Mod Idea: Rooftop Shade

The top of Westy can get hot. Also, when the sun is high, the sun can be too bright through the closed or open skylights (I Plasti-Dipped.the big skylight white and AutoCamp painted his).

A portable rooftop shade system would be nice. It'd.have to be lightweight, portable, and easy to put up and remove. Also, big gusts of wind should not cause damage to the Westy. The material should not flap against the Westy.

With height clearance, the skylights could be opened.

Could also be used to hide.from satellite surveillance.

Has anyone designed or have any thoughts?

Here are some ideas.

1. Framework

A. Awning and Translift Brackets

The Westy has screwhole inserts for the awning brackets and the Translift Sherpa surfboard/kayak carrier.

Westfalia also issued an instruction sheet on how to install a third awning bracket.

Folks on the James Cook Friends Forum have modified the awning brackets to hold additional items.

http://forum.james-cook-freunde.de/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5906&start=15

The awning brackets can be used as supports (an umbrella holder) or as tiedowns.

B. Framework

One blue Westy owner has made a framework around the Westy top.

http://james-cook-freunde.de/start/kajak-traeger.html

Side covering could hang from that rooftop framework all around and be tied down/staked to the ground.

C. Front Bumper Support

A Northern California owner has a Westy whose prior owner installed a support framework in the front bumper. Telescoping poles could be inserted into the framework to hold a canopy. Can't find a photo but the group photo.at the Westyfest Colorado Camp.Hale may include.

D..Magnetic Holddowns

Magnetic holddowns could be used on the Sprinter sheetmetal.

E. Boat Cleats

Westy owner Win has various cleats on his Westy to hang.or tie things down. A couple of cleats on the top.of the fiberglass top could be used to tie down some beach shade tents on top.

Could also use more flush pull rings.

F. Rails or Pipes

If one added roof rails at the top of the roof or pipes alongside where awings would be (using awning brackets), one could attach things. Maybe something like greenhouse hoops with canopy attached to the hoops. Like

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7d/31/86/7d31867aada9aeaf9909b70de3369a86.jpg

https://thegrownetwork.com/diy-hoop-house-greenhouse-alternative/

2. Covers

A. Tarps/Sunshade/Canopies

Tarrps, sunshade material, and canopies may be too heavy. They also need some form of support. Aluminet reflects heat.

https://aluminetshadecloth.com/aluminetshadecloth/

If sleeves were made into the material, lightweight foldable elastic cord tent poles could be used to provide a structure.

If the main purpose is heat rejection, the aluminet could be used like a car cover with swimming noodles to provide ventilation.

B. Portable Beach Sunshades

There are.a variety of portable beach sunshaddz which are lightweight and might work.

https://www.otentik.com/

https://www.shibumishade.com/

https://www.beachshadow.com/page/418977

They could also be used at the beach.

Here's a simple one like those foldaway circular window shades, a Shade Shack. You could.figure out a way to tie down on top of roof.

http://www.demcoincorporated.com/

C. Umbrellas

Beach umbrellas would probably be too heavy for the rooftop but would work for the front bumper structure.

Hide from satellite surveillance? My tinfoil hat does that for me just fine.

I've seen people make little Reflectix covers for their Maxxfan openings that seem like they work pretty good for keeping light out.

I would love a modular aluminum roof rail system, along the lines of the Winnebago design, which looks like it might be a European design. The Westy does have anchor points on the roof covered by black plastic plugs. I think there may be around 6? Not that many, and I don’t know how strong they are. But if more could be added, this could open many possibilities: brush guard, roof shade, solar mounting point, WiFi antennas, flat storage...

A less clean but maybe easier option might be to leverage existing rain gutters and somehow work around/remount the side awning. (why do I love these vans so much...)

Solar.

--dick

Dang. "Everything that can be invented has already been invented." Here are some products on tbe market already. May need some different tiedowns. Search for words like car tent cover umbrella.

https://thetenthub.com/automotive/car-umbrella/

https://unlimited-data-plan.com/top-10-best-car-umbrellas-reviews/

https://www.ireviews.com/review/lanmodo-automatic-car-tent

By Michael J. Marquis, @MarquisInteract | July 5, 2017 in Transportation
We all know the feeling of jumping into a car that’s been baking out in the sun all afternoon. You’re instantly dripping with sweat and you can barely breathe until you crack open a window. On the super humid days, relief doesn’t come until the AC kicks on full blast. There’s a solution to this and it comes in the form of an automatic car tent. Introducing Lanmodo – the wirelessly controlled smart car cover that transforms into a beach umbrella, a LED camping tent, or a fishing canopy.

Intelligent Design Features
This all-in-one car tent takes only 8 seconds to deploy/retract and is capable of cooling your car down by 36-degrees Celsius. With one full charge lasting approximately 45 days of continuous use, the Lanmodo is one of the most durable car protectors on the market today. Whether it’s rain, sleet, hail, snow, winds up to 29 mph – you name it – the Lanmodo tent comes with a weatherproof canvas protecting your car from all of the elements.

