In a message dated 96-05-02 19:34:14 EDT, franzago@dcseq.uscga.edu (Tony
Franzago) writes:

>Does anyone have a roof mount rack on their vanagon?  Would you recommend
>it?  Specifically, any clearance problems? (other than parking garages and
>burger king drive thru), noise or drag??, trouble throwing your bikes up
>there?

I've sucessfully used a Thule roof rack system for carrying bikes & a canoe
(sometimes at the same time) for years.  I would reccommend them.  I carry
with me a nice aluminum step ladder that helps alot.  The ladder is bigger
than a kitchen step stool but much smaller than a real step ladder.  It folds
to less than 2" thick and I usually stow it under the cushion over the
engine.  For a Vanagon you would use what Thule "high foot" mounting bracket
and then a pair of 65" load bars.  Attach to the load bars whatever mounting
parts that are applicable to your load.  Thule makes adapters for bikes,
skis, snowboards, canoes, etc.

Good luck,
Jim Davis
87 GL Syncro
88 GL Wolfsburg