Pop Top Hinges..

I'm sure many have Westfalia, Devon or whatever with pop top. My van has the very large and heavy Viking top. And I dislike the side hinges as you all know puts too much weight on the gutter. Ideally I like to change the hinge system completely, preferably with the straight up hinges assisted by the gas struts. The hinges are really expensive, I've seen them advertised for £250 lately. Anyone there would like to assist me with measurement as I'd like to fabricate my own. I have a rough idea with regards to length but would be most grateful if anyone could help me out with a little more accuracy. I just need the length of the 'X bar and the roof or pop-top bar as they are just almost identical units repeated over with the top have different fixing holes. I don't want the pop-top to open full as the they normally do to the side. I have the idea to adapt to 4 hinges and struts for the straight up only elevation. Would appreciate any input.

 

I'm not sure I can contribute but have a Viking myself. Im not entirely sure what you are trying to achieve. Are you looking at simply having the roof rise upwards? If that's the case wouldn't it be much simpler to utilise a different type of roof cap, possibly even one that does do exactly that. That said im possibly misunderstanding what your trying to achieve.

If your still trying to achieve what is in effect a side hinged arrangement but utilising pantogram/scissor hinges as per westy but have them crossways then they will be taking some significant weight. If this is the case it does sound a good idea but the stresses will possibly be bearing onto external metal which has little to support it given where they fall on the roof. Loads of Vikings have slightly dented roofs at the front where the gas strut attaches to the bracket. A more robust frame might be the answer. Anyway, an interesting project.

 

Thinking about it, if im right in thinking what your trying to achieve then the entire weight of the roof would be on the cross bar as the "hinged side" would lift up out off the roof as per the rear of a westy roof! (the hinges would need a re design as the roof angle is much steeper.

 

The side of the roof near the gutter is where the strength is, multiple layers of metal, water ingress is the biggest problem!

 

That's correct. I think if strength is an issue its probably rotted out but I've assisted a mate repairing his in the past and we actually fitted a plate along the bus which was more substantial and fixed the hinges to that. We also plated the inside of the roof cap along where the hinges rivet on to give a nice straight line to it which took out some of the "flop"

 

heavier duty hinges help too!