Date:         Mon, 22 Mar 1999 10:12:14 -0800
Reply-To:     Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Subject:      Vanagon side window rain vent idea that works
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

A couple of weekends ago while camped out in my westy in the rain I started
thinking about how hot the van was going to be in the summer during the rain
since you can't open any of the windows for ventilation without water
getting inside.  During a trip to Lowe's this past weekend I saw something
that gave me an idea on a way to provide ventilation and keep the rain out.
What I did was buy a pair of Builder's Edge brand 12" x 18" white plastic
gable vents and an assortment of small, medium, and large suction cups with
the hooks already on them for doing things like hanging pictures.  These
particular gable vents have several small 1/4 slots all around the edges
that the hooks from the suction cups fit into nicely.  The size is just
right (they are slightly larger than 12 x 18) for hanging just below the
rain gutter on the side sliding windows (on sliding door and above sink) and
they come down to just below the bottom of the window.  You can place
several suction cup hooks in the slots and just place it on the outside
right over the window.  You can place the suction cups on the window or the
body of the van.  I found that three small cups on will hold it well and
still allow me to open the sliding window from the inside while the vent is
attached on the outside.  If it is especially windy or you want a stronger
hold the medium and large cups help out here.  You can even open and close
the sliding door with the gable on the outside with no problem.  You will
need the small cups for the top of the vent for the sliding door in order to
do this and be able to open and close the window with the gable on.  These
particular vents also have an insect screen on the inside.  I got to try
these out yesterday in the big southeast rainstorm that came through
Virginia all day.  They did a great job of keeping the rain out and letting
the air in.  The little bit of water that did make it through the vent at
times collected on and ran down the vent's screen and it did not come inside
the van.  These vents actually look pretty nice on the van when they are
installed and they go on and off in less than a minute (only use these when
parked, not driving).  When not in use they fit under the rear bench seat.
I was very please with how well these vents worked out.  Nothing sticks out
that you have to worry about bumping into in the night.

If you want to try this, try to find the Builder's Edge brand of gable vents
(12" X 18") because they already have the suction cup hook slots in them
plus they have a screen to capture any drops that happen to get through
(discard the snap-on ring, its not needed for anything).  I found mine at
Lowe's.  They may or may not have this brand at HQ, Home Depot, etc.  Buy
several different sizes of suction cups also (the ones with the hooks).  I
found the larger sizes helpful when putting these on a van that was already
wet from the rain.  I paid one dollar a pack (4 small, 3 medium, or 2 large
in a pack). I got 2 packs of small, 2 medium, and 1 large.  You don't need
this many but they are cheap and this provides a good assortment to allow
you many different options with how you place the cups on.  The vents were
about $20 bucks each.  It cost about $45 total for the cups and vents for
both sliding windows.  Somewhat pricy, but I know I'll be happy I spent the
money the first time it rains in the summer and I can actually keep the
windows open for ventilation.

Steve

89 Westy