Getting Up Into The Roof! How?

[SyncroT3]

Hello

I haven't yet had the chance to look at a T3 camper van, so for me there is a bit of a mystery currently surrounding the roof bed area on these vans.

How do you get into the roof area from down on the van floor and how do you achieve enough bed space when you're up there? Do you have to stand on the reversed passenger seat and use it as a step or something? Also, once you're up there, do you have to slide a panel back over the opening you used to get up there?

I'm referring to the elevating roof campers, but I suppose this applies to the high tops too.

Thanks very much.

[fullsunian]

With my Devon you have to step on the units and climb up, but some other types have ladders. Boards slide along to make the bed in the roof, slide the other way in the day for head room...
IAN

[SyncroT3]

Thanks for the reply.

[a1winchester]

Try levitation!

Sorry - couldn't resist it.

[ermie571]

Had a lift put in mine, with a little man to push the button for me.



(sorry, honest, I am!!)

Em
x

[kevtherev]

And no....syncrot25, hightops are not the same...

what an odd question

[SyncroT3]

Thank you for the sarcastic replies. I have never seen inside one of these campers, nor have I ever been able to find a photograph that indicates how one might get up into the roof area, hence the question.

By the way, who is 'syncrot25'?

[purplecrocs]

we just stand on the kitchen unit to climb up (pop-top). You can by ladders as well - for Westfalias at least anyway:
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=6

[SyncroT3]

Thanks for the link. That's exactly the kind of photograph that has eluded me. I couldn't previously gauge the relative heights and positions of the internal fittings/inner roof opening.

[kevtherev]

Thank you for the sarcastic replies.

just a bit of fun fella .. lighten up.

I have never seen inside one of these campers, nor have I ever been able to find a photograph that indicates how one might get up into the roof area, hence the question.

If you'd took the time to look inside one, it would be very apparent. It's very obviousness invoked the lighter replies.


please accept my apologies... for the "sarcastic" replies

[SyncroT3]

Yes I know it would be very apparent if I have looked inside one, but as I said, I haven't had the chance to look inside one. I can assure you it's not in the least bit obvious how to get up into the roof of one of these vans without the benefit of having seen one, or at least some suitable photographs.

Apologies; I thought as a newcomer to the forum it wouldn't be out of place to ask some of the more fundamental questions I have floating about inside my head.

[binka]

Noone minds the questions I'm sure.

I don't have any problems getting into the top and I'm only 5ft2" and unfit. I think its worse getting down actually as you kind of have to keep sliding down while stabbing about with your foot for the unit. Thankfully I sleep downstairs most of the time.

[SyncroT3]

I'm no Chris Bonington, but having seen that photograph I think I could cope with the occasional ascent.

[a1winchester]

Thank you for the sarcastic replies. I have never seen inside one of these campers, nor have I ever been able to find a photograph that indicates how one might get up into the roof area, hence the question.

No! - It's a fair question. I have owned a van for nearly 6 months, and it's beyond me how you're supposed to swing yourself up there.

The Autosleeper manual strictly FORBIDS you to use the little ladder thingy that they supply.

Looking at the Brickwerks ladder suggestion, I reckon a telescopic ladder such as this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Telescopic-Ladder ... 518fd63f1a would be good, as it stores away so neatly, and you could also use it if you needed to get to the roof of your van.


Please ignore the sarcastic remarks - it's just our feeble attempts at wit! Sometimes you read something in a thread, and you can see a funny angle, so why not share it with the forum?

[texasuk]

As I'm looking at having one fitted, but haven't seen one in the flesh either, I too am interested in how the whole bed thing works.

Does it slide across on some sort of rails? Is it held in place with just its own weight? Does it totally close the hole in the roof or could you still get past if you really needed to (like for a midnight pee)?

All and any answers appreciated. The Westy cutaway doesn't make it that obvious to me.

Cheers,