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poptopbob Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2004 Posts: 9
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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:32 am Post subject: Hard-sided Storage Containers for Roof Rack |
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I'm looking for some type of plastic bin or container(s) to sit inside the "roof well" infront of the pop top. I have read where some use dry storage bags; I'm looking for compact, rigid boxes. Any ideas?
Thanks |
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TeamSpatula Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004 Posts: 5210 Location: WNC
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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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Check your local Lowe's or Home Depot. Some of those plastic storage boxes have watertight seals in them, and can be had for less than $30 or $40...They're great for the roof of the bus, basement, or wherever you need watertight storage. Also, depending on the size, old military surplus ammo boxes are watertight as well...they have some pretty big sizes for pretty cheap. _________________ <---Air Cooled Search & Rescue Team - STICKERS & T-shirts for sale!
I NEED A CAMPER!!!! (1971 is ideal but will consider other years)
http://www.TeamSpatula.com |
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earthmuffin Samba Worm Farmer
Joined: September 24, 2003 Posts: 1542 Location: In the shower..........peeing!
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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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You might be able to get away using some Rubbermaid actionpackers. They don't have a seal, but the way the lip and the lid work, they are pretty good. I use them for my motorcyle gear. _________________ This thread SUCKS!!! |
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poptopbob Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2004 Posts: 9
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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:07 pm Post subject: Storage Containers for Roof Rack |
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We don't have a Lowe's in our area but I'll check Home Depot and Building Box.
Thanks! |
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cris torlasco Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2000 Posts: 1363 Location: Delmar, NY/Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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Cris |
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motelvw Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2005 Posts: 465
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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Cris, where did you get those boxes, that's beautiful! |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6234 Location: Portland OR
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cris torlasco Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2000 Posts: 1363 Location: Delmar, NY/Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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A friend of mine and I designed them a few years ago and made a few. The idea is to be able to:
A) Load and unload them without too much effort (that is the reason why there are three of them).
B) Be able to access the contents with ease without taking the boxes out of the rack. They open forward, so it is very easy to access the contents from the pop top opening.
C) Be compatible with the Westfalia roof rack. They match the grooves, size, and support bracket locations. The slope in the front of the boxes is the same as the one in the Westy roof rack.
D) Be completely waterproof.
We did a few with integrated color in the material (such as the ones shown in the photos), to match VW colors, so they never get scratches or spots where paint is damaged or missing.
Cris |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10333 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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cris torlasco wrote: |
A friend of mine and I designed them a few years ago and made a few. The idea is to be able to:
......
B) Be able to access the contents with ease without taking the boxes out of the rack. They open forward, so it is very easy to access the contents from the pop top opening.
Cris |
V cool! _________________ 1981 Westy, 15º ABA
1988 West, 50º ABA
Vanagon VAG GAS engine swap Google Group:
https://tinyurl.com/2f24rmh
VE7TBN |
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ValleyHappy Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2007 Posts: 251 Location: Walla Walla, WA
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:30 am Post subject: |
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if you want something completely watertight and very durable...checkout Pelican Boxes...they come in all sizes.
http://www.pelican.com/ _________________ 09 Suzuki SX-4 Crossover |
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foodeater Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2007 Posts: 1318 Location: Newburgh, NY
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: |
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cris torlasco wrote: |
A friend of mine and I designed them a few years ago and made a few. The idea is to be able to:
A) Load and unload them without too much effort (that is the reason why there are three of them).
B) Be able to access the contents with ease without taking the boxes out of the rack. They open forward, so it is very easy to access the contents from the pop top opening.
C) Be compatible with the Westfalia roof rack. They match the grooves, size, and support bracket locations. The slope in the front of the boxes is the same as the one in the Westy roof rack.
D) Be completely waterproof.
We did a few with integrated color in the material (such as the ones shown in the photos), to match VW colors, so they never get scratches or spots where paint is damaged or missing.
