Bumble The Van
VIP Member
I have ordered my dream vehicle cali ocean 6.1 and wondered if the new bellows have been designed any better and do i still need to get bellows bungee rope? many many thanks any advice gratefully received!
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I disagree. T6’s and newer have a clever folding system that stops snags. Bungees mark the bellows.You are still advised to use a bungee.
The bungee is unobstrusive and will ensure that the canvas will always retreat inwards when you are collapsing the roof.
I'd have to say that I've found the bungee very useful indeed (with a first generation ISOTOP and a new bellows a couple of years old). Prior to putting up the bungee I think I kept the stick-on-patch firm in business. Like Ch1pbutty I found the bungee dropped down onto the roof frame as the roof got lower so I tightened it up and it's stopped doing that. I suspect tightening it up will reduce its elestic life - but we'll see.(T.5.1) Removed ours when we fitted the ISOTOP, as you can't see the internal roof canvas once fitted, so we perform a quick external check just to be sure ( even if it raining sideways!).
Without an ISOTOP would say its worth having on a T.51 as you can see the fabric folding from inside the van - the bungee just pulls the sides in initially slightly making it fold in the correct place, it then loses tension and drops onto the roof frame as you close the roof. If required (ie - when windy) just quickly tug any fabric into place from inside the van, so no need to get out to perform a further visual check. T6 seems to have a thicker canvas so tends to fold itself into the correct place.
You only need one trap in the scissor mech to damage the canvas, the cost of the bungee is cheaper than a fabric repair kit. Mistake that some make is to over-tension the bungee which will cause a rub on the fabric.
Who is advising that?You are still advised to use a bungee.
The bungee is unobstrusive and will ensure that the canvas will always retreat inwards when you are collapsing the roof.
Having a T5.1, I have used a bungee for many years, based on the occasional problem with high winds and the odd ‘near miss’ with scissoring, combined with ‘best practice’ advice on the forum. It was somewhat reassuring to visit Campercenteum in Amersfoot in Netherlands a few times in recent years and see every Cali on display in the showroom with a bungee around every raised roof... and they are acknowledged Cali specialists. I don’t have personal experience of T6 bellows.Who is advising that?
I do have the stiffeners in the side, as bellows were replaced under warranty long time ago. The canvas can still fold outwards occasionally, even with them, and as mentioned by others, don’t just rely on the bungee, always do a visual check.Not when you have the stiffeners on the side of the bellows, like yours will have. I see often the bungee leaving a mark on the canvas. I do think it is usefull when you don't have the pieces who help the canvas fold in.
The manufacturer of the elastic band.Who is advising that?
Cool, I don't have a bungee. I only have my -sorry- coast for 5 months now and did I guess, fast calculate: about 20 nights in it and folded the roof about double that and find it working perfect. No need for a bungee. But maybe I must learn a lot more with our new one. I only travelled for more than 10 years with a T4 westfalia california (with manual roof) and never had an issue with that canvas either becaus indeed, you just have to pay attention when folding it down.I do have the stiffeners in the side, as bellows were replaced under warranty long time ago. The canvas can still fold outwards occasionally, even with them, and as mentioned by others, don’t just rely on the bungee, always do a visual check.
Agree that you probably don’t need bungee with a manual roof. Having spent around a total of 4 years out of 9 living in a T5.1 with electric roof in all types of weather, I like the security it offers.Cool, I don't have a bungee. I only have my -sorry- coast for 5 months now and did I guess, fast calculate: about 20 nights in it and folded the roof about double that and find it working perfect. No need for a bungee. But maybe I must learn a lot more with our new one. I only travelled for more than 10 years with a T4 westfalia california (with manual roof) and never had an issue with that canvas either becaus indeed, you just have to pay attention when folding it down.
I also agree; but don’t think of us ‘Sunday travellers’ although we didn’t live in it, we had our share of very bad weatherAgree that you probably don’t need bungee with a manual roof. Having spent around a total of 4 years out of 9 living in a T5.1 with electric roof in all types of weather, I like the security it offers.
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