i don't know if "cutting" a hole in the roof is ever really necessary :-) , but that space can be hugely beneficial for storage while you're stopped and camping (or visa versa for me since we also sleep in the upper bunk).  it is really nice too to not have to bend over on your steps from the front to the back of the van.  i'd personally own nothing other than a westy.

HOWEVER, there are many non-poptop campers out there - just go to the vanagon gallery on the thesamba and i'm sure that you'll find some.

though, i have to so that i can't help but smile everytime i get to stop at a site and pop the top - something almost spiritual about it. ;-)

anybody else got camping fever?????!!!!

dusty.

On Friday, February 24, 2006, at 04:49AM, John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:

>I have a GL and wish to better equip it for road trips and camping. If
>one does not sleep up in the top, other than being able to stand up, is
>there any other advantage to cutting a hole in the roof and installing a
>Westy Pop-top.
>
>Thanks,
>
>John Rodgers
>88 GL Driver.
>
>