----------
> From: Davidson <wdavidson@jps.net>
> To: Pfunky@AOL.COM; vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Thule Artificial Rain Gutters
> Date: Friday, December 04, 1998 4:02 PM
>
> Patrick,
> Many Volks have installed the "fake rain gutters" on their fiberglass pop
> tops. You can search the archives for details. I'm sure I don't remember
> all. Some of the postings are oriented to transporting bikes, some
kayaks,
> some canoes, some luggage racks, etc. A lot depends on what you want to
> carry.
> The down sides as I remember them off the top of my head are:
> 1. Possible messing up of the rubber seal.
> 2. Possible air lift on the front latch, messing up the latch and/or the
> top popping up on the highway.
> 3. Not being able to pop the top due to weight unless you unload the
rack.
> I don't think I've read anything suggesting the fiberglass fails where it
> is drilled.
>
> The thing that some of the Volks have noticed and have commented on today
> is that the Yakima (I believe) bike rack in the posted photo address
today
> is mounted to the real rain gutters next to the luggage rack. And
although
> the bikes extend behind the luggage rack, the bikes attachments and bikes
> are mounted off to the side of the van such that the top can be popped
> without unloading the bikes. It looks a little strange and it's a reach
for
> a short guy to get the bikes up there, but it looks like it works.
> Bill
> 90 Westy Syncro
> Lake Tahoe
>
> ----------
> > From: Patrick Foltz <Pfunky@AOL.COM>
> > To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Thule Artificial Rain Gutters
> > Date: Friday, December 04, 1998 1:24 PM
> >
> > The Thule site mentions the fake gutters being mounted on the fibreglas
> top
> > (fornt portion).  Has anyone done this?   Results?  I have a Thule ski
> > carrier/bike carrier I found at a flea market--don't ask how
much...you'd
> > cry--and I would love to install it on my Westfalia
> >
> > Patrick