High top or pop top?

[clareb123]

Hello there,
We are searching for a t25 campervan and have a few queries. First of all, should we go for high top or pop top? Does anyone know the actual height difference between the two?
Second, is it worth buying a van that we would want to respray because the colour is naff, or is it better to search for one with everything on it we would like?

We've looked at a few on ebay and autotrader, but are finding it difficult with the mileage involved in finding one. We are planning to go to Vanfest and Brighton Breeze, are these good places to pick up vans?

Our price range is £4000 to £5500, is this a realistic price for a camper?

Our ideal would be t25, water cooled, diesel, pop top, with a good Holdsworth/Devon/Westfalia interior... realistic? Or are we just dreaming?

Thank you for your ideas in advance,
Clare

[kevtherev]

Hello Clare.
firstly condition is paramount..and at £5000 you should be able to find a good clean van easily.
I have a high top, Simply because it offers the most storage and with no flapping canvass, noisy rain/other campers.. peaceful nights.
Holdsworth, Autosleeper, Autohomes, Devon, wetfailure are all quality camper interiors.

Diesels are OK But a 2.1 injection is better.. and when it gets converted to LPG... even better.

By all means come to vanfest and find us (club80-90) there, ask for me and I'll show you some lovely conversions in the club.
and yes you could find the van you want at vanfest (big selection.)and... you'll have us to tell you if it's a lemon

[clareb123]

Thank for you quick reply, Vanfest it is then, we are trying not to make any rash decisions/purchases?

What van do you have? We are steering towards high top for storage, and there seems to be more of them around, but were worried about it being restrictive for parking etc.

I'm glad you think we can find a van for that, we were worried we might be too fussy for our budget! We've noticed prices are creeping up and it's difficult to find vans with good bodywork/interiors.

One more question, we were told recently water cooled models are more reliable, what do you think?
In the meantime, where are good places to look for vans apart from Ebay and Autotrader? Oh and here of course!

We'll definitely come and find you at Vanfest!
Clare

p.s. 2 funny stories to make you giggle:
We met one of the organisers of the Splitscreen Owners club at VWOC rally in Cornwall and guess what van he had? A t25 Holdsworth Villa 3!
Also, when looking at our last pop top, I put my boyfriend off them slightly after closing his head in the roof! Whoops! Perhaps we should sway towards a high top... he's still a bit bruised!

[clareb123]

Just worked out how to use the forum properly, we <3 your van!

[kevtherev]

but were worried about it being restrictive for parking etc.

Are you going to camp in car parks?
never had any disappointments in parking.. most supermarkets don't have height barriers

One more question, we were told recently water cooled models are more reliable, what do you think?

these old ladies are getting on a bit now and things wear out, so be prepared to spend money on that... unless you find a well looked after van, but even then, things will come to the end of their lives...it's odd that some folks buy an old camper expecting it to be "as new" wondering why the thing goes wrong so often.
mines 23 years old and I have spent on it.. more than I paid for it in four years, so she pays us back in smiles.
just did a 2400 mile tour of europe.. no issues.. till I discovered the 23 year old reversing light switch has died, just another thing to do that's all.

In the meantime, where are good places to look for vans apart from Ebay and Autotrader? Oh and here of course!

where ever you can find an honest camper is the best place

We'll definitely come and find you at Vanfest!
Clare

I drink Caffreys at shows

good luck!

[Jeanie]

Hi Clare,

I have a Hitop. It is a 1985 Autohomes Kameo her name is Daisy she is atwo berth. She is 2.48m tall and yes sometimes we can't get into some carparks but there are loads of carparks and I have never had to drive away because I could not get parked. Daisy has taken us and our wee dog all rould europe and Britian. Yes we have had a few mechanical problems but just get yoursef an AA card. You also get to meet loads of interesting folk.
There is a picture of daisy in the thread 'Fell in love with Switzerland' You will never look back if you get one of these vans. It has totally changed my life

Jean

[clareb123]

Ok ok it's a high top then! Unless we see a lovely pop top, which is doubtful! Will keep looking, will be worth it in the long run, as we would like to travel Europe too.

