Roof top luggage box

[djkeev]

[jimf909]

[Steve M.]

[space]

Hey Dave if your in the chi area and need help/assistance lmk
T
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82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs

[DuncanS]

Storage boxes...........

A thousand years ago I used to go ski camping in my splitters and needed something so the skis wouldn't drip on us at night, Outside racks would wind up with road crud all over them and sometimes frozen. The roof seemed too awkward so I came up with a Thule type shape idea I would custom build with fiberglass. The idea is it would get bolted into the DS side and protrude about 8" into the world. Around 16" high and since we used 210cm length skis then, it would have been 7ish feet long. It would have hinges on the bottom and would open flat and there the skis would be. Still think this is a good viable solution and now that land yachting is replacing water yachting, it's on my list. Two half inch bolts. One in the C pillar and one just aft of the driver's door with reinforcing inside. Threaded inserts flush with the body so when not in use, small plastic color matched plugs could be stuck in. Or Allen set screws put in flush and painted.

Anyhoo, I'll have a three part box. Back, which bolts to car and the lid--hinged to the bottom. Then a hinged inside plywood cover which will latch to the cover so when it gets tipped up none of the stuff will fall down before being closed. Hard suitcase lids have these to keep shirts where they belong. Light lines will hold the cover and ply level for kitchen use. Maybe the ply is in a couple of sections so pots and food is available when the stove is set up.

I have been a boat builder and know how hatches are made water tight against boarding sees, so don't anticipate any intrusion issues either with dust or water. Yacht clamshell skylights with a horizontal hinge were covered with canvas so water couldn't get in at that point. painted canvas was folded over the hinge prior to being installed, I'd do that on the bottom. Vinyl hinges are also available.

A nice graceful shape and tons of room.

This might even be a good commercial opportunity. Most folks don't want bolts in their cars, but a roof gutter to quarter panel rack could mount it also.

Duncan

[RonicaR]

How much weight can you put on the roof and still pop the top?

[valvecovergasket]

[Steve M.]

[SyncroHead]

I used a pair of dry box storage cases from Underwater Kinetics. Model UK821. Two of them fit perfectly. Don't know if they still make this model, but might be available second-hand.

Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"

Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org

[vanis13]

FWIW, on my last trip with two heavily loaded rocket boxes I used the strongest lift struts I could find that would fir the Jack Bombay set up UI had. IIRS Jack's heaviy is 120 ftlbs (or is is nutons) anyway, the ones I put it were 230 of that same unit. I had to hang on it with the boxes empty to close it and it popped up on its own....and it was a pleasure when the boxes were full.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[ImAddicted]