Downpour

[MOCAŠ]

I got caught in my first real downpour with the roof down this evening, travelling westbound on the M25 between junctions 26 and 25. It looked a bit overcast when I set off, but I thought it would either hold off or materialise into no more than a light shower. Well, there was a light shower between J27 and J26, and I saw a couple of cars pull onto the hard shoulder to put their roofs up - not something I'd ever chance doing unless it would be at least as hazardous to carry on driving roof-down. It wasn't, and I muttered 'lightweights' to myself as I carried on with the rainfall barely troubling the auto-wipers.

Until I had just passed junction 26 - and the heavens opened. Wipers were now on at full pelt and were still struggling to keep the screen clear. I must have made a curious sight for my fellow road users, including those who helpfully tooted their horns in case I hadn't noticed my roof was still down, yet at between 60 and 70mph I was still keeping dry. And then I hit a wall of dawdlers, who had slowed down to about 50mph in whichever lane they were in (understandable given the weather, but not really necessary, and rather annoying for me). Raindrops were falling on my head, as I switched repeatedly (but safely) to whichever lane afforded me the best chance of maintaining momentum. Junction 25 - and the brief respite of the tunnel that preceeds it - couldn't come soon enough. I pulled off onto a layby on the A10, put the roof up, then rejoined the M25 to continue my journey. Needless to say, by now the worst of the rain had passed, but I wasn't going to chance putting the roof down again.

The upshot is that despite the downpour, I managed to avoid getting a soaking, and when I got home the main evidence was a few drops on the passenger seat, which was promptly towelled dry.

 

[trapperjohn]

I always wondered what happened if you got "caught short" as it were with the hood down. If you can keep rolling at a decent speed "not a lot" it would appear. I often see cars on the hard sholder of the M6/55 under a bridge putting their hoods up if it looks a bit grim. I shall also mutter "lightweights" as I role past.

 

[219]

As one who drives everywhere with the sunroof open , unless it is pouring down , I can vouch for the fact that it blows over the top as long as a reasonable speed is maintained . Even the full length Webasto roof on my Ponton lets nothing in above 50 or so .

Only convertible I ever had was a Triumph Herald , worked for that too . One time I left it in the work car park , only to come out and find it had been raining long and hard - footwells were full of water , and when I opened the door some spilled out . Seats were soaked through , but dried off in a couple of days .

 

[moonloops]

Golden rule #27 is 97mph+ equals no rain on your bonce

 

[MD5]

I got caught badly once, and I'm not sure of the legalities of hard shoulder usage under these circumstances. Either way, the services on the M40 couldn't come quick enough. Even though you can keep your head dry over certain speeds, there comes a point when water will come up and over the windows and start dripping down from the sunvisors (I've been caught long enough to find out, and it's embarrassing, despite being hardcore!!).

 

[Colin_b]

Its fine if you keep going and its quiet. Its the spray from trucks that gets you

 

[tambyrne]

As one who drives everywhere with the sunroof open , unless it is pouring down , I can vouch for the fact that it blows over the top as long as a reasonable speed is maintained . Even the full length Webasto roof on my Ponton lets nothing in above 50 or so .

Only convertible I ever had was a Triumph Herald , worked for that too . One time I left it in the work car park , only to come out and find it had been raining long and hard - footwells were full of water , and when I opened the door some spilled out . Seats were soaked through , but dried off in a couple of days .

I had a Triumph Vitesse soft top. Strange thing with the top down in the rain, over 30mph you didn't get wet. But, at 30mph with the roof down it leaked so bad round the side window seals you got soaked.

 

[Merco]

I must have made a curious sight for my fellow road users, including those who helpfully tooted their horns in case I hadn't noticed my roof was still down, yet at between 60 and 70mph I was still keeping dry.

I didn't think you were allowed to toot your horn on the motorway so to speak!

 

[Noodle-Pulp]

I didn't think you were allowed to toot your horn on the motorway so to speak!

I seem to recall tooting your horn is ok - but blowing your own trumpet isn't