high roof trim removal

How easy would it be to remove the trims that cover the join between van and high roof on my 1993 trident - there is rust staining coming from under them at top of windsceen pillars and I want to investigate. Are they glued on? There is a small'cap' at end above windscreen which may be covering a screw or something. Ant advice appreciated.

Hi Mal

I'm not entirely sure but ours fits quite lose and only appears to be secured with those screws with the caps on, as I can get a finger behind ours in places. If you can get the screws out without causing any damage I'd remove them then see if it lifts away? I've often wondered whats behind it, know it covers the seam between the GRP roof where it meets the metal body but would be curious to know how it looks behind the cover. If you do manage to get it off maybe you could show us a pic?

I think the side ones are screwed on, but I'm not sure if they're stuck on too. The rear section of ours is partially broken, where a cycle rack was fitted, and there is evidence of a black mastic type sealant on the roof, where the cover once was. It may be that even with the screws out it would need carefully prying away to remove.

Iet us know what's under there if you do get it off!

gills wrote:I think the side ones are screwed on, but I'm not sure if they're stuck on too. The rear section of ours is partially broken, where a cycle rack was fitted, and there is evidence of a black mastic type sealant on the roof, where the cover once was. It may be that even with the screws out it would need carefully prying away to remove.

Iet us know what's under there if you do get it off!

Hi Gills

By what I've seen on mine I would that yours is a very good description of how they are secured

I actually took the screws out of mine and then used them to secure my awning J Rail against the plastic triims - The trims did't budge at all in the short time the screws were off

Cheers

Stevo

I,ve had a look and removed screws but they are not budging so must be stuck on. I'm going to leave it until after summer now as don't want to take them off and risk damaging them or making a big job for myself untilI don't really need to use van - ie over the winter.

Rain is getting into the cab on my Vito-based Montana high top. The windscreen people think it is seeping in throught the join between the GRP high top and the van . Has anyone as yet worked out how to remove the plastic guttering that runs the whole length of the 'van between the two? Has anyone spoken to Auto-sleeper?

mal6186 wrote:How easy would it be to remove the trims that cover the join between van and high roof on my 1993 trident - there is rust staining coming from under them at top of windsceen pillars and I want to investigate. Are they glued on? There is a small'cap' at end above windscreen which may be covering a screw or something. Ant advice appreciated.

Can't help you with the covers but I'm reliably informed that lavender keeps away the ants.....................

Don't even attempt to remove guttering yourself. Get it done, like I did, by the professionals. The guttering is "glued" on by the sealant used by Auto-Sleeper to seal the join. But in my case they useed inferior sealant which broke down on both sides at the front, causing corrosion and water ingress. If you try it yourself, you'll only end up breaking the guttering. I took mine to Towtal in Stoke on Trent. They had it for over a week. £500 well spent if you intend to keep the 'van.