Club 80-90 Forums

Hi there

I am now thinking about getting a high top roof on my T25 rather than struggling on with my very tired and knackered pop top.

I have noticed that people seeme to have strong feelings for and against high tops. I have been told that they increase fuel consumption by a lot and also make resale more difficult because T25 lovers think they are ugly. I have also been told the exact opposite by people who say they are great if you have kids and that the fuel consumption isn't any different and they give you tons more room.

Be great to hear from as many of you as possible as to what you think of them. The pros and cons.

Hi, I previously had a PopTop Westy T2 and now have a High Top Westy T3 so here goes:

PopTop

Pros: Low so can get in more car parks, don't look as ugly as *some* high tops.

Cons: Cold in the winter, can only store stuff up there when popped up, Can Leak in the rain, Flappy noises when windy and trying to sleep, only got headroom when popped.

High Top

Pros: Storage, Warm, dry, cosy, storage, permanent headroom, storage.

Cons: Can't get in some carparks, *some* are ugly.

Mines a 1.6TD and although we haven't measured fuel comsumption yet it looks to be around 35mpg.

Went through this 4 years ago and bought the compromise a semi high top lift up.

For
Space..so much more ( usually the crucial issue for families)
Warmer Winter camping
Dry
You can fix awnings higher up allowing sliding door to clear fabric.
Lift up semi allows great ventilation in hot weather

Against
Height restrictions in car parks and beauty spots.
Wind resistance above 50mph. Some extra fuel when driving over 60mph
Get blown around more.
Dont look as good although raked front profile high tops look alot better.
Chilly in winter.

I was looking at the T4 westfalia california recently and whilst it looks iffy the space is great. Enough space to make me think twice.

Sticking a big plastic sail on top of your van is bound to have some effect on fuel economy but as the van has the front profile of a shed it isn't going to make a lot of diference overall.

There may be some increase in sideways pressure too for crosswinds and the like but again, look at the side of a van, see ho the lower profile part of a hightop is over the wheel that steer, see that even huge hightops aren't half the size of the side of the van. Again it's not going to have much effect.

You can't get under some height barriers that you may have done before but be honest, with a poptop how many restricted height areas could you get into already? These vans were never Multistory friendly and little seaside towns are rarely frindly to folk who drive anything taller than a Micra.

With a hightop you get to stand up in the back all the time, not just when you can be bothered to lift the top. You can store loads of stuff up there like cheese and beer and wellies and children and whatnot. If you insulate the hightop inside then it's warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than a tent on your roof.

I think they look nice with a good hightop on, as campers go that is. If lowered bling mobiles are your bag you may disagree.

A camper is a camper is a camper, if and when you sell it you will be selling a camper. I wouldn't have bought a pop top. Other folk who bought vans feel the same. Some folk wont buy a hightop. Can you reallly predict what the market is going to be for some point in the future? On the other hand if you bought your van with a mind to sell it then are you in the right place? Surely there are sites devoted to which classic car makes the best investment?

all been covered above, except high top more secure, you could cut through pop top quite easily. MUCH quieter to sleep in in windyness.

Had chat with timbertech and was really impressed hence my change of heart.

Am not thinking of selling van just doing the proper research before I make a decision. All in all I think a high top would be best. I quite like the look of them actually.

Am worrying about the wind thing now. Has anyone actually been blown over??

Only by the extra space in the thing and 'why didnt i do this beofre now'

Has anyone actually been blown over

there is no difference with the wind between pop top and hi top, the hitop is ridgid and sealed the wind gets in the pop top, you find the only peple who dont like hitops are either dwarfs or have cricked necks and green streaks within.

the wind gets in the pop top

hehe happy days hey Steve ' ee its a bit windy in the back '

hehehe

I have a pop top with solid sides, does not seem to make much difference if windy when camping. I can only get in the same carparks as a high top Storage ok if only 2 of you, high top better if you got kids, I think the pop top looks better and a tin top better again but they're not as pratical as a high top. My favourite is the factory fitted full length high top, which is the same height along its length and I think is made of metal, have seen these with extra high sliding door right up into th e roof. Like someone else said it comes down to your own preference, something as simple as is it your only vehicle? can be a major factor.

Of course having the high-top means that when the wind is behind you that big sail helps push you along and may even save you a couple of drops of fuel.

Tacking up the motorway can be a bit of a problem when going into the wind though

Mike.

I have a pop top and my brother has a high top. From my experience there is definitely a difference with cross winds, and his is a lot newer than mine (not that means a thing).
The pop top is more handy for shopping & McDonalds. , and although a little chilly in the winter, It's a god send in the summer.
Head room can be a pain at times but once you are going to spend more than ten minutes inside, it doesn't really make a difference
I personally prefer the look of the pop top, and the hassle free parking, but hey we all have different needs.
lhd..........................................

sorry but high top are ugly not just some but all of them! and if you drive fast enough round a corner or round abbout it will fall over!!!

I'm 6'4" and a hi-top is definately better.

Also my 5'4" wife has a habit of taking most of her wardrobe so the extra storage is needed.

We've got the Autohomes Hi-Top raked at the front with a roof rack thing at the back and I think it looks great. Although I think the Westy hi-top is ugly even if it is really practical.

Horses for courses.