Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2017 20:09:02 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Add-A-Room / Side Tent
In-Reply-To: <BY2PR14MB02788A27B533C711C4568E01D2600@BY2PR14MB0278.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Great info!
Thanks for your time and care in answering.
Eric
> On Jan 4, 2017, at 7:42 PM, Richard Golen <rgolen@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Eric,
>
> I'll insert the answers to your questions below.
>
> Richard
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Jan 4, 2017, at 18:02, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Richard,
>>
>> I know some of this stuff is probably on the Busdepot site but I can’t see picks and hearing it directly is helpful.
>>
>> About how big and about how heavy the unit when packed?
> I pack mine in a GoWesty bag that goes in the front luggage rack. It is fairly heavy. Probably 75% of the weight is the frame for the unit.
>> Can one person set it up?
> I've set it up alone once. It took about 20 minutes longer than when my wife and I set it up.
>> How sturdy in the bad weather when all sides down?
> We've used it while camping on the beach this past October. One of the days it was raining heavily and winds up to 20mph. It held up well. I did get some seepage at the bottom where the floor attaches.
>> How sturdy when sides are up?
> To be honest, I haven't used it with all the sides up. I have a Shady Boy awning if I only need shade.
>> Do all three panels go up at once making a large covered area?
> Based on the instructions, it does.
>> Hard to picture all those sides up and hard to picture it not blowing away.
> The sides use fiberglass poles as well as lines to hold it in place.
>> Does it connect well to the van so that you can go in and out during rain?
> Yes it does. The connection is an inverted U. The bottom edges can be held in place with the tent pegs that come with it.
>> Does it stay up well by itself when you drive away for a adventure?
> We first used it last January on a trip to the Keys. We stored clothes, chairs, etc in it when we went on day trips. Reattaching it to the van just takes a couple of minutes.
>> What are your personal likes about the tent?
> It is well made. There are three "Windows" , sides and front. They have an outer covering made from the tent material, a clear plastic window, and a screen. The front flap also is screened.
>> Your personal concerns?
> The only major concern is the weight when it's packed in the GoWesty bag. It takes a bit of lifting to get it up on the roof.
>
> I am very happy with it. It gives some flexibility when you go off for a day so you have storage. It also gives a nice area to sit in, have dinner, etc. During the rain storm we had six people in it sitting on camping chairs.
>
> I'll send you a copy of the instructions and some pix of mine.
>>
>> It is a pretty big investment so that is a big part of my asking so many questions.
>> Also, my current BusDepot awning is a big improvement to my camping experience and this sounds like another big addition to comfort.
>>
>> Thanks for any info.
>>
>> Eric Caron
>> 85 GL Auto Westfalia
>>
>>> On Jan 4, 2017, at 11:31 AM, Richard Golen <rgolen@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>
>>> Eric,
>>>
>>> I have an Add A Room. Let me know what questions you have.
>>>
>>>
>>> Ric
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>>> On Jan 4, 2017, at 10:23, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>
>>>> I’ve been thinking about one of these Add a Room tents for some time.
>>>>
>>>> If someone on list has one could you let me know? I’d like to ask a few questions as I have not had the chance to see one in use yet.
>>>>
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>> 85 GL Auto
>>>>
>>>> On Jan 4, 2017, at 9:35 AM, The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> It's an original Westfalia side tent
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Jim....this is very interesting ...
>>>>> Would the side tent work just as well on a tin-top?
>>>>> I wondering if any of our aftermarket vendors have
>>>>> a source for the OEM or a similar product.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> We do offer a similar product, and yes it will work on a tin top too. Our Add-A-Room is patterned after a different OEM German Vanagon tent (there were a few at one time, all long discontinued), but we added some new twists. For example all of the walls can be extended out to turn it into a huge awning.
>>>>
>>>> See: http://www.busdepot.com/details/addaroom/
>>>>
>>>> We just got a new shipment in and we're tripping over these (we have to make a couple hundred at a time for economies of scale, but barely have the warehouse space), so in the interest of clearing the aisles I'll make a special offer. If anyone would like one and emails me within the next week, I'll throw in the optional changing cabin for free. (It is normally $80 if purchased separately, or $25 if purchased with the Add-A-Room.) Plus I will take $10 off any additional Bus Depot items ordered at the same time, so you can get yourself a freebie or two.
>>>>
>>>> Ron Salmon
>>>> The Bus Depot, Inc.
>>>> www.busdepot.com
| 
