In a message dated 8/31/00 10:34:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

<< Tents - I've seen a lot of discussion about tents lately and felt I
 should mention one that I've scoped out.  I spent about 2 months
 researching my options for a side tent and after narrowing my choices
 down to about 4, settled on the Cabela's Truck Tent.

http://www.cabelas.com/texis/scripts/store/+/CatalogDisplay/displayPOD/CabFALL
1998/CabFALL1998ASAbAA/IA880F

 Although it's designed to attach to the back it appears it could also
 work off the side.  After several discussions with the company I've
 established that it should fit the back very well.  Even better, it's
 only $200!  I was prepared to buy it when I suddenly stumbled onto and
 purchased a used Westfalia side tent w/floor in relatively good
 condition.  I thought those of you looking for a tent should know about
 it and I may yet buy one anyway.  If anyone does pick one up, please let
 us know what you think.
  >>

    I have this tent.  I bought it a few years ago at Canadian Tire on sale
for $199 CND.  It was labelled as being made by SPALDING.  After examining
the picture it sure looks like the same exact tent.  It will not connect to
the side door of a Westfalia without some modifications.  The bottom of the
opening of the connection to the van is too high.  Needs to be cut down about
6" on each side if I remember correctly.  Then you have to remove the
existing zipper and sew in a new longer one.  I did this and it was a bit of
a job manhandling all that tent material through the sewing machine.  But, it
did work and I use it all the time now.  I also sewed a strip of Velcro
around the edge of the connecting flap and glued a strips of Velcro around
the inside edges of the side door opening.  For the bottom I use the
connecting straps that are already on the tent flap to connect to any
convient frame members.  This is a good light weight tent that takes about 15
minutes to set up and is inexpensive.  You do have to make the modifications
though !

Cheers

Frank Condelli
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
<A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/CIW_English.asp">IWCC</A> & Capital City VW
Club member
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service for the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless
Steel Mufflers</A>
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli &
Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com