I’m a 70-year-old woman with a 2002 Eurovan pop-top, and have found it makes a big difference if you open the sliding door and/or the back hatch before trying to open or close the pop-top… otherwise, you’re creating an air-pressure difference that works against you.? My pop-top is original, and while it’s bit heavy, I have no problem opening and closing it by myself with no other implements.
Hope this help!
Ricki
‘02 Weekender with 190k miles on original transmission (w/ external cooler)