Date:         Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:04:55 -0100
Reply-To:     Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: New Poptop Canvas
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

<During this springs "restoration" I want to replace the pop-top canvas. Bus
Depot has those aftermarket ones for $250 and the genuine Westfalia ones for
$350. I have no problem paying the extra money (considering the timely
install process) for the Westfalia but I was curious to know if they are
better than the after markets, therefore warranting the higher price?>


I have used both from Bus Depot, and my advice is spring for the extra
bucks. The $350.00 canvas is a heavier weight material and looks better. I
currently have the cheaper canvas on my '75 Westy, and (read carefully) it
does the job. It looks OK, has kept the rain out, but I used the more
expensive canvas on a '77 I had a few years back, and i personally liked it
better. I'm not really slamming the cheaper one, but the heavier grade
canvas just looked better.  I have no idea which one will hold up better in
the long run, but I'm betting on the more expensive one. When it comes time
to replace the canvas on my '84, I will go with the heavier grade
canvas-this is NOT a fun job, and you don't want to do it more often than
you have to! Just my $.02.     Jef