i found out why the roof is so heavy in a Trakka conversion. i was taking a closer look at mine and there are two RECTANGULAR STEEL REINFORCEMENT beams running the length of the roof, glassed in. Take that you Prissy Westy Lovers!!!
:rudolf:beer:party

Thats why you need four wheels to power it through the sand.
Come for a run with me and I'll show you a curved roof is just as strong!

Westfalias were never sold new in Australia.

The factory VW Campmobiles were made by Sopru (based in Adelaide but branches in all states). Their design is perfectly good for normal mostly on-road use - mine still works perfectly after 28 years. But they were not fitted with the factory 'M' roof reinforcement option that Europeans campers were. So you would notice some roof flexing if you tried to drive across the Sahara Desert in an Aussie-made Camper. Simon Glen can give you all the details on this - read his Sahara book.