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Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop
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joetiger Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Steve M. wrote:
Got any figures on "before/after" mpg?


I'm pretty sure they sold that van.
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Steve M.
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:40 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Got any figures on "before/after" mpg?
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jimf909 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 9:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Super sweet. Well done.
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Abscate wrote:
Do not get killed, do not kill others.


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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noelleon
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Came out well I think.

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jimf909 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

How’s the progress on this rack? I’d love to see any updates. Thanks.


noelleon wrote:
Finally made some progress with this and have the first prototype!
Flat packs with panels for lights or rotopax. Gutter mounts are ARB pattern so awnings bolt directly..making a Roadshower mount.
Bars will be black and panels van body color.
Testing it this weekend and will then start mounting hardware and adding the top panel for solar.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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- Jim

Abscate wrote:
Do not get killed, do not kill others.


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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Blair_Francis
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 11:21 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

OMG!! This is AMAZING! I'm super inspired to do this to my new 82 Diesel High Top that I'm picking up on Saturday!! She's a real beaut and will be taking us down to Mexico this fall for a long term adventure. How has your design stood the test of time? Are you willing to share the design so I can make one here with local craftsmen?

Thanks so much!!

PS... this is my soon to be new van:

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noelleon
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 4:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Finally made some progress with this and have the first prototype!
Flat packs with panels for lights or rotopax. Gutter mounts are ARB pattern so awnings bolt directly..making a Roadshower mount.
Bars will be black and panels van body color.
Testing it this weekend and will then start mounting hardware and adding the top panel for solar.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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rotaecho
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 8:12 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Any updates on a kit?
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:29 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

RichBenn wrote:
For those just looking for solar panels, 100 watt high efficiency semi-fexibles are going for about $160- $180 these days. Easy to tape down, no drilling.


Do you know of any 100 watt panels that fit on any panel of a NAHT? The 100 watt flexible panels that I know of all oveehang any flat spot, hence, I'm using 50 watt panels with an aux. 100 watt panel for longer stays.
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Abscate wrote:
Do not get killed, do not kill others.


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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Cbkg
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:57 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

I would research the use of the flexible solar panels first, I've read a few reviews from people that have had them for a year and some reporting warping, cupping and loss of efficiency... solar panels need air circulation under them to prevent overheating...

Renogy,out of Cali, I believe is offering a 100% rebate for all of their flexible solar panels sold...

https://www.renogy.com/voluntary-product-recall/
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J Charlton Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

You might want to consider making the racking out of Unistrut. You can check the loading ratings for Unistrut from their web site but the 13/16 X 1 5/8" Aluminum strut is certainly rated to support far more than anyone would rationally be thinking of putting on it.
I make up brackets of 1/4" aluminum plate that join the various Unistrut parts together to accomplish whatever design the top owner wants. The great thing about the Unistrut is that virtually any design is possible and that virtually anything can be attached to the racking anywhere. Spring nuts are used in the channel and stay in place if the racking is taken off for storage which makes reassembly really quick and easy.
I only make the brackets up for each specific design. The van owner sources the Unistrut locally and puts the racking together - it takes 3 - 4 hours the first time - some pics of racking that I built for an AW top are on the Northamericanhightops.com website and https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Mundopacheco

J. Charlton
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RichBenn
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:20 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

For those just looking for solar panels, 100 watt high efficiency semi-fexibles are going for about $160- $180 these days. Easy to tape down, no drilling.
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chachi
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 7:27 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

jimf909 wrote:
Can you point me to the source of your panels? I'm particularly interested in the one on the rear deck. I'd really like to find modular panels in strips two cells wide to install around my Fantastic fan on the top of the roof.


last time i talked to NAHT installer kevin gratton, he was or already had ordered some sets of custom solar panels that fit either side of the Fantastic Fan. might check with him and see if he has any left. they were 25w each. instagram: @veedubdayspa
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bivouac
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 8:09 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

I've been wanting something like this for my '87 NAHT Syncro, make it!
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Zeitgeist 13
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 12:30 pm    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

That rack appears to make the NAHT design much more palatable from an aesthetic perspective and adds functional load bearing and attachment points to the top. That's a solid conceptual approach and I can't wait to see a working prototype.
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Aryana
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 11:07 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Ok, I'm subscribed! Interesting design and looking forward to seeing pics of it in the flesh.
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tosimplify
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 10:31 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

jimf909 wrote:
Can you point me to the source of your panels? I'm particularly interested in the one on the rear deck. I'd really like to find modular panels in strips two cells wide to install around my Fantastic fan on the top of the roof.


I bought these panels from dhgate.com, though I've since checked the site, and it looks like they're not available anymore. The two bigger panels are 90 watts, and the smaller one is 75.
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chachi
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 10:20 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

love it, best design for a NAHT rack yet. i especially love that you could just have the front or back racks.
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Type17
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 9:49 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

Very cool idea, I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
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noelleon
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 9:36 am    Post subject: Re: Aluminum rack for NAHT hightop Reply with quote

tosimplify wrote:


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Those are very cool panels. I'm also working on moving the venting system to the slanted area before the step down. I dig our fan but I'd love to be able to vent air in the rain. My thought is to make a cover for the lower shelf to hold that system.

I did a version using just rails and there definitely some advantages, but...I can save weight and just kinda dig first method...

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so I combined the two and some of your thoughts:

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The partial rail system gives strength in the weak spot and allows for hidden cable routing.

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Now I only have about a 3/4 Inch deviation with a 100 pound push on the weakest spot.
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