Club 80-90 Forums

Hi folks

My viking roof has the original plasticised canvas, which is 100% NOT breathable - like camping in a plastic bag. It has two small mesh vents in the ends, but in a recent trip away it quickly became clear that this was nowhere near enough to prevent or clear significant amounts of condensation in the roof sleeping area. So I'm considering two options for an upcoming roof refurbishment.

1) Even though the existing canvas is in good shape I'm considering replacing the canvas with a more modern breathable material. I've contacted one company (still waiting for a reply), but I'm open to suggestions for a supplier and a material that might offer similar levels of durability and waterproofing to the original, but with a LOT more breathability.

2) I'm also considering cutting a large skylight into the fibreglass top. I'm wondering if anyone's done this and what the pros and cons are. It'll add some height to the van, and would need a flyscreen, tinted or opaque plastic (as it would give a sideways view into the sleeping area), and maybe a multi-angle hinge. Does anyone know what the roof structure is like behind the headlining? Can I buy a suitable skylight, and would it be an easy fit in a Viking roof? Would I be cast out of the club for defiling the originality of a Viking roof?

These guys supply sky lights, http://www.abp-accessories.co.uk/product.php?cat=26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

B.A Eauty wrote:These guys supply sky lights, http://www.abp-accessories.co.uk/product.php?cat=26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks - does anyone have experience with skylights on a curved roof? My Viking roof is curved in the side-to-side direction - I'll have to measure the curve to be sure how much - so are there skylights designed for this scenario or do they all assume the roof is flat in all directions?

I don't have a devon but I just fitted a new skylight into my leisuredrive. I had to grow the hole a little and although my roof is curved, there is a flat area in the centre for the skylight on mine.

My experience of the new vent was that it was flat and didn't have any curve. It was a standard skylight and the roof was easily cut through (fibreglass and wooden centre) with a reciprocating saw.

Found this on a search, any use?
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7572404" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MattBW wrote:I don't have a devon but I just fitted a new skylight into my leisuredrive. I had to grow the hole a little and although my roof is curved, there is a flat area in the centre for the skylight on mine.

My experience of the new vent was that it was flat and didn't have any curve. It was a standard skylight and the roof was easily cut through (fibreglass and wooden centre) with a reciprocating saw.

Found this on a search, any use?
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7572404" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, yes I think I need to assess the curve on mine a little more carefully. It's conceivable that we could fabricate a flat aperture surround during the fibreglass refurbishment if necessary.