Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (April 2011, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
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 ....
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

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


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.