. 80k ish on a van. Here's a 200 quid cover so you can use it ,and they act like they're doing you a favour. Be handy in winter though.
Disgraceful
It's like buying a fridge and then having to keep filling it with ice packs to make it work.
Yup. I’m so glad I rejected mine.Wow. 80k ish on a van. Here's a 200 quid cover so you can use it ,and they act like they're doing you a favour. Be handy in winter though.
Disgraceful
It's like buying a fridge and then having to keep filling it with ice packs to make it work.
I doubt anyone with faulty bellows is happy Mark. For my part I’m being as pragmatic as I can be to keep the van that I want believing that it will be fixed , that a cover for the time being isn’t the end of the world which I would be buying for winter use anyway and that it all ready seems proven they don’t leak with a simple application of fabsil or similar.Yup. I’m so glad I rejected mine.
I can’t believe people are happy with this interim fix which for all we know may be the fix.
Why are you still following this thread having rejected the van, got your money back, seen it relisted ? Is it shadenfreude ?Yup. I’m so glad I rejected mine.
I can’t believe people are happy with this interim fix which for all we know may be the fix.
A someone new to campervanning and not long now to get the keys I wouldn't say I'm going to be happy with a potential major defect lurking in the future .Yup. I’m so glad I rejected mine.
I can’t believe people are happy with this interim fix which for all we know may be the fix.
Not at all. I’m interested in if it gets fixed.Why are you still following this thread having rejected the van, got your money back, seen it relisted ? Is it shadenfreude ?
Having waited 2+ years a rejection was never on the cards. Worse case scenario I will just Aquatex the seams.And still no solution to the leaking bellows I see…. Rejection was the best thing I ever done!
Warranty coverage is still there and there's evidence some of the 04S do work plus non-official routes (e.g. Aquatex, albeit possibly with warranty implications) to resolving the issue. There's also a stop gap solution while issues get resolved (wrap or poptop cover). It's not like the vehicle becomes totally unusable. Unlike the roof corrosion issue that gets mentioned periodically in the context of warranty concerns, the bellows is much easier to diagnose as faulty quickly and so far at least, VW are prepared to replace as necessary to get you one that works (the one it comes with might be fine!). Up to you, but I'm pragmatic and if the Cali is what you want and the deal is good, I'd go for it. With a demonstrator though, double check everything is OK generally as I imagine heavy-handed test pilots could break stuff like latches, table etc etc but it would get sorted I'm sure.Obviously this is a v long saga but I am now intending to purchase a 73 plate demonstration Cali notwithstanding these concerns since it is a v good deal . If I accept that the bellows may well need to be replaced with the latest version ( under warranty or at my own expense if VW are resistant) am I really any worse off than having the latest (04S?) van ?
Unfortunately with VW, thats an impossible dream. As for all 03S eventually leaking or not, thats also impossible to answer. Best to say the majority will likely leak given time and the right rain.although it would be good not to have to worry
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