User Friendly
With installation only taking 30 seconds, the Lanmodo is designed for the mechanically-challenged. Measuring 3.5 x 2.1 meters, the automatic tent is designed for all vehicles types (sedans, pickups, SUV, Jeep, Mini’s) and since it’s highly portable, you can take it anywhere. Made with soft suction cups and super waterproof material, the Lanmodo is designed to fasten nicely to your car all while protecting it from bird droppings, dirt, leaves, sticks, construction site dust, etc.

Lanmodo’s Anti-Theft Feature
The opening and closing of your car tent can only be done via its wireless companion remote – making it virtually impossible to steal. It’s also strapped down by four strategically placed anti-theft belts – giving the owner an added layer of security. You can also personalize your Lanmodo with a specific logo, by selecting from various color schemes, or even brand it with a company advertisement.

Compatible & Versatile
So what makes the Lanmodo worth the $269 price tag? For one, this is not just an automatic car tent. This wirelessly controlled canopy can seamlessly morph into an automatic beach/yard umbrella – providing shelter to your family during the next outing. As a fishing tent, you can protect the crew from the dog days of summer or illuminate the local casting spot by simply connecting LED lights to the USB port. The pack-friendly Lanmodo is a great camping companion – protecting your fellow explorers from an unexpected rain shower without being a burden to carry into the wilderness. The Lanmodo fits seven people comfortably underneath its canopy.

Bottom Line
A manual car cover can only do so much. Most of the time, It’s a labor intensive process and there’s really no guarantee that it will fit your car – especially if it’s not a common vehicle. Also, I don’t know too many car covers that can transform into a tent canopy that houses up to seven people. Most of the car covers I’ve seen are made with flimsy material and offer little to no protection against the elements. Protection from sweltering heat? Maybe – but that’s about it. The Lanmodo is a revolutionary automatic car tent – except that it has the versatility of an all-purpose party canopy. If protecting your car is a must and you love the outdoors, this is a must-have product.


Source: Lanmodo

Visit store Visit Website
Author's Review Score Breakdown
Design :
Technology:
User Friendly:
Compatibility:
Connectivity:
Price:
Overall:
Pros And Cons
One-Click Wireless Remote Setup
30-Second Installation
8-Seconds to Open/Close
Waterproof Materials
Anti-Theft System
USB Port for LED's
Transforms into Camping, Fishing, Beach Tent
Windproof up to 29 mph
AUTHOR RATE
USERS RATE (10)
Lanmodo Automatic Car Tent
Price
$269
Motor:
Brush Motor
Rated Motor Power:
10W
Battery :
18650 Lithium Battery
Voltage:
12V
Capacity:
2200mAh
Full Charge by Car Charger:
5 Hours
Full Charge by Wall Charger:
3 Hours
USB Output:
5V
Canopy:
210D 16 x 18 Oxford Cloth
Water Pressure:
350Mpa
Stand Materials:
304 Stainless Steel
Working Environment:
-20 to 60 C
Warranty:
One-Year
Car Tent Size:
3.5 x 2.1m (L x W)
Car Tent Weight:
6.8 kg
Camping Tent Size:
3.5 x 2.1 x 1.8m (L x W x H)
TRANSPORTATION
9723 12
User Reviews
Reviews: 10 user reviews
1 Al B - August 18, 2017 @ 01:15
Screws near the suction cup became loose and now the tent is useless. I tried tightening the screws back in but it just doesn’t work. Seems that the area where the screws go in to are messed up. I have written to support@lanmodo.com twice along

>> Show More
5 John Davis - August 21, 2017 @ 03:45
I set up the car tent on my new Volvo and it worked perfectly . I was thinking to add more accessories in future to take it to the beach.

1 Jo - August 26, 2017 @ 17:11
Serious waste of money. It does not fit my full size minivan and unless the groves in the roof are perfectly placed you can’t center it. When I first received it ,( 3 weeks past the delivery date), all the little scratch proof nubs were in the

>> Show More
1 kareeight - August 29, 2017 @ 23:11
Complete cheater and copied others patterns.
Mynew has designed it on 2015.
The pattern was first from Mynew. And sold car umbrella long time already.
Now the 2nd Generation is available now.
3.5*2.2 Meters auto+semi 2 in 1
4.5*2.3 Meters auto+semi 2

>> Show More
5 Randall Antonio - October 13, 2017 @ 20:37
So far so good. Works like a charm. I have yet to see its effect on the carbon fiber roof of my 2016 BMW M3.

5 Gordiyenko - October 25, 2017 @ 18:52
Nice product , i bought two set, one was for my car and another was for my father’s car as his birthday gift , already three months passed, we all like the product . Specially when i park the car outside , now it become very easy to protect the

>> Show More
5 ROGERIO - November 10, 2017 @ 01:33
Amazing product , i bought Lanmodo in the summer, first i though it was only can be used for summer as a carshade , now it is winter and i just used it for the first snow this winter , the snow is about 10 cm deep , i installed the car tent and left

>> Show More
5 HILMY - January 16, 2018 @ 18:57
nice product . i bought Lanmodo standard unit at July ,work perfect on my car, and at December i updated it to all-in-one unit , plan to have outdoor camping in the spring .

5 Sergio - March 27, 2018 @ 01:28
Quite useful , think about the sunshine in LA ,then this is a must product for the car ,

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Bunch of cheaper ones out there.