KAMPER CI poptop dilema

[sburch]

Hi,

New to the forum and havn't yet joined the ranks as bonified camper owner hopefully very soon though.

Am deliberating over the opportunity to buy a CI camper with low mileage under 60K only, two owners...backed up by full service his and virtually (95% rust free) ...however downside is that it has a poptop roof (folding panel type) which also seems to be missing the cap and plastic surround seal. I wasn't originally looking at pop tops but the van condition and price are too good to ignore ...but the roof worries me. I've researched to see what conversion/replacement options are available and although there are several companies (autovan, space and Chales Son) they look expensive £2-3K which obviously bumps up the overall cost and begs the question as to whether I spend more for a comparable van around £6-7K mark (although now I'm going beyond my initial £4-5K for a first van).

Anyhow the van really is in fantasic condition (I've seen it...and others to compare !) hence exploring the the conversion route and wondered whether anyone can offer any advice ...
- conversion options (want to retain the sleeping space)
- recommendations on companies offering conversions
- any alternative to main conv companies e.g. a good independent (obviously want to try and get it done cheaper but not at the expense of cutting corners) - ideally around surrey/sussex /hamps area
- DIY approach and if so, how "easy" and where I can get hold of a 2nd hand roof (price ?), wetsfalia/devon fit ? (might not seem sensible as a 1st timer but am reasonable capable and also have a friendly VW enthusiast I can lean on/enlist to help)

The existing pop top looks like its in reasonably good shape (e.g. not collapsed/rotted) but need to view again to see better and also appreciate whether any concerns over lack of seals.

Anyhow lots of questions but any advice very gratefully received...I've been patiently bidding my time over the last 6 mths to find the right van and thought I'd done so yesterday...if I can just resolve the roof question !

Stuart

[scoobydrew]

Hi Stuart,
The easy solution would be to replace the poptop with a hightop.
They come up here and there for not that much money.
If the rest of the van is as good as you say and your happy with it the roof can be sorted one way or another.
Depends on the price of the van really.

Andy

[dbz864]

Hi, I ve seen the van listed myself, everyone of them vans has roof problems but not the part you are after, IF the rest of the roof is ok, id guess with time you would be able to find the outer casing, because everybody replaces them roofs, also id guess if your fairly handy it will be a easyfix diy

[Titan]

We were in the same position - bought a rust free bargain with a poor roof. Ours had good seals but the roof was rotten and sunken and leaked like a sieve!
We found a local firm who have fabricated a new roof cap from fibreglass for us. We pick it up tomorrow. It's costing us £700 for him to build the mould from scratch, make the roof cap and fit and seal a new roof vent (which we bought). Would have been £150 less if we had wanted the roof flat, but I wanted to make sure rain runs off it, so we had a slight apex added like the original roof - took him more time to build the mould like that. I am guessing subsequent roof caps he makes would cost less as he already has the mould built now.
We have spent around another £100 on parts such as the roof vent, new hinges, insulation etc.

I intend to post photos in the next few days of the whole process of getting it made and putting it back together!

I looked for replacement seals, before we realised ours could be re-used, and found a firm - seals direct.co.uk - who sell just about every type of seal you could want. Look in their caravan section and you will find one that would fit, code ETS1472.

Make sure when you view the vehicle that you pop the roof up to make sure the panels and gas struts are sound. Gas struts can be replaced, but the sides would be VERY difficult to repair or replace.

[sburch]

We were in the same position - bought a rust free bargain with a poor roof. Ours had good seals but the roof was rotten and sunken and leaked like a sieve!
We found a local firm who have fabricated a new roof cap from fibreglass for us. We pick it up tomorrow. It's costing us £700 for him to build the mould from scratch, make the roof cap and fit and seal a new roof vent (which we bought). Would have been £150 less if we had wanted the roof flat, but I wanted to make sure rain runs off it, so we had a slight apex added like the original roof - took him more time to build the mould like that. I am guessing subsequent roof caps he makes would cost less as he already has the mould built now.
We have spent around another £100 on parts such as the roof vent, new hinges, insulation etc.

I intend to post photos in the next few days of the whole process of getting it made and putting it back together!

I looked for replacement seals, before we realised ours could be re-used, and found a firm - seals direct.co.uk - who sell just about every type of seal you could want. Look in their cara van section and you will find one that would fit, code ETS1472.

Make sure when you view the vehicle that you pop the roof up to make sure the panels and gas struts are sound. Gas struts can be replaced, but the sides would be VERY difficult to repair or replace.

Hi Titan...and thanks for your reply...your solution sounds promising and actually I came across someone else who has done something similar (guessing approx the same cost as well...£700 sounds like a reasonable deal inc fitting)...

http://www.justkampers.com/forum/viewto ... 1&t=148823" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Though judging by photos looks like they modified the roof space and it now looks half the height of the original design...not quite sure how that works as that would leave things a little tight up there.

Is this how you've done yours or have you fitted the cap to the original roof, would love to see some pics and hear how its worked out. I'd be interested in enquiring with the chap...ultimately means a trip to Cornwall...a good run for the van ).

Having looked at the van again the roof seems to be in reasonable shape...the chap who is selling it says he thinks the sides have already been replaced (the ends are original though). Did you mean these when you said they would be very difficult to replace...any reason why ? Am assuming it would just required re-cutting panels (marine ply) and coated with a suitable skin of some sort (that might be the difficult bit).

Anyway love to hear how you've gotten on...especially as we decided to take the risk and buy the van...bit of a go for it and work it our later approach...hopefully not to be regretted !

Stuart

[volks_womble]

Our van is a CI Kamper, although it has already lost the top section of the roof. The previous owner (or the one before) has replaced the cap with conservatory type roofing, and done a reasonably tidy job of it - it is watertight, and lovely and light inside, albeit not much more height than a standard panel van.

My intention is to replace the entire CI roof with a devon side opening pop-top that I acquired via the facebook t25 group, doing the work myself.

My point is that you can solve the issue in the short term for not much money - replacing the poptop with a solid section - and then decide how to solve the longer term problem in whatever way suits your needs/budget - replacement cap/hightop/alternate poptop etc.

just my 2p.
Mark

[sburch]

Our van is a CI Kamper, although it has already lost the top section of the roof. The previous owner (or the one before) has replaced the cap with conservatory type roofing, and done a reasonably tidy job of it - it is watertight, and lovely and light inside, albeit not much more height than a standard panel van.

.....
Mark

Good advice Mark...not about to dash out and spend £££ on conversion until I've considered options. Out of interest how much did you pay for the Devon roof and was it easy to fit yourself ? Have found one at £900...which whilst expensive will be cheaper than a commercial conversion (Assuming I can save costs and fit myself). Imagine they're hard to come by as well.

Stuart