Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996 09:55:08 -0800 (AKDT)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Dyen Fred D." <fffdd@aurora.alaska.edu>
Subject: Country Homes Poptop
Derek:
We have a 1984 Vanagon Wolfsburg (weekender) that I had the
Country Homes Pop Top installed on in 1986. Country Homes
has two options for the Vanagon. One is the poptop - takes
them 4 hours to install. That gives a top that covers 75%
of the roof and lifts straight up. It provides for an upper
bunk that sleeps two. The canvas is double thick and
insulated (a must for my family here in Alaska). Additionally
it is openable in the front (with both a screen and access
to the roof above the driver and front passenger area).
Both sides open as well to screens providing considerably more
ventilation than the Westy. You also can sleep in either
direction.
I carry 6 bicycles (one a tamdem) when we travel as well as
a tent, bicycle helmets, and a Burley (bicycle trailer) -
all on the outside of the van. This would not be possible
with a Westy - at least not over the Alcan or the thoroughfares
that pass as roads here in Alaska, without destroying the top.
With this setup, we can set up the van for sleeping without
removing the bicycles.
A second option that Country Homes offers is a removable camping
unit that slides in - in place of the middle seat. Takes about
20 minutes to switch from passenger mode to camping mode. This
is one option I elected not to purchase.
Our vanagon is equipped to seat seven and sleep 6 (with a
hammock over the front seats. While we have slept seven in the
van, it works better with the eldest of our five kids off at
college. For my family, the Country Homes poptop has worked out
far better than a Westy ever could. It has survived -60 degrees
below, numerous trips up and down the Alcan, and has been a
daily driver in the far North since new.
We first found out about the Country Homes poptop from a
Conneticutt family that was touring the contry and had been
visiting Fairbanks. I followed their van around town for half
hour or so until they stopped. Asked if they could show me the
poptop and they had their 10-year old son give me the demonstration
and sales pitch. That was all it took.
Fred
84 Vanagon