More Gas Strut Woes!

The most difficult aspect of this project so far has been working with the roof. Nothing has gone right, nothing has worked first time. After the disaster of a few weeks ago, where one of the roof hinges was torn out of the fibreglass, we were hoping things could only get better.

Nick mended the hinge by reinforcing the area with a plate of steel. 

We then replaced the strut at the back of the van, expecting this to hold up the roof... and it didn't. Had a look round at the front strut and it had broken! We must have done the nut and bolt up too tight and the strut wasn't able to pivot properly. 

So we ordered (another) new strut - making the total count of gas struts in this project to 10!!!

We fitted the new strut, and viola! The roof stayed up! Except today, Nick was lying on the bed and it fell down on its own. More bad times! A bit of research showed that the struts don't work as well when it's cold (it was chilly this morning even though by the afternoon it was lovely).

So now we are still no closer to a fully functioning roof. The saga continues!