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1988M5
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2016
Posts: 843
Location: Tucson, AZ
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 Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:57 am Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| Thor-bob wrote: |
I found these pix in an album....... been meaning to share.
We used to hang glide in the Owens Valley in the '80's, and I made a box to carry the glider on the Vanagon. The gutter brackets were Quik N Easy brand.
Big thing: The front bracket had horrible wind roar from the 2" square cross tube, so I cut a piece of cardboard shipping tube in half and taped it to the front - the roar disappeared!
The nose cone was just for grins - it was cheapy plywood cut and curved, attached to internal ribs, then glassed and painted. Amazingly, the mileage dip was barely noticeable, maybe 1 MPG or so.
Also - The large overhang at the back end made the van immune to crosswinds, and it was very pleasant to drive.
Good times.
Thor-bob
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" The gutter brackets were Quik N Easy brand" Sweet, I still have a new set of 4 in a box..
To all the Vanagon folks on the fence about adding a roof rack...the job of washing your truck will forever be changed.
BK
_________________
1991 tin top GL
2002 Winnebago Vista. VW VR6 24V Eurovan front clip powered class C 21' RV.
Some BMWs. |
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moodgenic
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2019
Posts: 1
Location: FRANCE
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| Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:31 am Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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Hi!
Can you help me and give me the reference for this roof rack was please? From front runner or other?
Thanks in advance
Best |
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SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1159
Location: Northern Nevada
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| Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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Neither exactly. It's a rack made specific for a Vanagon. The fabricator makes other racks, each with dimensions (height, length, width) and specifics (mounting supports, Etc.) for a particular rig. Specs for this one are all tailored for a Vanagon hard-top and Doka. One half-length rack can be used perhaps if you have something else to place on part of the roof, or for a DoKa. Or, if you want to maximize rack space, two are joined together to cover the entire roof area. We're working out the details on this installation before it will be offered for general sale. Stay tuned...
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
| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8159
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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^^^ That looks like a sweet rack. Is this a custom build or a modular rack system from a vendor? Which vendor? Thanks.
_________________
- 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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SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1159
Location: Northern Nevada
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| Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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Here's a look at my next rack setup I've been working on. Almost ready for debut. Hopefully details in a couple weeks.
Jim Davis
PS: Eric - I need a new TerraWagen sticker 
_________________
"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
| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1159
Location: Northern Nevada
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| Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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Love it! Looks like you're on you way to install an alien space beacon somewhere!
Jim
_________________
"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
| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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Thor-bob 
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2011
Posts: 36
Location: The OC
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| Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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I found these pix in an album....... been meaning to share.
We used to hang glide in the Owens Valley in the '80's, and I made a box to carry the glider on the Vanagon. The gutter brackets were Quik N Easy brand.
Big thing: The front bracket had horrible wind roar from the 2" square cross tube, so I cut a piece of cardboard shipping tube in half and taped it to the front - the roar disappeared!
The nose cone was just for grins - it was cheapy plywood cut and curved, attached to internal ribs, then glassed and painted. Amazingly, the mileage dip was barely noticeable, maybe 1 MPG or so.
Also - The large overhang at the back end made the van immune to crosswinds, and it was very pleasant to drive.
Good times.
Thor-bob
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4369
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 3:53 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| robcass wrote: |
| Anyone know what the suggested max weight on a rack would be for a set up with gutter mounts drilled directly into the Westy Fiberglass Pop top? Mine are the 2 hole Thule kind. I was wanting to transport 110 lbs. Worried that I may crack the poptop. Thoughts? |
you should be fine. I've had HUNDREDS of pounds up there though I have the Yakima with 4 holes. the load is vertical so it should be strong enough in either case
_________________
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 |
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robcass
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2007
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| Anyone know what the suggested max weight on a rack would be for a set up with gutter mounts drilled directly into the Westy Fiberglass Pop top? Mine are the 2 hole Thule kind. I was wanting to transport 110 lbs. Worried that I may crack the poptop. Thoughts? |
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SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1159
Location: Northern Nevada
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alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1937
Location: anchor pt. alaska
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 8:48 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| Assuming you knew the people with the twin westy at the front of ferry? |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3620
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| ragnarhairybreeks wrote: |
Hi,
Kinda hesitant about posting, it’s unfinished, unpainted, and forward wind deflector needs re do. But it’s a thing I’ve been dicking with for a while just meant to carry my two 80 watt Siemens glass solar panels ( old school, heavy, not as partial shade tolerant as modern panel, but free).
Turns out I could fit one of my fibreglass waffle type bridging ladder in front of panels.
