Date:         Tue, 2 Dec 1997 08:19:56 -0800
Reply-To:     Richard Angelini <richard@BALLY.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Richard Angelini <richard@BALLY.COM>
Subject:      Westy pop-top insulated ceiling

For those cold camping times;

The BEST $15 thing I did was make a folding insulated ceiling panel to fit in
the pop-top opening where you standup. It does the same thing as closing the
camper pop-top, which is keep the van warmer. The benefit is that I don't
have to keep closing the top. Its amazing how much warmer the van stays with
it in. If you have a heater in the van it works even better since the foil
reflects back the heat.

I went to Home Depot and bought a 4'x4' piece of aluminum foil covered
bubble-wrap insulation. Its very flexible as it comes on big rolls like
aluminum foil. I also got 20' of 3/4"x1/8" wood screen trim and a roll of
duct tape.

I cut the trim into five 4' pieces and taped them to the insulation foil at the
two ends and at 1 foot spacing like this | | | | |. Now you can fold up the
insulated ceiling at the 1 foot marks. It fits perfectly in the 4'x4' pop-top
opening and you can partially open it by folding it back to access the upper
bunk. The wood trim should be on the top when you use the ceiling (it keeps
the foil from sagging). When not in use it stores between the canvas top and
the pop-top extension arm (pop-top open), or on top of the upper bunk (pop-top
closed).

A great 1 hour project for a warmer winter camping van!!!

Richard 85 Westy