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Hank Montura
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2016
Posts: 71
Location: Vancouver WA
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 Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 9:53 am Post subject: Roof Rack |
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Hello all,
I am contemplating getting a roof rack to haul two kayaks and I am looking for recommendations.
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1984 Westfalia "Trogdor"
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12177
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:07 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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Artificial rain gutters and either Thule or Yakima.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH
'01 Weekender --> full camper
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dobryan 
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Location: Brookeville, MD
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jimf909
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Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8245
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| Hank Montura wrote: |
Hello all,
I am contemplating getting a roof rack to haul two kayaks and I am looking for recommendations. |
Assuming this is for the Westy? Do you own any rack parts now? Are they Yakima or Thule? If so, continue with what you've got. If not, choose one brand and stick to it. It doesn't matter which one, it's like choosing between ford/chevy, Toyota/Nissan: the difference is inconsequential.
Next, are you buying new or used? Used? Troll CL to find some towers, bars and mounts that bolt to the Westy op. New? Never pay full retail. REI should have them at 20% off at the Anniversary sale at the end of May.
Next, plastic boats or composite? Plastic? Toss em up there and strap em down, Composite? Get some proper saddles or rollers.
With a bit of research it's easier than it looks.
The kayak in this picture is inflatible...
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- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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ThankYouJerry
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Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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jfu057
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2012
Posts: 96
Location: Greensboro
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 7:40 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| ThankYouJerry wrote: |
| Once you have your rack... don't forget the Jack Bombay pop-top lift assist struts! |
Yeah! these are awesome. I can lift the pop-top with two kayaks loaded on the HD struts. And like everything else you buy for a vanagon one purchase generally leads to several more 
I'll just say that if you plan on using J-style cradles, the square bars will not spin while you are trying to load the boat. I had that issue with the round bars no matter how much I cranked them down. My boat is 65 pounds though.
Also, that collapsible ladder is also very useful and fits in the closet. |
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Hank Montura
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2016
Posts: 71
Location: Vancouver WA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 11:28 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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Lots of good information here. I got a lead on a place in Portland that has new and used racks and does the install. A hundred bucks or there about for the Jack Bombay lifts seems like a needed investment too as I am getting older and that pop top is not getting any easier to pop. That collapsible ladder looks handy too. My closet is full of bedding but will one fit under the bed? Cans somebody recommend a decent one?
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Multiman mv
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2017
Posts: 988
Location: Martha's Vineyard, Ma
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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I have three Yakima round bars mounted on my van. I also have a gary lee small cage mounted. The three bars allows me to carry anything from a short surfboard to a long board, paddle board and sea kayaks. I often use the front and rear bar with kayak cradles to transport a sea kayak and then I put padded foam on the front and rear bar of my roof cage to carry shortboards at the same time. I find that the system is pretty versatile. The side ladder from Rocky Mountain westy is a big help when it comes to loading or unloading. A stowable ladder like a previous poster has is a good solution too. I would definitely recommend lift assist springs if you don't have them already. Possibly use two per side. Hope this helps. Good luck finding what you're looking for.
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kourt
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Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 2391
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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Two Thule load bars on 387 feet, attached to ARGs on the poptop. The load here is two sea kayaks, each weighing 55lbs. I drove from Austin to Key West and back in this config with no problems. You'll need help opening and closing the poptop, even with struts.
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Hank Montura
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2016
Posts: 71
Location: Vancouver WA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| Multiman mv wrote: |
I have three Yakima round bars mounted on my van. I also have a gary lee small cage mounted. The three bars allows me to carry anything from a short surfboard to a long board, paddle board and sea kayaks. I often use the front and rear bar with kayak cradles to transport a sea kayak and then I put padded foam on the front and rear bar of my roof cage to carry shortboards at the same time. I find that the system is pretty versatile. The side ladder from Rocky Mountain westy is a big help when it comes to loading or unloading. A stowable ladder like a previous poster has is a good solution too. I would definitely recommend lift assist springs if you don't have them already. Possibly use two per side. Hope this helps. Good luck finding what you're looking for.
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I like the low profile of this set up. May I ask how much those three Yakima bars cost for installation?
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vanagonjr
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Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3669
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| Hank Montura wrote: |
I like the low profile of this set up. May I ask how much those three Yakima bars cost for installation? |
You can go to rack attack and go through the website. Choose, ah heck, I'll do it
$194 for each set of towers that does two cross bars, $89 for two cross bars (all sizes) (Note Yakima).
You'll have to call them for the single set, or go through the website looking for options, or find a friend to split up a set.
Fake gutter mounts are approx $35 for set of pair. You will need 3 pairs.
Locks are extra.
Or Craigslist...
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WestyWanter
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Joined: February 15, 2017
Posts: 459
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| I'm a new owner an not to this point yet because I'm saving for if my engine goes boom, but is there any roofracks that work without drilling into my top? |
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RichBenn
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2005
Posts: 703
Location: Lake Tahoe, NV
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| Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| WestyWanter wrote: |
| I'm a new owner an not to this point yet because I'm saving for if my engine goes boom, but is there any roofracks that work without drilling into my top? |
With the westy pop-top, no, unless you want to remove the rack every time you lift the rack. Then the lonf towers work.
