Archive for May, 2012
Vanagon – trying some things to make the GoWesty rainfly work a little better
Posted by albell in vanagon, vanagon mods on May 26, 2012
UPDATE – 29/05/2012 – I posted my attempts at fixing the gutter clip/angle/hook issue on the Samba and a member responded that there may have been a mistake made at Go Westy with wrong hooks being sent out. So I emailed Go Westy, outlining the issue and I got a quick response of new hooks to be sent out to me. I am impressed by this prompt customer service, well done Go Westy.
I spent a couple of hours playing around with the fly, wanting to fix- what I see as problems – the gutter angles/hooks and the front strap system. Previous post about fly here.
I’m just using what I had on hand, and this is only preliminary stuff.
I had some longer metal hold down hooks, I sewed some velcro on to them. These hooks have a more obtuse angle on them compared to the Go Westy ones. I also attached some webbing attached hooks and buckle for the front straps. I added some silicone tape wrap to those hooks.
The new angles are longer, so I stuck on some velcro to the clip itself to provide a bit more area of velcrotude.
The new angles/clips do seem to hold on firmer.
Where my ShadyBoy awning is, I left the stock hooks, they are fed up from below and the hook part can’t pass through the space. I was dumb not to see this way before, I said in my previous post about the fly that it was not possible to attach these hooks, doh.
The front strap mod is not so successful, but not completely ass.
An annoying curl in the material at the front.
Well, it is a start, I’ll be trying to get it a little better. I’m not happy with the front strap idea.
Workshop finds
I’ve been cleaning up my stepfather’s workshop and have come across a few interesting artifacts, here are two three to begin with. First is a keg of nails, flooring nails to be specific. Probably from the 40’s.
The other, a British pattern 1876 “Martini-Henry” socket bayonet. Story is that when my stepfather and his family moved into a larger house back in the ’20’s, his father (who was not at all a fan of militaria) threw out all the stuff the previous owner (and army colonel) had left in the attic. All that is except this bayonet which was used a a ground spike for the house electrics.
And finally, something a little younger. Over in one corner of the workshop was a wooden crate with a Woodwards (department store in BC and Alberta until early ’90’s) price tag of $129 . Turns out is was purchased in the ’70’s and had been sitting in the workshop, untouched, since then. We broke open the crate, and removed the rust preventing paper wrap and exposed a very nice vice. Paint job and machining on this vice is first class. We’re going to mount it up on the bench and my stepdad can finally have fun with it.
Simon’s hightop – installed and off on a trip
Weekend before last, the hightop was installed on Simon’s ’91 syncro westy. Late night and quickly thrown together video of install.
And then this last weekend he took it on a trip.
Inside is insulated and carpeted, but side cupboards and little details still need to be installed.
Big difference from the start.
Overnighter NW of Port Renfrew
We grabbed the chance to do a little exploring on the south end of the island (Vancouver Island), specifically just northwest of Port Renfrew. The area you get to if you hang a left instead of a right after the high bridge over the Gordon River.
Typical, secondary and not heavily used logging road.
Further on, around 680 meters elevation, some old growth but mostly second growth (guessing old growth cut in the 60’s-70’s, perhaps later). Lots of Yellow Cedar, one down across road but a section at end cut and easily moved to get past (yes, patch of snow there).
And found a nice viewpoint to camp.
Olympic Peninsula (USA) in the distance, Cape Flattery on extreme right.
Like a bad haircut, or having a hightop on the van, the campsite was fine looking out, not so bucolic looking in. Still, no one around and plenty of firewood (felt like a millionaire burning Yellow Cedar, the scent is divine).
Tired dogs.
A couple of little lakes close by, here is a glimpse of one.
The clouds and rain moved in next day.
The “Excelsior” proved its worth at breakfast time.
Typical view when rain comes, looking north east.
We spent the wet day exploring the roads a little, but the low cloud made it a silly exercise. couldn’t see much. Headed back home via long loop up via Gordon River watershed and Cowichan valley (some pics of Gordon River area in this post). All in all a great little trip.
Oh, forgot to include one of those “same place, different time” shots. Side road on Gordon Main (TR4 I think), again on slash, where my son and I camped overnight while exploring region last year.
Then:
And now:
Addendum: I was asked about pressure cooker beside “The Excelsior”. It is my EKCO model I use winter camping and in the van, had it for 30+ years. I bought it second hand and it seems the model at least, dates from the ’40’s. Found an ad at this site.
shooftie 