I like the extra room afforded by a side tent. It is especially good in cases where you want to leave your campsite and have it look "occupied". i.e. driving away and leaving the side tent standing. I've posted this before, but here's a link to some pictures of a side tent "in action":

http://exploits.dyndns.org/aug2002/

Not a "non-poptop", but should give you an idea...it's the cheaper tent from BusDepot...

Tom

>I'm thinking about purchasing a side tent for my 87 Wolfsburg - I'd appreciate comments from veteran side-tent campers on likes/dislikes of using one with a non-poptop van.  I'd like to do more camping this year (including in RV parks depending on where we go).  Thanks for any input.
>
>Donna, 87 Wolfsburg, 1990 7-pass.