Quickie re AFT and roof tent closing proceedure

Partly_dave · Post by **Partly_dave** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:57 am

I got a Bongo manual from AVA (the New Zealand made, Japanese translation one) and was reading up on AFT operation.
When my dealer demonstrated the roof he left the tent sides zipped in place and just closed the roof down. This is how I've been using it.
In the manual, it suggests rolling up the tent sides and using the belt ties to secure it against the roof, rolled up. The net is obviously left as it is.

Obviously I'm keen to avoid any damage and prolonging AFT life.
Which method do members here use and recommend?

Thanks,

D

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:00 pm

I just put it up and down with the tent in place - don't tie anything up.

daveblueozzie · Post by **daveblueozzie** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:12 pm

have never tied mine up yet ,,no problems so far.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:16 pm

I keep the zipped vent flap open to expel the air when dropping the roof, don't roll the sides up - no problems yet!

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:28 pm

I find if you unzip the sides it is less of a strain getting to the last bit of lift. The taught inner fabric seems to hinder it a little. I leave mine unzipped but I cant see it making a lot of difference.

Loon Dod · Post by **Loon Dod** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:25 pm

Thanks for the question Partly_dave
I have been meaning to ask and going away this weekend for the first time and had forgotten all about it. My son has not seen my Bongo yet and is confused about sleeping in a tent on the roof should be fun.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:55 pm

The roof doesn't have a problem with the upper section rolled up,or unzipped... its fine either way

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:04 pm

I'd not realised this. I wonder what the reasoning is (I like Dandys idea by the way as I noticed just how much the tent blows out (and risks fouling on the mechanism) when the roof hatch is closed (which mine normally isnt). One thought occurs. When I put my roof up with the tent zipped up, there is clearly a little bit of strain on the mechanism on the last bit of travel, as it works to get the tent taut. This wouldnt happen with the tent rolled up. I wonder if we would help prolong the life of the raising mechanism if we rolled up the tent prior to lowering the roof. Bit of a faff though esp. in bad weather

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:51 pm

I think the last bit of travel seems more of a strain because the mechanism is trying to go "over centre" to lock it.

alan'n'lynda · Post by **alan'n'lynda** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:57 pm

I think that in the manual it say's you should hold open the vent hole when opening and closing the roof to avoid the air pressure disforming the tent which could then foul on the side struts .

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:00 pm

We always keep the hatch open, helps air out the roof and helps with the raising and lowering