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16CVs
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4268
Location: Redwood City, California
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 Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject: Bus Depot Basic Tent |
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Has anyone installed Bus Depots new basic tent ? Ron says it is so close to OE you can not tell it apart except that it has 3 windows instead of one .
He also note that they added 1/2 " to make it fit better . I am building a Syncro Westy on a Budget and need to trim a corner or two ,but need to make intelligent choices .
My Top is a screw in type in Gray and I want a 3 window . Go Westy has an OE 1 window tent at about the same price . If I am going to compromise I at least want 3 window .
Let me know good or bad ,I need to pull the trigger in a week or 2 .
Stacy
Vanagonsplus.com
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CdnVWJunkie 
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004
Posts: 1133
Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:51 am Post subject: |
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Why anyone would ever install a new one window tent is beyond me. Maybe they've never camped in a one window Westy before?
I don't have direct experience with BDs basic but by all means get the 3 window. |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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thegreenroom
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2013
Posts: 50
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| Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:54 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Depot Basic Tent |
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| 16CV's wrote: |
Has anyone installed Bus Depots new basic tent ? Ron says it is so close to OE you can not tell it apart except that it has 3 windows instead of one .
He also note that they added 1/2 " to make it fit better . I am building a Syncro Westy on a Budget and need to trim a corner or two ,but need to make intelligent choices .
My Top is a screw in type in Gray and I want a 3 window . Go Westy has an OE 1 window tent at about the same price . If I am going to compromise I at least want 3 window .
Let me know good or bad ,I need to pull the trigger in a week or 2 .
Stacy
Vanagonsplus.com |
I just received Bus Depots new basic tent and tried to install it today & it will not fit ! As per the directions I attached the front top first, no problem. Then went to install the rear top & it's way short, a few inches at least - no ways will it work. I've read a few other threads about the new bus depot tents not fitting but apparently they also say that they fixed the problem - so maybe I got one from the dodgey batch. I'm calling them tomorrow, I'll let you know what they say. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32989
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:15 am Post subject: |
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I know that Bus Depot has been very vigilant about their tops for the past year or so. Yours is probably numbered indicating that it was double checked for size.
I installed their basic top and had zero issues with it.
Actually I had one, I pulled the canvas too tight as I fastened it and ended up with a flap of extra fabric, I had to remove the fasteners and let it relax and then it fit fine.
In your case, I'm going to guess that you didn't pull the fabric taut as you fastened the initial part across the front. There is a lot of stretch to the canvas and you need to utilize it or you will have fit issues.
I'd disconnect what you already did, refasten it while putting some good pull from the sides as you fasten it beginning in the center. I'll bet you end up with enough material by doing so.
Dave
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thegreenroom
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2013
Posts: 50
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| Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
I know that Bus Depot has been very vigilant about their tops for the past year or so. Yours is probably numbered indicating that it was double checked for size.
I installed their basic top and had zero issues with it.
Actually I had one, I pulled the canvas too tight as I fastened it and ended up with a flap of extra fabric, I had to remove the fasteners and let it relax and then it fit fine.
In your case, I'm going to guess that you didn't pull the fabric taut as you fastened the initial part across the front. There is a lot of stretch to the canvas and you need to utilize it or you will have fit issues.
I'd disconnect what you already did, refasten it while putting some good pull from the sides as you fasten it beginning in the center. I'll bet you end up with enough material by doing so.
Dave |
Hi Dave, thanks for your input. I definitely pulled it really taut as I fastened the initial part across the front, & I would estimate I'm short by at least 10 inches after pulling taut and attempting to fasten the rear top. |
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climberjohn
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
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| Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Mentioned before, but worth a repeat:
Very helpful Go Westy video on installing a new tent:
POP-TOP TENT INSTALLATION FOR THE VANAGON (85-91) scre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASC9dZkfxbQ
-CJ
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:26 am Post subject: |
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Which tent are you calling the "basic" one. I put on one of their "in house" brand one that cost 279 about 6 monbths ago and it fit fine and installed easily.
If that is the one you just tried to put on, it is dissapointing to hear about more quality control issues. If is a cheaper version, no surprise as those don't fit well no matter where you get them. |
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thegreenroom
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2013
Posts: 50
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| Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:30 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the gowesty vid, I have seen it and a few other good ones online.
Yes it is the in house bus depot one for 279. It does however seem like many people have also had no problems, but also some that have. For me the quality looks good but I just cannot get it to fit, too small for sure. Apparently the 'cut' does vary slightly from tent to tent though, so all I can think is that I got a smaller 'cut' tent ( which was confirmed by BD), and also maybe the channels in my pop top might be slightly larger (where the tent attaches to)? I don't know but I've decided to just pay the extra and go with an OEM tent and hopefully that will work. All said and done Bus depot have been very accommodating in trying to figure out the problem / making it right. |
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rpgillett
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2013
Posts: 1
Location: Oxnard, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:46 am Post subject: |
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Hello, I am having the same size issue with my Bus Depot $279 tent. I purchased the Tan colored tent. The top went on great, but the bottom has been very tough. I have a 79 westy and I just installed my tent this last weekend. I followed the instructions that I have seen all over the internet and I still cant get the damn back corner to stretch over and reach the track. three of the corners go on fine, but when I get to the last corner, it is darn near impossible.
I saw the other posts regarding stretching the tent and making sure that it is taught. I DEFINITELY stretched the sides and tried to provide as much slack as possible. I have pulled and pulled... I attempted attaching the bottom of the tent to the bus four time. I also redid my tack strips on the roof once... I even went as far as heating up the rubber trim with a heat gun to try to get it to stretch.. and nothing has worked... If I pull anymore the tent will rip. I love bus Depot and typically their stuff is great, and they have great customer service. but this tent is too small...
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18959
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Hello, welcome to the Samba. First I'd recommend a call to Bus Depot. 2nd you mention the year is a 79. A 79 should have been a Bus or Type 2, not a vanagon. In other words if it is a bus, you might want to post in the bus area. Good luck. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32989
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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