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Date:         Sun, 9 Apr 2006 01:04:02 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Whole Pop top conversion
Comments: To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <442BBE65.70402@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Mark,

I have wanted to get some sort of campmobile, but the Westy sleeping arrangement has never been one I was excited about. Seemed pretty cramped with the clothes closet in the back. In fact, I'm not so sure I want all the other stuff - stove, refer, sink, etc, - in there either, at least not in a permanent way, anyhow. But the poptop always seemed a good idea. Since I bought a second 88 GL specifically for having a campmobile, it sounds like your solution is the direction I want to go. Eventually I want to install a poptop camper shell and the bigger hole seems the way. Glad to hear someone has already done it.

Regards,

John Rodgers 88 GL Driver x2

mark drillock wrote:

> The bigger hole method is fine too. I have done one that way, even left > the rear A/C in and working. The curved metal arch must be cut out and a > flat replacement put in it's place. Bolt a new piece of plywood into the > rear ceiling hole. Since you already did the small hole method it would > be a fairly simple step to enlarge the roof hole and add the folding > upper bed. Measure carefully and make sure the new ceiling is low enough > for the folded bed and pads to fit between it and the top. > > The flat rear ceiling of the Westy is lower and crowds the lower living > space a bit more than the arched ceiling. The small hole method result > is much more spacious inside but less storage without the rear closet. > We own both and travel a lot in both. When we were younger the narrow > lower Westy bed was fine and climbing up to the upper bed was less > difficult. Now we are more comfortable living in our roomier homemade > version. YMMV > > Mark > > .Dave Vickery wrote: > >> >> Having done this now, I do wonder why we don't just cut a bigger >> hole. The >> 42" x 42" hole works good, but the roof arch is what makes fitting the >> upper >> bunk a trick. Why not just continue cutting most of the way to the rear >> (including 1 roof reinforcement) which would remove the arch. You >> could >> then re-create the flat section with plywood and some reinforcement. >> The >> arch is a couple inches. By flattening that out, there would be >> plenty of >> space for the normal bunk and avoid the welding etc. Anybody ever try >> that? >> ..................... > > >


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