Half-hoods....

[Speedtrip]

Does anyone have any comments regarding the differences between the Softbits and Thundersport offerings? Softbits can supply in either a canvas type material or vinyl. Thundersport seem to do vinyl and mohair. 

I'm currently thinking of vinyl but would be interested in any thoughts regarding material, ease of use and quality from either supplier. Vinyl my preference as it would match the existing boot cover and doors.

Also are half-hoods that good/effective and a real alternative to the full hood?

[Jonathan Kay]

Also are half-hoods that good/effective and a real alternative to the full hood?

I'm very happy with mine. The full hood hasn't been fitted since I was given a half-hood. (My 7 lives in a garage and I don't have a shower cap... )

Jonathan

[DJ.]

I bought the Soft Bits material half hood, and have been very pleased with it. It rolls up into a very compact roll, probably smaller than a vinyl hood.

One of the best things about it is that they provide a protective piece of material which clips around the rolled up hood to keep it clean and also has loops that secure around the roll bar so it can sit on top of the boot cover. In bad weather, or if the boot is full, I keep mine like this so it can be easily raised and lowered without touching the boot cover.

In better weather, I still keep the hood straps attached, but put the hood inside its cover into the boot so it doesn't get so dusty.

I've toured Scotland with just the half hood and a shower cap to put over it a night and even in some foul weather, I haven't regretted leaving my full hood at home. Here's a photo of it in use at North  Weald earlier this year:

 

 

[Phil G]

I recently purchased half hoods from both Thundersport and Soft Bits (don't ask!).

As Soft Bits are local to me I have always supported their products and had one of the original HH which I sold on to a club member and its still going strong.

The SB one has straight(ish) sides and reflective strips on the curve of the roll bar. It uses two 'Y' shaped straps at the rear as opposed to the single one used by TS. They also employ directional studs for the side straps.  I have seen many variations of the male stud arrangement - Some piggyback onto the existing tonneau studs and others fit a dedicated one straight into the bodywork. The seam that runs inside across the roll bar is better protected to avoid chaffing the powder coating.

The Thundersport version drops down at the sides and follows the contour of the door which looks neater in my opinion. It appears to gives marginally better cover behind the seats and to the rear, however, how effective this is I couldn't say. I don't like the side strap fixing method which uses a large eyelet that fits under the roll bar bolt and is a permanent fixture. The roll bar seam is exposed and may chafe after a while.

Overall, I'm afraid to say I prefer the TS version in Mohair (similar to SB canvas I believe) with a couple of mods. Firstly, I asked them to supply the side straps without the eyelet and I fitted the directional stud arrangement to the redundant hood stick mounting lugs. Secondly, I glued a felt strip over the seam inside to stop the chaffing.

[John Vine]

I've been using the SBFS fabric-type one for 18+ years, and have never even thought about getting the full hood out in all that time.  I supplement it with a long-nose showercap (also SBFS), plus (for the occasional tropical storm) a full car cover.  I've no knowledge of the Thundersports product.  My only experience of  vinyl was with the original full hood in the early years, and it was a right royal pain to erect, especially when cold. 

JV

[SLR No.77]

I have the Thundersports version, very happy with the strap arrangement and no chafing issues. Other owners have commented how much tidier the strap setup is on the Thundersports hood compared to the Softbits setup.

Stu.

[Golf Juliet Tango]

On materials:- "mohair" in this context is canvas.

It has not started from angora goats.

I'd be surprised if the material used by each company differs in any significant way.

[John Vine]

Omitted to add one thing about the SBFS HH...

The hood side doesn't overlap the top of the door by a large margin, and I've found that rain can get in there at speed.  I solved that by fixing poppers (boot-style in black) just where the door starts to curve downwards.  Seems to work quite well.  Of course, the latest model may have a more generous overlap -- mine is a 2008 model.

[Tim S]

With the acknowledged efficacy of half hoods I'm wondering if it's worth carrying a full hood as well?

