Author |
Message |
thuestis Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2012 Posts: 80 Location: brentwood, tn
|
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:27 pm Post subject: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
Guys,
I was fortunate last year to acquire a nice original SO 23 Westfalia. With the purchase came an original slopping Westfalia roof rack.
I have not yet used the roof rack. Before I try for the first time, was hoping one of the members might share how they install the roof rack on the bus without scratching or damaging the roof rail paint.
What about the guys with "show" buses. How do you carefully install and remove? Was thinking maybe a thin piece of rubber between the paint and the clamp?
I searched the topics, but did not find any advice on this point.
Replies with tips or best practices are greatly appreciated! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
|
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
First know this- ALL racks scratch paint. They wiggle going down the road and can rub through whatever protection you try to put on them. If you are convinced your rubber strips are perfect- your clamps will chew through, etc. But you can wrap rubber "condoms" around the gutter blades and the clamps. Rubber hose can be split for the blades too and a short section of clear large diameter hose can be slipped around the clamp.
Two people are needed to install these on the show buses-always. Walk up from behind the bus and the first one who sneezes buys the paint repair.
One person- To plop the thing down on old paint- I simply walk up to the side of the bus with the rack flat against me- and with a smooth heft- lift it up above the roof rail- still holding it vertically and set it gently into the gutter. Then I SLOWLY ease it down from the gutter I'm resting it in until the other side is resting on the opposite side.
If your not finding bus info here- visit the accessory forums and the T1 and T3 threads as well for rack advice. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
|
'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Drew Ogden Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Elbow Cay, Bahamas
|
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
So, I bought a one owner SO-42 westy. It came with a rack, but didn't have a scratch on the original paint. It was a tourist delivery bus, and when they got it home, the rack didn't fit in the garage. So they stuck the rack in the attic.
Fast forward 6 years (last month), and I get a call from the original owners son. He was cleaning out his moms house and found a box with all of the maintenance receipts from the bus, from day one. In that box was another envelope, pictured below.
That rack was only taken off that bus once before I got it, and there are imprints on the little pads from the rack clamps. I can only assume that they were there when the bus was delivered new.
I have always used electrical tape on the clamp ends, but I think I will re-install these on that bus.
Anyone else ever see these? Maybe they are common and I never knew it. Maybe the owner made them? All signs point to them being there from new...
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
|
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
It surprises me none-the-slightest that your beautiful bus had these Drew.
Bradford
They do have a manufactured look to them- and has me thinking that a short section of (bear with me) shower door sweeper could almost duplicate that profile once kinked. More importantly, am I seeing these before Lind? _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
|
'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Drew Ogden Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Elbow Cay, Bahamas
|
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
I was going to forward to Lind, but have not yet... They look like they were cut from a long strip, not manufactured individually. They are more silver than they appear in the photo. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
lo-lo55 Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2004 Posts: 61 Location: christchurch New Zealand
|
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 2:02 am Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
For the rack 'feet' I use heavy duty furniture felt that usually goes under table legs to protect hardwood floors, and for the clamp rubber glued on from an old cycle tube. Folded down where the gutter meets the side panel, the end of the clamp rubs there too. Just a repro rack though.
For fitting two person if possible, or lay a heavy blanket over the roof and place rack ontop and slide if necessary to position, and fit one side at a time. Unfortunately some damage to the gutters over time is inevitable. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
srfndoc Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010 Posts: 3274 Location: SoCal
|
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
Seen these on another Westy as well. Looked almost like abba zabba. Definitely a cool find and something that should be reproduced if possible. _________________ RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches |
|
Back to top |
|
|
earlywesty Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2004 Posts: 2357 Location: In the woods, Ontario
|
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
I have used a product designed for tool handles called Dip-it or Plasti-dip something. It is a rubberized coating and you dip the feet of the rack and the clamps and let it dry. Takes a few coats if I recall correctly. Works excellent, no scratches and if you want to get it off it will come off reasonably. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
campingbox Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000 Posts: 10196 Location: Petaluma, CA
|
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
Drew Ogden wrote: |
I was going to forward to Lind, but have not yet... They look like they were cut from a long strip, not manufactured individually. They are more silver than they appear in the photo. |
Is that the same stuff they used on the tent rail?
I’ve seen seals on so-42 clamps before. I thought they were light grey, don’t think ive seen any that nice before. Nice find. Thanks for sharing. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
crofty Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000 Posts: 19672 Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
|
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
My '65 SO42 had those as well.
Drew Ogden wrote: |
So, I bought a one owner SO-42 westy. It came with a rack, but didn't have a scratch on the original paint. It was a tourist delivery bus, and when they got it home, the rack didn't fit in the garage. So they stuck the rack in the attic.
Fast forward 6 years (last month), and I get a call from the original owners son. He was cleaning out his moms house and found a box with all of the maintenance receipts from the bus, from day one. In that box was another envelope, pictured below.
That rack was only taken off that bus once before I got it, and there are imprints on the little pads from the rack clamps. I can only assume that they were there when the bus was delivered new.
I have always used electrical tape on the clamp ends, but I think I will re-install these on that bus.
Anyone else ever see these? Maybe they are common and I never knew it. Maybe the owner made them? All signs point to them being there from new...
|
_________________ Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
easy e Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 3931 Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
|
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
campingbox wrote: |
Is that the same stuff they used on the tent rail? |
An aluminum pop rivet broke on my tent rail. A piece of what was between the tent rail & rain gutter fell out. It was plastic, very thin (thinner than the clamp / gutter protector) and its width was how tall the rain gutter is high. _________________ aka: Evan
Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
Searchable, click-navigable 1958 Bus Parts List |
|
Back to top |
|
|
crofty Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000 Posts: 19672 Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
|
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:59 am Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
easy e wrote: |
campingbox wrote: |
Is that the same stuff they used on the tent rail? |
An aluminum pop rivet broke on my tent rail. A piece of what was between the tent rail & rain gutter fell out. It was plastic, very thin (thinner than the clamp / gutter protector) and its width was how tall the rain gutter is high. |
I had that too... it was white if I remember correctly but it didn't survive the repaint _________________ Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
'64cal lookdub 1200 Deluxe
Joined: May 29, 2004 Posts: 1714 Location: TX
|
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
Cut down side window seals work good for the clamps.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hokie87 Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2010 Posts: 280 Location: Richmond, VA
|
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
'64cal lookdub wrote: |
Cut down side window seals work good for the clamps.
|
Ditto
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
thuestis Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2012 Posts: 80 Location: brentwood, tn
|
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 1:49 am Post subject: Re: Advice regarding Westfalia roof rack. Tips on how to attach |
|
|
Guys,
Excellent suggestions & tips.
Really appreciate everyone sharing their insights!
Tim |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|