Date:         Thu, 14 May 1998 11:35:21 -0600
Reply-To:     john silverman <jsilver@MAIL.AROS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         john silverman <jsilver@MAIL.AROS.NET>
Subject:      Racks
Comments: To: Vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Load-haulers...
I was able to find a used Yakima rack, and bolted on some of their
artificial rain gutters for the top.  However, I'm not too excited about
carrying bikes up there-too hard to put on and off, and all that wind.

Driving around SLC last month, I noted an older Westy with a new style
Yakima mounted on the rear hatch.  I talked to the fellow about it, then
went on to try it myself.  I bought a set of their "Qtowers", with Q-41
clips, and 66" crossbars.  Fits great on the rear hatch!!!  Then, whatever
bike mount system you like-either one piece or the 2 piece setups should
work.  The bikes hang vertically from the front dropouts.
Drawbacks:  Price- is not cheap (REI was on sale last week, but still quite
expensive, easily as much as a Paulchen).
        Weight: is heavy, set up for four bikes.  I can open the hatch
myself with no bikes, but 4 bike mounts.  However, the struts won't support
the hatch open with the rack on.  I'm also not sure how much weight the
hatch can support even closed, but it doesn't seem like a major problem.

I suppose one could only set up the top rack, and figure out a bungie cord
system for the rear wheels?.

Does anyone know of a heavier duty strut/piston setup that will work on the
rear Hatch?

John
SLC, UT
'90 syncro westy- Vic