Joy wrote:
"re that camping gear on the poptop racks - I'm carrying about
(guesstimate) 80 pounds on my poptop" snip;
"Did you see that Larry is selling his Thule gear compartment to put on the
racks?  For a good price, too.  Do remember (I speak from experience!) that
ANYTHING on your roof will probably get wet,"

I have a Thule Summit. The top has a lip that closes down over a lip on the
lower half, by an inch+. Driven in lotsa conditions and never had "leaks"
but can also see how some water could enter as there is no gasket or seal.
Very good traveler, and as Joy points out, there is a limit to how much you
can put in it and still lift it. I don't "think" I've ever had more than 75
lbs. of luggage and bike tools and stuff and can still lift the Westy roof.
My guess is that my "limit" would be about 100 lb. given the effort it takes
me now. My rack is mounted rearward so much of the load is on the rear 1/2
of the roof. There are pix of the mounting "gutters" on my top at the link
below if anyone wants an idea of location in this case.

In addition, I've laid a large plastic tarp (grommets on it type) in the
luggage box over the cab, put stuff in it, folded the rest of the tarp
around the "load" to create a "pan", bungied it down and it has always been
dry when opened after driving/being in rain.

Bob Stevens
'87 Westy Syncro
http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tiico