Leaky topper seam

[Amarillo]

My roofless topper has a seam that fills with water. It is the seam on the rear flap - it appears that water drains from the roof, and floods down the rear flap, and some of this water drains into the seam. See photo below.

You can see the bulge in the water filled seam.

Is this a design flaw in the topper, or am I fitting the topper incorrectly?

 

[Hotel California]

Not that many roofless toppers arround i think so less response .
Seems strange to me , could be a disignfault ? but it has rained quite a bit today in Belgium
Is it from the forumshop?

 

[calikev]

Why don't you speak to nick @Everythingvwcalifornia.com

 

[Amarillo]

Not that many roofless toppers arround i think so less response .
Seems strange to me , could be a disignfault ? but it has rained quite a bit today in Belgium
Is it from the forumshop?

I have camped in the rain three times, and each time this has happened. I was concerned that I was at fault in the way I put the topper on the roof. This time I was careful and checked to see if the seam had filled before I removed the topper from the roof.

 

[Amarillo]

Why don't you speak to nick @Everythingvwcalifornia.com

As I'll be away from home in my van with my family until the end of August, there's unlikely to be much he can do to help. If I can do something to stop this he can let me know here.

 

[andyinluton]

Put a hole in the bottom to let the water out

 

[WelshGas]

I have camped in the rain three times, and each time this has happened. I was concerned that I was at fault in the way I put the topper on the roof. This time I was careful and checked to see if the seam had filled before I removed the topper from the roof.

Can you turn the Topper inside out, if you have that stitched seam on the inside it may not happen. Just a thought.

 

[Amarillo]

Can you turn the Topper inside out, if you have that stitched seam on the inside it may not happen. Just a thought.

Nice idea but Velcro fastening to the inside of the rear of the lifting roof would be on the wrong side.

 

[Amarillo]

Put a hole in the bottom to let the water out

As the flap is cosmetic only, that is what I have done. Thanks.

 

[bvddobb]

We have the same all the time it rains. The bottom seam of the cover flap turns into a water sausage, sometimes also the seams of the back flaps.

We think it is a design flaw. Those seams should be sealed or glued, not stitched.

 

[CampervanBits]

Sorry for my late reply, obviously we will get this resolved for you.

If you can please email or phone us with full details we will see what we can do.

 

[Kmann]

We have a topless topper from Comfortz and not noticed this fault so far … will be aware next time we use it in the Rain.

 

[Amarillo]

We have the same all the time it rains. The bottom seam of the cover flap turns into a water sausage, sometimes also the seams of the back flaps.

We think it is a design flaw. Those seams should be sealed or glued, not stitched.

Yes - I came to the same conclusion, the seams should be taped like you find on the better quality water proofs.

I have had water ingress in other seams but not this time when I took care with the fitting.

 

[tuono001]

I've had same problem with my normal topper after heavy rain. If you glued the seam then you wouldn't have the stretch when fitting. When I take the topper off after rain I always wipe down with a wash mitten to soak all the water, works a treat.

 

[comfortz]

Yes - I came to the same conclusion, the seams should be taped like you find on the better quality water proofs.

I have had water ingress in other seams but not this time when I took care with the fitting.

Sorry about the issue - Give us a call when you're back off of you're trip and we'll get it corrected or swapped

 

[2into1]

Can I ask a general question about the material used for these toppers?

It looks as if the fabric is woven, with no obvious signs of rubberised coating on the top, so I assume the waterproofing is therefore on the reverse side.

So in normal use (England, frequent heaven and prolonged rain), does the woven fabric soak up water (get wet)?

I ask because I'm looking at lightweight screen shades in the same material. The ones for my old T4 appeared unwoven, and once removed could be shaken dry in a few seconds (or at worst, wiped with a towel) and put away. I'm worried the woven texture would mean items have to be 'put out to dry' once I'm home.

 

[Speleo62]

We also had the same problem with our roofless topper. Seams filled with water had to let it hang for ages to let it drain.

 

[bvddobb]

So in normal use (England, frequent heaven and prolonged rain), does the woven fabric soak up water (get wet)?

Yes, it does. We stow ours in the chair in the hatch, and when it has rained, we always put it in a plastic bag first. That's OK, when we put it on the next evening it will dry during the night. If it happens before we go home then yes, we have to hang it out and let it dry at home.

 

[Teejay]

Can I ask a general question about the material used for these toppers?

It looks as if the fabric is woven, with no obvious signs of rubberised coating on the top, so I assume the waterproofing is therefore on the reverse side.

So in normal use (England, frequent heaven and prolonged rain), does the woven fabric soak up water (get wet)?

I ask because I'm looking at lightweight screen shades in the same material. The ones for my old T4 appeared unwoven, and once removed could be shaken dry in a few seconds (or at worst, wiped with a towel) and put away. I'm worried the woven texture would mean items have to be 'put out to dry' once I'm home.

Good question, I wonder how tit compares to the Mutze top.
..

 

[Neil Lucas]

I have had a similar problem with my roofless topper, the two side seams have filled with water but never the back one.
I've spoke with Nick at Everything@VWCalifornia who has been really helpful and offered to replace the topper.
A few days ago I went to see Nick and return my old topper and buy a few more items, my replacement topper is due to arrive on Monday.
Even though the two side seams have held some water everything else has stayed completely dry and has worked really well. After meeting Nick and receiving such good friendly service and advise, it has only increased my respect for him and his products.

 

[Amarillo]

Sorry about the issue - Give us a call when you're back off of you're trip and we'll get it corrected or swapped

Thanks, I've made some drainage holes in the bottom of the rear flap, and will do the same with the side seams if necessary. This should mitigate the problem without affecting the functionality. If necessary I'll contact you in September when we return to the uk for two weeks.

 

[T6 VCO]

Thanks, I've made some drainage holes in the bottom of the rear flap, and will do the same with the side seams if necessary. This should mitigate the problem without affecting the functionality. If necessary I'll contact you in September when we return to the uk for two weeks.

I will be keen to find out if this is resolved as I was thinking of getting one of these toppers with a cut out and was not convinced they would work.

 

[Kmann]

I will be keen to find out if this is resolved as I was thinking of getting one of these toppers with a cutout and was not convinced they would work.

I have the roofless from Comfortz, but never discovered the problem. Mine is balck, so maybe I have not noticed it. I will be aware next time out in the rain.

 

[Kmann]

I have the roofless from Comfortz, but never discovered the problem. Mine is black, so maybe I have not noticed it. I will be aware next time out in the rain.

UPDATE:

After heavy rain on the Champagne Tour, I discovered water was trapped under the seems. Quite a lot actually. Had anyone heard of a solution of the problem? I wrote to Comfortz (Chris?), but no answer was returned yet.

I think it would be possible to glue the seems where the water is entering.

 

[comfortz]

UPDATE:

After heavy rain on the Champagne Tour, I discovered water was trapped under the seems. Quite a lot actually. Had anyone heard of a solution of the problem? I wrote to Comfortz (Chris?), but no answer was returned yet.

I think it would be possible to glue the seems where the water is entering

Hi Kmann, Nick Here from Comfortz apologies not spotted your email, if you can forward it to comfortzleisure@aol.com we'll get another Topper out to you, would you mind emailing me some close ups of the stitching in this area so I can take a look at what the issue maybe