06-20-2014, 10:14 PM | #1 |
Parachuting effect and cause/fix?
Hi all,
So I have seen the posts about the parachuting effect on our vert tops when retracted and no tonneau cover on. For those who don't know what I am speaking of, when your top is down, and no cover is on, you're driving at highway speeds and see in your rearview mirror that the top is flapping. I saw one post and I will paste what he said: IMO the parachuting effect isn't a result of airflow from the front of the top edge (closest to the rear seats) but rather a result of the turbulance caused by the air whipping under the side edges. If it was the front, then the air restrictors should break up the airflow and stop it.. but instead they redirect the flow to the left and right and increase the flap in the top.So my question is this -- has anyone else solved this issue with a personal DIY fix and can share the insight? I hate having to see this, and what I have personally done is raise my rear quarter windows and it helps somewhat. I would like to see what others have to say. Thanks! |
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06-21-2014, 03:37 AM | #2 |
Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2,826
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Use the tonneau cover.
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06-21-2014, 06:21 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS M6 Convertible Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 1,287
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agreed, only time I don't use mine is when I'm just doing a quick errand around town and don't expect to see speeds above 35 or so... even then the flapping is annoying and disconcerting. The tonneau looks so much better and really isn't that difficult to install after you've done it a few times. I've got the older version with clips, can't speak for the new bungee version.
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06-21-2014, 06:27 AM | #4 |
Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2,826
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This is the reason I have developed a system utilizing an interior cover so that I can leave the top down and tonneau on for extended periods of time. I do not drive the car with top down and no tonneau. It's not only the movement of the top (which can't be good for it), it debris getting in there. As I've said before, if it was a complete garage queen, I would remove the top from the car permanently.
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Consensus is, by definition, a lack of leadership.
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06-21-2014, 07:20 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS M6 Convertible Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 1,287
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Thinking about getting one of those just to keep the dust out of the interior in the garage. If the car lived by itself, it probably would be a problem but the other half of the garage is dirt bikes and lawn mowers.
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06-21-2014, 08:31 PM | #6 |
yeah I get what all of you are saying.....I have the tonneau cover with the bungees and it's really good -- doesn't allow for any movement at all, and i've had it at high speeds as well.
just a pain in the ass to put it on and off all the time..... |
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06-22-2014, 11:36 PM | #7 |
"Catharine"
Drives: '11 2SS/RS LS-3 IOM/IO vert Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Southern NH
Posts: 2,132
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Have the interior cover, it's awesome! $110 or so well spent.
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06-22-2014, 11:41 PM | #8 |
7 year Cancer Survivor!
Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 21,547
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Try rolling the windows up when your are driving on the interstate, it will stop that completely. It will also prevent the tonneaus from blowing off at speed.
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06-23-2014, 09:12 AM | #9 | |
Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS M6 Convertible Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 1,287
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Quote:
Did you get yours from carcoversdirect? Which material option did you go with?
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06-23-2014, 12:28 PM | #10 |
Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2,826
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Mine in the pic above is Noah. There are four or five different fabric choices, each rated for various performance characteristics. I don't really use mine for rain although the fabric is highly rated for that. If I intended to cover it outside in rain, I'd just go ahead and get a full cover.
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06-23-2014, 01:01 PM | #11 | |
Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS M6 Convertible Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 1,287
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Quote:
I mostly want it for inside the garage to keep dust out of the interior, might use it when I leave the car in the driveway or visit family also just to avoid bird crap and pets from getting in. Even if the material is waterproof I'd think in rain it would pool on the cover and probably end up finding a way into the car unless it was just sprinkling. How does it attach in the back around the trunk area? I see the door handle and mirror loops in the front.
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06-23-2014, 06:33 PM | #12 | |
Lifetime Philly Fan
Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South Central Florida
Posts: 1,862
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Quote:
No offense meant, but I always thought ragtops look kind of goofy with the windows up and the top down......
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06-23-2014, 06:39 PM | #13 | |
7 year Cancer Survivor!
Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: East Tennessee
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Quote:
Only time I put my windows up with the top down is either when talking on the phone, or the wind is too cold and I need to put the heat on. Last time I did it is when I noticed the flapping of the top stopped when I put the windows up.
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Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE...
The Bird is the word! |
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06-23-2014, 09:06 PM | #14 |
Drives: 2013 Black 2 LT vert Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: kansas city
Posts: 1,765
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i agree, my top flaps alot too. i drove the car once without the tonneau, and that was the last time. i ended up looking at my rearview mirror more than concentrating on driving the car for fear the top was going to come out. plus the flapping cannot be good on the top itself. you would think the way it tucks down in the well, that flapping wouldnt happen. my gf has a sebring vert with no tonneau cover, and she goes on highway with no flapping at all. what gives?
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