Skyline Aurora Pop-Top opening on motorway?

@Martin 123 it's fine to say the word Screwfix around these parts 👍

The only links or recommendations we ask people to take care with is very obvious promotion of something they have a financial interest in.
I just presumed Martin was embarrassed to admit he shopped at Screwfix (says the bloke who just bought a multi-tool from Lidl). :rofl:
 
Can you take a picture like mine above showing the camlock closed with the retaining bar above it and post it on here?
I find it hard to believe that with the cams in the fully closed position that the bar would be able to escape (unless they have been installed in the wrong positions)
I have a 2022 LWB 4motion Kombi with a Skyline Aurora and mine too came open on the motorway last weekend! Terrifying experience and really stressful. Both cams were locked as they have always been but the two bangs i heard before the roof lifted suggests one cam went and then the other. I spoke to Skyline and they sent me a couple of new cam locks which are a new design so I fitted these today and went for a drive for 10 minutes after making sure the cams had clicked into their locked position, checked the edge of the roof was solidly down, which it was, only to get home to find BOTH cams had come unlocked and the roof was loose!! Contacting Skyline again now to see what on earth is going on. No use in having a pop top if you're worried about driving your van!!
 
I have a 2022 LWB 4motion Kombi with a Skyline Aurora and mine too came open on the motorway last weekend! Terrifying experience and really stressful. Both cams were locked as they have always been but the two bangs i heard before the roof lifted suggests one cam went and then the other. I spoke to Skyline and they sent me a couple of new cam locks which are a new design so I fitted these today and went for a drive for 10 minutes after making sure the cams had clicked into their locked position, checked the edge of the roof was solidly down, which it was, only to get home to find BOTH cams had come unlocked and the roof was loose!! Contacting Skyline again now to see what on earth is going on. No use in having a pop top if you're worried about driving your van!!
Mine opened the day after I picked it up from the converters. They’d demo’d it to me and closed it. I didn’t check it. I took it straight back to the workshop when it opened and they worked on it for a couple of hours. It’s been rock solid since. I’ve not had any new cams or anything else. I do always test the roof by trying to lift each corner after locking it down to ensure the roof is secure.
 
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I have a 2022 LWB 4motion Kombi with a Skyline Aurora and mine too came open on the motorway last weekend! Terrifying experience and really stressful. Both cams were locked as they have always been but the two bangs i heard before the roof lifted suggests one cam went and then the other. I spoke to Skyline and they sent me a couple of new cam locks which are a new design so I fitted these today and went for a drive for 10 minutes after making sure the cams had clicked into their locked position, checked the edge of the roof was solidly down, which it was, only to get home to find BOTH cams had come unlocked and the roof was loose!! Contacting Skyline again now to see what on earth is going on. No use in having a pop top if you're worried about driving your van!!
To be honest this thread has been around as long as you have been a member and had your van with this sometimes dodgy roof personally if i was aware of this flying open problem i would have sorted some sort of back up system as other members have done not wait 3 years for it to happen knowing it could happen.
 
These guys look good....




Just looking for the D room rings now.
 
These guys look good....




Just looking for the D room rings now.
You still need the standard long loop strap for when the roof is up I presume?

Or am I the only one leaving my straps in place ‘just in case’?
 
You still need the standard long loop strap for when the roof is up I presume?

Or am I the only one leaving my straps in place ‘just in case’?
The straps are not needed when roof elevated, apparently.

But I suppose it can't hurt.
 
I got an email from skyline when the last storm hit the UK. Part of the email was that the straps should be under light tension when it is windy (so always here :D )
That makes good engineering sense, you can see why they would recommend that.

But if it's windy.... Roof down has to be the best option.
 
To be honest this thread has been around as long as you have been a member and had your van with this sometimes dodgy roof personally if i was aware of this flying open problem i would have sorted some sort of back up system as other members have done not wait 3 years for it to happen knowing it could happen.

Hi,

The cam buckles are the obvious choice as a backup system. but it would be a shame to lose the benefits that the latch system does offer (it is relatively quick to put away).
I would be interested to know if anyone with an Aurora pop top has used them as a backup and if so how and where they have attached the loops.
My concerns are:
I am not sure of the roof structure (although I guess as there are two handles there must be something suitable to screw to).
Fitting them on the front edge of the opening may be a challenge as the vinyl canvas is both bulky and quite stiff to roll up to get it out of the way.

I will give it some thought...
 
I have a Skyline Aurora roof. Just last week one side will not firmly latch down. Latch is in the bracket, you can just see it through the 1/2” gap. Van is back at the converter today for new cams doing. The “ amount of meat” in the roof is a question I’ m going to ask. Often sat and looked at where and how to best fix some kind of back up.
 
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Maybe I’m a fool, but I’m four years in to my Aurora pop top. No issues with it opening… and I don’t use backup straps.

Hopefully, I’m not proven wrong…
 
New cams fitted today. One had collapsed internally so wouldn’t pull down. Only the second one they’ve seen in four years of fitting them. Re meat in the roof, there isn’t any. The handles screw into inserts fitted from the underside pre construction. Maybe fit “straps” to handles and secure around top of door pillar area. 🤷🏻.
Could this stop excess load on cams when roof is flexing whilst driving. 🤔
 
I've added some straps from roof handle to loops in the van roof see post #176 in this chat. Consensus was they don't add much strength but in my view should give some warning if the cams fail. Still not had any issues from the cams but roof is difficult to shut if the van isn't parked nose up as roof fouls the spoiler strip so must be flexing forwards.
 
Maybe I’m a fool, but I’m four years in to my Aurora pop top. No issues with it opening… and I don’t use backup straps.

Hopefully, I’m not proven wrong…
Surly it's better to be safe than sorry its not as if your putting straps as well just in case this type of roof flys open its proven quite a few do and its not down to operator error but faulty design
 
Surly it's better to be safe than sorry its not as if your putting straps as well just in case this type of roof flys open its proven quite a few do and its not down to operator error but faulty design
Yea, I hear you, but I like the convenience of the cams. I’ve inspected my catches. I’m confident, and aware of these other cases.

I’m just going to keep using it as is. Not keen on the extra fittings required and the hassle of straps.
 
Hmm. If there were twelve of these I would expect to be able to find news of it. So far my googlefu has only turned up a manufacturer of a new improved catch for trailer tent pop tops, with videos or two fitted with overcentre catches which let go on motorways (US and AU).

I’m interested in the same roof, and would have rack+load on, so do want to understand.

If it is true, user error is a possibility. However, it could be a user error that is difficult to detect (there is no indication of the catch position when closed), and catastrophic consequence, so puts it high on a risk assessment.

@BlayneKinley how do you check prior to driving?
Hi I’ve had mine fitted for about 18months now and have no problems until yesterday. I also double check before driving off. I was 2 hours into my journey and bang up went the to . I pulled over and secured it down again and double checked. 35 mins into the journey and bang up it goes again, I was in the middle of France and had to find a ratchet strap to go though the window and round the roof. This was not ideal to drive around for the rest of the holiday like that. I will be calling skyline first thing Monday not happy at all.
 
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