I tried propping the pop-top up with a 3 ft 2x4, but the canvas is
*extremely* tight.  I considered returning it, because it seemed like it
wouldn't fit.

As for the archives, I can't remember the last time an archive search
returned successfully.  They're seriously unreliable.  Every other search
returns "CGI Application error - server killed the process"  I've tried
repeatedly to get a mirror on to my web server, but half the links refer
to a non-existent FTP site.  I've found the most reliable method for
getting at the archives is a google search with a "site:gerry.vanagon.com"
to limit the search to gerry.vanagon.com.

On Mon, 1 Aug 2005, Kim Brennan wrote:

> From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: new pop top canvas installed
> Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 23:05:53 -0400
>
> From your pictures, it looks like you tried to put the new canvas on
> with the poptop entirely up. Had you checked the archives, there was
> the hint of putting a chair on the top bunk and partially lowering the
> poptop. That removes the tension from the canvas and makes installation
> very easy.
>
>
> On Aug 1, 2005, at 7:29 PM, Matt Barclay wrote:
>
>> "White Man's Burden" got a new pop-top canvas and lived up to its name:
>>
>> http://gallery.openfbo.com/PopTopCanvas
>>
>> My recommendations if you get a new canvas:
>>
>> 1.  Take the damned pop-top off the camper and screw in four screws per
>> corner.  The corners are the tightest part of the canvas.  I tried to
>> save
>> time and effort by installing the canvas with the pop-top still on the
>> camper.  HUGE mistake.  Wasted a good 10 hours altogether.  Once I got
>> the pop top off, it was a 5 hour job.
>>
>> 2.  With the top corners holding the canvas to the pop-top, put the
>> pop-top back on the camper.
>>
>> 3.  Screw in the middle of each bottom side.  The bottom of the canvas
>> has
>> a rubber strip that butts up against the metal tacking strips.  Work
>> your
>> way out to the corners stretching the canvas out a little bit at a
>> time.
>>
>> 4.  Screw in the rest of the top of the canvas, taking up slack in the
>> fabric.  My canvas has several inches of slack at the top:
>>
>> http://gallery.openfbo.com/PopTopCanvas/img_3898
>>
>> 5.  Find a local supplier for the screws and pop-top attachment nuts.
>> Those screws get stripped or lost in the grass easily.
>>
>> I sure am happy with it, now that its done.  The breeze through the
>> three
>> windows is great during these hot summer days.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Matt
>