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Anchovy
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000
Posts: 2975
Location: San Diego, CA
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 Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 8:48 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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Found this in the paperwork that came with my bus....
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 5287
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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I feel stupid, I had a guy offer me a VW tent last weekend off his 75 bus he sold decades ago, and I said no.
We have been using the EZ awning plus for a couple years now and I just added a set of legs so it can free stand, and after doing that a couple times to take the canoe to the lake , we started noodling around the idea of a drive away section so we don’t have to be super accurate about getting lined up again
Gonna see if I can find some nylon fabric to match the awning and work on how to attach it
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php
1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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Anchovy
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000
Posts: 2975
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2025 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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Looks like I have a White Stag universal side tent.
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bus guy
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2002
Posts: 789
Location: Southsea, UK South Coast
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2024 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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| Great thread - slowly working my way through. I have a westy tent that I’m wanting to take away camping with my Bug (bus isn’t back together yet) and I want to order an air mattress for the tent. Does anyone have the dimensions of the floor space for a westy tent please? |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22659
Location: Escondido CA
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Shonandb 
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 2035
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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Thanks for your comments wim3600 and Globespotter, we'll stick with the EZ awning and pass on the side tent.
_________________
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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Globespotter
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1785
Location: Newmarket, ON
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| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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| Shonandb wrote: |
I have a lead on a Bay Window Side Tent in decent shape for my 76 Westy. Do those who have them use them much? I have a full size Bus Depot EZ awning that works well and I made simple sides for it but am wondering if the side tent would just sit unused as it looks heavy and bulky compared to the EZ awning. Do you need to treat it with a waterproof coating?
Thanks. |
I have used mine only twice. I like it, but it does take some time to set up, and is big and bulky to transport/store.
If you are staying for a while at a nice spot, they are amazing. We used it when we attended a week long music festival, and it was nice.
On shorter trips, which most of my camping tends to be, I just use my E-Z awning.
_________________
1977 Westfalia - October 2015 - Current
1971 Super Beetle - May 2012 - Current
1979 Westfalia - 1986-1991
1971 Super Beetle - 1977-1980
1971 SB Survivor Story: https://globespotter.com/
Road Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511800&highlight=
My 77 Westy Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647114&highlight=
http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN&id=30990
https://vw-type2-id.xyz/mplate/72067382 |
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wim3600
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2013
Posts: 63
Location: Belgium
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| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 2:01 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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| Shonandb wrote: |
I have a lead on a Bay Window Side Tent in decent shape for my 76 Westy. Do those who have them use them much? I have a full size Bus Depot EZ awning that works well and I made simple sides for it but am wondering if the side tent would just sit unused as it looks heavy and bulky compared to the EZ awning. Do you need to treat it with a waterproof coating?
Thanks. |
I occasionally use the tent when the weather is bad.
The tent was not completely waterproof during a holiday on the Atlantic coast in northern France, but the weather was very bad. I then injected the tent with a product that is also used to make scout tents water-repellent. You can spray this with a plant sprayer and it comes in 5l cans.
In good weather use in the side awning only.
I also have a set with a tailgate and a side tent from the same manufacturer.
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22659
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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| CanStan wrote: |
Thanks for the wisdom alman72 and Notchboy. It's nice to hear you've seen one with the peaked roof before. The more I looked at it, the less likely it seemed to be set up wrong. There would have been some bunching and stretching of the canvas if that was the case.
I'll have to decide if I want to buy it. I need another tent like I need another hole in my head. But if I can get it for a more reasonable price than the guy is asking, it might be fun to own for a little bit at least. |
I had six OG VW tents at one time. I think I got two now. 
Link
Link
And I found this little gem.
Link
_________________
| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1103
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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Thanks for the wisdom alman72 and Notchboy. It's nice to hear you've seen one with the peaked roof before. The more I looked at it, the less likely it seemed to be set up wrong. There would have been some bunching and stretching of the canvas if that was the case.
I'll have to decide if I want to buy it. I need another tent like I need another hole in my head. But if I can get it for a more reasonable price than the guy is asking, it might be fun to own for a little bit at least. |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22659
Location: Escondido CA
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alman72
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014
Posts: 2575
Location: MICHIGAN
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 2:14 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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hahahaha! epic. where is the bucket? in the tent? |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 2035
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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[quote="CanStan"]
| Shonandb wrote: |
| wim3600 wrote: |
I have a lead on a Bay Window Side Tent in decent shape for my 76 Westy. Do those who have them use them much? I have a full size Bus Depot EZ awning that works well and I made simple sides for it but am wondering if the side tent would just sit unused as it looks heavy and bulky compared to the EZ awning. Do you need to treat it with a waterproof coating?
Thanks. |
I've had an original circus tent, as well as 2 different Bus Depot Add-A-Room tents. I've liked all of them for different reasons. I usually prefer original accessories, but it's hard to argue the Add-A-Room isn't super functional with the ability to open any combination of the sides, turn it into an awning, sleep a kid in the cabana, add a separate awning off the front, and how it packs up into 1/2 the storage space and weighs 1/2 of what the circus tent does. I've used military surplus duffel bags to store / carry them. The circus tent requires 2 bags, the BD tent fits in 1 bag.
