Pop Roof, which one?

[Colinlp]

Ok, I went and saw the HiLo guys at CamperJam yesterday and that's pretty much made my mind up. For me, the low profile on the outside means that you can't even tell it's got a pop top fitted, apart from the little HiLo logo at the front. Seriously good stuff from the outside. With the sliding board on the inside, it's very neat and tidy also. Pops up very easily and with the pan option, that's another few plus points. The only downside I can see, and it is a shame they can't fix it in a different way is the internal screw bolts but.....I'll live with that for the other benefits

Yes those bolts are a bit of a pain maybe more so if you have a wardrobe and it's peeing down when you need to unscrew one from the back. The slight loss of headroom is also a bit of a pain but not the end of the world. Other than the low profile though the folding bed base gives a lot of open space and the sliding board gives a very handy place to use for storage at night if like us you sleep downstairs.

 

[8balladdict]

Yes those bolts are a bit of a pain maybe more so if you have a wardrobe and it's peeing down when you need to unscrew one from the back. The slight loss of headroom is also a bit of a pain but not the end of the world. Other than the low profile though the folding bed base gives a lot of open space and the sliding board gives a very handy place to use for storage at night if like us you sleep downstairs.

All very valid points. Like most things, it all depends what you use the van for. I'm not having any seats or bed in the back and won't be having the wardrobe unit (not in the near future anyway) so for me that wouldn't be an issue...plus I have a tailgate so rain not a problem for me!

Is just a shame they can't develop a different fixing method as that's the only downside for me.

 

[xpfloyd]

View attachment 10387 @Colinlp

This is the locking mechanism, one each side at the front. As simple as twist and push the roof up, all from inside the van. The clip you can see is essentially a fail safe system.

Does anyone know what this twist type connector is called? I want to speak to sca/Banwy to ask if I can retrofit them instead of the straps that hold my roof shut. I had this type on a hire camper before and prefer this method but don't know what that type of connector is actually called

 

[GoatBoater]

I'm not sure that picture of the SC high-lift posted earlier really shows the different. Check out standard vs high on the images attached.

Also, some asked about slats. My understanding is that there are three key SCA options:

Start : solid base, standard lift. Buckles down
Comfort : slatted base, standard lift, clips down
High : Slatted base, high lift, clips down

 

[xpfloyd]

Yeah that's considerably more rear height than the T5 I saw the other night. I'm a bit annoyed about the slatted bed, when I downgraded from the comfort to the start due to supply issues they told me it was the same bed board. Now I've got a solid bed board when I could have had slats. I assume the slatted bed will be comfier

 

[8balladdict]

How is the slatted board finished when the roof is closed??? Isn't the internal look going to be a bit pants if you've got slats and can see all the material for the roof etc? Or am I completely off the mark?

 

[LordGozer]

The slats in my conversion are behind the panel you can see on the roof in this picture. The panel is not solid and moves with the slats.

I have seen conversions where the slats are exposed which looks dreadful.

 

[xpfloyd]

That looks the same as the inside of the non slat version too, difference being it doesn't move at all.

 

[Ed Webb]

I'm back from my tour of a few converters and it was unsuccessful from a pop top info point but successful from my point regarding my conversion.

If you don't read all my post then please take this away from my travels. If your undecided on which roof to get, Please please please go and look at them and play with the straps, stroke the canvas and push and pull them up and down. you only want to cut one hole in the roof so make sure its the right one!!!

Please accept my apology for my badly written review, written English isn't my strong point.

Thursday was a trip to Bodans of Shrewsbury. Spoke to a guy called Dan who gave us free range of the campers outside to look at and see what we were after, he then popped out and answered very knowledgeably any queries we had and then went back to the office to discuss prices with nothing been forced upon us. They have a few basic designs and then you tweak them to suit your taste and requirements. we chose the layout and got a price and went our merry way.
Whilst there we looked at the SCA roof and I can easily see why its very popular you really cant go wrong the quality is there to see. sadly no specs to bring back from the trip.
We also checked out a Reimo roof and the biggest thing with this is how easily it pulls back down. My partner is a little weed of a creature and she managed to pull it down by herself. the SCA we looked at was a little trickier and sadly if she tried she would break something.
We also covered the Skyline. Very similar to the SCA but with options of panoramic, Coloured fabric and roof bars or rail mounts. its also a smidge cheaper and a much shorter waiting time. It could also offer much of what the Hilo has to offer for less dollar and less uncertainty on quality. it does have the bed or no bed option which was good for us as we don't want the bed, it can be added at a later date if needed. It ticked my boxes due to the no bed option, the ability to put the roof rails on it and the panoramic roof option. Ideal for watching the tour de france from.

