Pop Top - The More I Think, The More Confused I Become!

[gmaster]

I have no idea what pop top to go for - If any?!?!

I really like the idea of a pop up roof (so my son and I can go away together), but sometimes I question how often they are really used?

When I've asked for advice, I've noticed that (understandably) most people seem to justify what they purchased, rather than give an honest opinion of their experiences.

I have a kombi with a Caravelle seat conversion and windows all round. My dilemma is, do I just buy a travel cot for the front swivel seats and use the bench as my bed.....Or do I go taters deep and get a roof and put him up out fo the way whilst I chill out downstairs or in the awning?


My shortlisted choices / costs of roofs seem to be as follows:

SCA 194 delux roof and bed plus colour coding - roughly £5200 (inc VAT), new roof with fitters warranty.

HiLo, with bed and colour coded - roughly £5600 (inc VAT), new roof with fitters warranty.

Genuine California roof - roughly £4,500 (inc VAT) - Used roof, but re-sprayed (no real warranty as such).

Skyline, colour coded with bed etc - roughly £3,500 (Inc VAT) - good warranty etc - not sure of the looks? (Added since original post).


I really would appreciate any advice and love to hear about peoples experiences and also what other roof options or prices are available.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ed Webb]

I think the issue is that due to the price of the pop top and users personal views and requirements it's hard to give advice on what to buy. Only a review of what they have.
I was in you position and spent a day driving round local fitters to me looking at a variety of tops and the guys I'd have fitting them. They all have their pros and cons and by physically seeing the pop top you can see for yourself what exactly you'd be buying and how you will interact with it.
You only want to cut one hole so once you're happy with your choice or torn between two then receiving a few reviews may help/confirm your decision.
I've got mine fitted now but haven't yet used it. From what we saw on our initial view and what I have now is identical. I'm really pleased with what I have currently.
This wasn't the pop top I originally wanted but it was only through viewing the roof and the fitters in person was I able to make an informed desicion on the roof.

 

[Oldrat]

Hire one for an overnighter ??

 

[Davenjo]

Camping with 3 of us plus 2 dogs, our roof, SCA 194, is in use all of the time for sleeping (circa 80 nights so far). We have no experience of living with any other type of pop-top but, the quality of the canvas, sleep platform, open/close mechanism, non-existent rattles, etc., etc., would mean, if doing again, we would definitely spec the same roof.

 

[Chrisfraser05]

I haven't got one yet, it's in the 2020/21 plan lol

To be honest all the ones mentioned above seem good, but at the same time the £££ are steep.

I'm trying to figure out if the difference in price over say a skyline is justifiable

 

[Phil_G]

See if you can find the October 2017 issue of VWT magazine, they did a comparison article on available pop-tops, well worth a read, huge range of prices down to about 2k IIRC, no need to spend 5.5k if you're on a budget:



Cheers
Phil

 

[gmaster]

I think the issue is that due to the price of the pop top and users personal views and requirements it's hard to give advice on what to buy. Only a review of what they have.
I was in you position and spent a day driving round local fitters to me looking at a variety of tops and the guys I'd have fitting them. They all have their pros and cons and by physically seeing the pop top you can see for yourself what exactly you'd be buying and how you will interact with it.
You only want to cut one hole so once you're happy with your choice or torn between two then receiving a few reviews may help/confirm your decision.
I've got mine fitted now but haven't yet used it. From what we saw on our initial view and what I have now is identical. I'm really pleased with what I have currently.
This wasn't the pop top I originally wanted but it was only through viewing the roof and the fitters in person was I able to make an informed desicion on the roof.

Good advice, thanks. What roof did you go for?

 

[gmaster]

Hire one for an overnighter ??

I didn’t think of that. For the potential overall cost of the roof that’s worth probably worth the money / investment.

 

[gmaster]

I haven't got one yet, it's in the 2020/21 plan lol

To be honest all the ones mentioned above seem good, but at the same time the £££ are steep.

I'm trying to figure out if the difference in price over say a skyline is justifiable

I just updated my original post as I forgot to add skyline roofs. Their price, warranty and quality seem good, but I’m not sure they look so “cool” - (It’s not about the looks - I know).

 

[YellowHound]

SCA194 has a proper sprung bed base. It is reputed to be the most comfortable bed.
It's what I have and I have no complaints whatsoever.

 

[Davenjo]

Just make sure that whatever you buy is waterproof and breathable - no point saving money if the fabric is cheap and nasty, gets you wet when it rains and leaves you waking up dripping in your own sweat every morning.

 

[Sjacko20]

A minefield to be sure. We visited a few installers at their premises and also chatted to many at shows until we found what suited our needs. (Incidentally the same roof and installer as @Ed Webb), we also visited the manufacturer and were very impressed. However, as is said above they are a very personal choice due to budget/looks/install quality/aftercare reports etc, so I recommend visiting some installers or going to some shows etc to see for yourself as it will be personal to you and your family.

 

[Ed Webb]

Good advice, thanks. What roof did you go for?

In the end I went for a skyline roof with an orange panoramic canvas. As mentioned above it's yet to be tested but from what I've seen so far it will be great. Certainly looks great IMHO.

 

[Ed Webb]

A minefield to be sure. We visited a few installers at their premises and also chatted to many at shows until we found what suited our needs. (Incidentally the same roof and installer as @Ed Webb), we also visited the manufacturer and were very impressed. However, as is said above they are a very personal choice due to budget/looks/install quality/aftercare reports etc, so I recommend visiting some installers or going to some shows etc to see for yourself as it will be personal to you and your family.

Clearly have great taste

 

[Gavandi]

whichever pop top you go for the one thing you get is head space to stand or walk around.
I tried the hunchback for a few days and even though I'm not tall, its still hard work!!
As @Ed Webb says above - you only cut one hole!
We, personally could not manage without a pop top.
For what its worth we have a LWB, Rear opener and a SCA Pop Top.

Good luck

 

[sofakingwrong]

Exactly the same as @Ed Webb Skyline and yet to be tested. For me price, meeting the lads fitting them and walking around the shop helped with the decision. Missed the extra space in all my other transporters since my old t25 ages ago. I have a few pics on a post of mine a while back, i got a onyx white LWB and went for gloss black, black canvas and solar panel. In retrospect i wish id got it colour coded. My only issue with it is holding down arrangment when closed, in a ideal world i would of preffered a more secure latch.

 

[sofakingwrong]

Like this

 

[sofakingwrong]

Didn’t go for panoramic as I could see my kids sliding out down windscreen for fun

 

[Vinci]

I have a SCA, no issues with it in general, but mine is annoyingly noisy over uneven surfaces, although others with the same roof do not suffer the same.
My advice, whichever roof you choose, drive it with the fitter to check its noise before leaving the workshop, especially if it’s not local.

 

[Davenjo]

I have a SCA, no issues with it in general, but mine is annoyingly noisy over uneven surfaces, although others with the same roof do not suffer the same.
My advice, whichever roof you choose, drive it with the fitter to check its noise before leaving the workshop, especially if it’s not local.

Good roofs and bad roofs - good fitters and bad fittters!!