Discussion
OK so getting the roof into its bag is a pain 
, and so what is the problem of storing it in the boot out of its bag if it's just the roof and spare wheel in there - seems harmless to me - or am I missing something?
Now, about that bag! We have to take the roof off and then juggle it into the narrow edge of the bag with just two hands and a curled up toe.
Wouldn't it be better if the bag opened along its long front edge so that the roof could be left sitting on top of the screen, with the back window down, and the bag slotted over the supported roof. The bag and roof could then be lifted off and the bag sealed along the long edge. Anyone seen a bag designed to fit like this? Anyone see any flaw in this approach? How difficult can it be to make a simple bag?! 
, and so what is the problem of storing it in the boot out of its bag if it's just the roof and spare wheel in there - seems harmless to me - or am I missing something? Now, about that bag! We have to take the roof off and then juggle it into the narrow edge of the bag with just two hands and a curled up toe.
Wouldn't it be better if the bag opened along its long front edge so that the roof could be left sitting on top of the screen, with the back window down, and the bag slotted over the supported roof. The bag and roof could then be lifted off and the bag sealed along the long edge. Anyone seen a bag designed to fit like this? Anyone see any flaw in this approach? How difficult can it be to make a simple bag?! Edited by PeeBee on Friday 27th April 15:48
Must admit I haven't used the roof bag yet....seems too much of a PITA! Can't see the point of putting it in the bag then inside the boot?? The inside of the boot provides adequate protection anyway IMHO. If it was sharing the boot with other stuff then might be worthwhile putting it in the bag! Agree with the OP that the design of the bag isn't the greatest...access should be along the longest edge for easier stowage 
Anyway my roof stays off all the time....even in the garage and should only go on if the weather looks dodgy
Anyway my roof stays off all the time....even in the garage and should only go on if the weather looks dodgy
I noticed that with mine, if you leave the roof in the boot with no cover, the roof rubs on the edge of the boot next to the petrol cap. I assume this is from the roof rocking back and forward under acceleration and braking. It had started to rub the mohair away on a small 5 inch long section on the very front (the bit that locks into the top of the window) which must have been from the previous owner leaving it in the boot without the bag for years. I find the bag a PITA as well but to stop the roof rubbing, I just lay the roof bag over the roof once its in the boot and slide it along to cover the worn bit. This makes sure that if the roof does rock around, it rubs the bag which is nice and slippery rather than the roof!
blueyonder said:
Anyway my roof stays off all the time....even in the garage.......
I always put mine back on when it's in the garage as I once heard a story about someone leaving the sunroof open on a Jag and a mouse dropped in and couldn't get out. It tried eating it's way out. Wrecked the seats, carpets etc. True or not I won't risk it now.
My roof hardly ever leaves the garage with the car anyway.
davetherave1970 said:
blueyonder said:
Anyway my roof stays off all the time....even in the garage.......
I once heard a story about someone leaving the sunroof open on a Jag and a mouse dropped in and couldn't get out. It tried eating it's way out. Wrecked the seats, carpets etc. True or not I won't risk it now.
Fair point....hadn't thought about that! Might reconsider leaving the roof off in the garage then. Thanks for the tip davetherave1970...true or not, I suppose it's not worth the risk 
I don't know quite how the roof panel is stowed in the Chimaera but in a Griff it's a tight fit. This was the damage caused after 4yrs of motoring without using the bag.
The area that's worn back to the fibre glass had rubbed up against the petrol tank. The chapping on the edge of the roof material is from banging up against the boot hinge on the LHS.
I agree that the original design roof bag is a pain the ass (which is why I didn't use it!). As already mentioned you could split the bag down the length so that it opens out a bit like a sleeping bag. Add velcro down the length for easy fastening....
G
The area that's worn back to the fibre glass had rubbed up against the petrol tank. The chapping on the edge of the roof material is from banging up against the boot hinge on the LHS.
I agree that the original design roof bag is a pain the ass (which is why I didn't use it!). As already mentioned you could split the bag down the length so that it opens out a bit like a sleeping bag. Add velcro down the length for easy fastening....
G
thenick said:
I noticed that with mine, if you leave the roof in the boot with no cover, the roof rubs on the edge of the boot next to the petrol cap. I assume this is from the roof rocking back and forward under acceleration and braking. It had started to rub the mohair away on a small 5 inch long section on the very front (the bit that locks into the top of the window) which must have been from the previous owner leaving it in the boot without the bag for years. I find the bag a PITA as well but to stop the roof rubbing, I just lay the roof bag over the roof once its in the boot and slide it along to cover the worn bit. This makes sure that if the roof does rock around, it rubs the bag which is nice and slippery rather than the roof!
Perhaps I'm mis-reading your post, but it sounds like you're facing the mohair forward.
I think some/most people face the hairy bit back, so the roof curves around the petrol tank.
I do this, and don't have any problems with wear.
The roof bag lives on the floor of the boot to give the roof something soft to rest on :-)
biggiles said:
thenick said:
I noticed that with mine, if you leave the roof in the boot with no cover, the roof rubs on the edge of the boot next to the petrol cap. I assume this is from the roof rocking back and forward under acceleration and braking. It had started to rub the mohair away on a small 5 inch long section on the very front (the bit that locks into the top of the window) which must have been from the previous owner leaving it in the boot without the bag for years. I find the bag a PITA as well but to stop the roof rubbing, I just lay the roof bag over the roof once its in the boot and slide it along to cover the worn bit. This makes sure that if the roof does rock around, it rubs the bag which is nice and slippery rather than the roof!
Perhaps I'm mis-reading your post, but it sounds like you're facing the mohair forward.
I think some/most people face the hairy bit back, so the roof curves around the petrol tank.
I do this, and don't have any problems with wear.
The roof bag lives on the floor of the boot to give the roof something soft to rest on :-)
I don't have a bag... and the only way I've worked out to stow it is 'curve around the tank' mohair facing backwards... not noticed any problems with this, and always replace roof when putting to bed at night. Tight squeeze with the golf clubs mind you....
FWIW when I first got my Chim I did find it easier to stow the roof the wrong way round - either with the mohair facing forward, or mohair back but upside down. However I have only ever stored my roof in my boot with mohair back and the front edge facing upwards - hardly ever used the bag.
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