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
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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