Which Pop-Top?

[DaveyB]

Whilst it may be your experience, I've got nothing but good things to say about my HiLo (fitted by Xtremevan). Looks great, works great, no rattles or breakages after 9m use (so far...) and I also did my due diligence on fitter.

Stealth poptops do seem to get more complaints tho compared to bathtubs though (applies to both HiLo and Lowlife), perhaps a more complex fit &/or less industrialised training schemes than Reimo etc?

Really glad to hear that you are one of the most likely many happy campers. As everyone knows you’ll always hear more of the negatives than the positives.
I’d definitely go down the line of a lab midroof sprinter or crafter if I was able to go back to start with the value of hindsight.
Unfortunately i’m never going to be able to buy a Cali .

 

[Cymro]

Going off tangent, I wonder if this is an option to have a VW roof on a new bare van? May be Germany only and supply to converters only.
https://bb-database.com/jctumbau/do...6-e0a2-6ddf1c570e51?version=1.0&download=true

 

[andys]

Going off tangent, I wonder if this is an option to have a VW roof on a new bare van? May be Germany only and supply to converters only.
https://bb-database.com/jctumbau/do...6-e0a2-6ddf1c570e51?version=1.0&download=true

Interesting. So it's basically a Cali Beach with a VW roof and no interior. Did not know that option existed.

 

[t0mb0]

Going off tangent, I wonder if this is an option to have a VW roof on a new bare van? May be Germany only and supply to converters only.
https://bb-database.com/jctumbau/do...6-e0a2-6ddf1c570e51?version=1.0&download=true

Wow, if that’s real and appears in the UK, that could be a really interesting option for registered convertors!

 

[Eli]

Interesting. So it's basically a Cali Beach with a VW roof and no interior. Did not know that option existed.

VW have stopped production of the Cali Beach for the 6.1 so are only available as the T6

 

[andys]

VW have stopped production of the Cali Beach for the 6.1 so are only available as the T6

No there are actually 2 versions of the Beach coming for the 6.1

 

[Eli]

No there are actually 2 versions of the Beach coming for the 6.1

Not according to VW Liverpool 2 weeks ago

 

[andys]

Not according to VW Liverpool 2 weeks ago

Then they're wrong. There's a Beach people carrier and a Beach with a brilliant pop out kitchen coming with the 6.1

 

[Peatey]

VW have stopped production of the Cali Beach for the 6.1 so are only available as the T6

I thought it was the Coast (not available in britain) the Beach and the Ocean

 

[Eli]

I thought it was the Coast (not available in britain) the Beach and the Ocean

VW Liverpool said the Beach was dropped and it was just the Coast and Ocean that was being produced

 

[andys]

VW Liverpool said the Beach was dropped and it was just the Coast and Ocean that was being produced

Dealers are always the last ones to know. As you can see at the show, that's not the case, though it doesn't look like we'll get the Coast here just as with the T6

 

[j4ckal]

Can anyone help me with a compare and contrast of benefits and pitfalls on the following pop tops please. Skyline, Austops, Reimo. If there is anyone to avoid please let me know. Also has anyone had a roof fitted and van lined by AAW Ltd in Poole. Thanks

I've ended up going Reimo easyfit for my LWB.
Looked at skyline and austops at various installers, the Reimo is in a different league fit and finish wise.
I much prefer the easyfit/sca type system as well (there are various benefits) the austops and skyline are the traditional way of installing a pop top.
I also looked at SCA, which are on par with Reimo but the options are limited for a lwb bed wise.
I went for the comfort bed option, top quality piece of kit, not available for lwb by any other manufacturers.
I feel the bed systems in the skylines look a little 'diy', ie. I could quite easily make it myself as it's just a board covered in carpet, also dislike the piano hinges. The Austops bed looks better and more 'factory', they also do some nice plastic mouldings for around the front cut out area.
I prefer the canvas on the austops, the skyline is too thick and not really canvas like if that makes sense.
Overall the skylines and austops are both great roofs for the money (both TUV approved as well) but the Reimo is the next step up, obviously you pay the premium for it.
Saying that, once you add all the bits to a skyline roof (colour code, scenic canvas, bi-fold bed, mattress, trimming of roof area etc) they're not 'that' much cheaper. I'd rather have a Reimo easyfit and make the bed/trim panels myself for not that much more.

Wouldn't touch Hilo with a barge pole. Tried to get in touch a few times to talk about a sport roof, then to ask some questions about the surf roof, only managed to speak to someone once and wasn't that helpful. Even some of their installers couldn't answer questions I asked about the surf roof. Plenty love them though and there's no denying they look good.

It's a hard choice and there's no going back once that big holes been cut

 

[Eli]

Looks like VW Liverpool were right

Ditchin' the kitchen - why we chose a VW Beach campervan

 

[andys]

Well they’re wrong when they said VW would stop making the Beach, whether the UK importers bring it here is a different matter

 

[Eli]

Well they’re wrong when they said VW would stop making the Beach, whether the UK importers bring it here is a different matter

When I said that VW had stopped making it, I only meant it for the UK market because that's were I live. That fact that they make in Europe is kind in irrelevant. To keep saying "they're wrong" doesn't change anything.

 

[andys]

 

[davidsmerv]

Hi guys, I've just bought a 16reg lwb t6 and want to put a pop top on it, I really like the look of LowLife and HiLo roofs, anybody have either of these and what are your experiences of them?? Considering the LowLife bullet as an option as well. Also ideally id like a sliding seat on rails, anyone have experience of Smartbeds slider or any other options??? Thanks Mervyn

 

[Pete C]

Lots of comments about pop-tops on the forum - the search function will be your friend.

This one stands out as an example: Hilo Sport Roof Review

Pete

 

[DaveyB]

To put it very simply, do not give your hard earned cash to Hilo.

 

[Ann3x]

To put it very simply, do not give your hard earned cash to Hilo.

Seems you are rolling a dice with Hilo.

I've got a carbon Hilo sport and really happy with it - no issues & great quality / performance product. Other people on here equally happy. However the people who HAVE had issues have had major, unacceptable problems with their after sales support and general attitude to customers. It's a great product when its well fitted but definitely a roll of the dice. As such DaveyB is right, cant really be recommended atm despite the product's strengths.

Lowlife has also had issues in the past with fitting & service but seen less of these being mentioned recently - whether that implies it's fixed or not - dunno.

The ones that are rock solid with fitting and customer services are unfortunately the "boring" ones. Reimo, Austops etc.