Last year I was traveling through SC on a very windy day.  The gusts
were so powerful I watched passenger cars veer left to right, which is
the least I could say for my travelling sail, ahem.  On a particular
downgrade I accelerated to a little over 75 mph when I approached a
clearing in the trees to my left.  Suddenly a powerful gust hit the
Westy from the side and I heard POW-THWOP!  The top popped up and the
canvas ripped violently front-to-back.  I pulled over, cleaned my
shorts and inspected the Westy.  The top was up completely and locked
into place.  The canvas sagged around the perimeter of the roof like
teenage pants.  Amazingly there was no other damage.  I latched the
top into place and proceeded on my way albeit much more slowly.

On 4/4/09, David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net> wrote:
> At 10:10 PM 4/3/2009, Danny C wrote:
>>And it did not blow up and rip off in the 90 plus miles I drove.
>
> Actually it only goes up a foot or so and makes a big flapping noise
> so you know right away to stop.  Don't ask how I know...
>
> There's a little pin that sticks out of the latch if it isn't fully
> latched.  If that pin is fully seated then you're securely latched.
>
> When Dutiful Passage and I were fairly new to each other I once drove
> her seven miles on country roads with the top fully up.  I noticed
> that at 45 mph the engine seemed a bit gutless, but I didn't twig
> until I got to my destination and got out.  Just about died on the
> spot.  So don't feel too bad.
>
>
>   --
> David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> '89 Po' White Star "Scamp"
>

--
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Chris S.
Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"