Soft top straps, again...

[biplaneguy]

So, the trucks with soft tops come with velcro straps that per the owners manual are supposed to be wrapped around the side bars when the top is folded down. The salesman never mentioned them, of course, and I have yet to use them..

The related question, of course, is has anybody had or heard of a problem caused by not using the straps?

Next we'll revisit the elastic straps with the snaps, rolled window or top holdown...

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[Ryan...]

I've driven 100 + miles at 70mph + with the soft top down, no straps, and never encountered an issue.

I did buy some cheap straps to use "just in case" for longer topless trips now, because we get some pretty insane crosswinds where I live and I don't want a freak incident when I could've prevented it by using the little straps.

 

[SnazzGlad]

Had mine on for 2 years now and have never used the straps. I did use them when I had a sunrider.

 

[WoolyKris]

What straps?

 

[phranican]

I never use the velcro straps on bars but I always use the stretchy straps sewn to the top that sinch the top to itself and reduce flapping.

 

[AmosMoses]

You're not supposed to actually fold your soft top back and drive it around like that in public because it's hideous looking and scares other drivers. Just take the back window out and drive it around in safari mode. Looks great erect.

 

[Gvsukids]

So, the trucks with soft tops come with velcro straps that per the owners manual are supposed to be wrapped around the side bars when the top is folded down. The salesman never mentioned them, of course, and I have yet to use them..

The related question, of course, is has anybody had or heard of a problem caused by not using the straps?

They are important when driving on dunes with the soft top open.

 

[biplaneguy]

They are important when driving on dunes with the soft top open.

I was thinking that, that they might be more important in an offroad situation than on smooth roads.

 

[Minty JL]

I think I used them maybe the first 3 times with the top down and never again since then. I generally don't wheel with the top down; cleaning mud and sand out of the interior is over rated

 

[93civej1]

I never use the velcro straps on bars but I always use the stretchy straps sewn to the top that sinch the top to itself and reduce flapping.

What stretchy straps are you speaking of? I just put a soft top on and didnt notice anything like this.

 

[phranican]

These…https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/different-use-for-soft-top-straps.29680/

My brother’s glady soft top didn't come with these straps either, you can get them from Mopar just google Gladiator soft top straps. They button to the underside of the soft top.

 

[GladLad]

I go with No. 3 seconds to flip the top back, no extra work needed, never had a problem.

Except when offroad, as seen in @Gvsukids video above, as that is indeed my Mojave, and lesson learned.

I did bend a strut by having it unlatched at the front and blow open while driving though. So maybe it's good to strap down to prevent possible damage, even if unrelated to how I caused mine.

What stretchy straps are you speaking of? I just put a soft top on and didnt notice anything like this.

As far as stretchy straps go, I've never used them as all info pointed to them being for the rear window to roll up (like Wranglers) which I'd rather not do. The manual/mopar-videos only mention the velcro straps to lock the top down.

The stretchy straps go unmentioned in any official Gladiator materials I've seen. Maybe they know how difficult it is to roll the window up with the plastic edges that they don't mention it in their video



It's almost like a vestigial feature they don't want to mention, but if anyone has seen official material, please share it.

Could be useful as an alternate way to lock the top down, or keep high speed flapping down, but I've never tried it or noticed a need.

 

[phranican]

The gladiator rear window is not designed to be rolled up horizontally. The stretchy straps only bunch the top up, raising it out of the way for rear passengers and reducing flapping while driving at speed. I don't know why Jeep didn’t explain these straps better but that’s all there is to this topic.

 

[cabbage 13]

You're not supposed to actually fold your soft top back and drive it around like that in public because it's hideous looking and scares other drivers. Just take the back window out and drive it around in safari mode. Looks great erect.

I'm kidding of course. please don't ban me. I do actually do this for my dog at times for shade.

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