Maybe It Would Be A Good Idea If... (1 Viewer)

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JJ

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I quite regularly see motor homes coming towards me with their roof light hinged up sideways and wobbling as the van pushes its way through the air.

I try pointing upwards as I go by, but I doubt this signal is very effective.

Could we come up with some kind of signal to warn fellow motorhomers of this problem?

After all, if it blows off the result could be quite expensive...

Any ideas anyone?

JJ :cool:
 
Aug 26, 2008
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I don't understand it because the wind noise must be unbearable. When the rooflight eventually blows off they will wish they had read the instructions.

I once saw a campervan coming the other way with its elevating roof up. Too gobsmacked to react.
 

Wingingit#1

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I point so as to be noticed but then carry on because so many people think its ok . ...who am i to go against that ?
 

Stealaway

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I don't understand it because the wind noise must be unbearable. When the rooflight eventually blows off they will wish they had read the instructions.

I once saw a campervan coming the other way with its elevating roof up. Too gobsmacked to react.
I must admit having left ours up a few times and its not that obvious.
We've also traveled a good few miles without incident so its not always fatal.

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busbuddy

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I have actually picked up a heki in the road on the a46 🤦‍♂️
Now I am fully aware that noises and life gets in the way when driving but ..we came down to cornwall the other day and a Talbot motorhome was going up the m5 with a UFO tv aerial stretched to the extent of the cable rolling around on the roof....I'm sorry but if I cant hear that I shouldn't be driving......there is is no signal for that it should be a lightening strike
 

Swifter

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So no ideas yet of a possible warning signal?

JJ :cool:
B253BF9B-271D-44E9-839F-BC29CFB4091C.jpeg

🤣🤣🤣
 

Kannon Fodda

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When I bought my van I was shown all its toys and features by the dealer and then went with them for a short test drive Apparently half of their staff were waving as we drove out the forecourt as the rooflight was wide open.

Reality is, with position of the solar panel above the pvc front wind noise means you don't hear any other oddities from something towards the rear roof.
 
Jul 3, 2019
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We often deliberately drive with the forward-hinged Heike cracked open an inch or two to ensure a good airflow from the cab area.

Can anyone explain the danger in that, please?
On ours, the strut only stops it coming down, and once over 40mph we get aerodynamic lift so it just flaps about, and the strut is too highly leveraged to pull it down, even by hand. If you got onto a road expecting motorway speeds, it's going to fly off unless someone is stood, holding the trailing edge (which my wife doesn't think is a good idea on the M-way).
 

Shrimp

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The big Heiki has been left slightly open a couple of times but the noise alerts us to the fact so we stop & close it.
We did travel once quite a few miles with the Kitchen (rear) window open but seeing as the bike rack doesn’t allow the window to open enough to use the stays they were removed and I have a clever fastening to keep it open at about 4-5 inches.
The open rear window allowed air movement thru the van whilst travelling, on a warm day it was very pleasant!
 
Jan 23, 2016
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I spotted one with the roof window open a year or so ago . He pulled into the motorway services so I pulled up and kindly told him the roof window was open. “ it’s hot so the window is open , what’s your problem ? “
I don’t bother anymore 🤣

Your problem is that if you're behind when it breaks, it might hit your van, or someone else might swerve into you avaiding it!

I ranks with those that drive with a foot of snow and ice on their roof, to let nature blow it away!

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Jan 23, 2016
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We often deliberately drive with the forward-hinged Heike cracked open an inch or two to ensure a good airflow from the cab area.

Can anyone explain the danger in that, please?

If it is forward hinged, not a lot I suspect.

Unless the locking arm/support fails and an airflow induced low pressure area or airflow venturi sucks the now unsecured cover off.
 
Jan 23, 2016
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As to a signal or sign?

I'd rather keep my hands on the steering wheel and my eyes looking ahead.

For my own safety.
 

AndyPK

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If it is forward hinged, not a lot I suspect.

Unless the locking arm/support fails and an airflow induced low pressure area or airflow venturi sucks the now unsecured cover off.
….and that neatly explains how aeroplanes fly too!! (y) (y) ;)
 
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On ours, the strut only stops it coming down, and once over 40mph we get aerodynamic lift so it just flaps about, and the strut is too highly leveraged to pull it down, even by hand. If you got onto a road expecting motorway speeds, it's going to fly off unless someone is stood, holding the trailing edge (which my wife doesn't think is a good idea on the M-way).

When I bought my van I was shown all its toys and features by the dealer and then went with them for a short test drive Apparently half of their staff were waving as we drove out the forecourt as the rooflight was wide open.

Reality is, with position of the solar panel above the pvc front wind noise means you don't hear any other oddities from something towards the rear roof.
….and that neatly explains how aeroplanes fly too!! (y) (y) ;)

But an aeroplane needs an aerofoil cross-section to create the pressure difference not a flat surface.
 
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JJ

JJ

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I spotted one with the roof window open a year or so ago . He pulled into the motorway services so I pulled up and kindly told him the roof window was open. “ it’s hot so the window is open , what’s your problem ? “
I don’t bother anymore 🤣

So you put ALL other motorhomers in the same category as that one?

JJ :cool:

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Feb 19, 2020
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But an aeroplane needs an aerofoil cross-section to create the pressure difference not a flat surface.
Only because moving air goes under the wing too. If there's moving air going over a flat surface and no air moving underneath you create lift.
 

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