Date:         Sun, 4 Aug 2002 17:18:16 -0500
Reply-To:     Harmon Seaver <hseaver@CYBERSHAMANIX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Harmon Seaver <hseaver@CYBERSHAMANIX.COM>
Subject:      Re: The Great Roof Rack Debate
Comments: To: Chris Earl <vw_traveler@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2002080419063963@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

On Sun, Aug 04, 2002 at 07:06:39PM -0400, Chris Earl wrote:
> Jeremy,
>
> I agonized over the same question. I decided to go with the gutter mounts,
> because I was similarly squeamish about drilling into the fiberglass, very
> dubious about the ability of the fiberglass to withstand the forces
> generated by the wind resistance vs. 2 sea kayaks (or multiple whitewater
> boats) at 65 mph,

    Along these lines, I'd think it be imperative to have tie-down ropes in the
bow of your kayaks, boards, or canoes leading to the front bumper. This is not
an option. You will much reduce the stress on your poptop. It might not matter
that much with racks mounted on steel, but when the mounts are all on the
poptop, as mine on my '73 most always were, you could see an actual lifting of
the top when at speed if the boards or canoe weren't tied down in front.





> and in general preferring to keep my van as close
> to "original" as possible. Not to mention the fact that going with gutter
> mounts allows you to change the rack spacing at will.
>
> Nonetheless, if you look at various westy picture sites you will see that
> numerous people have added the "fake" rain gutters seemingly without
> incident. These buses are tough!
>
> I went with the Thule 953 Super High Foot Gutter mount. These are MUCH
> better than the Yakima HiRise adapters, one piece, 11" high. All the
> clearance you need. If you prefer the cute Yakima accessories, the salesguy
> at REI told me that Yakima now makes their accessories fit Thule square
> bars as well. Best of both worlds.
>
> My setup has served me well, without incident. The rack manufacturers
> minimize the recommended uses to limit liability, as they assume
> (correctly) that people will exceed those limits the same way they drive 15
> mph over the speed limit.
>
> Take heart. It's not a big deal to put the racks on and off. A couple of
> minutes at most. It's more of a challenge to get the boats up and down!! I
> now carry one one of those low-profile 3' folding stepladders from
> Target/Walmart/HomeDespot...
>
> Chris

--
Harmon Seaver
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com