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Westfalia / Re: Yakima roof tracks on a Westfalia top.
« on: June 11, 2015, 12:09:58 pm »
I'm guessing some of you guys are ADV as well so before you start in with 'rack compensating for' comments... 
I love this van. Favorite vehicle ever - all I thought it could be. It serves as basecamp for regional cragging, urban office pre/post local bike rides / gym climbing, happy hour central after local bike rides / gym climbing, weekends at the track, whitewater ventures - just perfect.
So when it comes to racking if it can be overdone please do count me in!!
I went with tracks for the same reason as Cole. I bought 2 complete kits though and cut them down to fit full length of pop top then added four cross bars. I mitered both pieces on each side - the 3rd from front cross bar mount straddles the joint - it's crisp.
The basket up front holds awkward stuff like pit stands or wet gear or I use expedition dry bags and can pack whatever. The top box keeps a grill + a couple of portable tables permanently + a few pieces if need be. To the left of the box will be a 'low boy' bike mount (frame / rear wheel on cross bars) that I've yet to invent. I have a single bike mount to the right of the basket. I use the bars for EZ up / boats / lumber / etc.
Couple of notes - as Cole pointed out the Yakima supplied track bolts are too short. I believe they are fine thread and I had a hard time locating via Home Depot / Ace so bought them online. The black plastic thumb nuts on the interior do not bother me visually, I can only see the very front two unless I am 'in bed'. I sourced some neoprene washers for under the tracks in addition to silicone.
As to mounting a basket directly to tracks it could be done with a bit of custom carriage bolt / mounting magician work I believe. At least you can see there are ample opportunities to secure the basket itself.
I also added a rack on the back. Sweet way to climb up top for rigging and has a fold down shelf that I use for a variety of things (track fuel cans / track fluids / short haul firewood / etc.) You can use bike mounts back here as well but not with shelf / ladder rig I'm running. Couple of small issues with the rack - interference with rear wiper staggers ladder a bit (still functional) and cold weather + weight means hatch will not stay up without prop (I'm about to cut a tube that will function like the pop top strut lock but used heavy duty tent pole last winter.) The back rack came out of CAN with great service from http://vwrack.com
From the top:
Side shot:
Ass end:
Black thumb nut visible with top down x 2
I love this van. Favorite vehicle ever - all I thought it could be. It serves as basecamp for regional cragging, urban office pre/post local bike rides / gym climbing, happy hour central after local bike rides / gym climbing, weekends at the track, whitewater ventures - just perfect.
So when it comes to racking if it can be overdone please do count me in!!
I went with tracks for the same reason as Cole. I bought 2 complete kits though and cut them down to fit full length of pop top then added four cross bars. I mitered both pieces on each side - the 3rd from front cross bar mount straddles the joint - it's crisp.
The basket up front holds awkward stuff like pit stands or wet gear or I use expedition dry bags and can pack whatever. The top box keeps a grill + a couple of portable tables permanently + a few pieces if need be. To the left of the box will be a 'low boy' bike mount (frame / rear wheel on cross bars) that I've yet to invent. I have a single bike mount to the right of the basket. I use the bars for EZ up / boats / lumber / etc.
Couple of notes - as Cole pointed out the Yakima supplied track bolts are too short. I believe they are fine thread and I had a hard time locating via Home Depot / Ace so bought them online. The black plastic thumb nuts on the interior do not bother me visually, I can only see the very front two unless I am 'in bed'. I sourced some neoprene washers for under the tracks in addition to silicone.
As to mounting a basket directly to tracks it could be done with a bit of custom carriage bolt / mounting magician work I believe. At least you can see there are ample opportunities to secure the basket itself.
I also added a rack on the back. Sweet way to climb up top for rigging and has a fold down shelf that I use for a variety of things (track fuel cans / track fluids / short haul firewood / etc.) You can use bike mounts back here as well but not with shelf / ladder rig I'm running. Couple of small issues with the rack - interference with rear wiper staggers ladder a bit (still functional) and cold weather + weight means hatch will not stay up without prop (I'm about to cut a tube that will function like the pop top strut lock but used heavy duty tent pole last winter.) The back rack came out of CAN with great service from http://vwrack.com
From the top:
Side shot:
Ass end:
Black thumb nut visible with top down x 2