Date:         Sat, 6 Mar 2004 14:44:28 -0500
Reply-To:     80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Is the pop top really worth it? I hear they are noisey
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Before I had my westy I didn't think I would use the pop top
all that much. I figured that 90% of my camping would be two
people only and the cushions on the lower bunk would be more
comfortable because they were thicker. I also didn't feel
like climbing up and down if nature called in the middle of
the night.

Having said that I could not have been more wrong.

Yes I still sleep on the bottom bunk, but the standing room
right over the sink where you most need it is reason enough
to have it. But what makes it even better is the extra
storage it provides when popped. I generally throw all my
stuff behind the passenger seat when I am on my way to the
campground, but move it to the pop top once I set up camp.
Then its out of the way and its no problem to just fold the
bed down and sleep.

And no matter how loaded you van is you also have an
emergency place to sleep. I cannot remember the exact
circumstances, but I recall being on a long trip and the van
was absolutely packed with stuff. I was getting tired and
wanted to grab a 45 minute nap. I pulled into a rest stop and
just popped the to and climbed up.

I would never own another van without a pop top, unless of
course it was a hightop of some kind.

Thanks,
Chris