Joy wrote:
" I'm carrying about
(guesstimate) 80 pounds on my poptop - fifty-pound kayak, perhaps ten pounds
for the racks, and a bag of paddles and other long skinny stuff that might
be another 20 pounds, maybe a bit less" snip

------- reply --------

In the course of my roof rack sales, I have talked to a lot of people about
how easy it is to pop the top with cargo up there.
One person reported that they could pop the top with two full size sea
kayaks attached, over 100 lbs.
For most others it is usually less.

There are several factors which seem to come into play when popping the top:
- How easy is it to pop the top with nothing attached?  If it is difficult
empty, check the helper springs and cables in the arms.
- How tall the person lifting is.  It seems to be a matter of leverage and
geometry.  Too short is not good, neither is too tall.
- Where the weight is located on the roof.  The farther back toward the
hinge, the better.

I have seen hydraulic struts used to help with lifting, the same kind of
struts used on the rear hatch.  That sounds like a good idea.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/roof/roofrack.htm

Regards,
Gary Lee
Calgary, Canada
www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/vw.htm