Pop top covers - easiest to install and store

[The Little Red Cali]

So you can only open the vent panels from the outside?

Yes

 

[Neuromancer11]

TheComfortz wrap will go over the mechanism if you want it to, see picture of mine, I did it when I knew snow was forecast.

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Interesting, I hadn't thought of that, would certainly make it easier to put on and off, my issue with the rainbow screens one(no vents) I have if there is no ventilation and it’s so effective at insulating I find the top gets pretty hot when it’s not down to single figures over night, maybe putting it on the outside might help a little with the pop up roofs side vents

 

[SandyR]

We worked with PucerScreens to create one for our T7 Ocean. Very happy with it and Daren was very helpful.

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[lohr500]

I have just had my warranty claim for replacement leaking bellows rejected by VW Commercial Vehicles. They have offered a contribution towards the cost of a pop top.

That's annoying.

Did you escalate it to the VW Exec Office personally or was the discussion held between the dealer and VW?
What grounds did they give for a rejection?
Do you know which version code your bellows are? Mine are 04S.
Have you tried using Aquatex spray on the seams? It has worked for some of us although I need to test our bellows again in bad weather to see if the Aquatex is still working.

 

[California Dreamer]

I would also recommend the pucer screen. Darren can make vents but it’s much better without as completely watertight. In the occasions we’ve used it (wind and cold and rain) I would not have wanted access to the openings anyway! It’s quite rigid material so really easy to whip off during the day or when weather improves and it doesn’t have to be fully dry to go in the bag.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Theopenroad]

That's annoying.

Did you escalate it to the VW Exec Office personally or was the discussion held between the dealer and VW?
What grounds did they give for a rejection?
Do you know which version code your bellows are? Mine are 04S.
Have you tried using Aquatex spray on the seams? It has worked for some of us although I need to test our bellows again in bad weather to see if the Aquatex is still working.

I was dealing personally and directly with VW UK and a lady assigned to our case with the job title VW Leaking Vehicles Case Manager. The reason given was that the bellows are not included in the VW Commercial Vehicles warranty

 

[Theopenroad]

I was dealing personally and directly with VW UK and a lady assigned to our case with the job title VW Leaking Vehicles Case Manager. The reason given was that the bellows are not included in the VW Commercial Vehicles warranty

I have no idea what version of bellows we have but as the vehicle is a 2023/24 model and after watch a video by Cali Chris I believe we have the latest version. I haven't tried aquatex but we are going to buy a pop top cover. VW as a goodwill gesture have offered £500 towards the cost

 

[lohr500]

I have no idea what version of bellows we have but as the vehicle is a 2023/24 model and after watch a video by Cali Chris I believe we have the latest version. I haven't tried aquatex but we are going to buy a pop top cover. VW as a goodwill gesture have offered £500 towards the cost

I guess you have a few options:

Keep battling to get them replaced. There is plenty of history of them being faulty and VW previously acknowledging this/replacing under warranty. Either via a Motor Ombudsman complaint or Small Claims Court? Faced with the evidence and precedence of other owners receiving replacements, you would like to think either of these organisations would rule in your favour. Trouble is, I'm not aware of anyone pursuing either of these options to date.

Accept the £500 (Will they send you the funds without any proof of purchase of a cover?).
Try Aquatex and see if it works for you before buying a cover or putting the £500 towards a paid for replacement using the latest 06S design.

Accepting the £500 is clearly going to be easier and less time consuming than challenging VW's decision through the Ombudsman or courts.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that, would certainly make it easier to put on and off, my issue with the rainbow screens one(no vents) I have if there is no ventilation and it’s so effective at insulating I find the top gets pretty hot when it’s not down to single figures over night, maybe putting it on the outside might help a little with the pop up roofs side vents

I have 2 covers. the wrap I use for winter and a an older California.com cover (bought of here for £50) that is thinner and can be used in summer if stormy. This is very similar to the Comfortz roof topper in the shop. This is open on one side where it is clipped into the rail so if you open your windows you will get some fresh air. Search for A bus ans beyond on YouTube they compared them in a video.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that, would certainly make it easier to put on and off, my issue with the rainbow screens one(no vents) I have if there is no ventilation and it’s so effective at insulating I find the top gets pretty hot when it’s not down to single figures over night, maybe putting it on the outside might help a little with the pop up roofs side vents

Other thing you can do with the wrap on is open the front zip of your pop top right at the top and you will get fresh air as the wrap can be pushed out slightly but the lip of the roof sticks out so if raining you do not get wet.

