Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:54:30 -0400
Reply-To: Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Poptop Tent Material; Breathability Means ....
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I find all of this talk of pop-top tents very interesting since I am due a
new pop-top tent, again. I also thought I'd throw out a different opinion
since I seem to be one of the only ones that has had a bad experience with
the oem/German Westy tent.
About 4 years ago (I'd have to look it up) I purchased the top-shelf German
oem tent from Bus Depot. This fit is great, and the material is very light
so it does stow easily. The natural canvas color is also a good match to
the original. That may be where the plusses stop though from my experience
though.
The side zippers are too small and like to stick if they haven't been used
for a while. One of my first tears in the top came from trying to unzip one
of these (carefully, with two hands, one for the top and the other for the
zipper) a month or so after the top was installed. Perhaps I should be
lubricating them? Also if you leave the top up for a few days with the side
zippers partially down and the wind blows at all etc. the zippers will
distort and you get a hard spot. I move the zippers around a lot in those
cases to avoid this and it hasn't been a big problem fortunately. The front
window as it is configured, with the velcro on the sides, is pretty annoying
but I've gotten used to it. Overall the material has started to die on me.
I don't know if it sat on a shelf too long before I installed the top or if
I've opened my top too much but it was weak from the beginning and
inevitably it has torn or picked up holes at any opportunity. I've had
numerous Westies over the years, a few with ancient original tops and this
top reminds me of those in terms of strength even though it only has seen a
few seasons use. I don't believe that the problem is improper care or a bad
installation either, though we never think that of ourselves do we,, ha ha.
The top did start out a bit on the tight side (just barely if at all really)
but I really like the fit. Now the top is looser than I'd like. The light
canvas also makes more noise in the wind than a heavier canvas would.
This top is close to the newer Westy (Eurovan Westfalia) tops that I've
compared it too, and the fit is good. In all though it is not up to the
rugged standards of the rest of my Westy. If you only use your top
occasionally, and take great care of it then you should enjoy the Westy
Canvas top. Unfortunately I can't recommend any alternatives for those that
use their campers a bit more than occasionally but I'll let you know if I
find a good one.
So, I'll either be making my own or purchasing a new one soon and appreciate
the discussion. The Quebecois company looks to have a great product so I
may go that route this next time around, and hopefully it will be the last
time with this van..
Jonathan
'83 AC Westy
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