Forum Discussion

mkirsch's avatar
mkirsch
Nomad II
Aug 17, 2015

Don't forget to latch down your roof

I got distracted and forgot to latch the roof on my TC yesterday. Got about 10 miles down the road and stopped at a convenience store for some gatorade.

The roof had lifted and about half the canvas was hanging out the sides.

I broke with my normal routine by leaving the windows open too. Did leaving the windows open save me or make things worse?

This was also my first trip with the "new" AC unit on the roof. I think that might've saved me from being much much worse.
  • RickW's avatar
    RickW
    Explorer III
    Been there, done that. Could not get over 45 mph. The top went completely up.

    You will remember latches for a while, but you are one distraction from it happening again. Same goes for open roof vent, thermostat, water pump, refrigerator door latch, steps, and locking the door.

    Two suggestions:

    1. put reflective colored tape on the inside of the latches. Make them obvious to a stranger. (the second time, a stranger at the gas station spotted the open latches)

    B. Make and use a checklist. I use one for loading, leaving, enroute stop and unloading. I have the boss read it out loud. The answer better be "yes dear."

    you can also hang a "remove before flight" ribbon from the open driver side latch, but you have to do it every time without fail.

    Hope this helps,
  • RickW wrote:


    1. put reflective colored tape on the inside of the latches. Make them obvious to a stranger. (the second time, a stranger at the gas station spotted the open latches)



    Oooh - I like this one! I have some bright fluorescent orange paint that I might paint the inside of the latches with!
  • ....same here: a complete walk-around every time we head out (even for a 15 minute gas run with camper aboard, to village/back to the house); sometime I walk around twice...
  • silversand wrote:
    ....same here: sometime I walk around twice...

    Why? Forgot where you were going?:)
  • Ive had a Northstar 800 , a 1000 , and a Outfitter
    The first pop up I had was the 800 , I left home and drove about 7 miles at 35 MPH then thru a small town with a 25 MPH limit , I caught my trucks shadow on a building and OMG top was about three quarters up in the front , about sh%* myself , but no damage done , never did that again

    Maybe someone should develop a remote release latch , so as you approach your camping spot you could hit it and the top would already be up when you get there ;)
  • mkirsch wrote:
    I got distracted and forgot to latch the roof on my TC yesterday. Got about 10 miles down the road and stopped at a convenience store for some gatorade.

    The roof had lifted and about half the canvas was hanging out the sides.

    I broke with my normal routine by leaving the windows open too. Did leaving the windows open save me or make things worse?

    This was also my first trip with the "new" AC unit on the roof. I think that might've saved me from being much much worse.


    I also have pop up and thinking of getting the new loe profile AC
    unit.
    could you post a pic of yours and tell me how you like it,the good and the bad,also what kind of genny do you have
    Thanks
  • okan-star wrote:
    Ive had a Northstar 800 , a 1000 , and a Outfitter
    The first pop up I had was the 800 , I left home and drove about 7 miles at 35 MPH then thru a small town with a 25 MPH limit , I caught my trucks shadow on a building and OMG top was about three quarters up in the front , about sh%* myself , but no damage done , never did that again

    Maybe someone should develop a remote release latch , so as you approach your camping spot you could hit it and the top would already be up when you get there ;)


    :) Parachute in... I like it. It would also be easier on the trucks' brakes.