It sounds lazy, but if we are just going out for a night or 2, we are hard pressed to spend the 15 minutes to set it up. But on some long weekend or longer trips, we sure appreciate the extra space. On rainy days, it's even nicer (although I do hate having to dry the tent out after I get back home). When the circus tent gets wet, it takes a long time to dry out. When it's hot out, it's really difficult to keep it cool inside.
So in my opinion, the circus tent wins the 'cool and original' award, but the BD tent probably wins for overall function (and still looks pretty good). |
Thanks CanStan. Your comments are what I was thinking. The circus tent is a "nice to have" but would be seldom used as the BD awning works for us 95% of the time.
_________________
*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22659
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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One of my favorite style of tent. Ive seen two types. The one you posted and the one in my vid. I think the one n my vid is slightly bigger and is made from heavier canvas. The one you posted is a Volkswagen of America product. I think the one in my Vid is Riviera. They could be manufactured by the same company.
Link
_________________
| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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alman72
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014
Posts: 2575
Location: MICHIGAN
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:54 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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| CanStan wrote: |
Does anyone have info on this tent? Not that I need another tent, but I'm tempted to pick this one up just because.
On page 12 of this thread there's a similar one but not much mentioned about it other than speculation it was a knock-off of the VW one. It does look very similar to the Campertent several of you have, except the roof peak is pointed rather than being flatter like the common ones I'm seeing here. It's possible this one is just set up wrong, or using incorrect poles, but the fabric doesn't look like it's being stretched awkwardly.
There is a VW part number on the tag:
ZVW 199 101
Is anyone able to compare the tag and part number from theirs? Maybe this is just an earlier / later model than the others I'm seeing?
f
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looks like vwoa tent set up wrong. here is my old one
i think notchboy had one or 2 as well. check the front screen door along the zipper for stitch popping. they like to rip/unstitch there.
edit def a vw tent |
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CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1103
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 10:41 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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Does anyone have info on this tent? Not that I need another tent, but I'm tempted to pick this one up just because.
On page 12 of this thread there's a similar one but not much mentioned about it other than speculation it was a knock-off of the VW one. It does look very similar to the Campertent several of you have, except the roof peak is pointed rather than being flatter like the common ones I'm seeing here. It's possible this one is just set up wrong, or using incorrect poles, but the fabric doesn't look like it's being stretched awkwardly.
There is a VW part number on the tag:
ZVW 199 101
Is anyone able to compare the tag and part number from theirs? Maybe this is just an earlier / later model than the others I'm seeing?
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CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1103
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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[quote="Shonandb"]
| wim3600 wrote: |
I have a lead on a Bay Window Side Tent in decent shape for my 76 Westy. Do those who have them use them much? I have a full size Bus Depot EZ awning that works well and I made simple sides for it but am wondering if the side tent would just sit unused as it looks heavy and bulky compared to the EZ awning. Do you need to treat it with a waterproof coating?
Thanks. |
I've had an original circus tent, as well as 2 different Bus Depot Add-A-Room tents. I've liked all of them for different reasons. I usually prefer original accessories, but it's hard to argue the Add-A-Room isn't super functional with the ability to open any combination of the sides, turn it into an awning, sleep a kid in the cabana, add a separate awning off the front, and how it packs up into 1/2 the storage space and weighs 1/2 of what the circus tent does. I've used military surplus duffel bags to store / carry them. The circus tent requires 2 bags, the BD tent fits in 1 bag.
It sounds lazy, but if we are just going out for a night or 2, we are hard pressed to spend the 15 minutes to set it up. But on some long weekend or longer trips, we sure appreciate the extra space. On rainy days, it's even nicer (although I do hate having to dry the tent out after I get back home). When the circus tent gets wet, it takes a long time to dry out. When it's hot out, it's really difficult to keep it cool inside.
So in my opinion, the circus tent wins the 'cool and original' award, but the BD tent probably wins for overall function (and still looks pretty good). |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 2035
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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I have a lead on a Bay Window Side Tent in decent shape for my 76 Westy. Do those who have them use them much? I have a full size Bus Depot EZ awning that works well and I made simple sides for it but am wondering if the side tent would just sit unused as it looks heavy and bulky compared to the EZ awning. Do you need to treat it with a waterproof coating?
Thanks.
_________________
*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22659
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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| wim3600 wrote: |
a side awing indeed, google translate said "canopi".
Excuse me for the crappy translation.
The previous owner claimed that an original Westfalia awning was included.
In the picture it is not so clear, it has two sides, one of these is rolled up.
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It might be Westfalia? Maybe from the Vanagon Era. They continued offering tents for them. I have an early Vanagon tent and it looks better on a Bay then a Vanagon - I think.
As for new tents -
_________________
| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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wim3600
Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2013
Posts: 63
Location: Belgium
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| Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Official Side Tent thread FAQ |
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a side awing indeed, google translate said "canopi".
Excuse me for the crappy translation.
The previous owner claimed that an original Westfalia awning was included.
In the picture it is not so clear, it has two sides, one of these is rolled up.
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