That happened to me once after being stuck in an ice storm with the top up.
I guess it didn't latch correctly due to all the ice.  It was interesting
that the wind in the canvas made the top not fully erected, even at highway
speed.  I don't think you could rip the top off, whereas if the canvas
wasn't there you would surely end up with a convertible.

Sincerely,

Craig Rogers
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Pickersgill" <alanpick@MAGMA.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2002 9:21 AM
Subject: Pop Top Heart Stopper

> On recent trip was camping in South Carolina. In the morning I closed the
roof in the same, very careful way I have for years - hundreds of times.
Have had a vision of what would happen if it came open at speed - took air
and opened. So I always listen the click from the latch. Always check to
make sure no canvas trapped by the top. All seemed normal.
>
> Got onto the freeway - heard a funny howling . Just as I was coming up
level with an 18 wheeler I decided that I'd better trust my intuition and
stop to check. When level with 18 wheeler - Huge noise and up popped the
roof. Looked in the mirror nobody in sight, so I just slowed , let the 18
wheeler go well ahead to avoid buffeting, pulled to right lane and off onto
the shoulder - roof settled down in place below about 2Okmh.
>
> Absolutely no damage to any part of the system that I could find. The
support struts appear to be undamaged, the canvas didn't tear or pull
loose - nothing I could find. I always imagined it would come off.
>
> Anyone else had this happen. Any hidden damage I might check for?
>
> Anybody got a really simple safety device to ensure this couldn't happen -
the latch is designed to be such a device but it failed! I swear it sounded
exactly the same as every other time when it was really closed.
>
> Alan Pickersgill
> 85 Transporter converted to Westfalia
>