It does solve the problem of outside storage of high cost items such as solar panels that are often kept in the luggage rack area.  It would help reduce the visibility of the panels, and could be lockable.  With a decent lock, the issue of accidental deployment as an air brake would be mitigated.  There are various pros and cons on the direction of opening.  You are right 50 % of the time....
Cheers!StuartOttawa 

    On Wednesday, August 24, 2016 10:01 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
 

 Yup hinged forward makes sense. But you know that we are being arm chair critics now, aren't we?

Amazing what compromises are made and features are dropped when you try to make a great idea. Just sayin from experience :-)

Alistair

> On Aug 24, 2016, at 6:46 PM, Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@NBNET.NB.CA> wrote:
> 
> I’m sure I would forget to secure the latch and it would quickly transition through being a ‘flap’ en route to becoming a hood ornament on the vehicle behind me.  :)
> 
> You could probably design one so the bonnet lifted forward - then you could get into it from the pop top (like the Bagawest) :-)
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On 24-Aug-2016, at 22:40, Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> could also be deployed as an air brake to bleed off the excessive speed our
>> Vanagons are known for ;)
>> Edward
>> 
>>> On Wed, Aug 24, 2016 at 9:22 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Friend met a guy from NY that did a very neat mod to the luggage rack on
>>> Westy.
>>> 
>>> Pics here
>>> 
>>> https://shufti.wordpress.com/2016/08/24/vanagon-westy-luggage-rack-mod/
>>> 
>>> Alistair