Hi Doug,
I didn't install it but that's a pic of the location of the thule rack on my
van. Put there by PO to haul a Thule Summit 8' long carrier box, and his 2
kayaks. My only suggestion would be to move the rear mount back about a foot
for better leverage stability, front to rear. He could raise the top with
everything on it. He's about 6' tall. I've raised the top with the Summit
box on and it's no problem. A canoe may be enough longer to make that more
difficult?
http://tinyurl.com/2lqq4
Bob Stevens
'87 Westy Syncro
http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tiico

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Alcock" <doug.alcock@HEWITT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 9:29 AM
Subject: Advice needed on Thule Roof Rack Install

> Hi gang,
>
>         I finally have all the bits and pieces for my roof rack and am
> looking for some list wisdom on the installation. The rack is a Thule
> clone with Thule artificial rain gutters. Its main purpose will be to
> carry my canoe on my 84 Westy. Questions:
>
> 1) Any advice/tips/tricks for drilling holes in the poptop and installing
> the artificial rain gutters?
>
> 2) I read on the list that it's a good idea to have the front rack
> slightly lower than the back one. Thoughts? --- anyone done this?
>
> 3) Any thoughts about positioning the racks themselves  --- I figure
> putting the rear rack about as far back as I can, but I'm unsure about
> placing the front rack. I'm thinking maybe a couple of feet back from the
> front of the poptop with the idea that this would give me a little bit of
> mechanical advantage when trying to lift the top with the canoe on. Does
> that make any sense?
>
> Any and all advice gratefully accepted.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Doug
>