When I was traveling with my 47-lb 19-foot kayak on my Yakima racks plus a
bag weighing around 10 lbs with kayak paddles and a bunch of other long
things, I couldn't lift the poptop by myself.  I would ask strangers for
help.  Occasionally I would ask brawny men who would say "oh, no problem, I
can lift that for you."  They wouldn't believe me if I said they wouldn't be
able to do it alone, but none of them could.  With two people it was easy.

Joy

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Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon

For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy

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:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of Mervyn Readman
:::Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 3:13 AM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: cargo boxes on top of westies
:::
:::So I put a Yakima cargo box on my pop top to see if I can lift up my
:::camper
:::top. I slid the box as far back as it can go on the roof trying to offset
:::the weight a little. Even with the box empty there was no way I could
:::lift
:::up the pop top.
::: I see lots of photos on the internet of westies with these cargo boxes
:::on
:::their vans with their tops up so I am wondering
:::  Is there some secret info I am missing like turbo springs for the pop
:::top
:::lifters or do these folks get a few brawny people to help heave it up.
:::  Any insights or wisdom will surely be appreciated.  Merv 90 Carat
:::                                                      Subie powered