I'm not sure about your conclusion that the weight of the shell is ever supported by the skin. I think of the shell as a rigid box, with a frame inside the walls and roof, and a skin glued over it. I'm pretty sure that the rigid box is supported by the lift arms, two on each side. With some effort, you can peer at least part way up into the shell wall, and see how the shell frame rests on the strong parts of the lift arms. I wasn't able to get any photos, though.
Anyway, the pocket stop is much to light weight to support a shell weighing a few hundred pounds.
Bill
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