Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:45:55 -0700
Reply-To: David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Replacing Canvas on Westy
In-Reply-To: <BANLkTimpd2_QoHNNVOFaY4Q7MGyqHw055w@mail.gmail.com>
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That's the one I just put on recently too. I am disappointed to hear other people's issues as I wondered myself about a couple things. I still think it is a good option but I will be more careful not to rip it.
My issues are that the fabric is thin and the side zippers are weak. I thought of replacing the side zippers with velcro or something. It is odd to use velcro on the front and cheap mini-plastic zippers on the sides. When I partially open the sides and I tuck the fabric down into the pocket created by unzipping it. That keeps any pressure off the zipper. The front zipper is beefy, which makes the side zippers look so obviously undersized. And you can get used to the front zipper/velcro arrangement, but it helps not to undo the front all the way, so it is easy to zip it back up. But ofcourse if you want more breeze, you will have to undo it all the way and just deal with the zipper later.
The finished look is the best of any I have seen, and I checked out quite a few before I bought this one. It looks great, but it is pretty snug which concerns me in that the material is pretty thin. Still, I would expect it will last 10 years, just need to be careful of accidentally ripping it, or breaking those wimpy side zippers.
Next time, I would look at other options but might still wind up getting the same one. Below is another option I think may have been better but I didn't know when I ordered. http://www.atelierspk.com/Picture.html
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4379258
The quality appears better but the fit isn't as snug. And the install I saw on a van didn't look as good as the website photos, so maybe it's a little harder to get it snug. The busdepot one fits more perfectly without adjusting the top or bottom. I might also consider acrylic fabric next time for the durability, although I saw quite a few posts saying stay away from it. Hard saying. I'd love to hear from someone that tried the BD one, and then found something better.
Dave in Fort Collins
--- On Tue, 6/21/11, Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Just reading the last two posts. The Bus Depot
> 'premium' canvas was being talked about. Can you confirm that you are
> talking about "Genuine Westfalia German-made replacement, the best
> quality and closest to stock that you can buy." that sells for $399.95?
> I ask because I'm going to be replacing my canvas either this summer
> or over the winter and that is the canvas I was planning to order,
> now having second thoughts.
