Pop top insulation. You can do it!

[Timwhy]

[Jon_slider]

depends whether you want wet canvas or wet wrap to store

imagine its 10pm and Dark out, you just arrived at camp, the wind is Howling, and Rain, Hail, Sleet or Snow, are blowing sideways.

You pop the top

now, what would you rather do, climb up on your window sill, in the Rain, Sleet or Snow? In your wet, muddy, or snowpacked boots?:

or stay inside where its warm and dry, and keep your boots clean?

next the pros and cons of outside or inside wrap during a rainstorm.. inside, youre dry both ways. If you wait for the rain to stop and the sun to dry your wrap or canvas, when it comes time to leave, either one will be dry.

If you have to leave while it is raining, then with an outer wrap, you have to go outside, in the rain, and then bring in a wet wrap, which you could probably dry off with a towel. Now youve got a wet towel inside your van, in the rain.

Or, with an inside wrap, you have to stay warm and dry inside, while you fold away your dry wrap. Then you lower the top.. yeah, its wet.. but you dont also have a wet towel too

Sooo, why would you pay extra to go outside in the Rain, Sleet or Snow? To keep your canvass dry?

You could stay dry and have inside insulation, for less than the cost of shipping the outer wrap.

the inside insulation is by far the least expensive option. and imo interior insulation is superior to exterior in regards to setup issues.

Otoh, I dont know how hard it is to get a wet poptop canvas to dry out after being used in the rain.. I respect that could be a priority for some areas.. keeping the canvass dry, at the expense of having to install an outside wrap in the rain.

Choices are good. I hope you have a great time Using, whatever gear you bring, to go camping.. Post pics!

me overnighting in the employee parking lot at Squaw in 2010, with a Fanchers exterior wrap (and a Propex )

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My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

[WestleyTheWesty]

Realized I should check with Fanchers to see if they offered an exterior thermal wrap and they do!

https://fanchers.com/shop?olsFocus=false&olsPa...-1980-1992

Cost is $270 shipped to Oregon with a bag that can store behind the upper bed.

Requires installing velcro above the front pop-top window, but otherwise seems fairly similar. They say there is a 2-4 week lead time since all items are made to order.

Just another option to throw into the mix.
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1990 Westy, started stock, not anymore!

[Jon_slider]

[ejimmi]

[Timwhy]

Here's a few pics showing the measurements from the finished insulation.

_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[Timwhy]

I have used both the GW WS and my insulation at the same time and they work great at keeping the inside dry and warm.

Ideally I think I would like to have the insulation on the out side of the canvas. I do not see any difference between putting on the WS in crappy weather or putting up the exterior insulation. I have put the WS up in pouring sideways rain and I and the canvas have gotten soaked.

Maybe install the outside insulation as you would the WS, I don't know if the Velcro will hold it in place before you raise the roof but I know that snaps surely would. Installing it would be just a system that you would have to practice at to get it right, as anyone with a WS would tell you.

In all the years that I have had my WS I don't think I have ever used the luggage rack while it was attached. BTW the inside insulation front section can roll up if you did want to use the rack for storage.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[Timwhy]

Purchased the CVC insulation almost a year ago and have been satisfied with it. I added Gypsy snaps to it where the GoWesty Wasserstopper would snap to the top of the poptop. I am able to use the GW WS and the insulation at the same time.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[vanis13]

Following are the teamplate size for my 83.5 early Westy with staple install tent.... Possibly these are different sizes that the later version the template in page 1 shows?

I made the hight 1/2 in taller to allow for press fit to avoid the installation of snaps. This also allows for tight for along the bottom to avoid the cold draft to sink in the foil... Ever notice the cold that descends under the van closed curtains?

If the press fit doesn't hold, I'll install tabs with duct tape that would press into the raised side vents on the pop top... Of that dude do it, I'll duct tape rare earth magnets to the foil and screw in large head screws along the top.

One can get two Vans done from one 25ft roll if drawn out before cutting

Cutting was easiest with partially open scissors pushed along the drawn line.

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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

[vwwestyman]

I think this is a great idea! I plan to do up a set for my '78 Westy some time soon. Woulda been nice in Colorado back in October.

...Anyone happen to have measurements for a late Bay?
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[vanis13]

based on my experience where my actual measurements were SEVERAL INCHES different than the cited....and that the measurements are so easy to make...I'd suggest measure yourself and have this done under na hour.

The cool thing with the $35 25ft roll is that if you screw up the first side, you have enough material for 3 more chances
_________________
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

[shagginwagon83]

[lucksp]

[vwwestyman]

I cut insulation panels for my Bay (I see I had commented about dimensions a couple years ago above) last year. It was actually pretty easy.

I started out with a roll of 48 inch wide Reflectex material. Measured the height inside of the pop top at the bottom end in the back and made a mark on the material. Then measured the distance between the middle of the back and and where it starts angling up and made a mark. Then measured from the back corner to the front corner and made a mark, and from there measured and marked the highest point. Connected the high point to the corner representing the low point. I added a few inches on the front ends for overlap. Cut that out and had a side panel. Made another exactly like it, and had two side panels!

For the front panel, I cut a piece the size of the width, then shoved it in there and used a marker to mark the curvature of the top of the pop top, and the curvature of the metal Bus roof.

Relax, it doesn't have to be perfect! You can trim a little if you need, and a little extra helps pressure-fit it in place.

For mine, I install the side panels, allowing them to wrap around the front a little, and then install that front panel. It is all held in place with pressure fit and the lift bars.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[rustednuggs]

This looks great! Been viewing it on my mobile device where do I get the roll of insulation at?

Thanks
Rustednuggs

[vanis13]

[rustednuggs]

Ok cool thanks alot. So it comes in like a 3ft wide roll?

TY
Rustednuggs

[vwwestyman]

[rustednuggs]

Thank you very much!

rustednuggs

[vanis13]