Rear mounts on rear hinge bolts, front support on new holes .
Oh, yes, 1/4” aluminum and 25-50 aluminum extrusion cross bars.
Alistair. |
I think it's just awesome! Also, thanks for the links and maintaining your website- I wind up there several times a year.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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wolfburger1303
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2015
Posts: 9
Location: Portugal
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| Jake de Villiers wrote: |
| wolfburger1303 wrote: |
[/img] |
That's awesome! If you make that logo in the stock size I'd be happy to buy a pair for the van! |
I will try .
Where are you from?
_________________
1974 VW 1303
1974 VW 1303 S
1987 VW Transporter Doka |
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Jake de Villiers
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5930
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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wolfburger1303
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2015
Posts: 9
Location: Portugal
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| Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:43 am Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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[img]
[/img]
_________________
1974 VW 1303
1974 VW 1303 S
1987 VW Transporter Doka |
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elizer
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016
Posts: 1501
Location: Northern Virginia
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8159
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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He may have determined that you need a full extra set to accommodate your load. It was quite a rack that eventually encouraged packing too much gear up top and was eventually swapped out with a high-top while moving a lot of storage inside or to the rear hitch.
_________________
- 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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Vanlife Geek
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014
Posts: 285
Location: CO
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| Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
| epbiggs wrote: |
| I still needed Jack Bombay lift assists to pop the top easily but when the rack is loaded, that still isn't enough. |
A Hi-lift jack or spare tire on the pop-top are heavy and difficult to lift even with struts. The spare for me was the last straw in going too far in strapping stuff to the roof.
Are you using the heaviest gas springs possible with your Jack Bombay lift?
60 psi = JB regular strut
90 psi = JB HD strut
120 psi = JB extra HD strut
* the above each available from Jack Bombay and I *believe* I have the numbers right.
150 psi = super heavy duty, Jack Bombay sent me to Amazon or McMaster Carr when I needed those to compensate for too much crap on the roof.
My point is you may have an option (s) before drilling the van for the GW struts.
Here's a link to the 150 psi gas spring that works with the Bombay system and may just give you the lift you need:
JR Products GSNI-2300-150 Gas Spring https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LF513G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_jDub3AlKsyytP
I had a long metal basket and roof-top box when using 150 psi struts:
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I contacted Bombay and he said he didn't think the stronger struts would cut it in my case and recommended getting the GW struts as an addition. Perhaps he doesn't sell the 150 psi versions you linked on Amazon... I can't remember the details. I've already drilled the holes in the metal, but am not sure I've got the right struts since they line up at the very front of the pop-top and every picture I've seen shows the top mount back from the front a little further. I need to get it sorted out. I wish I had your link before I bought the GW struts to see if they work as it would have been a relatively inexpensive experiment.
Man, that's a rack and a half you have!
_________________
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) |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8159
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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| epbiggs wrote: |
| I still needed Jack Bombay lift assists to pop the top easily but when the rack is loaded, that still isn't enough. |
A Hi-lift jack or spare tire on the pop-top are heavy and difficult to lift even with struts. The spare for me was the last straw in going too far in strapping stuff to the roof.
Are you using the heaviest gas springs possible with your Jack Bombay lift?
60 psi = JB regular strut
90 psi = JB HD strut
120 psi = JB extra HD strut
* the above each available from Jack Bombay and I *believe* I have the numbers right.
150 psi = super heavy duty, Jack Bombay sent me to Amazon or McMaster Carr when I needed those to compensate for too much crap on the roof.
My point is you may have an option (s) before drilling the van for the GW struts.
Here's a link to the 150 psi gas spring that works with the Bombay system and may just give you the lift you need:
JR Products GSNI-2300-150 Gas Spring https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LF513G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_jDub3AlKsyytP
I had a long metal basket and roof-top box when using 150 psi struts:
_________________
- 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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Vanlife Geek
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014
Posts: 285
Location: CO
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| Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Post Your Roof Rack Setup |
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I have a BajaRack MegaMule that I found on Craig's list for $50, which was a real find. Came with a cargo net, too. I mounted mine towards the rear for easier pop-top lifting and so I could add lights and a camera off the back. I also mounted two LED lights on both sides. Having it mounted to the rear also allows me to open my roof vent all the way and have room for a couple of solar panels. I still needed Jack Bombay lift assists to pop the top easily but when the rack is loaded, that still isn't enough. The Hi Lift Jack mounted up there certainly doesn't help. I purchased a set of GoWesty list assists and will be adding those to augment the Bombay lifts.
_________________
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) |
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