pop top tent fit suggestions

[DaleNW]

So, I finally got a great weather window and time and decided to install the "German" tent from Bus Depot that I purchased a few years ago (Dec 2008). I've been restoring/refreshing my bus for a while now and was finally ready for this part.
I am a meticulous person and have installed the less expensive pop top tent before with no problems (other than the standard difficult to screw in corners). However, this tent seems to be not as precisely patterned.
I measured center on all sides of the tent, pop top, and the body. I lined up centers and then worked towards the corners.
I removed the pop top and installed the tent by lining up the top edge of the canvas with the edge of the tack strip. (starting at center and working to the corners). Next, I reinstalled the pop top and attached the bottom to the body using the beaded seam as a guide.
Everything seems simple enough, but I am getting too much tension from the rear bottom corner to the top front corners. Also, while the perimeter of the top and bottom are super tight, there is slack in the vertical direction on the rear corners (and just a touch of slack in the middle of the long sides - that I can fix).

Any others have problems with this? Any suggestions for my next round of removal and reinstallation?

Thanks friends!
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[pioneer1]

When I look at the pictures it's pretty evident that it just didn't get stretched enough. Look at the wrinkles ---it looks like you need to stretch from the front corners to the rear
_________________
"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

[GeorgeO.]

I bought a "JustKamper" which was just crap from Bus Depot! Not Bus Depot fault it was just made really bad. They took it back and credit me for a German canvas and it came out beautifully. But I had to think how I was going to install it and I did my research.

[DaleNW]

Thanks guys! I can honestly say that it won't stretch any further without blowing the fabric. I had two of us pulling with all of our might as well as using my leg against the corner . . . just to get it to attach.
Yep, it's a Just Kampers from 2008. I think that it is a poor quality version - even though, back then, it was their "top of the line".
I am in the backpacking tent manufacturing business and was honestly a bit surprised by the lack of quality in the tent itself.
I did speak with Bus Depot and sent them some photos. But after so long of a wait from purchase to install, I don't know what they will do.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

But, in the meantime, I am going to take my old tent (which is still in decent condition) and have it remade to my custom materials and specs (including a small sleeve in the corner seam to run some thin electrical wires up to hook up some LED lights in the corners of my pop top. I like to read in bed.

But, I am hopeful that Bus Depot helps me out with a newer version of the "German" tent that I can use while mine custom version is being made.

Any other suggestions/additions if one is going to make their own tent? Fabrics? Zipper sizes? Pockets? Etc? I prefer a more "stock" look with hidden customization . . .

GeorgeO - your installation looks great! Nice work!

Thank you again!
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[GeorgeO.]

I believe I did mine in 2011 and back then they were having issues with the JustKamper canvas. The corners were way off and there was no way to really do the install with out breaking or tearing something. So I just forked out more cash for a German Canvas and if your meticulous with your install, yours can come out as well as mine.

[DaleNW]

Thanks George! I'll wait to see what Bus Depot says about it and go from there. Let's hope for more dry days in the PNW for the next round.
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[dwill49965]

I've just done the same install this past weekend with a JustKampers canvas tent that I purchased 2 years ago from CIP1.

Same types of problems - the rear corners don't fit. I'd read several other threads on poptop choices, etc, so knew that the tent I had probably would have problems/issues, but I went ahead anyway. Only paid about $219 for the canvas on sale, so I figure this is a good "dry run" for someday when I purchase a better canvas top - as I'll know all the pitfalls and mistakes.

Only difference for me so far is that I haven't actually fastened the bottom aluminum strips yet, but a quick look shows that I have enough length without being too tight.

By the way - did anyone know they have canvas replacement instructions in the yellow VW manual? And they are almost exactly the opposite of the Just Kampers instructions?

Just Kampers: start in the middle and work towards the corners.
VW manual: Start in the corner and work towards the opposite corner.

I had also done a side by side comparison and measurements between the two canvases before I started, and the JK one seemed to be pretty close, within a half inch or so on all sides, except the at the rear - the height of the JK canvas was 18" while the original westy is 15 1/4".

I also installed my canvas with leaving the roof on - so maybe that has jaded my view of the difficulty of the canvas top install. I also used the GO Westy premium tack strip, which worked fine, but I could also have re-used my original. Pics later.
_________________
Darryl
--------------
'78 Westy, Boston Bob built 2.0 L, FI, MSD 6A

[DaleNW]

Thanks! I had made the same measurements, but did not measure the height of the rear. I firmly believe that's what's off. Thanks for confirming.
When I bought it from BD, this was their top model...obviously, things change.

