Club 80-90 Forums

I am thinking of changing my "chimney" pop top for one that has a bed in it. Like a Westy roof.

I have limited headroom in my garage and was wondering just how much taller would my van be with a full length pop top.

So all you pop toppers how much extra height is added by your pop top, measured from the bottom of the roof gutter if possible.

I like the look of the Westy style pop tops but any pop top with a bed would be better than none as long as I can still get it in my garage.

The garage in question has a joist half way down that supports a roof truss so just enlarging the doorway is not going to be enough.

Thanks

Nev

From roof to bottom of the gutter is 12".
1983 A/S solid sided pop top
David

Thanks for that, I have just measured the gap from the bottom of the roof gutter to the joist and I have 9 inches to play with so twelve inches is a little too much. I could plane an inch or two off the joist but not much more.

My current "chimney" pop top has two inches clearance!! I just measured that too, I never knew it was that close, the doorway is a little higher.

Nev

Low pro tyres and 50mm lowering kit maybe

I would consider lowering the van a little but I need to know just how much difference there is between my current pop top and either a Westy style or Devon, Autohomes etc. Once I figure out which one will fit with the least amount of trouble I will then search for one to buy. The Westy style with looks the best and also the most compact but I have no idea just how tall a Devon roof is etc.

My van is stock height at the moment with large tyres too

Nev

There was a poster on another forum who solved a similar problem, though in that case the vehicle was a 4X4 on very big tyres.

He got a set of Mini wheels modified to fit the 4x4, instant reduction in height!

They weren't built for driving on the road you understand, just to allow the vehicle to move the few metres from the drive to the garage.

Worth a thought if you're handy with a jack and wheel brace?

Perhaps an old set of van rims wrapped in something to give a little grip and protect the drive?

My standard height Holdsworth fits into my car port which is 2075mm at it's lowest point.
(snug though)

How many times did you measure before you first tried that?

Only once and was pretty sure we wouldn't get in.
Had the missus standing on a chair shouting instructions.
Surprisingly didn't even have to move the light on the soffit.
That's the lowest point btw.
Got to make sure we have at least half a tank of petrol and 2 full gas cylinders on board at all times though!

That is tight, can't be more than 5mm clearance.

I have just made a quick calculation and I think I have 2043mm of height to my joist....I must remember to go out and measure it properly when I get home tomorrow.

Get the builders in, and lift the garage roof a foot or so.

My drive is so narrow I have to use the sliding door to get out of my van hehe, but its not tight compared to that pic