>But for those considering putting these on vans for folks with poor upper
>body strength, you should definitely bear in mind the possible difficulties
>closing the top - it takes a lot more strength than without the struts,
even
>with a kayak on the roof.

I have the heavy duty struts --- because I usually travel with a kayak on
the roof and hope to be travelling with 2 kayaks as soon as I find one at
the right price. I am no body builder --- I weigh 155 lbs --- but even with
the roof unladen, I find that if I grasp the crossbar that holds up the
poptop and lean back; it is easy to bring the poptop down far enough that I
can grasp the latch and bring it down using my weight. I use the latch as
soon as I can reach it because I don't want to put undue strain on the weird
mechanism that holds the poptop up. I've replaced it once already and do not
want to do it again. I suggest being paranoid about keeping the top coming
down evenly on both sides until you can reach the latch ---- avoid any
angles or odd strains..........

Cheers,
Doug

My had never been able to lift the poptop --- now she can and is, if
anything --- happier than I am with the strut kit.