I have seen many a canvas, including one of mine, that got ripped up by
the hinges and got all sorts of black marks from the top seal pinching
it. Yes, dropping the top with the van closed up will slow the descent,
but I do not recommend trashing the canvas to do so. It took me all day
to put a new canvas on my 84 westy and cost me several hundred dollars.
Lets find a better way...

Keith O

On Feb 8, 2007, at 8:20 AM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> Date:    Thu, 8 Feb 2007 10:16:10 -0500
> From:    Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
> Subject: Re: poptop raise assist
>
>   Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to lower the top with all
> the
> doors and windows closed, unless you are leaving in the pouring rain.
> This
> may assist with slowing the rate of closing, while easing the load off
> of
> your back, but it's at the expense of 'ballooning' the canvas out and
> getting it stuck between the roof and the top seals.  This will cause
> damage
> and increased wear on the canvas, if you don't take care to pull it
> all back
> in.   Sometimes it's hard enough to keep it all from pinching in
> several
> places, as it is.  Also, if the canvas is old and slightly weak from
> dry-rot, this will eventually blow open a seam or worn spot somewhere.
>  Your
> method would pretty much guarantee it to get caught outside of the top
> seal
> and hasten the canvas' demise.   I've learned that one the hard way.
>
> my 2 cents,
>
> Mike B.