Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 23:28:12 -0700 (PDT)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Charles D Earl <cdearl@cats.ucsc.edu>
Subject: Re: Carrying a canoe, Was: Re: Rain Gutter Adapter Locations
I once saw a Westy with extra latches installed on each side of the
original one that holds the poptop down. They were similar to what Jeeps
use to hold their front hood down. They were installed to prevent the
top from flying open in case the main latch fails (with a load on top).
I mounted false gutter mounts on my top for my Yakimas. While I don't
think the racks would ever come-off, I worried about the latch failing.
However, I have had them for 3 years now, I carry up to 2 bikes and 4
surfboards at once and have never noticed any strain on the system. The
latch still holds solid. I have had the bikes up there with 40 mph
crosswinds on the freeway (Wyoming plains). I actually did remove the
bikes this time, but because the poor van was having enough trouble as it
was battling the wind.
As long as one is confident of their craftsmanship, I think it would be a
great idea to create a backup system for the main latch. I would be
interested in seeing your design idea. Theirs nothing wrong with
overkill (IMHO).
Earlier, I think it was this thread, someone was concerned about drilling
causing water leaks. When installing the false gutters, I slathered them
with silicone: the plates, the fiberglass and the nuts and bolts. I put
enough in so that it oozed out the sides when I tightened the bolts. It
has been totally waterproof.
I have always removed equipment when popping the top. I know others pop
it all the time with lots of gear up there and say they have experienced
no problems. I find that when I am driving to my destination (with toys
on top) I usually sleep in the bottom. I start using the top when I have
arrived and unloaded. I'm sure others would want access to the top at
all times, and this is indeed a problem with this system. But it works
for me. I am so sold on the Yakima system that I have accepted not using
the top occasionally (or unloading when I must).
Incidentally, my van's PO installed a tiedown on the front end, I think
it was for a canoe. It is a small boat tiedown (the kind where you wind
the rope around it in a "figure 8"). It is mounted directly above the
center of my top radiator grill. I use it as a clothesline tie-off.
Charles
'83.5 Westy
On Sat, 28 Jun 1997 jag@cs.rochester.edu wrote:
> For "absolutely-no-drilling" types you can carry a canoe on your
> pop top Westy by tying it in the front and back and using canoe
> carrying foam blocks. The blocks attach to the rim of the canoe.
>
> So where to tie it in the back you may ask? The answer is: the rear
> hatch. With the hatch open loop a line around each of the hinges.
> Tie down the canoe rear between the hinges. (In the front use
> the Westy luggage rack tiedowns of course)
>
> About pop top mounted racks: I'm sceptic to mounting false
> gutters on the front of the pop top. Consider that the only thing
> holding the top down in the front on the late Westy's is the
> center latch. Forces applied to the side of the top is going to
> cause considerable bending tensions on the top.
>
> However I do like the idea of having a rack wich allows the
> pop to be popped even with a light load on. I have a design worked
> out where the side of the top is locked down to the gutter when
> in transporting mode. Now I just need some time to go down to
> the machine shop and make it.
>
> /Martin
> --
> Martin Jagersand email: jag@cs.rochester.edu
> Computer Science Department jag@cs.chalmers.se
> University of Rochester
>
> Slow down and visit the VW diesel Westy page:
> WWW: http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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