BTW, there are many used tower racks out there.
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Multiman mv
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Joined: January 24, 2017
Posts: 988
Location: Martha's Vineyard, Ma
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| vanagonjr wrote: |
| Hank Montura wrote: |
I like the low profile of this set up. May I ask how much those three Yakima bars cost for installation? |
You can go to rack attack and go through the website. Choose, ah heck, I'll do it
$194 for each set of towers that does two cross bars, $89 for two cross bars (all sizes) (Note Yakima).
You'll have to call them for the single set, or go through the website looking for options, or find a friend to split up a set.
Fake gutter mounts are approx $35 for set of pair. You will need 3 pairs.
Locks are extra.
Or Craigslist... |
Thanks for answering. Yes, that's about what I paid. Gowesty does sell a single bar, gutter mounts and towers. You might pay a premium for only one set up but I didn't see another option. |
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katstan
Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2017
Posts: 175
Location: Woodstock, NY
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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Does anybody know if one of these sets would work on the Westy?
I'd like to get a roof rack and will be passing through this area this weekend.
https://oneonta.craigslist.org/pts/d/thule-roof-rack/6204872072.html
"I also have a set for tracks or truck caps, and a set for veh/ truck caps / campers with old style rain gutters;; ford, chrysler, chevy trucks, Jeeps, land rovers, volvos, bmw,, Mercedes, VW ect ....also a Thule roof rack specificaly for VW Beatles 1998-2010 $95 and a Thule specificaly for VW Passat / Golf 98-99 $95 also a Medium size Thule Ascent 1100 roof top carrier box,,, long narrow design fit nicely beside a kayak or a couple bicycles ;;; (88" x 23" x 13") / ( 220cm x 58cm x 33cm ) ( volume =aprox (12 cubic ft ) / (340 liters ) ,"
or these: https://nwct.craigslist.org/pts/d/yakima-car-roof-carrier/6224169597.html as I could pass through that area next weekend.
"Two Yakima car roof carrier racks. Model 8000101 rain gutter model. 58" length. Fits older style cars with rain gutters. Includes canoe gunwale brackets. These are high quality and very durable - zytel nylon. This system goes for $300 new. Selling for $50 cash."
or this if I just got the fake rain gutters? https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/pts/d/roof-racks-for-scion-xb/6226180517.html
Thanks all!
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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This is the kind you want. That is a great deal and may not stick around until another weekend. Thule makes a version too with square bars, either of them is what you always see on a westy You'll need the "artificial gutter mounts" but they are cheap and you just bolt them to the side of the poptop and those legs just go in them. The 58" cross bar is good too. 50" is common and just a little short for a westy. You can buy longer and cut down too but 58 is just about right. The standard height legs are what you want too. The high rise legs make the roof rack stick way up. Don't drill holes in your poptop for the artificial rain gutters until you know which rack and uprights you have and figure out where it will sit.
Last edited by davevickery on Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:22 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jeffrey Lee
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Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1520
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:21 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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That first ad is free-verse gibberish, so it’s hard to parse out exactly what he has for sale (dude, press the Return key every now and then)!
I can tell you that if he indeed has this Thule setup for truck caps & extended roofs (like a Westy), and 58” bars, it will work well. I'm currently using this on mine to haul kayaks.
The Yakima setup in the second ad should work too, if you added Yakima-compatible artificial rain gutters like in the Thule pic above. And as mentioned, is a very good deal.
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katstan
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Joined: February 13, 2017
Posts: 175
Location: Woodstock, NY
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:50 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| davevickery wrote: |
This is the kind you want. That is a great deal and may not stick around until another weekend. Thule makes a version too with square bars, either of them is what you always see on a westy You'll need the "artificial gutter mounts" but they are cheap and you just bolt them to the side of the poptop and those legs just go in them. The 58" cross bar is good too. 50" is common and just a little short for a westy. You can buy longer and cut down too but 58 is just about right. The standard height legs are what you want too. The high rise legs make the roof rack stick way up. Don't drill holes in your poptop for the artificial rain gutters until you know which rack and uprights you have and figure out where it will sit. |
You're right... called him and somebody is supposed to pick them up tomorrow but if it falls through he has my number. thanks for the feedback!
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katstan
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Joined: February 13, 2017
Posts: 175
Location: Woodstock, NY
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| Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack |
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| Jeffrey Lee wrote: |
That first ad is free-verse gibberish, so it’s hard to parse out exactly what he has for sale (dude, press the Return key every now and then)!
I can tell you that if he indeed has this Thule setup for truck caps & extended roofs (like a Westy), and 58” bars, it will work well. I'm currently using this on mine to haul kayaks.
The Yakima setup in the second ad should work too, if you added Yakima-compatible artificial rain gutters like in the Thule pic above. And as mentioned, is a very good deal. |
Yeah, hard to figure out exactly what he has. I emailed him though... so we'll see.
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