We are prepared for on going repairs, (mum and dad own a Splittie which is costing them a fortune) we just would like to start with a camper we can use daily!

Like the witty answers, see you at Vanfest for some Caffreys then-(my boyfriend's favourite drink too!)

Clare

[clareb123]

Hi Clare,

There is a picture of daisy in the thread 'Fell in love with Switzerland' You will never look back if you get one of these vans. It has totally changed my life

Jean

Just looked at the pictures, they are amazing, I've always wanted to go to Switzerland, and now my boyfriend does too! Your camper looks great, we are going to look at a Kameo conversion tomorrow possibly, it too is a two berth, but with a high top-which we thought was unusual, but obviously not as you have one too.

Thank you for your advice,
Clare

p.s. Your dog is lovely!

[AngeloEvs]

Had both and prefer the Hi-top. Had issues with leaks and keeping warm with the pop top but these can be very spacious and good in warm climates. You won't find a better conversion than a Westy IMO (if youcan find one in your price range that is). We had to park two miles from the beach last week whilst all the pop tops were able to park next to it and that does irritate me as many places seem to have these height restirctions now. The height can vary between 7'-10in to over 9'ft so worth looking at the various conversions. Mines 8'-1in and that a nice compromise but some models (like mine) are for 2 only and no upstairs sleeping even though its a high top, so check berths.

[clareb123]

Had both and prefer the Hi-top. Had issues with leaks and keeping warm with the pop top but these can be very spacious and good in warm climates. You won't find a better conversion than a Westy IMO (if youcan find one in your price range that is). We had to park two miles from the beach last week whilst all the pop tops were able to park next to it and that does irritate me as many places seem to have these height restirctions now. The height can vary between 7'-10in to over 9'ft so worth looking at the various conversions. Mines 8'-1in and that a nice compromise but some models (like mine) are for 2 only and no upstairs sleeping even though its a high top, so check berths.

The beach we visit most often has a barrier, and as we have to lug kitesurfing equipment when we visit the beach we do need to think it through, however, the pop top does lack the storage space, therefore there's no saying we would get all the gear in anyway! The high top sounds much more comfortable for camping, at the moment we sleep in an awning that used to attach to our T4 (sold ready for our new purchase) and that gets pretty chilly!

Clare

[kevtherev]

Oh yeah I forgot..

we have a propex heater and camp all year round.. cos High tops is so warm.

Thing is, these campers are so good at what they do, I love them to derision, what ever you get.. get something you can customise to your own requirements.
I did, I bought a basic 'sleeper and made her a home from home, cheap to run and want for nothing.

[Gogso1]

Hi,

I'm going to buck the trend here and say go for a pop top!

We have an air cooled 1981 Leisuredrive conversion (see: https://club8090.co.uk/forum/garage_vehi ... le&VID=924" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), which cost £4800 in April this year. So far we've spend some money on a new leisure battery and having the electrics generally fettled, as well as an ignition unit, coil and a couple of tyres. So far we've done around 3000 miles, split between trips to the highlands and daily driving, and averaging around 25mpg.

I know its down to personal preference, but I prefer the cleaner lines of the pop top, always think that high tops look a wee bit awkward. And, theres nothing better than falling asleep nice and warm listening to the rain battering the canvas........

Try and take your time and see as many vans as possible, you'll know instinctively when you've found the one for you.

Good luck!!

[clareb123]

Looked at the picture, what a great van, we love that orange colour!
It's good to hear that we will know instinctively, that's how we chose our house, it had the right feeling!

Think we won't rule out either, but will instead look for a good solid van with the right 'feeling.'

Clare

p.s. did you mean to write rail battering the canvas? I'm hoping you meant rain...