Date:         Thu, 21 Oct 2004 13:44:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Installing a pop-top on a non-pop top EASY  ???  IN ONE
              WEEDEND ??
In-Reply-To:  <1e6.2c75c25b.2ea929d4@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Don't rush into this too quickly based on Chris' post.  There is no
doubt that what Karl and Chris did is much simpler and therefore, much
quicker.  But understand what they did and didn't do, compared to Stuart
Black.  Some people want a roof, some want a Westy upper bunk and the
roof, while still other's want a Westy with its full interior.

Carefully read the web page on the "easy method" done by Karl Bloss and
Chris and the linked page where the van is offered for sale - it has no
bed, just a pop top.  One of the main reasons people do it the harder
way is to get the bed.  Others who have the bed say they rarely use it
except as a storage space when camped and using the Westy interior.

The foundation for the Westy upper bed is an integral part of the Westy
top - which is not the same as the top of a regular vanagon with a hole
cut into it.  The Westy top is a flat platform for the bed.  Part of
that is a rather beefy cross bar that would provide some significant
structural support to the van's roof.  The regular van's roof line is
curved.  I haven't ever seen pictures of a bed installed into a van
converted in the manner Karl and Chris did the job although this poptop
addition idea gets discussed from time to time and Chris always asserts
that it is easy, etc.  They didn't do this part at all, much less in a
weekend.

So, if someone has done the whole job based on the Bloss / Turner
procedure, adding a bed to the curved roof, please show us some pictures.

While I will agree that having the pop top alone is a great addition for
camping and traveling,  I primarily use the van's poptop feature for
camping with my son when we attend astronomy gatherings.  He sleeps
upstairs and I sleep downstairs.  If a couple with no children, or a
couple who will put the children in a tent, were to add the poptop this
way, then the absence of the bed wouldn't be a big deal.

However, I do have some concern for the structural integrity of a
regular roof which has had such a large hole cut into it and no bracing
added.

I am not saying not to do this, just be sure about what you want.  I
have considered it for several years and read all I see about it.  Just
understand the whole job and what it will take in time before you jump in.

--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD

89 Syncro GL
85 Westy Weekender


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