Club 80-90 Forums

Definitely a fan of the pop top thermal wrap. This comes up most winters I think.

We spent last weekend camping in sub zero temps and were toasty with the wrap helping to keep in the heat from the Propex.

It takes less than two minutes to attach and we've fitted three press studs to the top front to help keep it in place. Here's a pic taken a couple of years ago:



There is one difference to our set up now which is that we don't use the JK thermal things on the inside of the windows any more. We have a Silver Screen for the front windscreen and front door windows and then just make do with curtains for the side and back windows.

My propex pumps it's hot air straight from the unit to the van at ankle height. There's a door I can open which gives me the option to then attach the flexi duct pipe to the unit and direct the hot air wherever else I want it.
So I can heat just the top of the Hitop when it's just me kipping up there

fairwynds wrote:My propex pumps it's hot air straight from the unit to the van at ankle height. There's a door I can open which gives me the option to then attach the flexi duct pipe to the unit and direct the hot air wherever else I want it.
So I can heat just the top of the Hitop when it's just me kipping up there

Sweet!

Gunzl probably stocks the best thermal wrap insulation option. Easy to find on their website. It has 7 layers but costs a bit more, but only needed if you cannot drop the roof at night.

I made my own with quilted material and reflectix for around $100 worth of materials. Sewing would make this job worth $300! I used my Franchers R-4 kit as my pattern, the R-4 is very flimsy and will not provide enough protection from temps around freezing.

Timwhy wrote:I made my own with quilted material and reflectix for around $100 worth of materials. Sewing would make this job worth $300! I used my Franchers R-4 kit as my pattern, the R-4 is very flimsy and will not provide enough protection from temps around freezing.

Nice work Tim! How do you attach it to the top?

For an external wrap I would thoroughly recommend
http://www.darenpucerscreens.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bought one from him at a show last year and it's great

danmetallic wrote: Nice work Tim! How do you attach it to the top?

There are snaps all around the inside top where the poptop canvas meets the roof.

Timwhy wrote:I made my own with quilted material and reflectix for around $100 worth of materials. Sewing would make this job worth $300! I used my Franchers R-4 kit as my pattern, the R-4 is very flimsy and will not provide enough protection from temps around freezing.

thats great! Daughters doing sowing classes, best get her on the case!

Hi Tim,

That looks really good. Do you have a link to the materials used please? I'm struggling to find what is required.

Thanks

This is the same stuff as I used, but I purchased my roll from a company locally that does insulated ceilings commercially. It was a larger roll and more like 5' wide and 30' long.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-48 ... /100052556" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The material for the inside came from Walmart.I bought this stuff by the yard.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Country-Class ... k/32879050" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You would need to make or buy a binder for each panels edges.

Velcro is joining each panel on the entire length.

Snaps and snap studs can be purchased at a Marine hardware shop or canvas shop. You'll need snap pliers tool

I can give you some measurements and close up pics if you'd like tomorrow?

Tim

Tom and others: Here's a good thread to reference. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... sc&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's some pics with measurements, sorry they are in inches (we don't use metric).

Back section


You can see in the pic the white velcro strip, it mates up with the two sides, you have to make sure if you add these that they are sewn on the correct side of each piece and the the correct piece of velcro will match up to its opposite piece.

Both sides are the same dimensions just the opposite

Both of the side I made are longer than what is stated in the thread, because they under lap the fron and back pieces to join by velcro.

Front section

You can tell by the dimension at the middle bottom that there is a curvature, its slight but follows the roof line.

I am No seamstress!


The side pieces are the hardest to make without a pattern to go by. They are no square and even the back is at a slight angle. I would suggest a mock up of card board to get the angle correct.

Hope this helps and if you need pics let me know.

Tip: Use heavy duty sewing needles and good thread!

Hi Tim,

Thank you for all of the information. This is definitely something I'm going to make once I have sourced all of the components.

To me this is a much better solution for us than the external wrap around we already have and no longer use.

Yes, thanks Tim. Been an admirer of the Fanchers internal insulation, but never wanted to pay for shipping ect.
Yours looks a good option

Thanks for the input Tim, that's great.

Just have to visit my Nan for a sewing machine lesson