 

[Theopenroad]

I guess you have a few options:

Keep battling to get them replaced. There is plenty of history of them being faulty and VW previously acknowledging this/replacing under warranty. Either via a Motor Ombudsman complaint or Small Claims Court? Faced with the evidence and precedence of other owners receiving replacements, you would like to think either of these organisations would rule in your favour. Trouble is, I'm not aware of anyone pursuing either of these options to date.

Accept the £500 (Will they send you the funds without any proof of purchase of a cover?).
Try Aquatex and see if it works for you before buying a cover or putting the £500 towards a paid for replacement using the latest 06S design.

Accepting the £500 is clearly going to be easier and less time consuming than challenging VW's decision through the Ombudsman or courts.

To be honest I don’t think the effort of small claims courts and Ombudsman is what I can be bothered with. I’m happy enough to take the £500 and get a pop top cover. I’ll certainly try Aquatex before spending the cash they’re sending me.

 

[Theopenroad]

I guess you have a few options:

Keep battling to get them replaced. There is plenty of history of them being faulty and VW previously acknowledging this/replacing under warranty. Either via a Motor Ombudsman complaint or Small Claims Court? Faced with the evidence and precedence of other owners receiving replacements, you would like to think either of these organisations would rule in your favour. Trouble is, I'm not aware of anyone pursuing either of these options to date.

Accept the £500 (Will they send you the funds without any proof of purchase of a cover?).
Try Aquatex and see if it works for you before buying a cover or putting the £500 towards a paid for replacement using the latest 06S design.

Accepting the £500 is clearly going to be easier and less time consuming than challenging VW's decision through the Ombudsman or courts.

Is Aquatex ok for the seams because the main bellows material isn’t perforated or letting water through it the seams and the bottom edge of the large opening window.

 

[lohr500]

Is Aquatex ok for the seams because the main bellows material isn’t perforated or letting water through it the seams and the bottom edge of the large opening window.

It was just the seams and edges of the windows that leaked on mine. The main bellows material seems fine.

I applied two coats of Aquatex along all the seam lines, inside and out on a warm day, leaving time for it to dry between coats. Once it dries, you can't see where it's been applied.

I used a bit of old cardboard to mask the overspray from landing on the painted parts of the van as I worked my way around the various seams.

 

[Theopenroad]

It was just the seams and edges of the windows that leaked on mine. The main bellows material seems fine.

I applied two coats of Aquatex along all the seam lines, inside and out on a warm day, leaving time for it to dry between coats. Once it dries, you can't see where it's been applied.

I used a bit of old cardboard to mask the overspray from landing on the painted parts of the van as I worked my way around the various seams.

Has that worked and has it stopped any rain getting in?

 

[lohr500]

Has that worked and has it stopped any rain getting in?

It stopped all the rain getting in throughout last year, apart from literally a couple of drops at one point along the the stitching through the bottom rubber seal which attaches the bellows to the van.

I didn't spray Aquatex on that stitching through the rubber and it was only a couple of drops during a period of continuous rain. I don't think the Aquatex would affect the rubber but decided against it.

This year, we haven't used the bellows in any bad weather. So I need to pop the roof up when we next get a downpour and check to see if the Aquatex is still doing its job. Hopefully it is, but if there are any minor leaks then my plan is to apply another coat.

From previous replies in the lengthy leaking bellows thread, Aquatex has worked for most people, but not everyone.

I was an earlier user of Aquatex last year as I had no confidence that VW could replace my leaking bellows with anything better! At the time I couldn't get a definitive OK from the VW Executive Office to use it, but they also said that if it couldn't be proved that the Aquatex had caused damage, then a future warranty claim wouldn't be rejected.

Given VW have now done a U Turn on warranty replacements for leaking bellows, I see no risk whatsoever in giving Aquatex a try. As far as I can recall, I haven't seen a single post from anyone who has used Aquatex reporting that their bellows have fallen apart or the leaks have got worse as a result of trying it.