Bus Depot Rear Hatch Shelter

[Timwhy]

[Vanlife Geek]

I got mine recently and have only had a chance to do a test fit, but my Syncro has a 2" lift and there was plenty of tent fabric left to stake down. With leveling blocks, it might get a little close, depending on how many are used. Sorry I didn't take a picture during my test fit. I got tan to match my ARB awning and ARB tent room. I didn't look to see how closely the tan matches, but I'm sure it's close enough. Based on my brief experience with the Add-a-Room, it looks like it's made well and will make a great addition to my setup without taking up much space when stored. Perfect for my new 12V shower and port-a-potty.

Next time I set it up, I'm going to try to fab some kind of support to keep it up when the tailgate is closed for chilly nights and/or winter use. I have an idea using my telescoping hiking poles lashed to my roof rack... I'll do an update if that idea pans out.
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Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era)

[Timwhy]

[Vanlife Geek]

[Vanlife Geek]

I finally got a chance to use my rear hatch add-a-room and it worked great. I was camped at a very windy spot (Pawnee National Grasslands overlooking the Pawnee Buttes) and it held up just fine. I'm working on a way to have it stay up properly with the rear hatch closed and will update later when I've worked out the kinks, but I think I have a good and relatively simple method in the works using two poles (two guy lines per pole), a couple of bungee cords and a few magnets. I would really like to use this in cold weather with the rear hatch closed to extend its usability without having to haul around a frame, like the one listed earlier in this thread. The frame is an excellent solution, but bulkier than I'd like for an already over-packed van. Stay tuned!

You can see the tent reaches the ground on my lifted Syncro, but the screen/netting has about a 2" gap at the bottom, as you can see in the above and below images.

_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era)

[Vanlife Geek]

Well, I finally got around to figuring out how to have my rear add-a-room tent be free standing, without the need for the tailgate to keep it erect. It just took two adjustable poles and four guy lines. Plus for added strength, I used a couple of bungee cords , one at each top/rear corner, and some strategically placed strong magnets. Two of the guy lines go straight out from the poles and the other two pull from the sides to keep it all tight.

The PVC pipe solution is probably a sturdier/better solution, but I have limited room as a full-timer and didn't want additional stuff to carry around. I have too much stuff already! I have tested this setup in some pretty strong winds and it has held up just fine. I haven't had any rain yet on this camp, but I suspect rain will be the Achilles heal, with rain pooling in the middle of the roof. I can always just lift the tailgate when it rains... problem solved.

The last couple of nights have been pretty chilly in the mid 40's where I'm camped right now, and it's supposed to get into the 30's overnight next week, so it's nice to be able to close that rear door to retain some heat. I can't justify using my Propex heater when the rear tailgate is open, however for some reason, the open pop-top is fine in my mind. (I do have pop-top insulation from Fanchers if needed)

There are integrated tabs at the top corners of the tent, which work great for putting the top of the pole through. (The top rubber part of the pole comes off to reveal a narrow metal shaft.)

I used bungee cords on the top/rear tabs to help keep the tent from sliding back, as well as some magnets along the rear side and top.

With the tailgate open:

Here's a link to the poles I used in anyone is interested: https://amzn.to/2VSmMRy
_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era)

[DanHoug]

Side tent option.. and we thought we invented camper coolness!

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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Vanlife Geek]

[DanHoug]

nice!
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[bcolins]

Hey guys, I just purchased one of these. Any suggestions on how to anchor the bottom of the shelter when parked on hard/paved surfaces?

[DuncanS]

You don't need to. Just let it hang. If you want to keep the fabric in a breeze, pinch a couple of small sand bags to the lower edge with spring clamps.

I agree with 100% of every glowing comment about this I can think of.

Two mods I'd like, however. The corners at the hinge part of the hatch don't adequately cover and I have to stuff socks in there to keep the mosquitos out. Rain yes, bugs, no. And I'd like an awning of about 10" that would project off the rear top to keep rain out and allow the door open with the screen for stuffy nights. If there were pockets sewn into the top so battens could hold out the projection, it wouldn't need poles and ties.

Absolutely love it. You couldn't even buy the zippers for what he charges.

Duncan

[bcolins]

[DuncanS]

Any small bag which can be filled with about 5 pounds of sand will keep the lower portion from blowing away for up to a 10.37586 mile per hour breeze. Without the sarcasm, you just have to experiment. A bag that is 6 x 8 inches with a draw string should be good. Sew them yourself. More wind, a bigger bag.

Clips https://www.homedepot.com/p/Anvil-2-in-Spring-Clamp-99691/302755764?s

Duncan

[Timwhy]

[bcolins]

[DuncanS]

Water jugs work too. Unless you need the drinking water, something collapsible that can be filled at the site will conserve interior cube for other crud.

Duncan