How noisy is a poptop to drive

[Paul Sussex]

Test drove a 2017 poptop Campervan that we liked - the roof made a lot of loud squeaking noises all the time driving. The garage said they would fix it, so paid deposit (refundable if we are not happy).

As first van not sure how much noise to expect as normal - should the roof make that nose? How noisy overall should we expect the van to be compared to a large estate car?

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Well fitted and well secured, a pop top shouldn't be making much noise at all.

Depending what cupboard fittings you have there will be some rattles and shakes from doors and shelves, particularly more noticeable when empty. Ours was a lot quieter this weekend when packed with stuff compared to when empty as a daily driver.

 

[Paul Sussex]

Well fitted and well secured, a pop top shouldn't be making much noise at all.

Depending what cupboard fittings you have there will be some rattles and shakes from doors and shelves, particularly more noticeable when empty. Ours was a lot quieter this weekend when packed with stuff compared to when empty as a daily driver.

Great thank you TeeCeeJay - the squeak quite loud so fingers crossed they can sort it, otherwise will have to look elsewhere. Good advice about cupboards - the sounded rattle free (but hard to hear when listening to the roof in the test drive).

 

[TeeCeeJay]

@Paul Sussex
Sorry. Only just re read the post and seen the second half of your question.

Have driven estate cars for 15 years. No comparison to a van.

The van is a big tin box designed for carrying loads practically. It will make noise.

The car is designed to carry loads AND people in comfort. It should not make noise.

Things can be done to lessen the reverb in a van but it will always be a big box.

I have just driven a modern Passat to Belgium and my ears are fine. I drove a van to Norfolk at the weekend and my ears were still ringing on Monday! (But I still need to save up for a trip to CRS!)

Hope this helps.

 

[JOG]

Pop top should make no noise - having the mattress and bellows makes it even quieter!

A visit to @CRS Performance is a must regardless - whatever you want to achieve, Steve and his boys will make it happen! Would you like to throw your van around a racetrack or cruise in armchair comfort…..they can do it!

 

[Paul Sussex]

Thanks again TeeCeeJay - very helpful

 

[Paul Sussex]

Pop top should make no noise - having the mattress and bellows makes it even quieter!

A visit to @CRS Performance is a must regardless - whatever you want to achieve, Steve and his boys will make it happen! Would you like to throw your van around a racetrack or cruise in armchair comfort…..they can do it!

Thank you JOG - the poptop on the test drive squeaked fairly loud (you would not be able to turn the radio up to hide it).

The garage said they could sort it so trying to work out what ‘sorted’ should sound like when it is fixed and re test it.

 

[JOG]

It sounds like the alignment is out of kilter and fixable

 

[Paul Sussex]

Hi, this is the sound my wife recorded (

It sounds like the alignment is out of kilter and fixable

this is the sound my wife recorded (the sales guy said he thought it was alignment and going to their Campervan workshop).

 

[JOG]

Oh, that’s terrible. However, it sounds fixable as it is so metallic.

 

[Paul Sussex]

Thanks JOG - only put down £200 deposit which is refundable if we are not happy so fingers crossed.

 

[DougA]

ask what brand pop top it is, some cheap ones have fiber glass trims around the inside.
better quality ones have metal, however that can also make noise if there is no bond/sealer before riveting,

this can be quiet expensive to set right

 

[JOG]

quiet expensive

…. I see what you did there!!!

 

[MrSkip]

…. I see what you did there!!!

Not sure it was intentional

 

[Green Giant]

It could be the gas struts rattling if slightly out of line or damaged.

 

[Paul Sussex]

ask what brand pop top it is, some cheap ones have fiber glass trims around the inside.
better quality ones have metal, however that can also make noise if there is no bond/sealer before riveting,

this can be quiet expensive to set right

Hi DougA,

Unfortunately the garage did not know who the converter was (they sell cars and campers). But going off to a specialist to look at and do habitation check and warranty.

There is a video of it here, not sure if it is possible to tell the construction from that?

 

[Paul Sussex]

And some photos

 

[Paul Sussex]

It could be the gas struts rattling if slightly out of line or damaged.

Thank you Green Giant.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Mine makes no noise, squeaks, rattles or wind noise, even up to 100mph.
On those photos is the roof all the way up as the canvas looks saggy. It might just be that everything needs adjusting and it will be ok.
But as mentioned before some pop tops have a frame made of 4 seperate pieces just riveted in the corners. I can’t see how those can be strong enough to prevent the van structure from flexing and squeaking.
Some have a fully welded pre made steel frame that is fully riveted into the van. From my experience that won’t squeak.

 

[Paul Sussex]

Hi Bigsidavies,

I think it is all the way up - but can’t remember 100% when we looked at it - but will have a better look when we go back to re-test - guessing from your comment it should be tight?