Autosleeper roof

Post by **Pepperami** » 03 Jun 2008, 10:00

How much work would be involved? would it be possible? and how much would it cost? To swap my villa 3 roof for a Autosleeper roof.

Post by **splity61** » 03 Jun 2008, 17:11

Do you meen the Autosleeper high top roof?
Whats wrong with the villa roof?

Post by **Pepperami** » 03 Jun 2008, 17:36

Its restrictive when away. Having to keep transfering everything just to go out.

Post by **windysurfer** » 03 Jun 2008, 17:41

If your after a hightop why not join the Timber Tech hightop club?

Post by **Pepperami** » 03 Jun 2008, 17:59

Is that expensive?

Post by **splity61** » 03 Jun 2008, 18:16

I have a leisure drive with a hightop, gave up on finding a pop top as there not so common on T25's. The high top is great for storing stuff. BUT in windy conditions its a pain, you get thrown all over the place, on the motor way every time you get overtaken ( which is a lot! ) you get bufferted about, even worse if its a lorry. Carparks are a pain, go anywhere thats touristy or a city centre and you can't get in. Personally, I think that with your roof, the advantages out way the disadvantages. I think it might also devalue your bus.
As far as changing over. Bothe types will be held on with a lot of rivets and screws. The original steel bus roof should not need altering. If your not going to DIY you might find it expensive, as its very labour intensive. Try Bilbo's in Surrey, they are near East Grinstead. They have been converting VW's for years.
If you do change it, can I have first dib's on the villa roof?

Post by **kevtherev** » 03 Jun 2008, 19:47

splity61 wrote: Carparks are a pain, go anywhere thats touristy or a city centre and you can't get in.

Pop tops struggle to get in restrictive car parks too, depends on the height limit.

Personally, I think that with your roof, the advantages out way the disadvantages.

so we know the disadvantages.. inconvenient when moving around, no storage.

advantages.. look better... er...

I think it might also devalue your bus.

on what grounds?

As far as changing over. Bothe types will be held on with a lot of rivets and screws. ?

I think not splity .. I rather think timbertech can answer this better

I wish I could have two vans... a pop top and a high top.
Holdsworth and Autosleeper tried to combine the two by making solid sided pop tops...

having a high top is great for all year round camping. they are warm and quiet with all the storage that you need for family camping.

I can understand why pepperami wants a high top, albeit at the expense of aesthetics.
and yes a 'sleeper top would fit without much drama, only trouble would be is finding one ....intact with the base, bed and cupboards.

Post by **Pepperami** » 03 Jun 2008, 21:20

There is plenty of storage in the villa but as i said earlier when we want to go to the shops or out for the day and even just stopping overnight we have to move everything from the roof to behind the seat. Then move it all back again. I have been toying with the idea of taking less crap. Do you think this would work??

Post by **tigsbirman** » 03 Jun 2008, 21:31

Blimey - has Putney seen this thread

Well - as for a family of 3 or often more, my high top is essential. You can store loads in it. Having had it as a Caravelle for 10 years previously I know the probs of storage. Personally I haven't found a problem with driving unless in very windy conditions. No probs with fuel consumption either.

You have to decide what is best for you really - there are only two of you so not so much cr4p to take with you. How about a towbar storage box?

Tigs

Post by **Pepperami** » 03 Jun 2008, 21:43

We take far too much rubbish with us. I dont think overtaking would be a problem the Subaru goes in this month.

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 03 Jun 2008, 21:52

Mocki's flogging the Leisuredrive hightop from his former van ....

http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=35486

and they don't get any bigger than that

Ian.

Post by **tigsbirman** » 03 Jun 2008, 21:54

Tony - Perhaps you need to take ALL the cr4p out of your van - and really only put in what you need for you two essentially.

I've just had a refit interior and had to do that - I realised that for year after year I'd been piling stuff into the van that really wasn't needed.

This year's camping was much better - I never used 75% of the rubbish that was in the van previously

Tigs

Post by **Pepperami** » 04 Jun 2008, 08:27

Ian yes thats what got me thinking(or not as the case maybe)

Tigs will try that and look at making some space saving devices.