[SLR No.77]

Full hoods are brilliant, pretty well water tight and will get you through most driving conditions. Half hoods are different, particularly if you don't have a spare wheel on the rear. The lack of spare wheel changes the airflow around the rear of the car and causes a greater draft coming into the cockpit from behind, in a downpour this carries water with it. It's simply wrong that a half hood will do what a full hood does!

On a particularly wet trip to Spa earlier this year, with the half hood on I had so much water coming in from behind that my oil pressure gauge gained a small puddle behind the glass  They're good ... but they're not that good! The half hood takes up much less space than the full hood and is much faster to fit, but without a spare wheel fitted you'll need to include suitable waterproof clothing as well plus keep a chamois handy to keep the inside of the screen clear ... I'm not kidding! I carry a good quality Goretex climbing jacket with a substantial hood and there's plenty of occasions I've been glad I did. I suppose it often depends what conditions you're prepared to use the car in, but northern European weather can change in an instant.

The dilemma is I probably wouldn't go back to using a full hood, but I wouldn't get rid of it! I keep thinking I'll try to mock up a detachable lip spoiler to fit on the rear edge of the boot when I'm using the half hood in an effort to reduce the back-draft, too many other things to do first though.

Stu.

[DJ.]

You're absolutely right about the spray coming in, it is worst when there is standing water. Having said that, I've driven all day heavy Scottish rain in a waterproof jacket and jeans and just ended up a bit damp 

The best thing about the half hood is those changeable days when the weather gear gets really wet, and the sun then comes out. Wrestling with acres of wet vinyl and trying to stow it isn't much fun, but the alternative of being steamed alive isn't great either. It was this that really made me give up carrying the full hood.

[Speedtrip]

Thanks for all your responses. As usual it can be a mine-field if you over think it.... My plan is to make the car as "usable" as possible for most of the year, but I suppose there's no perfect solution to our changeable weather! Without carrying all equipment with you all of the time there's going to be compromise.

Does anyone have a photo of the Thundersport's large eyelet Phil G has referred too for the side fixing?

Also has anyone come up with a good way to carry the doors when not in use? I know the fold in half but I'd worry about damaging them, particularly the clear window plastic.

I'm also wondering how effective the CC perspex wind-deflectors are. I had similar on my Morgan and they were okay, seemed to help cut down wind blast a little.

 

[Jonathan Kay]

I'm also wondering how effective the CC perspex wind-deflectors are.

There are several reports of them working a lot better after being bent (with the aid of a hot air gun).

I sold mine. Well, I say "sold" but as the Royal Mail lost them I had to return the money!

The best thing about the half hood is those changeable days when the weather gear gets really wet, and the sun then comes out. Wrestling with acres of wet vinyl and trying to stow it isn't much fun, but the alternative of being steamed alive isn't great either. It was this that really made me give up carrying the full hood.

Agreed.

The lack of spare wheel changes the airflow around the rear of the car and causes a greater draft coming into the cockpit from behind, in a downpour this carries water with it.

Interesting. I didn't know that and will do the experiment.

Jonathan

[SLR No.77]

In real driving conditions the Perspex wind deflectors are crap, they just increase the vacuum effect you get behind the screen without the doors.

Stu.

[Phil G]

Stu's point about the spare wheel is valid as without it can send up a fine mist which gets everywhere.   I'm told that fitting a mesh wind deflector to the roll bar works well.

Having said that, I don't carry a spare and experienced some horrendous downpours in France this year with none of the problems Stu describes. I did, however, have a boot bag which probably act in the same manner as the spare wheel.

 

[p.mole1]

I've got the mohair SBFS half hood  and it works really albeit a bit draughty but it keeps you dry.

On a different note I find I get exhaust fumes in the car and as I don't have a catalytic converter it can cause problems after a while, probably carbon monoxide!

[BenF]

Stu's explanation of the downsides of a half hood is spot-on, however I would add that these problems only become an annoyance when you have medium to heavy rain for a longer period, e.g. a few hours.  With shorter downpours, things tend to dry out quite quickly, especially if you put the heater on.

