How windy is too windy for poptop?

[Samro]

We are supposed to be off for the night tonight and we will need to use the poptop because the adults and two kids will be sleeping in van overnight.

Forecast is showing it'll be windy with gusts up to 30mph (top end of force 6).
My kids won't care and they've seen out some proper storms in a tent before and it is them who are pushing to still go!

Question is- How much wind is too much for a poptop before there is a risk of damage?

 

[Albel]

We are supposed to be off for the night tonight and we will need to use the poptop because the adults and two kids will be sleeping in van overnight.

Forecast is showing it'll be windy with gusts up to 30mph (top end of force 6).
Ny kids won't care and they've seen out some proper storms in a tent before and it is them who are pushing to still go!

Question is- How much wind is too much for a poptop before there is a risk of damage?

Poptop and high winds?!​

Do a little search on the forum using the search function as this has been discussed before not sure if it answers your question but worth a look first

 

[Samro]

Poptop and high winds?!​

Do a little search on the forum using the search function as this has been discussed before not sure if it answers your question but worth a look first

Thanks @Albel. I've had a good look through previous posts and the "Poptop and high Winds?" thread ended up being about being about Storm Francis and Delta tent pegs. (which are awesome BTW!)

Previous threads mention forum members using their poptops in very fresh conditions but the question "How much wind is too much for a poptop?" remains unanswered as far as I can see.

@Dellmassive asked the same question in 2020, which remains unanswered.

Does anyone actually know the rating for these pop tops?

Or is there not one?

There are no manufacturer specifications regarding the limits of their rooves as far as I can see. I have a Austops roof on a LWB van and will give tonight a go and simply make sure that I reverse into the wind. I guess that the manufacturers feel that their product is tougher than the users and therefore will not break as a result of high winds.

Has anyone out the had their poptop fail as a result of lots of wind?

If so, how much wind and what model poptop?

 

[Bav]

Depends on the roof model/manufacturer I would guess.

I've had a Hilo raised in high winds (would estimate 40mph gusts) whilst up in Northumberland in early spring time - absolutely no problems. It was a hire van and I had discussed this very thing with the owner (Jason at Jaibow Camper Conversions in Holmfirth) before setting off. He was confident that the roof would easily cope with high winds.

IIRC, he recounted a tale where he had had his roof up during a stormy night with no problems. Come the morning he awoke to a field full of campers with missing/damaged tents and awnings.

 

[JOG]

You’ll be surprised how much wind the pop-top can accommodate. If you’re very worried, park up so that the back of the van is facing into the wind (assuming the lower end of your roof is at the rear!) to allow the prevailing wind pass over the roof.

I am wary of lateral forces on the pop top

 

[Adscan]

Use your tie down straps to limit anymore upward travel.

 

[DXX]

You’ll be surprised how hard it is to bench press the roof back up when the struts pop off.
It’s like a giant Breville sandwich toaster.

 

[Samro]

Use your tie down straps to limit anymore upward travel.

I should be ok as I have straps that hold the pop top down. I just leave the smallest amount of tension on these.

 

[NorthernJoy]

I have a Jerba pop top and when on the west coast of Scotland we were in constant wind of 32mpg gusting to 45mph ish. I parked with the lowest part facing the wind direction and it shook the van quite violently but in the morning no damage had been done. Guess all depends on your roof construction though so I guess not much help.

 

[Dickieboy3]

We are set up at Whitewater C&MC site by river tees this weekend.Typing this with quite a wind hitting the roof the tent is bellowing away but last nite and so far today it's held ok.

 

[kkev]

Sprouts and cabbage for lunch. Expect high wind by bedtime.

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

Amazing how many don’t point in the right direction when windy

 

[Grainfoot]

In gusty winds we find we end up taking roof down purely because it’s impossible to sleep with van moving around so much. If on grass and wet ground wheels start sinking into ground, have to put on mats.