I had the misfortune during my last trip to experience a broken roof clip, one of the front of the two clips used to keep the pop top secured down. This is how I solved the issue.
Firstly, I’ll describe what happened. I was on my way south to Northumberland and just south of Edinburgh, I glanced in the mirror and noticed the front of the pop top was lifting. I pulled into the next parking place and discovered that the short ‘hook’ end of the roof clip had broken off, releasing its hold on the pop top. As a temporary fix, I turned the clip around using the longer grip side as the ‘hook’. I continued very cautiously with no further issue until I arrived at the campsite around an hour later.
To get me home, I repaired the broken clip in a very ‘belt and braces’ manner. I glued the broken part back on with gorilla glue, I then bent a spoon handle to the shape of the clip and glued that on, I then reinforced it with T’Rex tape, and finally wrapped the grip end with paracord! I right old Frankenclip!!!
On researching, I discovered that the metal bonnet clip from a military Land Rover could be used. Two immediate benefits, they are all metal and built to last, and a pack of two is almost half the price of a single plastic original.
Slightly longer than the original, which can be resolved by mounting the top slightly aft of the original hence increasing the reach.
The original catch comes off in two parts, the catch itself and a spacer.
I reused the spacer, drilled a 3mm pilot hole and fitted the new catch. I used the original screws.
I offered up the clip, finding the ideal length, marked the holes and using the original screws, attached it to the pop top.
Operates perfectly, a good spring with good tension.
And hangs fine when disconnected. The slightly increased and angle means the clip doesn’t foul the canvas as much as the original.
A very worthwhile upgrade, and I’ll be repeating it for any other breakages in the future.
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