Help with attaching plywood deck to Yakima Roof Basket

[VJP5]

[Steve M.]

[Steve M.]

Another advantage the roof rack gives you is a place to mount an extra set of tail lights up high.
I got caught in a torrential downpour coming south on I-95 one time and the second thing I saw was that I could not see any tail lights from the cars in front of me because of the water spray from the tires...nobody could see any brake lights.

So first thing after that I added a light bar across the back.

Even though they are LED lights I found out they work better using a powered trailer turn signal light harness to have full 12v up there.
I'm going to change them for brighter lights because they are okay at night, but day time in bright sunlight is not where these Amazon lights shine!
I have the same lights Idaho Doug has used on his Vanagon rack.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[VJP5]

[Steve M.]

[DuncanS]

Ya know??--------------maybe we're being a little too anal about this.

The owner told me he has had it up for two generations. The A face (side the basket is on) is in pretty fair shape, but it faces north. Odd, this means you're always shooting into the sun.

Maybe the thing to do is just paste any old thing up there anyway you can and go enjoy it. Tweaking can happen over the winter when you have a better idea of how you are going to use it and so on.

[tjet]

I built one for my van. I used 3/4" marine ply ala Steve M, along with a sheet of diamond plate. I over-killed it. Strong, but way too heavy. The other issue is that 1 sheet only covers so much of the roof. Ideally, you want to have it cover the entire roof to reflect sunlight. The area in the cabin that was unshaded got very warm in direct sunlight. This heat would radiate through the entire cabin and kind of null out the shaded section - like leaving a toaster oven on all day long in the van.

I really like this roof in the link below, but very expensive. I think that setup is around $5k with the additional panels w/ship to US

https://www.gtv-van.com/en/gtv-gmb-vw-t3-modular-roof-rack-system-complete-ki.html


Link


IMO, a stock westy pop top would be the best sun blocker.

[Steve M.]

[VJP5]

[vanagonjr]

[VJP5]

Finally Done!

I have (22) SS clamps and 8 screws in the middle to secure it down. 9 clamps on each side and an extra 2 in the middle, front and back edge. Then I screwed a pressurized 2x4 to the 2 middle crossbars and then 4 screws from the deck to the 2x4s on both. I have been trying to think of how this could come apart but I think it's on for good. 90% of the time I will be driving with nothing up there.

The 9/16" clamps did the trick. All but 2 are like this:

I have 2 that are not as snug (but hard to believe that's enough space to have the whole sheet come off).

Thanks to everyone for all the input, advice, and information. Cannot wait to plan a sunset dinner with the Mrs.
_________________
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg Tin-Top - "Elmo"

[Steve M.]

You should have mafe it look like a dog was holding the phone!

Congratulations on finishing.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[DuncanS]

[VJP5]

[pemz0r]

Hey DuncanS,

It was custom made during the second owner's time with the van. I can ask her where she had it made, keep you posted, https://www.instagram.com/p/CLQHllAFlxQ/. I can tell you that the rain gutter mounts are from Smittybilt because I had to have them all replaced from rust and metal fatigue.

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-HDS-6-Heavy-Gutt...amp;sr=1-1


Hey VJP5,

Glad you went with my idea!! They work perfectly, and I don't think you need to worry about the slack. Have fun on top of your rig

[VJP5]