Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 22:55:49 -0700
Reply-To: Craig Oda <craigoda@COMMUNITYBUILDERS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Craig Oda <craigoda@COMMUNITYBUILDERS.INFO>
Subject: Re: wisdom of strapping surfboard to westy roof, no rack
In-Reply-To: <OFE7D41E50.830BEF22-ON85256E89.0043B073-85256E89.0043D701@hewitt.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; delsp=yes; format=flowed
Doug,
this seems like a nice cheap deal. Is 57" wide enough to fit across
the width of the camper poptop? Or, do I need to get the wider bars.
http://www.prolineracks.com/spec-cartop-carriers.html
Another listmember told me to get 66" cross bars for the Yakima 1A
towers. I've also heard that 1" OD pipe will work. I may opt for
the Yakima side-loader brackets from REI for $50 for four
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?
storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=1287&parent_category_rn=450
1516
And I would need to locate some cheap 1A towers from some place used.
There's also another option of getting generic gutter mount racks.
My only concern right now is bar width.
Any thoughts on minimum width requirements?
Thanks.
Regards,
Craig
On May 3, 2004, at 5:21 AM, Doug Alcock wrote:
>
> Here's a complete rack for $49.99 --- it's a Thule clone and looks
> pretty good to me. I was going to order it until I found one locally
> for about the same price.
>
> Cheers,
> Doug
>
>
>
>
> "Craig Oda" <craigoda@COMMUNITYBUILDERS.INFO>
> Sent by: "Vanagon Mailing List" <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>
> 05/03/2004 02:30 AM
> Please respond to "Craig Oda"
>
>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> cc:
>
> Subject: Re: wisdom of strapping surfboard to westy
> roof, no rack
>
>
>
> Thanks to everyone for the awesome answers. I've received a number of
> suggestions to go for Yakima gutter racks.
>
> Since I don't know the Yakima parts well, I was going through eBay and
> found these 1A Raingutters.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> ViewItem&category=56202&item=3674769219&rd=1
>
> Will these fit, or do I need the High-Rise version?
>
> Also, what else do I need? For example, how wide does the cross bar
> have to be? Will galvanized pipe really work? I've heard two
> different
> theories.
>
> Also, how does the board attach to the cross bar? Is there another
> attachment I need to buy?
>
> I thinkI could buy a commercial rack system if I were confident that
> I
> was buying a complete system that fit on the Westy's roof.
>
> Regards,
> Craig
>
>
> Craig Oda wrote:
>
> > I'm considering strapping a long surfboard to the top of my
> westfalia
> > roof and am wondering about the wisdom of this. I want to avoid the
> > $200 or more cost of a Thule of Yakima racks, which I've heard
> works.
> >
> > Here's my idea.
> >
> > 1) Buy six drawer handles from a hardware store.
> > 2) Drill holes in pop top fiberglass for 3 handles on each sides of
> > the roof
> > 3) Attach handles with 3/16" long-shank aluminum pop rivets and
> large
> > washers to distribute rivet stress
> > 4) put down foam pipe insulation rolls on the roof of the Westy to
> > protect the board
> > 5) strap the board to the roof using the handles
> >
> > In this configuration, the board would have three straps over it.
> >
> > Reckon I'll crack the pop-top roof or lose the board on the freeway
> or
> > on some bumpy road? The Yakima rack appears to be bolted right
> into the
> > poptop and the rack supports the weight. If I have the roof itself
> > supporting the waiting and use the drawer handle tie-downs to hold
> the
> > board stable, it might work... You, think?
> >
> > Is there any other cheap solution for this?
> >
> > I may get a 8-10' long board. Think long..... Summer is coming.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Craig
>
>
>
>
>
