My 2023 pop top doesn’t leak

Monty6 · Aug 25, 2023

Hi. Does anyone have one that does not leak, please?

yorkshiredave · Aug 25, 2023

Our June 2023 Ocean pop-top has been subjected to heavy rain and wind over a long weekend recently and didn’t leak. There was the minutest few drops on the roof frame one morning but that was more likely from internal condensation with 2 people sleeping up top. I wouldn’t classify it as a leak! Upon getting the van and after reading the previous posts on the forum about leaking pop-tops we did subject the fabric to some light rain & dried out one day before using in earnest, to help the fabric and stitching to ‘condition’ itself but whether this has helped who knows. Interestingly, when we collected the van from VW Dealer, he was at pains to point out that VW don’t claim the pop-top is waterproof, only water resistant. And he did advise to close the roof in very windy & heavy rain conditions.

Corradobrit · Aug 25, 2023

Mine hasn't leaked yet. Although I need to let it get a proper dousing and reassess.

sbmcd · Wednesday at 9:55 PM

yorkshiredave said:
Our June 2023 Ocean pop-top has been subjected to heavy rain and wind over a long weekend recently and didn’t leak. There was the minutest few drops on the roof frame one morning but that was more likely from internal condensation with 2 people sleeping up top. I wouldn’t classify it as a leak! Upon getting the van and after reading the previous posts on the forum about leaking pop-tops we did subject the fabric to some light rain & dried out one day before using in earnest, to help the fabric and stitching to ‘condition’ itself but whether this has helped who knows. Interestingly, when we collected the van from VW Dealer, he was at pains to point out that VW don’t claim the pop-top is waterproof, only water resistant. And he did advise to close the roof in very windy & heavy rain conditions.

Good to hear there are some that don't leak.

sbmcd · Wednesday at 9:56 PM

yorkshiredave said:
Our June 2023 Ocean pop-top has been subjected to heavy rain and wind over a long weekend recently and didn’t leak. There was the minutest few drops on the roof frame one morning but that was more likely from internal condensation with 2 people sleeping up top. I wouldn’t classify it as a leak! Upon getting the van and after reading the previous posts on the forum about leaking pop-tops we did subject the fabric to some light rain & dried out one day before using in earnest, to help the fabric and stitching to ‘condition’ itself but whether this has helped who knows. Interestingly, when we collected the van from VW Dealer, he was at pains to point out that VW don’t claim the pop-top is waterproof, only water resistant. And he did advise to close the roof in very windy & heavy rain conditions.

Is it still not leaking?

Corradobrit · Wednesday at 10:49 PM

I spoke too soon. Mine leaks like a sieve from the seams on the front panel

sbmcd · Thursday at 7:35 AM

Corradobrit said:
I spoke too soon. Mine leaks like a sieve from the seams on the front panel

Time for that warranty replacement.

Corradobrit · Thursday at 9:02 AM

sbmcd said:
Time for that warranty replacement.

Tried mate, but the dealers in my town (Hannover) appear incompetent, not only saying they got no leaks (I have video evidence they do and badly) but charged my 175 euro for putting a hose on the bellows. Looks like some spray treatment like Aquatex will be my only option.

johns6809 · Thursday at 9:08 AM

Corradobrit said:
Tried mate, but the dealers in my town (Hannover) appear incompetent, not only saying they got no leaks (I have video evidence they do and badly) but charged my 175 euro for putting a hose on the bellows. Looks like some spray treatment like Aquatex will be my only option.

That's awful. Maybe time for a trip to the UK?

LobsterVan · Thursday at 11:52 AM

I had mine up on a hilltop site recently and overnight it rained, really hard and blown by the wind right onto the frontside. It leaked, quite a lot - pools of water in the front corners. But, I don't know now whether that's an issue or really to be expected?

sbmcd · Thursday at 11:59 AM

The bellows should not leak.

I've just sold my 2014 California and that never leaked in get 10 years of serious use in all weathers.

I pick up my 2024 Ocean on Friday, I must be mad. I'm fully expecting to have to have the bellows replaced with the latest 06S version.

myvanrodney · Thursday at 7:48 PM

Ours hasn't leaked yet. 2 Days of rain in the New Forest, although the wind was only moderate.

....still testing, but fingers crossed.

Paul1 · Thursday at 7:49 PM

My Dec 23 OS3 after about 1/2 hour home hose test did slightly leak at both corners. About 3 week later did another approx 45 min test and , no leaks. Dry Now treated with Aquatex just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. Liverpool dealership who have given very good service so far offered to replace bellows but am un decided. Perhaps I’m over cautious, it’s a big job . Is it worth it ? Comments welcome. PS, have a roof topper which will be used.

CaliforniaCylus · Thursday at 8:52 PM

Paul1 said:
My Dec 23 OS3 after about 1/2 hour home hose test did slightly leak at both corners. About 3 week later did another approx 45 min test and , no leaks. Dry Now treated with Aquatex just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. Liverpool dealership who have given very good service so far offered to replace bellows but am un decided. Perhaps I’m over cautious, it’s a big job . Is it worth it ? Comments welcome. PS, have a roof topper which will be used.

I'd get it swapped for the 06S if they will. There are many inherent design improvements in the latest version.

Dealers are very experienced. A non main dealer (Kernow) can swap them out in an hour or so.