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Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:21 am

What's the difference?

I've seen OG Dormobile's with the tops opening either way.

Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:25 am

Can't you just spin them around 180 degrees? I didn't realize that they were directional.

Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:32 am

campingbox wrote: Can't you just spin them around 180 degrees? I didn't realize that they were directional.

Yes.

Here's an example of that...

When I owned it.

The new owner.

Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:03 pm

bastardbus wrote: Regardless if you like dormo tops or not...one thing that sucks is when someone installs a right hand drive dormo top on a left hand drive bus...UGHHH

Whatever blows your skirt up! :roll:

:P

When I was putting my top together I search this and other forums for an "official" bonafide answer as to what exactly was the reason for the top opening away from the doors. The best "guess" was clearance for the tent. Best guess because that is just what it is, a guess. As much sense as it does make, there haven't been a soul to produce some sort of documentation that this is the official reason. Not just because it wouldn't apply in a double door, but they also install these tops on Range Rovers in the UK and those only have an access door on the back. So I'd have to assume they are installed to the liking of the prospective owner. :?

Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:21 pm

mr. warehouse wrote: campingbox wrote: Can't you just spin them around 180 degrees? I didn't realize that they were directional.

Yes.

Here's an example of that...

When I owned it.

The new owner.

Fly, fly, be free!

Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:24 pm

Owner preference is probably the answer.
When I did mine I hinged it on the drivers side as it had alot of issues on that sise and figured less people would be looking over there.
The new owner switch it because he wanted it to openn*UP* on the drivers side since both inner door handles were accessible on that side, where on the pass. side one was behind the cooler / fridge.

Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:36 pm

All the "documentation" I have seen the top always opens away from the cargo doors regardless be it a right hand drive or left hand drive.

Anyone I have seen flipped the opposite way has been a "home installed" job.

Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:40 pm

I even tried my luck with the Q. at the JustKampers' forum without luck either. Was thinking, being in the UK, someone would either be or know someone else who actually worked at Dormobile where they STILL make the tops and would know the "official" answer. :?

My preference is such since the door side is the one you normally "show" your bus. It looks better than showing the canvas and if you are at a venue where you end up parking next to a wall, then that would be the view out of the window. :(

I still would like to find an "official" word on this, though it won't make a difference in the way I like to have mine. It'd just be kool to know. 8)

bastardbus wrote: All the "documentation" I have seen the top always opens away from the cargo doors regardless be it a right hand drive or left hand drive.

Anyone I have seen flipped the opposite way has been a "home installed" job.

Vintage pix here:

A Martin Walter no less! :P

Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:04 pm

Here is my old '67 Devon Dormobile. The roof is as it left the Devon factory.

Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:11 pm

pyrOman wrote: My preference is such since the door side is the one you normally "show" your bus. It looks better than showing the canvas and if you are at a venue where you end up parking next to a wall, then that would be the view out of the window. :(

I can see where if you were swapping it would be a benefit to have the hinged side on the cargo side because the you could stand up inside or lay in the roof cot (assuming you are tiny) and keep an eye on your stuff through the windows in the dormy top.

On the other hand, especially a bench seat, hinging from the drivers side makes sense because you need to make sure than canvas is tucked in nicely before latching the top down and having the canvas side right at the cargo doors saves a lap around the bus.

Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:16 pm

I was told that green striped tops opened right and red striped tops opened left.

If I knew how to quote I would...but I loved my 70 velvet green dormy. I camped in it all over the country and loved it every day. I am 6 ft tall and slept up in the cot near the windows. There was factory roof curtains that I could close if it was too hot and the roof vents to open to relieve condensation. I dont know the westy model codes but down stairs it had a plaid L-couch and a swing out table. It also had a stove range behind the passenger seat which had a toaster burner that aimed downward onto a built in skillet. It made the best grilled cheese ever...

Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:08 pm

terrell wrote: A friend of mine had a very mint all original low mileage LHD MW dormobile in Canada. It was in amazingly shape when he bought it - a little buffing and it looked almost new. I will try and scare up some pictures. Some of the Saskatoon/Regina SK people would have seen it at the shows. I think he took it out to at least one Great Canadian Bug show as well in the mid 90's.

Terrell, are you talking about Grant's bus? That is one nice camper. Haven't seen it in a couple years, but I imagine it's in storage somewhere. All my pics of it are pre digi.

Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:47 pm

bastardbus wrote: All the "documentation" I have seen the top always opens away from the cargo doors regardless be it a right hand drive or left hand drive.

Anyone I have seen flipped the opposite way has been a "home installed" job.
I have seen factory photos of a westfalia with a dormobile top that hinged on the cargo door side. probably some prototype. the pics are in the really good german bus book "der lassastel des wirtschaftswunders" or however it is spelled.

Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:01 pm

Lind wrote: bastardbus wrote: All the "documentation" I have seen the top always opens away from the cargo doors regardless be it a right hand drive or left hand drive.

Anyone I have seen flipped the opposite way has been a "home installed" job.
I have seen factory photos of a westfalia with a dormobile top that hinged on the cargo door side. probably some prototype. the pics are in the really good german bus book "der lassastel des wirtschaftswunders" or however it is spelled.

Yep, page 212, 221, 223 it's a Euro '62 (bullets in the front w/ big tail lights)

Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:46 am

vincev wrote: I was told that green striped tops opened right and red striped tops opened left.

Source? :?