I was reading someone elses post about winter storage and he said he closes his top but DOES NOT latch it. He says this saves the top from being stretched at the points where the braces run across the top. Similar to if you had a sweater on and had the arm bent and the elbow protruded out for 4 months. It would have a permanent stretch mark. Made sense to me. I'm thinking about going out and unlatching my top. They say it also saves the seal since it is not under "pressure" for months. What do you guys think?

 

I have mine latched. I had it latched all last winter with no problems or marks. I have more issues with the top being down for a month at a time. When I put it up, it looks like hell until it stretches out. I would think that keeping it latched would keep it from shrinking in the cold, but my garage stays between 40 to 50 degrees most of the winter.

 

If you could somehow stretch the top beyond the latch point, say to the base of the windshield, then your sweater analogy may apply. The top was designed to be at rest in a latched position.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by david1
[B]I have more issues with the top being down for a month at a time. When I put it up, it looks like hell until it stretches out.

 

I unlatched it Thursday when I finally put the battery tender on. It seems to just make logical sense.

 

Is this unlatched method noted in the manual? Just kiddin