Date:         Fri, 21 Nov 2003 12:05:58 -0500
Reply-To:     Daniel Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Safari racks for Vanagon, not Westfalia
Comments: To: LaughAtMyVanagon@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I've built one for myself from standard ½" electrical conduit .. i made it custom for my Isuzu trooper, though a vanagon would be similiar.

what i'm posting here is that I love having a 4'x8' rack that holds several sheets of plywood/drywall and lumber handy at my every need. I use it (on my trooper) constantly.. 

in building one myself from electrical conduit (and BTW it's PLENTY strong)   cost in materials was about $30-50... 

I have thought of making them for vanagons and offering to the list... but my time/effort  is quite valuable to me and would make it semi-unreasonable, and shipping an item that sized i would imagine would be costly... 


in my opinion nearly any semi-handy individual should be able to build one for under $200 including the cost of the economy wire feed welder.. (check harbor freight, northern tools, JC whitney, Central tractor or home depot).. 
once you have the basic technique it's fairly simple to build a box(crate) out of tubing.. I used a $7 tubning cutter and a bench vise to squash the ends to allow for full bead welding.. 


anyways guess i'm rambling.. but once you have one you'll never regret it.. and they are stronger then an overhead door.... make sure it fits in the garage prior to  driving in.




From:    John Connors <LaughAtMyVanagon@AOL.COM>
Subject: Safari racks for Vanagon, not Westfalia

Hello everyone.

Does anyone know of any Safari rooftop racks for a Vanagon?  I found the ones
on the web that resemble a short basket for the top of the Westfalias but
found nothing for a regular Vanagon.  I was looking for a rack to use as an
alternative for renting a U-Haul trailer.  Any ideas?

Thanks.

John Connors
'86 Syncro
Jersey City, NJ