Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 16:02:15 -0700
Reply-To: Tim King <tking_ms@msn.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tim King <tking_ms@msn.com>
Subject: Re: Thule Rack and Rocketbox
Hi -- We used a rocket box on our syncro westy most of last winter camping
at ski areas. I found I could pop the top with a fair effort (consider I'm
6'6" tall so I have a lot of leverage) with a medium-loaded rocket box (Say,
two pairs of tele skis, two pairs of XC skis, a shovel or two, and a couple
pairs of boots and poles -- maybe 60lbs). Generally, we'd only camp with a
load half that size with the top up. For what it's worth, I didn't notice
any wear or problems.
Some tips.
*Mount the gutter brackets back a ways on the van. This should make the top
easier to lift because you aren't lifting it as high (though I'm sure some
of the list science dorks (I mean _enthusiasts_ ;-) are going to validate my
liberal arts degree by debunking this)
*Secure the pop-top. The front edges of the roof aren't attached to the
van -- only the center locks. Once you have the rack on, grab one side of
the front bar and push up. See how much your roof flexes and lifts? Kind of
scary. What I did is whip up a heavy duty nylon strap with gutter clips on
each end and a cam buckle (like they sell for canoe straps) in the middle --
actually the buckle is more to one side so you can reach it from the ground.
I hook this under the gutter on the driver's side, pass it over the roof
directly over the pop top latch, and hook it under the gutter on the pass
side. Then I cinch it down and hit the road. Now try the lift test.... no
movement. Time to hit the road...
*Make a ladder device. I used some more of those cam buckle haul straps with
S-hooks and a 12" hunk of 2x4 to make a platform that hangs off cross bars.
When I need good access to the box, I open the side door, attach my S-hooks
to the rack cross bars, adjust the 2x4 platform to a good height (usually
about 2' above the van floor), step up and organize my rocket box. Works
pretty sweet and stores in a much smaller bundle than any step ladder.
*Watch overhead clearance and corners. You thought your van was tall
before... you've just added about 20". Forget about many fast food
drive-thrus and watch for overhanging branches on dirt roads. Finally, keep
your cornering speeds down. Your tippy westy is now more so.
Have fun!
Tim King
Seattle, WA
87 Syncro Westy.
----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Hornberger <DHornberg@aol.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 4:11 AM
Subject: Thule Rack and Rocketbox
> Hello everyone,
> My wife and I are about to embark on a 3-month drive through Mexico,
> therefore thought we might need a little extra storage. I bought a Thule
rack
> and rocketbox which will mount on the sides of the poptop via installed
> gutters.
> My question is this, does anyone have experience with approximately how
much
> weight one can put in the rocketbox and still keep the poptop in the UP
> position without causing any damage or other adverse events to the poptop
or
> any other parts of the van or persons?
> Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Doug Hornberger
> 1991 Vanagon "Romer"
