Maximum weight resting on convertible rear window?

[dibbers006]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 07 November 2023 at 13:17

[Speed addicted]

It’s not so much the window I’d be worried about as pushing the complicated roof mechanism out of alignment meaning it won’t shut.

Don’t you know anyone with a car that has roof bars or a trailer?
Worst case I’d hire a van, Costco do them by the hour.

[QuickQuack]

Hard top convertible or soft top convertible? How heavy is the object vs the folding roof? Without knowing the car and the object, it's difficult to judge. Mk1 MX-5 would probably struggle to carry a shopping bag but a later hard top Volvo C70 convertible could probably take a decent amount of loading.

[swisstoni]

How lucky are you generally?

[brillomaster]

Yep, should be good with about 1200kgs id have thought.

[Bobupndown]

What could possibly go wrong

[carl_w]

I'm not sure what the thing is, but any reason you couldn't drop the top and stuff it into the passenger footwell?

[alangla]

Speed addicted said:

It’s not so much the window I’d be worried about as pushing the complicated roof mechanism out of alignment meaning it won’t shut.

Don’t you know anyone with a car that has roof bars or a trailer?
Worst case I’d hire a van, Costco do them by the hour.

This. Don’t mess about, Hertz 24-7 supply the vans parked outside Costco, IKEA and B&Q. Prices were under £20/hr and about 30p a mile the last time I used them plus they pay for fuel.
https://www.hertz247.co.uk/uk/en-gb/Home

[Bill]

Or try Shiply.

[Draxindustries1]

Personally wouldn't even think about it. If its electrically powered you could possibly damage the mechanism costing hundreds. Any power roof no matter the make are usually very expensive to repair..

[sunbeam alpine]

I once moved a dresser using a convertible (with the roof down).

Spare wheel on the boot (with barbour jacket under to protect the bodywork). Wasn't comfortable, but wasn't very far (about 15 miles).

[SidewaysSi]

dibbers006 said:

And for all the fannys, not going too far, yes it will be strapped.

Always strap up when going near a fanny and make sure you go in far.

[normalbloke]

What will it cost to fix if it does go pop?

[QuickQuack]

dibbers006 said:

QuickQuack said:

Hard top convertible or soft top convertible?

Soft.

With a soft top convertible, my main worry would be exactly what Speed addicted said

Speed addicted said:

It’s not so much the window I’d be worried about as pushing the complicated roof mechanism out of alignment meaning it won’t shut.

For most soft tops, I'd say that with the risk of causing damage the repair of which costs far in excess of the cost of hiring a suitable vehicle for a day/a few hours would be far too great. It's not just the weight of the object that you strap on to the roof that you need consider. You also have to take into account what forces the object will generate relative to the roof structure once the car starts moving at a reasonable speed depending on its shape and how it's been strapped down. If the object is generating too much wind resistance, or generating any amount of lift, it could easily tear the roof off. Conversely, if it's generating downforce and acting like a giant wing, it could cave the soft top in as you accelerate.

I think that the risks of a table like object which has a large, flat surface, which is easily capable of generating unexpected lift or downforce, being carried on a soft top convertible would be prohibitively high.

Somebody on here might be able to help maybe? I'm in Northants if you're nearby.

[Wacky Racer]

swisstoni said:

How lucky are you generally?

[Alex Z]

No idea on weight, but can you make sure you film the attempt?

[Speed addicted]

Alex Z said:

No idea on weight, but can you make sure you film the attempt?

Oh yeah, that!

[mattyprice4004]

This is a really silly idea.

[lornemalvo]

Any response to this is going to be complete guesswork. Anyway, if you need to ask, you know the answer.

[MikeGTi]

This definitely needs videoing..