posted 09-11-2002 06:51 PM                    

quote:

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Originally posted by BeWare:
I ALWAYS use the tie down straps when the top is stowed. I do read manuals and did read the manual on how to raise and lower the top before the first time. I believe that some of the owners stated they have of have had multiple Prowlers and only had a problem with the most recent one as far as the top is concerned.

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You are 100% correct in my case. This is my third. Never had an issue with the first two raising and lowering each hundreds of times. Always followed the directions, always used the straps. Did the same with this car and it worked fine till about 2 weeks ago.

In the cae of mine, it did not snag on anything raising or lowering it. I go fairly slowly and would definitely detect a ripping sound or the top hesitating (with resistance) to be lower or raised while it was ripping the top. No, in my case, it happened while the top was stored, straps on, driven for about 15 miles around town.

posted 09-11-2002 07:17 PM                  

I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice the problem, but I guess its pretty clear that these tops are getting damaged in more than one way, so the value of my observation seems limited. I had hoped that my post would be more helpful, but this is obviously a complicated problem.

Just out of curiousity, how much IS a new factory top? And are there any members out there who have gone to the aftermarket to have a replacement top made (maybe a different color???)

posted 09-12-2002 07:05 AM                  

I think my 2001 started putting rubber pads on the offending protruding bits of metal.