Hightop designs

Post by **Zimbok** » 07 Oct 2007, 09:55

Saving frantically to have a hightop fitted by spring next year. Currently have the normal tin top. Want the hightop for extra storage space and for my 11-year-old to sleep in. However the new ones I have seen for sale seem a little too high and dare I say unpleasant to the eye.

Looking on EBay and Autotrader there have been many designs over the years and most add to the look of the van, rather than detract.

Does anyone know who sells and installs new hightops or alternatively breakers that may have? Cheers.

Website · Post by **syncrosimon** » 07 Oct 2007, 11:52

Have a look at these German ones.

http://www.syncro-bernd-jaeger.de/ENGLI ... ngbus.html

There are plenty of English Converters who would be willing to do you a new one, and lots of second hand ones on E-bay for fitting yourself.

There is always a trade off in how high you go. A really tall hightop makes life easier on the inside; ie being able to sit up in bed upstairs, which is important if your children are bigger. But as you say they look a little unweildly. The lower ones always look better, but it's harder work on the inside. For larger children in a small hightop it can be a little cluastraphobic, and we have found that it can get very hot up there aswell.

We have a low hightop, and just use it on occassions where we cant be bothered to put up the awning.

Best thing is to be nosey, and look at all the campers you see, and decide which compromise is going to be best for you.

simon.

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 07 Oct 2007, 17:54

Dave (Timbertech) who posts on this forum fits high tops. He is based in Nottingham & iirc his prices start at around £700 to fit the roof & then extra for ply lining/carpet lining, bed board, mattress etc. He has a good reputation & the quality of his work is said to be very good.

www.timbertechnicians.co.uk

Post by **Zimbok** » 08 Oct 2007, 16:59

Thanks both for your posts.

Looked at the ones at Timbertech and they seem very affordable and I've noted all the positive comments. Hopefully their prices won't go up by the time I've saved up.

Cheers.

Post by **willf** » 08 Oct 2007, 20:13

don't aztec in swansea make them new?

Post by **oxford_guy** » 11 Oct 2007, 18:52

Is it just me or is the standard Westfalia hightop one of the uglier ones? I'm sure its quite practical, mind...

Post by **Krisis** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:52

When we bought our T25/T3, we went for a pop top, for the simple reason it will go where high tops wont?
Less drag, ferries, bridges, trees, car parks, access to small villages, back lanes

etc
As for storage I have planned and started rebuilding the interior so that it will sleep 5 (in their own space/bed) and 6 if you have a couple of sprogs.
Rock N Roll = 2
bunks in pop top = 2
hammock in cab = 2 kidz / dog / adult under 5'0 or with pop

.
It all depends on
where you want to go ?
what you want to spend ?
how much you are going to use it ?
how much storage do you need ?
another thought have you thought about a trailer ?
I like travelling light, I dont need much!

The problem I have is a wife and 2 teenage daughters!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **kevtherev** » 11 Oct 2007, 21:04

Krisis wrote: The problem I have is a wife and 2 teenage daughters!!!!!!!!!!!

you'll be wanting a high top then...grief.. imagine the clothes and make up...SHOES...Hair gadgets..SHOES...Towels..make up, bags of make up, magazines, SHOES,

Post by **mininut** » 13 Oct 2007, 11:29

kevtherev wrote:
Krisis wrote: The problem I have is a wife and 2 teenage daughters!!!!!!!!!!!

you'll be wanting a high top then...grief.. imagine the clothes and make up...SHOES...Hair gadgets..SHOES...Towels..make up, bags of make up, magazines, SHOES,