Question Safe to drive with back door of fiberglass truck top gone???

[snowmane36]

Hello- I have a fiberglass truck top with a damaged back door. It won't shut, and the top frame is twisted where the hinge is, so I am going to try to take it and the frame completely off.

Will the truck top stay on the truck with the wind blowing into the open back as I drive down the highway? My tailgate will be up (that works fine). I have a sliding front window on the truck top - would it be better to leave that open?

I have to drive it twice to the truck top place to get it repaired about 40 miles away. They said they would have to look at it, see what parts they need, order them, then I would need to drive back to actually get the repair done.

I have no idea if it's safe to drive like this or not. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing, but I definitely don't want to hurt anyone driving behind me on the highway.

Thanks alot for any opinions on this!

[LGL002]

Originally Posted by snowmane36

Hello- I have a fiberglass truck top with a damaged back door. It won't shut, and the top frame is twisted where the hinge is, so I am going to try to take it and the frame completely off.

Will the truck top stay on the truck with the wind blowing into the open back as I drive down the highway? My tailgate will be up (that works fine). I have a sliding front window on the truck top - would it be better to leave that open?

I have to drive it twice to the truck top place to get it repaired about 40 miles away. They said they would have to look at it, see what parts they need, order them, then I would need to drive back to actually get the repair done.

I have no idea if it's safe to drive like this or not. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing, but I definitely don't want to hurt anyone driving behind me on the highway.

Thanks alot for any opinions on this!

I've never come across a shell or topper that's not clamped or bolted to the truck bed but if it's not I'd suggest using some clamps to secure it to the bed. Other than that the area right behind the unit will be a negative air area that will try pull air/wind into it without that front unit window open. Not sure if the negative would try lift the unit off the bed or not. If it were me I'd drive with that front window open after making sure it is secured to the truck. This should break up that negative air area. Also take anything loose out of the bed to prevent it from flying out or around inside the cover. Maybe another member will pop in with personal experience about your situation.

Larry

[snowmane36]

Thanks for the response!

The fiberglass top is fastened with three bolted on clamps on each side. The bolts all have lockwashers, and are securely fastened. I was able to get the frame and back door completely off.

From my experience in riding in the back of a station wagon with the back window completely down, there was a strong influx of air coming in, thus my concern about the top coming off. I will leave the front slider window open and I think that will help alot.

The only things I will leave in the back will be some concrete blocks and the back door itself (I put a 50lb. bag of gravel on top of that to hold it down).