Club 80-90 Forums

still looking to replace my hi top with a pop top, got a couple of options, but am interested to hear from others which design of pop top is better / most practical / easiest for sleeping etc either the side lifting devon style of the front to back lifting westfalia/reimo style??

iowcamper

iowcamper wrote:still looking to replace my hi top with a pop top, got a couple of options, but am interested to hear from others which design of pop top is better / most practical / easiest for sleeping etc either the side lifting devon style of the front to back lifting westfalia/reimo style??

iowcamper

How come your changing??

Why limit your self to a tent?
What about the option of a hard sided pop up, this is my Devon and its a treat, masses of space 'upstairs'. Full width and length bed upstairs and much warmer and quiter than a canvas.
Im 6'4 and have loads of standing space and its usually me that sleeps up top with the missus and wee one in the R and R.
Only down side is the weight, but i dare say getting the struts regased would make a considerable difference.
I think it might be called an spacetop or something, only trouble might be finding one being broken, Ive only seen an other two like this on my travels but there are other hard sided options available.





Hope this link works, its got an original brochure,
http://www.devonmoonraker.pwp.blueyonde ... nraker.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It came from here if it doesnt.
http://www.devonmoonraker.pwp.blueyonde ... hures.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

replacing the roof mainly because i want to use the van as my daily drive and the hi top does suffer in the wind (don't we all as we get older) plus i think it knocks a good 6-7mph off speed and must add a bit to fuel consumption.
I did look at one of the hard sided pop tops but a friend of mine had to have his repaired recently (apparently they rot!) and it cost more than a new westfalia would to fit!
Really we just want to have the headspace once camped up, we will use it from time to time as a bed but not often enough to warrant keeping the hi top on
personally i think the westfalia ones look the business but the devons seem more spacious but i could be wrong

iowcamper

Well - when I bought mine it had a side lifting Devon roof - but the struts were knackered and hinges too. Made it nearly impossible for me to lift alone and I also found it a bit mroe fiddly. So changed it for the Reimo front lifting and personally I love it.
Don't sleep in top - although there is room for two if need be - but use it to store bedding etc as soon as parked up.
Loads of headroom when lifted, and if its a chilly night - I pull roof down to keep it cosy - pops up an seconds and as I nearly always camp alone and am a shorty girlie, I find it really easy and quick to use.

iowcamper wrote:replacing the roof mainly because i want to use the van as my daily drive and the hi top does suffer in the wind (don't we all as we get older) plus i think it knocks a good 6-7mph off speed and must add a bit to fuel consumption.
I did look at one of the hard sided pop tops but a friend of mine had to have his repaired recently (apparently they rot!) and it cost more than a new westfalia would to fit!
Really we just want to have the headspace once camped up, we will use it from time to time as a bed but not often enough to warrant keeping the hi top on
personally i think the westfalia ones look the business but the devons seem more spacious but i could be wrong

iowcamper

Fair comment.

Having a high top myself, I would lose a lot of storage space without it. The amount of room up there is amazing.

Westy does it for me everytime !

Darren

iowcamper wrote:replacing the roof mainly because i want to use the van as my daily drive and the hi top does suffer in the wind (don't we all as we get older) plus i think it knocks a good 6-7mph off speed and must add a bit to fuel consumption.

iowcamper wrote: i could be wrong

Indeed.

there is by design, far more room in the devon popped roof almost a third more, than the westie.
and as they are as common as the westie , only difference is you pay top dollar for the name.

Devon for me

re fuel.. it has been proven, that High tops are more aerodynamic than westie pop tops, the drag coefficient of the high top was significantly lower than the wettie...

so ner

And if you end up driving into a river you can always use the boat on the roof to paddle yourself to safety.

Martin

westy for me everytime.

better built ( sorry its true!!)

hold their money well too.

I recommend a westie pop top. I looked at the alternatives but the all round package was the best. I prefer sleeping upstairs in my tent. Its great.

Westie for me too ,just because .

no compertition westy every time far superior build quality
you tend to see a lot of knackered deven hinges, but ive never seen anyone with knackered westy gubins

We've got an aluminium cook set that slots in together, comes with 2 pans, a lid/saucepan and a handle; bot forgetting the 1 cup kettle! I'm pretty sure it would fit in the bowl, but I can't check as Percy is off on a rather
pricey holiday at the garage think you can get then in Wilkinsons or Millets.
Clare