17 replies to this topic

[scappoosebrad]

Stan...

Thanks for responding and who to call at 4 Wheel... will be contacting Jay in the next few days... will post any pertinent info after I talk to him...

Brad

[scappoosebrad]

Just talked to Jay @ 4Wheel...after discussing the issue, he suggested putting a bug guard on the front hood of our 93' Nissan truck...he felt just that small addition might change the aero flow over the truck/camper to eliminate any roof popping due to winds while on the road...

 

Will get that mounted and see if that eliminates the popping...will let you know after our bug-guarded rig is road tested...stay tuned...

 

Brad

[muttmaster]

Called Jay at FWC at Stan’s suggestion. He informs me that there is a bow on the roof that was built into the length of the roof. He speculated that the previous owner may have over loaded the roof, which may have caused more bowing and causes popping. The overload could of come from gear storage on top or from snow load.

Short of replacing the entire roof, he suggested opening windows or vents, which I am not exactly sure that can help. When the wind is blowing hard, I tend to not want to open windows as it will be loud enough inside, but I will give it a try next time.

I am not sure how much weight on the roof is too much, but I have read somewhere in the forum that it can handle 2000lbs? I will stop by Woodland one of these day this Spring and Jay offered to have a look to give me a diagnosis.

Read previous post circ. 2014, very helpful.

[Old Crow]

I see the  Frequently Asked Questions section on the Four Wheel Campers web site says...

 

(Click to enlarge)

 

 

.

[scappoosebrad]

I know it has been "months" since I talked to Jay about how to eliminate roof popping when driving especially at highway speeds(55 mph +)...Jay had suggested installing a "bug guard" on the front bumper of our 92 Nissan p/u...

 

Since the conversation in February, I purchased and installed the bug guard/wind deflector...and "finally" we took a 5 day/500 mile r/t to eastern Oregon and a lovely campground next a lake... both going and coming, traveling freeway most of the way including the "windy" Columbia River Gorge, I can report that there was virtually NO POPPING of the roof... 2 or 3 times due to big truck "side wash" there was a pop or two, but nothing like it had been prior to the wind deflector install...

 

Jay, I would say your suggestion was most helpful and recommend trying the same fix to others who may experience "roof popping" during road travel (usually 55 mph plus)... Thanks again to Stan, Jay and 4-Wheel folks lending a hand with solving a problem...

[BillTheHiker]

I would try experimenting with the tension on the 6 roof latches. If you have a roof rack, experiment with adding and removing weight.

[Vic Harder]

I've experienced this popping too, and the hood deflector install makes me think that the popping is coming from the truck's roof, not the camper.  I can even feel the roof deflecting through the headliner when it happens.

 

My $.02

[scappoosebrad]

Bill, Vic...thanks for your thoughts... have tried adjusting the roof latch tensions--no noticeable difference... Vic, can't say it is our p/u roof but rather the camper...Jay at 4W suggested this solution...saying it would deflect enough air to lessen the pressure on the camper/camper roof...early on, the noise had something to do with the turnbuckles not tight...that issue has been eliminated as the turnbuckles are check and remain "tight" to the camper bed...

 

Another 3 week trip happening Sunday to BC...will have some more "road experience" to observe and report...