Cris |
How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc? _________________ 89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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TopBud Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2004 Posts: 1104 Location: Flagstaff AZ
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:29 am Post subject: |
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action packers by rubbermaid. they come in three sizes are lockable and can be locked to the roof using a cable. They rock and are waterproof. you can also stand on them if needed and they make great seats. I found some at Walmart. The only place in my area that sells them. _________________ 86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2002 Posts: 154 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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its funny, i actually bought a spare luggage rack from a westy from cris a few years back with the intention on making molds and containers like he had already made, wish i had just asked him in the first place! i hunted for a long time for the right waterproof thing for my westy and was never able to find something that satisfied me which is why i had visions of making my own (which never happened). maybe different style comtainers are out there now, but all that i found were either the wrong size and stuck up too much (like rubbermaid-type stuff)or were the right size but didn't hold much (gun cases, etc). i even tried a waterproof duffel bag which was nearly impossible for me to get on top of the van with any weight in it. what cris made is just PERFECT and if someone (or cris or his buddy) was so inclined i think many people would be interested. |
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cris torlasco Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2000 Posts: 1363 Location: Delmar, NY/Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:41 am Post subject: |
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foodeater wrote: |
How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc? |
Yes, we still have the molds; they are in Argentina. They boxes are made of fiberglass. All the sets ever produced (not many) were distributed among the few Westy enthusiasts in Argentina. I brought two sets to the USA, sold one and kept the other one for myself. Do you think that there is enough interest to produce and bring another batch of these? It could take a few months...
Cris |
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cris torlasco Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2000 Posts: 1363 Location: Delmar, NY/Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:45 am Post subject: |
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[email protected] wrote: |
its funny, i actually bought a spare luggage rack from a westy from cris a few years back with the intention on making molds and containers like he had already made, wish i had just asked him in the first place!
what cris made is just PERFECT and if someone (or cris or his buddy) was so inclined i think many people would be interested. |
So you are the owner of the only other set in the US? I am glad you liked them. There are a few finishing details that I would improve upon, if we were to make some more, but overall they have worked for me too.
Cris |
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bucko Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2004 Posts: 2617 Location: Coppell, Texas
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:13 am Post subject: |
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cris torlasco wrote: |
foodeater wrote: |
How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc? |
Yes, we still have the molds; they are in Argentina. They boxes are made of fiberglass. All the sets ever produced (not many) were distributed among the few Westy enthusiasts in Argentina. I brought two sets to the USA, sold one and kept the other one for myself. Do you think that there is enough interest to produce and bring another batch of these? It could take a few months...
Cris |
I'd be interested.....what's the cost for 3? _________________ Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia
Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181 |
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Perales Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 2046 Location: Nova Scotia
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:25 am Post subject: |
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bucko wrote: |
cris torlasco wrote: |
foodeater wrote: |
How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc? |
Yes, we still have the molds; they are in Argentina. They boxes are made of fiberglass. All the sets ever produced (not many) were distributed among the few Westy enthusiasts in Argentina. I brought two sets to the USA, sold one and kept the other one for myself. Do you think that there is enough interest to produce and bring another batch of these? It could take a few months...
Cris |
I'd be interested.....what's the cost for 3? |
Wouldn't vacuum forming be a more efficient way of making them? Just looking at the shape, they would vacuum form really well, it is way faster and cleaner than fiber glass and cheaper to make.
I am just wondering what the hinges look like? _________________ -- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino) |
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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1544 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:53 am Post subject: storage |
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Vacuum formed or hand laid with FG - there would still be plenty of interest in the boxes. A lot would depend on price, I suggest that you come up with a b"ballpark" price and then sample here to see the interest level. I think that jackbombay found that his "better idea" gas shocks found a ready audience and market - your boxes would probably do the same. _________________ NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 3 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 5 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2023 |
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cris torlasco Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2000 Posts: 1363 Location: Delmar, NY/Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:22 am Post subject: |
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I forgot to mention that the Westfalia logo is actually a relief within the mold, so it has a depth. It is not just a sticker that would erode after the first trip...
I have no idea about what costs would be, but I will certainly find out and report back, since there seems to be enough interest in this item.
Cris |
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rumitcu Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2008 Posts: 97 Location: Boulder, CO
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