Wow you really did have some issues. Thank you for the balanced factual review. I do hope that you're happy with what you have now and you an move on. I know it won't necessarily make you feel better, but I know some people who have spent £6k on their poptops and still not happy.... I used C&H for my poptop and had a problem with the pod/wind deflector ... now sorted with insulation tape .... which you can't see!!I have tried to keep this review as factual as possible, so that it gives a fair reflection for others to make their own decision.
I booked the van in for a pop top, new side and rear windows and a rock and roll bed in mid May, for the works to be completed late July.
We live 200+ miles away from CandH so we booked a hotel for a couple of nights.
The day before the works were booked in, about an hour before we were due to set off I received a phone call from CandH explaining that there was a 3 week delay on the R&R bed due to the upholstery suppliers, this was due to Covid and the impact it had had.
We chose to get the roof and windows done and get the bed in 3 weeks as we were planning a trip in the new van to Yorkshire anyways.
On the day all went well, slight delay but nothing major. Went back to the hotel and told to drive slowly to allow glue to dry over night.
Next day set off back home. About 10 miles into the journey the front wind deflector at the front of the van. Known as a pod flew off down the motorway.
Obviously we pulled over and called CandH who told us to come back and they would fit another one.
They got straight onto fitting another when we arrived, although none one apologised, but one member of staff did say that it had happened a few times before as the glue takes at least 4 hours to dry. We explained it had had about 15 hours. Just to note, the glue blobs weren't dry and 2 screws at either corner had pulled out.
We then had to drive home over 200 miles at no more than 50 mph. With gaffa tape holding it down. Which obviously took a while.
I have since bought a rubber wind deflector that sits just infront of the pod and we haven't had any problems since.
A week before we were due to collect the R&R bed I called to make sure everything was in order. I was told that there was nothing in the diary booked in, but after checking with the upholsters the original date should be fine.
We arrived about 3pm to get the bed. It still had to be collected from the upholsters. We went for a walk and after about an hour and a half we were ready to go. The bed upholstery colour was a different shade of blue then ordered and I had requested that the Ford logo not to be stitch in the headrest, Unfortunitly it had.
We were due to spend 2 weeks in the van. The weather wasn't great, very wet. We noticed after the 2nd night that the mdf board at the rear of the van had started to sagg. We started to poke around, and found the carpet underneath was soaked. I then started looking harder and pulled up the carpet around the rear join where the canvas meets the roof to find several gaps, with clear day light. The biggest gap had water literally running through.
Also whilst up there I noticed that the elevating bed has only got 3 screws out of a total 6. 1 in one side, 2 in the other.
Obviously this can be fixed, but difficult to do so when camping and miles from home. Now the van also has musty wet smell as the carpet is so wet.
Like I said, this is factual, no opinion. So hopefully this reflects a fair and balanced review.
Enjoy and #staysafe. Thanksahain for taking the time to write up and share.