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Date:         Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:07:52 -0500
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Pop top tent material - acrylic vs cotton vs hemp
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

> I know this topic has been covered allot, but I'm trying to > tap into people who have direct experience using acrylic (or > hemp).

I sell both the OEM German cotton canvas (in a 3-window version) and the aftermarket acrylic one. (The acrylic one is the same no matter where you buy it; there is only one supplier.) Both are about the same price, so your question is a good one. Personally, I prefer the OEM German cotton canvas.

Longevity is pretty much a non-issue here, as both will probably outlast your ownership of the vehicle. (Your original canvas lasted what, maybe 20 years?) Similarly, water resistance is also a non-issue; as you know, the original German canvas keeps things dry inside even in heavy rain, and so will the acrylic canvas. So, those issues aside, what are the plusses and minuses?

The main selling point of acrylic/Sunbrella is that it is very resistant to sun fade. This makes it a popular material for marine applications, where it will be exposed to extremely strong sunlight reflected off of water all day every day. However, on a VW camper, the canvas is not exposed to nearly that much sunlight, making fade much less of an issue. The downside to acrylic is that it is stiff, making it somewhat more difficult to install and to fold in when you close the top. The other downside is that the acrylic poptop tent is aftermarket, and the fit (while certainly acceptable) is not up to the standards of the original German canvas. Also, for those to whom it matters, it does not look stock. To me, the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to acrylic, making the OEM German canvas the best bet. Of course, for those who disagree, we offer both options at the lowest prices.

As for hemp, while we do not carry it, it is actually a hemp "blend," not hemp. My understanding is that it is mostly cotton. Like the acrylic canvas it is aftermarket and does not fit quite as well as the OEM canvas, and of course it doesn't look at all "stock". Not having carried it or used it myself, I cannot comment on its performance or longevity, although I would not see any reason to expect problems.

- Ron Salmon The Bus Depot, Inc. www.busdepot.com (215) 234-VWVW

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