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jtyler10
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2025
Posts: 11
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 Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 4:27 pm Post subject: Looking to put a roof rack like one in picture on T2 Westfalia |
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I am looking to put a roof rack on a 1974 T2 westfalia and I want it to be just like the one in the picture below. Is this bundle all I need and is it a good roof rack while still being able to use the pop top or should I looks elsewhere?
https://gowesty.com/products/yakima-roof-rack-bund...3224284325
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richparker
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011
Posts: 7720
Location: Durango, CO
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Shonandb 
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 2243
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Looking to put a roof rack like one in picture on T2 Westfalia |
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Not sure where you are based as it's not in your member profile or signature but check your local Craigslist or Marketplace for roof rack "false rain gutters" like in the Craigslist ad below and then a standard/wide set of roof racks will fit.
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/pts/d/lake-oswego-canopy-roof-rack-rain/7893190995.html
A couple pics of my rack as I have solar panels and carry our canoe, SUPs, and Winsdsurf/Surf boards all the time and as I like to windsurf when it's 30+ knots, I haven't had any issues with the gear on the roof driving to the beach in stormy conditions.
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image
Last edited by Shonandb on Thu Nov 20, 2025 5:27 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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rob.e
Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2013
Posts: 67
Location: Oxford, UK
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2025 6:32 am Post subject: Re: Looking to put a roof rack like one in picture on T2 Westfalia |
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If you're adding weight to the pop top be careful - they are not that strong.
I have a soft moonrack i use just to carry surfboards to-from the beach that i mount on top of the pop top - i wouldn't want to put anything heavy up there though.
Untitled by Rob E, on Flickr
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71whitewesty
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2010
Posts: 1574
Location: oregon
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2025 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Looking to put a roof rack like one in picture on T2 Westfalia |
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I have the yakima rack with the gutter attachments. I much prefer the yakima to the Thule. I've loaded up my pop top 100's of times and it can carry some weight but I wouldn't pop it open with all the weight on it. I only pop it up if the loaded rack weight is less than 50 lbs. There is probably a good 100-150 lbs on it in this photo. You'll want to make sure you put the gutter attachments in the right place on the pop top and I think mine are in the right place for reference.
(however they are about 2" too far apart to mount a yakima space case up there). I'd narrow it up slightly so a box fits if I did it again. Not that I want a box up there, but if I did...
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71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer" |
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 5325
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2025 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Looking to put a roof rack like one in picture on T2 Westfalia |
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I can tell you there is no way I would even carry our 50lb canoe on the fibreglass roof with those type of mounting plates. The crosswinds around here would have the roof cracked or completely removed in no time. If you’ve ever had the pop top off , you’ll know how flexible they are. And the rubber tie downs to keep it in place  ……..
I use the tall Thule gutter mounts, and just pull the front one when we pop the top.
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1973 super 2110cc
1965 squareback 1500E-sold
1971 bay window westy- EJ2.5 subi swap |
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TomWesty
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2007
Posts: 3563
Location: Wyoming,USA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2025 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Looking to put a roof rack like one in picture on T2 Westfalia |
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| 71whitewesty wrote: |
I have the yakima rack with the gutter attachments. I much prefer the yakima to the Thule. I've loaded up my pop top 100's of times and it can carry some weight but I wouldn't pop it open with all the weight on it. I only pop it up if the loaded rack weight is less than 50 lbs. There is probably a good 100-150 lbs on it in this photo. You'll want to make sure you put the gutter attachments in the right place on the pop top and I think mine are in the right place for reference.
(however they are about 2" too far apart to mount a yakima space case up there). I'd narrow it up slightly so a box fits if I did it again. Not that I want a box up there, but if I did...
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I don’t know man, 71whitewesty sails in the Columbia Gorge. The Mountain West winds are no stronger than Gorge winds. I had the false gutters on a Mazda camper shell and travelled in as high of winds as you will find in the continental US with no problems.
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