Which pop top

[monkeynut]

Hi guys

Im still new here and just planning my camper van conversion at the moment.

I want to get a pop top installed on my mk7 swb low roof transit.

I was looking at the Reimo roofs but have been quoted over £4000 installed which just seems over the top.

There is another manufacturer called Austops but they dont mention the transit on there website (i have sent them an email).

I was wondering if there are any others that you reccomend for me to have a look at.

Im after something that is good quality and will last the life of the van with minor maintenance.

Im also stuggling on which insulation to use. My local conversion place reccomend sheep wool but i have read that this can cause the van to rust inside out.

So what do you guys reccomend?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Adam

[Tom2023]

No idea about pop tops however, heat rises so the thermal insulation of your roof is going to be very important. Little point in having super thermal insulation on the walls if the heat just flies out of the roof.

I have never heard of sheep's wool being used in a van.

When you insulate you get a warm inside and a cold outside. Where those two points meet you will get condensation.

You could always paint the inside of the van, or the joints you want to protect, with Hammerite No.1 Rust Beater or Waxoyl first.

If your van floor ends up needing welding then it's going to be a pain in the **** so I would say a good coating of Hammerite No.1 Rust Beater or Waxoyl would be a fine investment there.

[barabas]

Damn sight cheaper to get a high roof fitted, plus more room and better insulation.

[monkeynut]

Thanks for the responses.

i hadnt thought about the lack of insulation from the pop top, bu my intention was to close the roof down at night in order to keep as much heat in as possible by reducing the head height, so it would of been ok, and only have lost heat during the day. (hopefully when its already warm outside)

the reason for going the pop top route is because it will be in use daily and i dont want the extra height from the high roof. plus if i wanted a higher roof i would buy a high roof van instead of a low roof van.

i had thought about using waxoyl on the sides of the van as i read that else where aswell.

but it still doesnt help me on what insulation to actually use.
is the kingspan paneling any good as i keep seeing this mentioned, but doesnt seem overly flexible to ensure it covers everything.
also what is the best material to use for the condensation protection sheet. can i just use a big plastic sheet or are there specific materials that do a better job?

any more help would be appreciated.

Adam

[barabas]

As you've probably discovered, there is ongoing debate about insulation and condensation. I've had 2 vans now that were both insulated with ordinary loft insulation and no vapour barrier. Neither of them had any signs of condensation issues after 10+ years, but they did both have mpk rooflights fitted which I'm sure helps a lot. I've just re-carpeted my high top swb and insulated the high top and all the doors with thermal foil bubble wrap style stuff, but haven't had a chance to test it out yet!

[Tom2023]

I don't know if putting in a damp proof course sheet in does much good.

At some point there is going to be meeting of Cold & Warm and that is going to produce condensation. Who is to say on what side of a damp proof sheet that condensation will appear.

With a thick coating of waxoyl covering the metal sides & flooring condensation will not be able to get to it and so shouldn't add to the corrosion.

[monkeynut]

there certainly does seem to be a wide difference of opinion on the insulation front.

it seems strange that there isnt a best way for something that you would think is very simple.

guess ill try waxoyl, kingspan(or similar), damp proof sheet, ply line and then carpet.

that way i cover most bases so it should be fine.

any other suggestions welcome of course.

also anyone with more information on the Pop Tops???

Thanks

Adam

[Beegly]

After insulating and carpeting my van, I would say ventalation is more important.
I spent time stopping draughts to keep heat in but realised that the air got very damp and affected our breathing.

[Honey monster]

Have you had a pop top before?? Had a Bongo with a pop top and hated it, Its just a tent, Got cold very quick when up and could not sleep with it open as I didnt feel safe in the van, Another thing is noise, Because its like a tent you can hear a fly fart 20 feet away. I will never get a pop top again. On the insulation front just use what you think is best, Ive got foil bubble insulation glued to van walls then wool then dpc sheet then ply then carpet glued to the ply As said good ventilation required to keep air moving around inside.

[barabas]

We've a friend with an Autosleeper T4, the pop-top is solid walls, much better than a fabric one and relatively easy to DIY?

[monkeynut]

Have you had a pop top before?? Had a Bongo with a pop top and hated it, Its just a tent, Got cold very quick when up and could not sleep with it open as I didnt feel safe in the van, Another thing is noise, Because its like a tent you can hear a fly fart 20 feet away. I will never get a pop top again. On the insulation front just use what you think is best, Ive got foil bubble insulation glued to van walls then wool then dpc sheet then ply then carpet glued to the ply As said good ventilation required to keep air moving around inside.

i havent had a pop top before hence why i am asking, however i have done lots of camping and dont have a problem with sleeping in a tent, so therefore i cannot see wh y i would have a problem with a pop top.

i have already said my plan was to close to top down during the night to avoid any excess heat loss so again wouldnt be a problem considering how easy they are to put up and take down.

[northernlad]

We are in the process of developing a pop top for the Transit, should be ready in about a month, we will sell it as a self fit kit for around £1200.

Whilst on the subject we are also looing for someone skilled in Fibreglass who can work in Leeds, we often wonder where all the unemployed are?

Job vacancies
- Van Fitter - to fit camper interiors
- Valeter
- Fibre Glass Laminater/Mould maker

The jobs are at Leeds LS12 6AL

[monkeynut]

We are in the process of developing a pop top for the Transit, should be ready in about a month, we will sell it as a self fit kit for around £1200.

Whilst on the subject we are also looing for someone skilled in Fibreglass who can work in Leeds, we often wonder where all the unemployed are?

Job vacancies
- Van Fitter - to fit camper interiors
- Valeter
- Fibre Glass Laminater/Mould maker

The jobs are at Leeds LS12 6AL

Hi do you have any of these fitted yet or are you just still developing them.

Having got various products onto market before I know you need a few examples for people to see before they will commit to something unheard of.

I would be interested in being a guinea pig but would have to be at the right price and I would need it fitted.

Adam

[tonylem]

We are in the process of developing a pop top for the Transit, should be ready in about a month, we will sell it as a self fit kit for around £1200.

Whilst on the subject we are also looing for someone skilled in Fibreglass who can work in Leeds, we often wonder where all the unemployed are?

Job vacancies
- Van Fitter - to fit camper interiors
- Valeter
- Fibre Glass Laminater/Mould maker

The jobs are at Leeds LS12 6AL

Shame I'm not in Leeds, I could fit campers out for you

[northernlad]

We already have orders from another camper converter and have been fitting roofs for over 5 years. We will test them on our own vans, we got a fleet of 2007 Transits from a local firm that went bust.