artificial rain gutters

[Bruce Wayne]

thinking of adding some artificial rain gutters to the pop top so I can put a cargo basket up there. little nervous about drilling into the top though,screwing up,water leaks etc.looking for folks who have done this mod,and their input on how hard or easy it is. something like the links below.


artificial rain gutters
http://www.prolineracks.com/shop/?cart=603986&...tters&

crossbars
http://www.prolineracks.com/spec-cartop-carriers.html

basket
http://www.prolineracks.com/Proline-safari-roof-racks.html

[PDXWesty]

Lots of people have done it. Do a search for roof racks or similar and you'll see dozens of posts. It's best from a load capacity to mount them on the side of the poptop. Yakima makes similar products and a little heavier duty. I've seen some towers on craigslist recently too. You can usually get a set up on there for half the price. I've drilled several vans and never had a leak. If you're really concerned just use a litttle silicone on the inside before you put a washer and nut on. Also buy some of the little rubber caps to put over the end of the bolt on the inside to protect your tentfrom the end of the bolts. Good luck.

http://portland.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=yakima+1a&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

[Crughy]

Not rocket science!

Measure at least 3 times or 4 times in different ways.

Make sure everything is level, van, etc.

Protect your tent while drilling! Have something behind, between the drill and the tent.

I have some yakima false gutters, works fine with all my thule stuff.

It was designed for pick-up box.I think. Great mod..

JP

[krimpoo]

If your in a position where you need to take ferries often dont do it...the cost of being overheight is a drag.

[agreendaya]

This is what I did on my '74 Westy. Didn't have to drill anything, just used existing bolts. I chopped up an old metal frame from a collapsible something-or-other and drilled a hole in that, just mounted the racks to it.

Not sure if Vanagon westys would work as easily, but I had the same concerns you did about getting leaks, so I avoided drilling like the plague.
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'74 Bug - Gone
'69 Westy - Gone
'74 Westy - Gone
'78 Transporter - Gone
'69 Baja - Gone
'91 Vanagon Carat - Gone
‘71 Bus - Gone

Current: ‘74 Westy 2.0L, hydraulic valves, dual EMPI 34s

[Boegrrl]

Do not be afraid! Drill on the side, be careful not to puncture the canvas...most important use marine sealant under and around the bolt before/after setting. That stuff is as strong as the fiberglass you are drilling through. My Yakima gutters hold beautifully- dont abuse them you will be ok.
Be Strong, have Courage.
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'87 Wolfsburg Weekender

[markz2004]

lots of good posts here about how to's, etc.

Some where on one is the suggestion to use a backing plate behind each gutter. That's what I did.
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87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels

[Bruce Wayne]

I think the ones I'm looking at come with the backing plates. I can get the bars,artificial rain gutters,basket and basket extension for $350,that includes shipping. looked at another site that had Thule and Yakima,price was almost double! no luck on craigslist here.

[PDXWesty]

[Bruce Wayne]

I'm down in the valley,12 miles south of Eugene. looked at the wrecking yard today. they had a couple of the Yakima bars,but no keys to get them off the rig. I will save up and get the ones off the proline website. about $350 whole setup with shipping seems reasonable.

[targis58]

are you going for 2 bar set up or 3? If you are thinking of 3 bar set up I am interested in the half left over. saves some money They look just like or almost like thule 300 gutter feet right? artifitial gutters look the same to me.. I don't know about size though
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90 westy 2wd w/ TBD

[Bruce Wayne]

2 bar setup for now.

[PDXWesty]

If you get the number off the rack lock cylinder, you can get a key from any dealer for about $3.

[Bruce Wayne]

after measuring the ones at the wrecking yard, they were to short. called another yard today,$75 and no keys as well and I have to drive 25 miles to measure them as they are "clear out in the shop and we can't walk out there and measure them". proline has them new for $50 + $12 for shipping. seems like the best route.

[Bruce Wayne]

anyone got a set for sale? thule is the brand I need.

[70coupyel]

Just a little info. I have a whole Thule set up. . My G/f had a whole set up for rain gutters. Her cross bars were too short for a vanagon. I had to buy the longer cross bars. The cross bar is 57'' long. The gutter feet are 6''tall from the C/L in the cross bar to the end. Of all places I found the artificial rain gutters at a small surf shop( Bruce Jones in Sunset Beach,Ca.). I paid $45 for the artificial rain gutters four years ago and I thought I got ripped off.

Bruce those links looks real good. I would go for those. The Thule stuff is not cheap but less that Yakima. Those looks like a good value.

I look at it this way. Look at the value of all the stuff that your rack system will be holding. I carry longboards and basic longboard start at $600 and up. Get 2 up there and it adds up fast. I wouldn't want any weak stuff holding my boards.
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[Bruce Wayne]

[70coupyel]

That looks good. My only thought would be if you do get the artificial rain gutters it would raise everything up about 5 inches? Check my gallery(page 5 ) for a referance pic of mine.

Surfboards a 9'6 Bruce Jones quad/stringer,and BJ 8'8'' tri fin
Scott Adderson 9'6''old schoolvulon rails,glassed in fin and this:
http://www.surftech.com/boardDetails.php?bid=SURFB...&qual=
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[Bruce Wayne]

yeah,I figured it would add about 5-7 inches. oh well. I'm 6'2" so it won't be to bad. plus a usually take a step ladder with me anyway. ordered a set of locks for $30 today. gotta have em with all the crackheads running around these days trying to steal anything they can!!
here is what I used to ride (attempt to ride is more like it).