I like the idea, but I'm going to put a more gradual bend on mine, and maybe do it in the microwave over something that has an equal curved radius so it doesn't put as much load on the ends when the caravan is packed down.
Sounds like a good idea. I’m not sure about the microwave. Never tried anything like that. Do you know if microwaves heat that plastic? You could bend cut lengths by placing in an old saucepan. And pouring in hot water. Sorry don’t know temp required, but probably less than boiling. Then prod it into shape with tongs or a stick. Remove the hot water, then pour in cold. Should work. You could do multiple lengths at the same time. I’d like to hear back on your curved bows see if they work to preserve the fabric as you intend.
On second thoughts you could do the same dry in a saucepan using a heat gun. You might want to wear leather gloves to avoid burning yourself. However, I’m thinking now a semi-circular shape might dig in more when roof is up 🧐. A more curved angle with two straight ends might be a better geometry and keep greater “spring strength” in the bend and longevity. I wonder if I can shape it around a pipe?
@timhowzit Thanks Tim, The only tweak was to smooth the cut ends a little with fine sandpaper. Just to prevent wear on the canvas. Although I never saw any wear. One bow is a little too straight now. Interestingly it was the one in the video, the very first one. So after two years it’s a bit too straight. The others are all fine. Maybe I didn’t bend it enough. Easy fix (haven’t bothered though). Also we leave our pop top up mostly in our driveway. So basically has been held straight for most of two years with occasional folding down for camping trips. We need to get on the road more!
@timhowzit Oh! And a viewer mentioned that yellow tongue is available at Bunnings! Just the plastic strips. So you don’t have to scour roadsides and building sites.
@@timhowzit One more “tip”. Just replace a couple that badly need it. See how you like it. That’s what I did. Slowly but surely I’m replacing more and more of the original ones as the rubber band perish or the bows break.
Great idea - thanks!
Thanks for your feedback. I’ve been using it for 12 months now with no issues.
Hi Stephen, thank you for your easy fix. We replaced all of our bows your way and they work beautifully. You're a genius 🤣.
Thanks for the feedback Peter. Glad it helped.
I'll have to suggest this to my dad, he was talking about this the other day
Thank you Emma. 🙂
Good job mate I was just looking how to replace these on our van
Thanks. Suggest you sand the cut ends for a smoother finish. I’ve had no issues so far.
I like the idea, but I'm going to put a more gradual bend on mine, and maybe do it in the microwave over something that has an equal curved radius so it doesn't put as much load on the ends when the caravan is packed down.
Sounds like a good idea. I’m not sure about the microwave. Never tried anything like that. Do you know if microwaves heat that plastic? You could bend cut lengths by placing in an old saucepan. And pouring in hot water. Sorry don’t know temp required, but probably less than boiling. Then prod it into shape with tongs or a stick. Remove the hot water, then pour in cold. Should work. You could do multiple lengths at the same time. I’d like to hear back on your curved bows see if they work to preserve the fabric as you intend.
On second thoughts you could do the same dry in a saucepan using a heat gun. You might want to wear leather gloves to avoid burning yourself.
However, I’m thinking now a semi-circular shape might dig in more when roof is up 🧐. A more curved angle with two straight ends might be a better geometry and keep greater “spring strength” in the bend and longevity. I wonder if I can shape it around a pipe?
How is this going? I am thinking of changing mine. Any problems or tweaks?
@timhowzit
Thanks Tim,
The only tweak was to smooth the cut ends a little with fine sandpaper. Just to prevent wear on the canvas. Although I never saw any wear. One bow is a little too straight now. Interestingly it was the one in the video, the very first one. So after two years it’s a bit too straight. The others are all fine. Maybe I didn’t bend it enough. Easy fix (haven’t bothered though). Also we leave our pop top up mostly in our driveway. So basically has been held straight for most of two years with occasional folding down for camping trips. We need to get on the road more!
@timhowzit
Oh! And a viewer mentioned that yellow tongue is available at Bunnings! Just the plastic strips. So you don’t have to scour roadsides and building sites.
@timhowzit
www.bunnings.com.au/poly-eiger-4mm-3-6m-yellow-poly-cable-feeder_p4430566
@@timhowzit One more “tip”. Just replace a couple that badly need it. See how you like it. That’s what I did. Slowly but surely I’m replacing more and more of the original ones as the rubber band perish or the bows break.
“Yellow Poly Cable Feeder” (Yellow Tongue) available at Bunnings.
www.bunnings.com.au/poly-eiger-4mm-3-6m-yellow-poly-cable-feeder_p4430566