Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 09:49:13 -0700
Reply-To: Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Subject: RAIN GUTTERS was RE: SURVEY - I need a metal fab. project
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I put the track system on top of my Westy and am very pleased. At a distance
or up close (when the racks are removed) you cant see the tracks unless your
looking for them. Very aesthetically pleasing. I too looked at the
artificial rain gutters and thought they sucked.
I will try to post pics if requested. But I mounted the two Thule tracks
just 3 inches inboard the outside edge. Also cut the main 48 inch tracks
into two pieces so they can go the entire distance of the roof. This way the
racks are adjustable in different places on the roof. With the racks off you
can barely see the tracks.
IMHO this was a much better solution than the ugly/non-dynamic artificial
rain gutters.
The only thing that sucks for me is the fact that my 2.0l air-cooled Westy
cannot handle the extra drag that two kayaks put on it up there and it
really slows down the vehicle on hills.
Sean Garrett
1981 Westy (his)
1995 Eurovan Camper (hers)
sean.garrett@asu.edu
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Steven Fish [mailto:fish@SALZBURG.CO.AT]
> Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 9:37 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: SURVEY - I need a metal fab. project
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I was just at a metalsmith's shop today, and we discussed
> various ways of
> creating artificial rain gutters for the Westy Poptop to
> accomodate Thule
> and other rain rutter mounted racks.
>
> We threw around a few designs, using stainless steel plates,
> with an an
> angle protruding out from the center... etc.
>
> I was wondering if anyone has already solved this problem. I
> realize that
> Thule has their solution available for 45 bucks... but they
> just look really
> small and insignificant. My rack is huge, and often has tons
> of junk on it.
> I would like a design that is a bit more stable, without
> looking completely
> hideous. My guess is that they also could be made for much
> lsee than 45
> bucks!
>
> If anyone has solutions that they are satisfied with (or not
> satisfied with)
> I would love to see either photos or diagrams.
>
> I personally think that this would be a great metal project, once the
> absolute best design is worked out, as the pieces could be
> created for very
> little money, and many people would be able to afford them,
> and finally get
> racks on their Westy tops.
>
> RSF
>
> IMPORTANT!!! In order to reply to me, you must have the word "FISH"
> somewhere in the subject line of the email. Otherwise it
> goes directly in
> the trash.
>
> <º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{ <º)))>{
>
> Robert S. Fish
> Salzburg, Austria
> 1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon 2.1 GL Weekender
> 1987 Golf Cabriolet
> 1991 Golf
>
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