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Alinnbetty
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2024
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 6:02 am Post subject: Roof Rack issues |
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| Hello everybody! I am in the process of getting my 91 westfalia ready for some road trips this summer. I have come to the point where I need to decide on some roof racks. I was hoping to get the campervan culture mounts, which supposedly take the strain off the fiberglass. These mounts have been out of stock for some time though. Sooo, with the trip impending I am considering other options. I know I want artificial raingutter style because of the racks I already own. I am nervous about putting too much strain on the fiberglass alone and running into issues down the line. I don’t plan on carrying anything crazy ( plan is to have a basket for camp chairs and kids stroller). I know many of you have been using the style that mount to the side of the top for years. I was wondering if anybody had ever run into any issues with damaging their top or had seen it. I would really like to get the “supporting” type bracket, but time is getting tight. Thank you! |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16530
Location: Brookeville, MD
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3196
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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| Alinnbetty wrote: |
| I was wondering if anybody had ever run into any issues with damaging their top or had seen it. |
hasn't happened to me and I've carried a few hundred pounds on my westy roof.
haven't seen it
I have the 4-bolt Yakima ARGs
I like the supports that go to the rain gutter but haven't needed them.
I've thought I could add some in the form of plates that would go between the ARGs and the roof.
If I did it again, I'd make my own ARGs by cuting long lengths of rectangular alum to go between the raised side sections of the roof top (there are posts on here for this technique) to:
1) allow for moving the load bars where ever and/or using as many load bars as I'd want.
2) distribute the load forces between the bolt holes.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16530
Location: Brookeville, MD
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elizer 
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016
Posts: 1484
Location: Northern Virginia
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 7:34 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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https://www.vwrack.com/
I had a gary lee rack. You can get one with a large shelf. Your chairs and stroller can be strapped down.
I used thule args, yakima towers/crossbars, and jack bombay assists. I used to carry a cargo box, but now the only thing that is up there is a solar panel. You will find it easier to grab stuff off the hatch rather than the roof.
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91 syncro westy fas tdi |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3132
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 7:58 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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I have the"regular" artificial rain gutters on my Westy roof and haven't had any issues when carrying my 80 lbs canoe up there - although I've only done that a handfull of times on smooth roads.
My van's PO carried a cargo box up there but I don't know how often or how heavy it was.
Personally, for a few lawnchairs and a baby stroller, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7516
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 8:02 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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| Quote: |
| I don’t plan on carrying anything crazy ( plan is to have a basket for camp chairs and kids stroller). I know many of you have been using the style that mount to the side of the top for years. I was wondering if anybody had ever run into any issues with damaging their top or had seen it. I would really like to get the “supporting” type bracket, but time is getting tight. Thank you! |
I've had two-bolt Yakima Side Loader mounts with 2, 3 and 4 cross bars and far too much weight and never had an issue with the fiberglass top.
For what you describe it seems you'll be 100% a-okay using standard Yakima, Thule, etc. mounts bolted to the roof.
Trip planning can cause anxiety but this is one where I don't think you have to worry too much and can move on to the next fun problem.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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dublife13
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2021
Posts: 92
Location: washington
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Corwyn
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2260
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 8:30 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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I have three sets of GW ARGs on my van. Sufficient weight to stress the fiberglass would mean you're packing too much crap with you and you're already deforming the pop-top. Lighten up.
_________________
'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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Love My Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 1849
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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I have used the Yakima Wide Body mounts for hauling canoes and kayaks for all of the 37 years I have owned my van. No problems with cracking the fiberglass.
The original four brackets were galvanized, but when I added two more, for sea kayaks in 1992, Yakima had cheapened them up by powder coating them, so, after all those years, I now have four shiny gavanized brackets and two rusted to crap powder coated ones.
Check you new ones to see if their not made out of black plastic now and cost even more (tongue in cheek) |
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ThinkingD
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2020
Posts: 136
Location: Ottawa Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 9:19 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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Triple Thules with artificial rain gutters on pop-top portion of FG roof no issues with full roof-box and canoe weight.
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87 Titian Red Westfalia 2.0 VW I4 SOHC manual Ottawa, Ontario |
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space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 682
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 12:59 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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Homemade rack with gutter supports
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82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
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Phishman068
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 1875
Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 1676
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2024 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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Artificial rain gutter? What is that? Photograph anyone? Just curious.
Thanks.
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Give peace a chance. No American war with Russia! |
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space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 682
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3196
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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tjet
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 3542
Location: CA & NM
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| Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 10:01 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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| elizer wrote: |
https://www.vwrack.com/
I had a gary lee rack. You can get one with a large shelf. Your chairs and stroller can be strapped down.
I used thule args, yakima towers/crossbars, and jack bombay assists. I used to carry a cargo box, but now the only thing that is up there is a solar panel. You will find it easier to grab stuff off the hatch rather than the roof. |
^^ The Gary Lee racks put the load in the gutter (when top is down).
http://vwrack.com/VanagonWestfaliaRoofRacks/VWVanagonRoofRacks.htm |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3833
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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https://www.slaughterhousecustoms.com/product-page...t-set-pair
FWIW SHC has similar roof rack brackets that put the load on the rain gutter.
I used the CVC version, over 150lbs on the pop top, and survived miles of wasboard in Baja, MX.
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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Alinnbetty
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2024
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 10:30 am Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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| Thank you all! I knew I could count on your experience to guide me the right way. I am leaning towards the Northwesty ARGs. I like that they come with a backing plate. I will just have to paint them black. I also like the idea someone suggested of welding a custom piece as a support down to the gutter. For now I am going to order up some mounts. |
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Jake59
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 191
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Rack issues |
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Here is my simple DYI solution. I used (3) sticks of STD 3/4" Black Iron Pipe and (6) 1/4" aluminum plate held to the pop top with (2) 1/4"-20 X 3/4" flathead screws on each plate.
I had originally only two bars but with the addition of the cargo box and the occasional carrying of building materials on the roof, a third center rail was added.
_________________
Curent ride: 87 2WD Westy, 2012 Jetta Sportwagon 2.5S
Past Rides: 62 (23 window) Bus, 64 Ghai convertable, 68 single cab, 72 Super Bettle, 78 Bay window Bus, 84 GTI. |
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