If you do go for the half hood only, then it's worth getting dry bags from Aldi or Lidl.  I did have one day of touring in France where it really poured down the whole day and by the end, some of my luggage was quite damp as with the half hood, there is inevitably some water which gets in where the tonneau meets the roll bar struts.

[paul richards]

I have a soft bits half hood and have toured extensively in bad weather. Never use the full hood as it steam's up very quickly. Comments about spray.from rear are valid. I have a spare wheel and it makes a big difference, as does a boot bag. 

I like my soft bits half hood but if I were buying new now I would probably go for the Oxted vinyl one. I like the side fitting and the single straps at the rear and it seems a good fit  

If you are out in the rain water will get into your boot whatever half hood you use, so dry bags or bin bags to cover your luggage are essential if you don't want to get things wet. 

[David Brown]

Have had two SBFS half hoods and all previous comments are correct but a mesh wind deflector stops the mist being sucked back into the cockpit. Bought a SBFS wind deflector for my previous car , which only fitted between the headrests and left the area behind your right shoulder open,  made my own with some fly screen mesh, pvc trunking and a hot air gun to bend it. Fastened on to the roll bar with cable ties. Lot more effective and cost about £15. 

[Ian B]

I've had a SBFS Half Hood since they first designed them (not keen on "copies"  - a bit like buying a Wes******  )
I sat in a seven with a TS HH and found the lower sides at the rear restricted over the shoulder view - but I am quite tall. Also don't like vinyl as stiff and less flexible int he cold - which is usually when you need to use it!

I keep the HH attached to the rear straps and in it's wrap on the boot lid. I can deploy it in about 20 seconds, which is handy if you get caught in a heavy shower. 

I carry a cheap mesh screen that easily slides, and is held between, the 4 rear straps and the rear bracing legs of the roll bar. I only use it if the rain or spray is really heavy and it stops it coming in the back. If it's blowing in from one side then the person that side may get a damp shoulder if wearing inappropriate clothing 
Example of mesh screen: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151996751288  

Also carry a SBFS long nose shower cap that can be put on when parked up for a bit of added security, or overnight. If fitted on its own (not over a HH) and tensioned correctly it won't pool in the middle even in torrential rain and is a must have if touring.

The perspex side wind deflectors are useless as they come out of the box, however, if they are bent to make them stick out a lot more they are very effective. Most people who say they are crap have only tried them as they are supplied.

Usual touring arrangement in hot weather is wind deflectors, with doors stowed in the footwell, folded in half. Some use a soft cloth between the window parts, although they need to be clean first to avoid scratching, and I've not noticed significant deterioration without. 
I do have different mirror mounts that allow the doors to fold in half easier, and usually without disturbing the mirror alignment. 
In addition to the door mirrors I have convex mirrors in the lower corners oft he windscreen that eliminate the blind spots when using standard mirrors and doors, and also serve as side mirrors when running with wind deflectors and no doors:
Example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LVYKEZY/

The above is based on long experience of touring use, probably getting on for 100k mile now  

[Alan Reeves]

I have had both and there are pros and cons but the Oxted version bounced on my head and the 2 SBFS ones never have.

 

[Speedtrip]

Thanks guys.

Some really helpful advice and insight on both my threads ;-) 

I think I've decided which one I'll go for in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

[Thundersport]

Just to confirm - Thundersport produce half hoods in mohair and the original vinyl as we manufacture the soft trim for Caterham Cars. SBFS use canvas or vinyl.

 

  

 

[SLR No.77]

Jemma, I assume the Mohair you use is a twill weave (unlike canvas which is a plain weave), how resistant is it to water? Is there a need to proof or re-proof to keep it in good condition? I'm considering the options for the boot cover.

Stu.

[Thundersport]

Hi Stu, 

Yes, we use Twilfast mohair. This is as waterproof as the vinyl hooding that we use. 

We would recommend reproofing once a year.

Cheers