How long is a piece of string?

Winniebongo · Post by **Winniebongo** » Tue May 22, 2007 10:03 pm

Hi,
I have done a search but I can't find anything to tell me what length and what thickness of string/rope I need for an emergency roof lowering kit. The allen key is no problem but I would rather even purchase the correct thing and then just keep it in the van in case of emergency, just like Mazda intended. I am thinking somewhere like B&Q usually have a section where you can buy this kind of thing and next time I am there I should just buy it otherwise I will probably forget all about it until one day i need it. Can anyone assist with this?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:22 am

Get yourself a nylon washing line from your local hardware store. Then raise the roof, hook the rope over the roof lip, through the open windows and allow a couple of feet for tieing off then cut the rope. Then look at the motors and find yourself an allen key to fit. Now stash them away in a cubby box under the seat and forget about them.

Chris P · Post by **Chris P** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:49 pm

The handbook says you need 20 foot of rope.

The actual kit (I now have one that 321 gave me for free) is a fairly thin rope and the needed allen key.

When I had to do it for real, I just borrowed a length of old rope about an inch thick, and that worked fine. So it is not exactly critical what rope you use. You could get away with using a guy rope, I would think.

If you do feel the need to carry a rope around, I'm sure the vegman is correct about using a washing line.

Cheers

chris

Post by **Ian** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:12 pm

In fact, while you are fretting about possible equipment failures, how about the following?

Old egg box (in case the ash tray stops working)
Hammer & chisel (in case of lost keys)
Referees whistle (in case "reversing" beep becomes inaudible)
Pot of lavender (air freshner becomes a bit stale)
Elasticated bungee straps (seat belts become frayed)
Watering can (coolant loss)
Wire coat hanger (aerial snapped off in car wash)
Flare (in case Bongo breaks down on level crossing with bullet train approaching)

Have I missed anything?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:59 pm

daft sod. Go to bed

helen&tony · Post by **helen&tony** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:48 pm

Hi
Now, I can’t help noticing the heading “how long is a piece of string?”
I think it depends on whether they are “Simpson’s Individual Stringettes”, as advertised by Archbishop Makarios’s brother, and, as advertised, they are water absorbent, and used in hospitals.
Please excuse the reference from Monty Python.
On the other hand the length of a piece of string is mathematically referenced as being twice as long as from the beginning to the middle
Cheers
Helen

phedders · Post by **phedders** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:49 pm

Ian: How soon will BT be selling this new Bongo Emergency Kit (the BEG) - I'm sure we're all gagging to buy one.