wondering whether to swap the high top for a poptop

[joshb]

Hi,

I was wondering whether I should take off the hightop and fit a pop top. My van is a daily driver, occasional camper when we get time, several restricted height places around where I live near Ironbridge. I would miss the space etc but would like the reduced height

Basically is it more hassle than its worth? or should i consider it, perhaps finding someone who wants a high top and swap roofs with them type of thing?

thanks for any thoughts,

[Ian Hulley]

thanks for any thoughts,

Ya must be bonkers

[Jeff J]

I'm told the high tops are a lot warmer than the pop tops, if that's any help.

[keith]

Whilst youre at it....

Chuck a diesel in and swop the steering wheel over to the proper side

[joshb]

I guess its a case of leave it as is then

[keith]

I would if it were mine....too much hassle imo

[joshb]

I think i get a bit enthusiastic about doing stuff to it as I need to sort the paint out a bit this year

[Ralf85]

Here we go again. I love having pop tops. I had a T2 one before this one. It's personal choice.

Hi tops have more storage space, but when the pop top is up it is much higher like sleeping in a tent and doesn't have the claustrophobic feel that high tops have, so I've been told. The high top can be warmer if you need the roof up in cold weather, but there are insulating bits to deal with that and I pop the roof down when only two people on board.

Aesthetically I prefer my pop top (it still looks like a brick - I like that), but high top owners feel the same way. Check the options out at a club event or festival and decide.

Oh yes and you can get under barriers that high tops cannot.

[joshb]

Here we go again. I love having pop tops. I had a T2 one before this one. It's personal choice.

Hi tops have more storage space, but when the pop top is up it is much higher like sleeping in a tent and doesn't have the claustrophobic feel that high tops have, so I've been told. The high top can be warmer if you need the roof up in cold weather, but there are insulating bits to deal with that and I pop the roof down when only two people on board.

Aesthetically I prefer my pop top (it still looks like a brick - I like that), but high top owners feel the same way. Check the options out at a club event or festival and decide.

Oh yes and you can get under barriers that high tops cannot.

i agree with all you say and these are my reasons for the thought of the swap, and i also like the convenience of the hightop, I may put an ad out there to see if any one has a poptop or wants to do a swapshop for a poptop

[lloydy]

I have a poptop, if i built another van it would be a high top. But i would use it as a camper primarly and would enjoy the extra space

[New Kentish Campers]

I'm told the high tops are a lot warmer than the pop tops, if that's any help.

Certainly are, if comparing against a fabric sided type, though Holdsworth ones [Villa 3] have solid sides which do give a degree or two more insulation. Can't say what its like in very cold weather though; I seem to remember somebody on this site had made a set of thermal outside covers for her V3, that were attached with velcro. Might be worth looking into if you do decide on a pop-top.

[boxer]

You can buy thermal wraps for pop tops for the odd occasion you need them to be warmer. (Says the man who has just spent his first weekend away in his pop top)

[ibsey]

I have a high top. Head said high top heart said pop top. I have a daughter i take camping so high top ideal for that. If it was just for me or me and the missis i would have bought a pop top.

Hope thats helpful.

[joshb]

thanks for the replies, its a tough call, me and the wife stayed in a great campsite in the Cairngorns a few winters ago, was -15 outside, but we were ok in the van,, I expect a pop top could have been a bit more chilly with the roof up, Swings and round abouts type thing, is it hard to remove a hightop?

[keith]

thanks for the replies, its a tough call, is it hard to remove a hightop?

not if you drive really fast under a carpark barrier.