I'll see if they will issue a credit and I can get the new REAL German one they have now.

Thanks again!
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[dwill49965]

As promised - pics.

DaleNW - I will probably end up with similar or worse wrinkles than you have.

Below is the passenger side rear corner - it's the "good" one.

Below is the drivers side rear corner - where the biggest gap ended up.

In the next day or two, I'll try fasten it down all around the bottom. The rear corners will be a problem. I needed a break, though.

Also DaleNW - the JK instructions said not to worry about the wrinkles, they'll eventually smooth out!! I'm going to keep my original canvas to compare and measure any subsequent tent canvases I buy.
_________________
Darryl
--------------
'78 Westy, Boston Bob built 2.0 L, FI, MSD 6A

[DaleNW]

Oops! I found my receipt... I got it in Feb of 2012. I didn't have my receipt when I called bus depot today and the invoice they pulled up was from 2008, so I trusted that info. Goes to show that it pays to keep your own records.

I didn't think I had been working on the bus project for that long.... phew!
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[DaleNW]

Good luck! I had to wet the material a bit and had four hands stretching the material. I finally got all the corners in, but it took a long time and cramped hands.

I followed the just kampers instructions...now I know why they say not to worry about wrinkles! Bad fit = bad wrinkles. Although some did relax, the sag in the rear would have to shrink by 2+ inches.

Thanks again!
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[GeorgeO.]

You need to make reference points on top portion that attaches to the top. You need to find the centers in between the canvas corners and the centers on the frames. Staple your corners first and then the centers. Before even do that. Get a small block of wood and mark off a measurement of no less than 5/8 to 1 1/2 inch. I believe I used 11/16 inch and used soap remnant to
mark in the first measure of fabric to be tack on to the frame. Then you find your centers on the canvas and the top frame. That is when you start to stapling and you must monitor how much slack you have between the corners and the centers. Take your time and if you make a mistake, take your time to correct it. You will find that the canvas will start to take the shape of the frame, and your job is half done. Next, find the centers on your top and on the bottom of the canvas where they mate. Be as accurate as possible and use the cheap orange handle Awls that are available from Harbor Freight to help you with the assembly. I hope this helps you and I hope you all the success.

[DaleNW]

Thanks GeorgeO! That's a great method for marking the line. And 11/16" same to have been the magic measurement for the tent you have. I'll definitely give it a shot when my new tent arrives.
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[GeorgeO.]

[DaleNW]

Just to follow up and close this thread . . . (for now)
I spoke with Bus Depot and turns out that they did not send the correct tent that I had ordered.
However, true to Bus Depot's reputation for excellent customer service, they recognized the error and are sending me a new tent - the real German OEM one that I was supposed to get. They were great to work with and provided exemplary service with no attitude what so ever. In fact, just a few hours after I spoke with them I had a Fed-X notification showing that the new tent was already on its way.
Thanks for all the help with this GeorgeO - and Bus Depot!
_________________
'78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace)

[dwill49965]

[curtis4085]

[GeorgeO.]

[Busdepot]

Very sorry we shipped you the wrong canvas a few years back, Dale. Glad we were able to make good on it now and get you the right one.

I just want to clarify one thing, for those reading this thread: The Bus Depot canvas sold today is NOT the Just Kampers canvas. Due to some issues with quality control at the time, we stopped carrying that canvas and started producing our own. Our house-brand canvas is almost a dead-on clone of the OEM German one (which we also carry) but at a lower cost. Kombi-Life Magazine (UK/Australia) recently listed it as the #1 Must-Have for Westy owners. There is a thread on that canvas, including installation pics toward the end, at http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=548231.
_________________
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
www.busdepot.com

[dwill49965]

Ron - thanks again for your input on this thread, and all the other ones.

Before I go ahead and order a new canvas from you, there's one thing I am curious about and would like clarification on. I read your website info about canvas tops.

Is it true that the front window screen (on the top of the line German canvas) is fully replaceable only on '80 and up Vanagon Westies? If so, it seems curious that you wouldn't also be able to fully replace just the front window screen on '74-'79 models.

Or am I reading that wrong? The quote below refers to just the good German canvas - but does the same thing apply to your good Bus Depot canvas as well?

Quote from website: "We have specified one important improvement, adding three screened windows for improved ventilation instead of the original one-window design. On the Vanagon canvas, these also incorporate a design improvement that VW only added in 1990-91: a fully removable front screen, which can be replaced separately if it rips (i.e. gets caught in the latch when closing)."
_________________
Darryl
--------------
'78 Westy, Boston Bob built 2.0 L, FI, MSD 6A