Devon Pop Top Removal

Hi, recently bought a 76 camper which I believe is a Devon. Only starting to strip it and see how much work we have in front of us.

We need to remove the pop top roof to repair the canvas and also get ready for paint. I have tried to search online and this forum and whilst there is a couple of threads we are still not having any joy.

Any direction would be greatly appreciated.





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From reading online I believe I have to remove these aluminium strips.


Any idea how this come out? They seem pretty solid and I am conscious not to wreck them trying to get them out.


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Cheers poptop2. I suppose we just need to get stuck in. Keen not to break though and cause ourselves work.


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If its rusted solid it probably needs to be undone. A special combination of aluminium and steel designed to etch away the heads of screws and thin the shanks if the heads are OK and rust the threads into solid metal...
Combined with metalwork done with a can opener, soft and degraded wood.

Devon 40 to 50 years on ..

 

Do you know where the screws were located. Are they under the headliner screwing up into the aluminium strip as I can’t see any from the top screwing down.

On a side note we stripped the inside and the floor seems relatively good. Two small patches to repair in first inspection




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Hi there, that’s the same as mine although I have it on an prototype bay . There are two ally square box frames, one bolted to the fibreglass shroud with bolts fibreglassedi to the roof and you can see these through the access holes in the frame. The lower section is much the same and is screwed into the roof hole via the up stands around the hole which are behind the bunks. Some of the screws are just holding the bunk press studs and some are screwed through the press studs and through the roof upstand and into the ally box section, if you release the lower section after removing the bunks, you can then collapse the fabric by moving the lower frame upwards and attaching to the upper frame or take out both frames. The spring loaded assistors at the front and rear would be my choice of first thing to remove, they attach to a central point at the front and the rear. These are somewhat lethal and it’s worth investing in something to compress them safely before you dismantle anything. I’ll say it once more LETHAL. Roof down strangely enough is safest IMHO, mainly because the springs are compressed and keeping them that way is easier than guessing how much load is on them. You’ll need four ratchet straps and apply one to each spring contraption and crank it up over the end to end of each one. Before you do this, you’ll need to raise the roof, loosen all the screws that hold the spring bearing plate front and rear, there’s about eight or ten depending on how old your particular roof is and how diligent Mr Devon was on that particular day, so loosen all screws then replace them one at a time don’t over tighten the top ones, leave bottom ones out. So loosen, remove the top ones then replace, remove the bottom ones completely. Now lower the roof and crank a ratchet strap around each one keeping the spring compressed. The straps will just fit between the two springs but keep them square and snug. Here’s the safety bit again, use at least six cable ties on each spring to hold the straps in place, you’ll understand later when you go to re fit. You need one as close to the top or bottom as you can get it, and you’ll want one an inch or so below that, then one each side of center. Now using a couple more of these cable ties, attach the spring bearing plate to the upper frame by sliding a cable tie between the fibreglas roof and the frame and hooking it down with a piece of wire and it just needs to hold it there as there’s no strain at this point.Reusable ones are best and easily obtained from B£Q <<< YES. Now you can safely remove the other four screws front and rear then un bolt the stays that you’ve deliberately left attached until now. Lift off roof and marvel at the skill levels achieved with just a can opener and a hammer. Here’s a little vid of the Devon dudes warming up to cut a hole in a roof
Oh, P.S. try and find a bettererer way to hold them down, catches are a tad iffy


Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,, bestest , nicest roof ever, guaranteeeeeed

 

Cheers @Ozziedog. That definitely sounds comprehensive. Away this weekend but look forward to giving it a go next week. I will keep you posted how it goes.


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A lot of that sounds like gibberish, but as and when you crack on, things will fall into place, or ping off into eternity if them straps ain’t secured

Ozziedog,,,,,,great stuff, p.m. me if it’s gone Pete Tong if you like and I’ll talk you through it more.

 

The locally approved technique involves driving west into a gale on the M4 with the hold down latches a bit iffy...

 

I think that may go down in history bud, the Velcro is brillyunt as there’s little pressure while at rest but is a fafff that’s for sure. Don’t panic, I’ll come up with something that ain’t a clip on a bracket tugging on another bracket and waiting to fall off. It’s on my ever increasing list of things to do. But day off today and I’ve been getting something ready to lintel over my 5.5m door span allowing me to raise the garage door eventually allowing me to get back up to stock and possibly an inch or so more.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,, I’d have a bit more time if I retired maybe

 

This happened somewhere between Swindon and Bristol on the way to Dubfreeze, dropping my wife off to see our daughters in Bristol..


Now changed ..

 

That’s exactly what I’m after Mike, but I have the later style fibreglass roof like the OP, from a 76-78 Devon. And you have the earlier style with the flat roof conundrum but with the springy bits on the sides, mines on the ends. I’ll do something with it and so far I’ve got about three or maybe four different sets of tie downs that I thought might fit. So I’ve taken a slightly different approach now and I’ve got some trim to go around my fibreglass roof and it dearly needed new trim, but it’s just arrived, I’ve got the one with trim and a sort of rubbery hosepipe on the side, which if I fit that with the pipe in so you don’t see it, might make the roof a little more forgiving. Once this is on, I should be able to fashion something that will press down or pull down against the hosepipe bit. Then as they say my world will be at peace

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,I’ve started on the garage door / lintel conundrum