Hey Neil, there are some great roof top tents out there.  There is a pretty
gnarly Syncro in White Rock with a big cartopcampers.com tent on the roof -
I want it!

Seems to be a wide range out there...

http://www.cartopcamper.com/
http://www.rooftopcampers.com/
http://www.racktents.com/
http://www.bc4x4.com/inthenews/default.cfm?ID=270
http://www.autohomeus.com/
http://www.northwestexpeditions.com/Rooftop_tents.htm

Happy shopping!

On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 10:54 AM, Neil2 <vidublu@gmail.com> wrote:

> Someone in CA who works at a well known Vanagon supplier/refurbishment
> company, told me if one doesn't take the Vanagon offroad the standard sized
> Westy opening cut in a Vanagon poses little problems.
>
> Again, similar to what Mr. Drillock stated, I had perhaps hoped to only cut
> a hole half the size of the sunroof/westy hole but now that I hear all the
> integrity arguments I definitely would do so only ACROSS the roof not
> lengthwise and likely only between the first and second roof extrusions.  I
> only need enough room for to stand and unlatch the pt and allow
> access/egress from the pt.
>
> I also toyed with the idea of constructing a thin, aluminum ladder to store
> in the pt and made to fit from the ground to the luggage rack.  This would
> allow the Vanagon roof to go unscathed and the children would like it even
> better.  More like a real tree house!  I'd have to cover the luggage rack
> with some form fitting plywood contraption while in port, so as to not
> stress the roof below it.
>
> I plan to buy a roof tent now but will follow this thread to the bitter
> end,
> since I started this argument and want to ensure my bad name isn't cleaned
> up!
>
> On Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 4:41 PM, mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > I agree, but no one suggested removing the entire roof skin. Only a
> > section for standing in the main floor area is trimmed out, and not
> > anywhere near all the way to the gutters. Cut 1/3 of the center of the
> > shoebox lid out and not all the way to the edge and see the minimal
> > impact on rigidity.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> >
> > Mike wrote:
> >
> >>  In a 'unibody' (also referred to as 'monocoque') design structure, any
> >> skin section is a structurally-stressed component of the entire
> >> structure.  A Vanagon is considered unibody, even though it does
> >> have frame strengthening members underneath.
> >> Those roof support arches are more for rollover protection than
> >> torsional rigidity of the body.   The roof skin, however, is an
> >> engineered, diagonal bracing that contributes greatly to torsional
> >> rigidity of the entire body, in addition to providing added metal
> >> structure to add crash or rollover protection.
> >>  Take a shoe box, remove the lid and grab the ends and attempt to twist
> >> it; it will easily deform.
> >>  Now, put the lid on and repeat; you'll have a hard time deforming the
> >> box from it's basic shape.
> >>  And, now, for the final proof of the body weakness created by a
> >> large, unreinforced sunroof opening; cut a good -sized 'sunroof' into
> >> your shoebox lid and repeat your twist test.  What happens?  My bet is
> >> that a great amount of overall rigidity is lost due the 'missing' area.
> >> You've cut the center out of your 'diagonal bracing!
> >>  VW made up for it by adding 'doublers' inside the factory sunroof, not
> >> just a couple of cross ribs.  The probably also added outboard, lower
> >> frame cover plates (I know they did on the earlier buses).  Side impact
> >> crash protection, must also be taken into consideration in this
> >> modification.  (Smack the side of the shoebox to demonstrate this
> aspect.)
> >>
> >> Mike B.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    As long as you don't cut the 2 main roof arches, one at the front
> edge
> >>    of the slider door and one at the rear edge, the roof area between is
> >>    just roof skin and not of much importance structurally, IMHO.
> >>
> >
>
>
> --
> Neil2
> '82 Diesel Westfalia (USS Tinosa)
> '86 Vanagon/Westfalia Wannabe (SaVannah)
> Nunquam Pendite Divendium
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"

Crescent Beach, BC

www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27