Closing pop top

[Kev56]

Hi all. Could anyone point me in the right direction, of how to properly close the pop top on t6.1 Ocean.
I've had the van a while now and still learning. The only things i struggle with is the final closing / folding of the bellows to shut the sliding cover. It all seems a bit too much material to push and squeeze at the last minute. Is there a video out there ?
The other thing i 'm still confused with is the interior lighting, i'll save that for another day. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sad]

We've always just folded them like Cali Chris does in this.

Hope that helps

 

[dspuk]

Close till it’s about a foot from being fully closed. Fold in the material and half close the sliding shutter. Do the final close, keeping the material neat. Fully pull closed shutter. Simples.

 

[Kev56]

Thanks.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

First I wouldn't use a bungy. I think they wear the material waterproofing and possibly pull in all the wrong places.

Close with your head in the hatch making sure everything folds inwards. I gently pull the middle of the front cloth inwards. When about 8 inches to go I stop, this front section is now doubled up and I just tuck in the two side bits which by now have formed a natural envelope-like shape. All very tidy.

 

[WelshGas]

First I wouldn't use a bungy. I think they wear the material waterproofing and possibly pull in all the wrong places.

Close with your head in the hatch making sure everything folds inwards. I gently pull the middle of the front cloth inwards. When about 8 inches to go I stop, this front section is now doubled up and I just tuck in the two side bits which by now have formed a natural envelope-like shape. All very tidy.

The T5/5.1 and T6 are much easier to fold the bellows material away as they are single layered compared to the T6.1 which are of a double layered construction, so thicker.
I had a Bellows Bungy on for 10 yrs. No marks on the canvas and certainly no change in the waterproof properties. Anything touching the outside has no effect on waterproofing only something touching the inside will promote water wicking through the canvas.
At the end of the day, it's personal preference.

 

[Kev56]

First I wouldn't use a bungy. I think they wear the material waterproofing and possibly pull in all the wrong places.

Close with your head in the hatch making sure everything folds inwards. I gently pull the middle of the front cloth inwards. When about 8 inches to go I stop, this front section is now doubled up and I just tuck in the two side bits which by now have formed a natural envelope-like shape. All very tidy.

I think I’ve got it now, it was the very last bit i struggled with. I always got it closed but with a bit of faff.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I agree with @Lambeth Cali, the pause to fold into a neat ‘envelope’ getting near to closure seems to make everything work well.

I have also learned to keep my wife (or anyone else) out of the passenger seat, to save elbowing them!