Today was a little bit of a failure, We went up to the Vandoc of Worcester and upon arrival you can see the quality of the stuff been made by these guys with vans dotted around the carpar. We also watched a guy cutting a side window into a van and looked very relaxed in the process, Id be scared shipless if I was cutting a hole so its good to see the guys are happy and comfortable with the tasks in hand. we also half watched a handover of a Hilo roof to a couple who had just had one fitted and here is where I lost the love with the Hilo, Those hand screws in the headlining are a real eyesore. I pictured myself having to explain to everyone getting in my van what they do and why they are there. The price was also a lot more than expected and despite been given a rough quote it still came out more than an SCA. (these is based on two different companies offering two different roofs so isn't a really even comparison) whoever the quality was again good from the outside although the chrome rear brackets look much nicer than the standard ones so id upgrade. During the handover the guy did appear to pulling the bed floor back down with a lot of effort, (it may be a new bed thing). one of the fitters even showed us that he was fitting one to his van so he obviously has faith in the product and he of all people would no its pros and cons.
Sadly we were unable to talk figures as the lady we needed to see wasn't there and all fitters were very busy. She was due back in at 2pm so off we went to check out another company called Chocolate campers but my co-pilot was crud and there was no evidence of them at the post code so we cut our loses and headed home,
However we did decide that seeing the roof in the flesh was invaluable as until seeing it I was still contemplating the Hilo.

Please note is there nothing against any company mentioned as all that we saw were professional and very knowledgeable on the subject.

My experience has taught me that when making a big decision such as a pop top the forum can be a fantastic place to hear of reviews, common faults, and things to be aware of, it really should be used along side a personal visit to more than one installer to see for yourself what something/someone has to offer and this is a lesson I will be applying from now on.

 

[xpfloyd]

With regards to closing the SCA I find it difficult myself unless I crack a window slightly or open the slider slightly. Dont know if this is an SCA issue as such or more to do with the fact you are reducing the volume of space available for the air in the van so you get push back if it doesnt have anywhere to go. I assume all roofs are like this?

 

[Ed Webb]

I think its possibly the roof (but not necessarily for a negative reason) as the reimo was closed easily. Obviously you need enough tension on the roof that it doesn't fold up during heavy wind but the SCA was a bit of a struggle. I'm looking forward to hearing other reviews

 

[xpfloyd]

What I mean is doors and windows closed and roof needs a hard pull to lower it, window or door open and it pulls down easily so dont think its the actual roof as its different resistance depending on whether there is air flow. If it was the roof itself it would always be hard to pull down

 

[Ed Webb]

Very true, I misunderstood previously. I'm now trying to think if we had the doors shut at any point but from memory the sliding door was always open.

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

@Ed Webb Thank you for taking on the comparison task and for a very comprehensive, informative, unbiased report of your findings of the two locations that you went to and the poptops that you saw and tried.

I am certain that other Members will find it a valuable reference and it will assist them in their decision making especially if they take your advice to go and visit the potential converter and see the item installed in a vehicle.

Thank you again, great job .

 

[Ed Webb]

Thanks @T6 Dave's Dad, I was hoping to bring back a load of figures and make a little chart of something factual. I really recommend going to see either of the companies I saw as their information was invaluable for my decision making.

 

[Stewby]

The company I am looking at using for our conversion (eventually) uses a reimo roof. Does anyone have any opinions on that as I am now wondering if we should maybe look at a different roof.
Our current campervan (mazda bongo) has an electric raising/lowering roof which is great. Does any of the companies do something like that??

My other question is: I have never seen a VW with a raising roof that has a sunroof/skylight built in. Is there a particular reason for that?? We have one in our bongo and it lets a heap of light into the living space.

Sorry for piggybacking, didn't want to start a new thread when it was basically related to roof types.

 

[Colinlp]

The company I am looking at using for our conversion (eventually) uses a reimo roof. Does anyone have any opinions on that as I am now wondering if we should maybe look at a different roof.
Our current campervan (mazda bongo) has an electric raising/lowering roof which is great. Does any of the companies do something like that??

My other question is: I have never seen a VW with a raising roof that has a sunroof/skylight built in. Is there a particular reason for that?? We have one in our bongo and it lets a heap of light into the living space.

Sorry for piggybacking, didn't want to start a new thread when it was basically related to roof types.

A long way away from you but Kernow Transporters fit used California roofs which are electric
Kernow Transporters – The UK's #1 VW T5 & T6 seats and parts supplier…

 

[Stewby]

A long way away from you but Kernow Transporters fit used California roofs which are electric
Kernow Transporters – The UK's #1 VW T5 & T6 seats and parts supplier…

Thank you very much.

We are not really concerned about distance (as long as it is in the UK), the converters we are looking at is in Manchester-ish. Just want the perfect van for us.

 

[Pauly]

I know @VanBlanc used them to fit an electric Cali roof to his, had a look at it at vanwest when I caught up with him
Still surprises me there's not more electric roofs around, thought someone would have come up with an aftermarket one by know !

 

[Veema]

I'm a bit disappointed with my roof...its got loads of bolts showing where the internal handles are for pulling it back down! Looking at some if these photos on here, no one else's has this!