Hi Bryan,

I don't have a space box, but I have yakima racks and a 47 pound kayak and a bag containing kayak paddles and some other long stuff on top - another 10 lbs or so.  I can't pop it by myself with the gear up there, it takes two people.  Possibly someone a foot taller and much stronger than I could do it single-handed, but I’m not sure.  I regularly ask strangers for help, and some of the more macho of them have claimed they could do it by themselves, only to find they couldn't - rather to their embarassment! 

But I regularly pop the top with the boat up there (with help) and leave it up.  Knock on wood, it doesn't seem to be doing any harm.  I hope I don't have to eat my words on that in the future!  

Joy

****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
 
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
 
****************************************************************:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of bryan duggan
:::Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 3:59 PM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Roof Racks, Space Boxes and Westys
:::
:::Has anyone out there put a roof rack and space box on top of their Westy?
:::
:::I have put two roof bars up on top of my pop up and I am considering
:::adding
:::a modest space box (maybe Yakima space booster?). With the two bars up
:::there
:::alone it can be heavy popping my top up.
:::
:::what is your experience with pop tops and space boxes especially popping
:::your top when the box is full?
:::
:::Anything to recommend?
:::
:::Anyone advise against?
:::
:::Thank you,
:::Bryan Duggan
:::bduggan@mindspring.com
:::
:::Taj 89 Westy
:::    86 Syncro