Hi top or Pop top?

Post by **powelly** » 04 Feb 2008, 14:22

Help, I don't know what to do, we are looking for our first T25 and I still cant decide what I want.

I imagine a pop top will be more convenient on a day to day basis after all its going to be used as a second car, however a high top will be warmer and give us more storage space.

So could current owners let me know the real life pro's and cons.

Thanks

Post by **shepster** » 04 Feb 2008, 15:55

If i was you mate i would use the Search facility and look for old post's asking this question, this has been asked (and answered) a million times.

Post by **powelly** » 04 Feb 2008, 16:17

shepster wrote:If i was you mate i would use the Search facility and look for old post's asking this question, this has been asked (and answered) a million times.

Tried the search but not came up with anything, I know lots about the bed space in hightops, replacing air vents, diy replacement pop tops and even someone questioning how high his van was but I haven't yet found the kind of discussion I'm looking for.

If you recall a thread or know a search term then any pointers would be appreciated.

Post by **joshb** » 04 Feb 2008, 16:53

I think you need to ask yourself how you will use the van. they both have pro's and cons.. hightop = more storage, and you can stand up in it all the time, and possibly warmer.. but you lose the ability to get in some carparks and the 'look' of a hightop is a personal taste thing. pop tops = more funky looking IMHO, ( i now have a high top but have owned t2 poptops) possibly less wobbly in high winds, ( i just got back from scotland in galeforce winds and it was 'interesting' driving to say the least! my roof vent got ripped clean off!) i think to sum it up poptops are a more convenient driver, and hightops a more convenient camper, and having said that i use my hightop as everyday transport with no problems..

Post by **ringo** » 04 Feb 2008, 17:32

I've found a few car parks that i can get in with my pop top and couldnt with a High top (Cromer Crabfest is one

) - but to be honest, most multi stories are out.

High tops make it easier to wild camp as you don't have to pop the top - that for me would be a real bonus as i cant stand cooking me tea while bent over double - so i have to pop the top and risk being "found out".

However, i don't like the look of most high tops and i love me pop top. Great on the road (but never driven a high top so cant compare) and takes seconds to pop.

This club is predominantly high tops....

Ringo

Post by **kevtherev** » 04 Feb 2008, 18:20

Well I think there are two replies there that sums it up really ...

you decide!

Post by **Robin!** » 06 Feb 2008, 21:23

My first T25 is a tintop, lol. But bought for me & the gf for touring. so only need a 2 berth.

Post by **jed the spread** » 06 Feb 2008, 21:59

Robin! wrote:My first T25 is a tintop, lol. But bought for me & the gf for touring. so only need a 2 berth.

your van isnt Aircooled by the way

jed

Post by **Robin!** » 06 Feb 2008, 23:02

jed the spread wrote:
Robin! wrote:My first T25 is a tintop, lol. But bought for me & the gf for touring. so only need a 2 berth.

your van isnt Aircooled by the way

jed

Yeah I realised that the other day, forgot to change my sig.

Post by **mal0r** » 07 Feb 2008, 09:54

As everyone says, there are pros and cons. I can tell you pros and cons from my experience of our High Top:

Pros: Superb for en-route storage, Handy for young 'uns/more than 2 people, being able to stand up all the time and plenty of light.

Cons: Obvious height restrictions in car parks etc, really catches the wind on a blowy day, if up-top a bit heavy - makes the drive a bit "leany" if you drive a bit too quick round roundabouts. Also, it's hard to reach the very middle of the roof when you're washing it!

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 07 Feb 2008, 19:28

A few more thoughts on the subject here:

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... hlight=top

and another 6 pages here(!):

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... hlight=top

Tony

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 11 Feb 2008, 19:12

It boils down to how many of you are there ? ..... if there are (or are likely to be) more than 2 of you then, realistically, you'll need the extra sleeping accomodation a hightop affords BUT most important of all the extra storage.

We sleep the 4 of us IN the van and had everything we needed for 2.5 weeks away in France IN the van (with the exception of 3 bikes and the girl's bag of putrid sea shells

which were on the bike rack )

Horses for courses.

Good luck either way, Ian.

Post by **Billiemaye** » 11 Feb 2008, 23:02

Exactly what ^ he said .

our bus was a high top when we bought it ,pre kids mind,no room for sleeping in the hi top,just loads of storage space /cuboards nice and airy

you can stand up do your cooking /washing up/getting dressed etc,

i admit i do like the look of the pop/tin tops ,but i dont think i could Live with one .

2 kids later ,we have just changed the hi top to another high top ,with full upstairs bed ,and storage to the west wing.

Another nutter whos van/bus changes accordingly to each family circumstance.

Post by **COURGETTE** » 13 Feb 2008, 13:04

I have high top, and its fab for storage, however i saw mr rev pimp daddys pop top and thought mmm that looks comfy. because i have two dogs, the bed up top would be easier (more room) If i had the space of a pop top in my high top, id stay put with it. as the sticker says THE FUTURE IS WEDGE SHAPED

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 14 Feb 2008, 22:27

Had both, as well as all the other comments,

Hi-tops less condensation and warmer (my pop top was dreadful in wet/cold weather and needed a lot of TLC/maintenance!).

I have a Autohomes Karisma - 8ft 1in high and the best looking double skinned Hi-top ever designed! Some are hideous and far too high!