Seeking advice regarding vertical pop-top canvas + stability

[Fenderfour]

Correct. The gas struts are mounted at an angle and only see push/pull as they are designed. The actuators push vertically and rely on the struts for rigidity. It is by no means weak as I have it now, but I’d like it stronger for increased winds.

A scissor driven mechanism would definitely be interesting, even if it was just using a gas struts. That way the strut can be mounted completely horizontal.

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I don't want to belabor the point, but not having a system specifically designed to handle lateral loads means that the systems you have (gas struts and actuators) will have to handle it. I get that your systems are aligned to lift the lid, but that's not accounting for lateral loads from wind, or a person leaning, etc...

 

[PathNotTaken]

I don't want to belabor the point, but not having a system specifically designed to handle lateral loads means that the systems you have (gas struts and actuators) will have to handle it.

I'm confused why you think the gas struts are not the system specifically designed to handle lateral loads? they are mounted at an angle and provide 462lb of force laterally (depending on what strength I decide on, currently sitting around 280lb) with the top fully extended, evenly split between north/south and east/west, opposing one another. The vertical lift they provide is more of a side effect than anything in my system, as the linear actuators can bare the full lift load.

Most pop top design seems to depend on gas struts for north/south stability, and some sort of bifold/lockout east/west. My system just uses gas struts for both directions, avoiding the clearance requirements for a bifold lockout mechanism. Don't get me wrong I think a bifold is a really good design, and there are pros/cons to each system.

 

[ITTOG]

I'm confused why you think the gas struts are not the system specifically designed to handle lateral loads? they are mounted at an angle and provide 462lb of force laterally (depending on what strength I decide on, currently sitting around 280lb) with the top fully extended, evenly split between north/south and east/west, opposing one another. The vertical lift they provide is more of a side effect than anything in my system, as the linear actuators can bare the full lift load.

Most pop top design seems to depend on gas struts for north/south stability, and some sort of bifold/lockout east/west. My system just uses gas struts for both directions, avoiding the clearance requirements for a bifold lockout mechanism. Don't get me wrong I think a bifold is a really good design, and there are pros/cons to each system.

Have you had the top up with all the gas struts and canvas on but without the linear actuators connected. If yes, was your top stable? Could you push on it without it falling?

 

[PathNotTaken]

Have you had the top up with all the gas struts and canvas on but without the linear actuators connected. If yes, was your top stable? Could you push on it without it falling?

Great question, and not yet. I haven't fitted any canvas (and not planning on doing that for a few months for interior build reasons). I've been meaning to try it with the actuators disconnected, I'll say though from my testing before the top was on, they don't do much laterally when extended.

Theres also quite a few campers (commercial and DIY) that only use linear actuators, (which seems nuts to me!) but most don't pop as tall.

 

[ITTOG]

Great question, and not yet. I haven't fitted any canvas (and not planning on doing that for a few months for interior build reasons). I've been meaning to try it with the actuators disconnected, I'll say though from my testing before the top was on, they don't do much laterally when extended.

Theres also quite a few campers (commercial and DIY) that only use linear actuators, (which seems nuts to me!) but most don't pop as tall.

I primarily want to know if the gas struts are strong enough to prevent pushing the top too far one direction. I feel they should since you have struts pushing in all directions.