Camper van canvas roof - advice needed!

[Madfish]

Hi guys

I wonder if you can help me with this? I bought a new roof canvas from Just Kampers to replace the really knackered one on my 1986 T25. Standard Westfalia roof. When Doug tried to fit it, although the front piece was the right length, the sides were too short to allow the roof to lift fully and the locking bars to go into place. We are talking at least a couple of inches here.

Have I got the wrong canvas? There are two one for up to 1984 and one for 84 onwards. Does anyone know if the pre-84 canvas has longer sides than the post-84. I just wondered what I should ask for before I speak to JK - if the pre-84 will fit I will ask for a swap but to be honest, the fabric is disappointingly thin. But if is JKs fault and it has been cut wrong then I would want a refund.

Can anyone offer any information/advice?

Di

[alfieboy]

There canvases are not the greatest quality and i've heard a few other people say they don't fit very well,you're better off buying a good quality one from gunzl,as the saying goes,you get what you pay for

[Ralf85]

I got my replacement canvas from gunzl. They are westie specialists unlike JK. Gunzl offers two different canvasses. One for vans from 1980-85 and another from 1986 onwards. Gunzl explained that if your canvas was fixed down with aluminium strips you need the 1986 onwards canvas which is larger. I bought the wrong one initially as my van was built in 1985, so I had to send the wrong one back. I hope that this helps. By the way the modern canvasses are thin, but so were the originals. If you buy gunzl get the one with three vents. Really useful when it's raining and you want to cook.

[jed the spread]

I just received a North Westy canvas from the USA.

A quote from there website, "These high quality tops are made in house from Sunbrella acrylic material, which is waterproof and breathable. Available in many colors, made to order" . Loads of people rave on about them in the USA and as there is no decent suppliers of a quality roof canvas in the UK and as Gunzel seems to have the monopoly on the only decent one in Europe I thought I would try the North Westy one as posable alternative to the Gunzel one. I plan to do a step by step fitting guide so people can see how to do the job themselves at home. The other good thing about the North Westy ones is that they come in a massive range of colours to suit your van too, http://kirkmeeks.com/services/camper_top_conversions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I will also point out any bad bits when fitting and I have opened the box.

Jed

[keith]

They look a good quality jed.

How much are they...delivered

I need one but would like to buy the right one and do it once.

[jed the spread]

They look a good quality jed.

How much are they...delivered

I need one but would like to buy the right one and do it once.

Give us a week or so Keith and Jake and I will do the fitting and video to see if they are really as good as what people say they are. I just picked it up from Jakes house just now and first impressions are that the quality is really top notch. The canvas feels about twice as thick as the standard material and it has nice details like curtain tie back clips that hold the rolled back curtains in place and the stitching looks sharp too, but lets see how it fits.

I know these canvases dont sit really tight and I thought in some of the pictures of them fitted to other vans there are ripples around the back but on inspection of this new one I have noticed the reason for this is that there is strong elastic stitched into the small bit along the back of the roof. The material on my old one wasnt to bad but I woke one morning and jumped outside for a pi5s and looked up to see Isaacs foot sticking through the side of it I am quite sure this new material can easily resist his razor toe nails

They work out at just under £280 I think.



Jed

[lloydy]

I do like the look of those, look forward to seeing one close up

[keith]

That's a good price too....looking fwd to the vid.

[jed the spread]

If all goes well then we can maybe arrange a group buy.




Jed

[chriscburgess]

If all goes well then we can maybe arrange a group buy.

If you go for a group buy let me know as i need one soon - even the duck tape is splitting.



Jed

[California Dreamin]

Jed...the canvas's all have an elasticated section across the rear....they do look good quality.

Martin

[jed the spread]

Jed...the canvas's all have an elasticated section across the rear....they do look good quality.

Martin

Yeh I gave my roof a good clean around the edges today ready for the new canvas to be fitted Martin and I noticed the original one had the elastic on the back also. I will get it fitted to see how good it really is and although it looks pukka, if it isnt I will give an honest view of it. First thing I did see that was different was that the fly screen goes on the outside I am keen to see how that works out. I think I can work out why they did this especially as we have camped in very hot places with loads of mozzies before.

Jed

[California Dreamin]

Jed...the canvas's all have an elasticated section across the rear....they do look good quality.

Martin

First thing I did see that was different was that the fly screen goes on the outside I am keen to see how that works out.Jed

EH!!! you been hitting the port & lemon Jed? or is your old canvas really inside out?

Martin

[jed the spread]

Jed...the canvas's all have an elasticated section across the rear....they do look good quality.

Martin

First thing I did see that was different was that the fly screen goes on the outside I am keen to see how that works out.Jed

EH!!! you been hitting the port & lemon Jed? or have you realy got you canvas inside out?

Martin

No seriously thats how it goes,



Jed

[California Dreamin]

Yes I agree, normal.....I must have misunderstood you Jed as the net (fly screen fabric) always goes on the outside. It's just by the way you were talking it seemed you were infering that this was different to what you are used to?

Martin