Pop top canvas question

ddye · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:38 am Post subject: Pop top canvas question

First I would like to introduce myself then ask my question.my name is David and i am about to become a Vanagon owner. I grew up driving the old bay windows that my mom owned and have always had a soft spot for them. Now I find myself in the position of being able to get one for myself. So hello!

Here is my question. The van I am looking to buy, 1988 GL, had the canvass ripped out by the wind this week when the current owner opened it to air it out. So my first purchase for the van will be new canvass. I have done some preliminary searches but I'm not really finding what I'm looking for. What kind of pop up canvass do you have and what do you like/hate about it? Also I know gowesty has canvass for sale, who else should I look at?

Thank you and I look forward to participating in the forum,
David

scobax · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:52 am Post subject:

David

hello and welcome to the nuthouse.

The very best poptop tent comes from Canada-

www.atelierspk.com/west_english.html

Worth every penny, and no guesswork as to fit or quality.

You should also change something else, but it escapes me at the moment...
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Current fleet: 87 Syncro Westy, 85 Golf diesel, 81 Caddy diesel

“The word adventure has gotten overused. For me, when everything goes wrong, that's when adventure starts” -Yvon Chouinard

DAIZEE · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:57 am Post subject:

FUEL LINES #1 priority
_________________
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 97 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (for sale)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Mental Health issues affect us all. Ignorance is not bliss. It's up to each of us to educate ourselves.

PDXWesty · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:01 am Post subject:

There are some posts if you weed through this search that might help:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200

I've had an acrylic tent from GoWesty installed for about 8 years now and it still looks brand new. I am very pleased with it.
http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2514&category_id=135&category_parent_id=
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

Ahwahnee · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:26 am Post subject:

I used one that is pretty heavy canvas -- heavier than the original tent. Works well for us because we are fair weather campers and even if we do get rain it is usually a place (mountains or desert) where the showers are brief and the humidity low.

The acrylic seems to be popular in the Northwest where conditions may be wetter.

Which works for a Dallas-based Westy may depend on where & when you will use it.

Whichever you choose, you definaitley want the 3-window version for much better ventilation and to spy on campground neighbors.

The install was pretty easy -- some take the whole top off but I did it with the top in situ which makes it a one-man job and lets you stop half-way and button things up if you need to (I was working outdoors).

Welcome and perhaps post pics when you can.

whynotvw · Samba Member Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1028

X2 Make sure to go with acrylic or sunbrella same thing. 5x stronger then og canvas.

Go with www.atelierspk.com Best fit period. I got mine in 5 days from canada to Calif. They make it in house so no middle person like Gowesty or van cafe or bus depot.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

dhaavers · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:30 pm Post subject:

www.atelierspk.com
Beautiful tents - I'll be going with this option when I replace!
It's not just me - are these side windows bigger than some others I've seen? Curious...
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86 White Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"

pioneer1 · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:03 pm Post subject: canvas

Hi; I used a lower priced cotton product, 3 window,I believe from Bus Depot.
It was easy to work with due to it's light weight weave. I am a fair weather camper and found it to be perfect for the budget minded. If you are going winter camping,extreme conditions,etc. get the best you can afford.
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'95 VW Rialta
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CQ · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:49 pm Post subject:

I have a Bus Depot one just waiting to install it is all.. works great in the box.
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82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.

whynotvw · Samba Member Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1028

one of the problems with the cheaper ones are when you pinch the fabric at the latch it will easily rip. I would already have couple of rips by now on my new pop top if I had the less expensive fabric. If the fabric gets pinched where the latch goes the acrylic has no problem. Acrylic is about 5x stronger. On my old og canvas, i had to be super careful every time i closed the top to make sure canvas did not get pinched. i don't stress as much with the acrylic when i close the pop top.

I would save and get the best one. my 2 cents

DAIZEE · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:13 pm Post subject:

cheap is not really indicative of long term (i.e. decades) , you only want to do it once. Acrylic is so much more durable.
_________________
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 97 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (for sale)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Mental Health issues affect us all. Ignorance is not bliss. It's up to each of us to educate ourselves.

whynotvw · Samba Member Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1028

CQ · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:24 pm Post subject:

Dang it I had no idea... I bought such a while ago I dont know if I could even return to to BD at this point and get a canadian one... those are slick looking too.
_________________
82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.

bjrogers86auto · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject: canvas

PDX said it best...there are a lot of threads on this topic but it's snowing and not much else going on...

I bought a Bus Depot OEM canvas 2 yrs ago. Installed it in place with the help of my then 9 yr old daughter. The fit was perfect. It is a really nice tent.

I like the breathability of canvas as well as the flexibility when cold. We use a Gowesty rainfly but the few times it got wet it was great.

If I had of known about the Canadian option I would have likely gone that route just to save on exchange and shipping. You can't live in the past but if we did our vans wouldn't need new tents! (They would be new) Nevermind. Did I mention it was snowing?

Brian.
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
03 Golf TDI
08 Honda Element (Winter Westy)

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

ddye · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:39 pm Post subject:

Well I guess that settles it. Those stink in Canadians get my hard earned cash Very Happy

bjrogers86auto · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:38 pm Post subject: cash

Trust me on this one...you can't spend the same amount of money in Canada on your van that I have sunk into the American economy for mine!

That being said...if you happen to break down outside Ben's shop and he does a subie swap for you...you will have me beat!

Have fun with the tent install.

Brian.
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
03 Golf TDI
08 Honda Element (Winter Westy)

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

DAIZEE · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject:

"stink in Canadians"?, here's a bar of soap for you! Laughing

_________________
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 97 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (for sale)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Mental Health issues affect us all. Ignorance is not bliss. It's up to each of us to educate ourselves.

ddye · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:41 pm Post subject:

Ha to say that the tent needed replacing in the new van is an understatement. I will post pics later but two side are completely gone and the third is on its way. Ordering new tent now!!!

Oh and I love Canadian, it gives me someone to blame for the occasional cold weather in Texas Very Happy

DAIZEE · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:47 pm Post subject:

You gotta be kidding. Most of our winter storms start out in northern Texas, or at least that's what they say! I wanna say, keep your dang storms to yourself. The cold air you are talking about come from your Alaska. mmm wonder if he'll believe that Wink

_________________
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 97 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (for sale)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Mental Health issues affect us all. Ignorance is not bliss. It's up to each of us to educate ourselves.

Franklinstower · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:24 pm Post subject:

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