We're still a year or so away, financially, from being able to fit a pop-top but my initial research into which roof to go for starts here.
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| Calm down dear, it's just a Photoshop job |
This is how I'd like it to look (I think...) colour-coded in Stone Blue with a dark charcoal(?) grey canvas. Or do I go black roof with light grey canvas? Can you see why I'm starting early?!
I'm not too fussed about having a bed 'upstairs', just somewhere to stash a few bits-and-bobs - like clothes at the end of the day that usually get thrown in a heap on the passenger seat.
What I am keen to have is a roof that doesn't rattle, squeak or whistle whilst on the motorway, and doesn't leak, create drafts or flap when popped-up. I'd rather pay a little extra for a quality product and for a fitter that will take the utmost care of my van - if they were on my doorstep that would be even better but I'm more than prepared to travel for the right roof.
So which is best? Who do you recommend? How much have you paid for yours and are you happy with it?
What you want is a Westfalia pop-top - doesn't rattle, squeak or whistle: not at the speed I drive, anyway!
ReplyDeleteI suppose if it were black then they could have it ready painted at the fitters (maybe they come in black as standard). It may mean a couple less days with the van at the body shop.
ReplyDeleteI have a very similar colur van to yours (light blue respray) and I was playing with idea of having the roof sprayed black (i know a guy who owns a body shop). I really cant decide if the whole black roof thing is just a passing fad though. I suppose as yours would be a pop top it might get hotter up there if it was black.
Cheers for your comment. I think a black roof is out of the question; Mrs. Stone174 says it will look a bit 'boy racer'. So a Stone Blue roof is on the cards. Yes, a black roof might be unbearably warm in the sunshine. Solar panels might be an option too - to trickle charge the leisure battery - price seems to be falling all the time.
DeleteThe Charcoal Grey canvas has had the thumbs-up though!
i think black looks ok in some cases if its not a pop top (more subtle) but it'll definately look sleeker if colour coded. There are lots of pics of colourful vans with black pop tops on slinetransporters.co.uk. Somehow they look a bit top heavy.
DeleteOut of interest, did you deliberately leave the side door handles on yours black? Mine are colour coded but could get the gloss black treatment. When I first did the van I had everything colour coded and added chrome but have been backtracking with black ever since :)
Yes, the handles and rear number plate light holder were left intentionally black. In my mind's-eye I had always thought that when the van was eventually colour-coded it could easily become blue overkill.
DeleteExternally, I've tried to stick to just black and blue (no amber indicators and clear side repeaters), and satin-black wheels with just a hint of chrome - I don't like chrome stuck where it wasn't stuck in the factory - shiny wing mirrors and fuel flaps do nothing for me!
Internally there's a hint of 'orangey' wood to contrast the outer blue and warm things up - when I finally get around to re-upholstery I'm hoping to go for a black seat with GTI close-pattern tartan to bring out black, grey, light blue and a hint of orange, tying everything together.
I did toy with the idea of a piano-black gloss for some of the external parts (grille in particular) but decided to stick with a simple OEM factory look.
yeah I tried gloss black vinyl wrap on the number plate light holder. Looked weird so that's been peeled off and its back as blue colour coded. I've found you cant just take everything that was originally plastic and make it piano gloss black as it can end up looking nearly as tacky as chrome.
DeleteMy latest addition was to spray a low down detail on the bumper (commercial pre facelift style) in gloss black and that has really worked... nicely breaks up the sea of blue on the bumper. It's kind of in the same place as the low down black details on your front bumper but forms a stripe all the way along... like a poor mans facelift sportline :)
Hehe, those inserts on the Sportline chin spoiler started life as gloss-black. I didn't like them so had them re-done in Satin black - if in doubt, keep it OEM!
ReplyDeleteI had a Reimo Pop-Top roof fitted by the MAD Workshop in Bristol (in Oct 2010). I wasn't aware of any others, but I think there are more options on the market now. Arthur Thomas does a great job and is very particular. I would trust him with any work on my T5.5.
ReplyDeleteThe advantage of the Reimo roof, over say the California is that it is manual/gas strut and therefore not likely to fail at an embarrassing time. We have suffered the trouble of an electric roof not closing in the past......hmmm.
But there are 2 problems with the Reimo. Firstly it is very draughty. There is a big mesh section at the front and the only solution when a cold wind is blowing is to close the roof. Camping in winter with a regular Reimo would not be possible, even with a heater, some form of extra draught exclusion and insulation is necessary.
Secondly when driving along it creeks and squeaks over every slight change in the road surface. I have purchased at great expense some low friction tape to stick onto the mating face of the van body, but with the deluges ongoing this summer haven't had a dry day to fit it and try it out. Oh, and the cost...about £2500, colour coded and fitted, and that is without the upper bunk.
I found out in Croatia on my first trip that the roof canvas leaked....cured it with Fabsil in my return home. The hinge mechanism is showing signs of rust so that will need treating soon.
But generally it does what it is supposed to do...it gives headroom when raised and provides a compact low vehicle when driving.
Monty
We had an Austops roof fitted on ours the other week by Max and John at their factory near Selby and I can safely say it fulfils all the requirements that you list above. £2085 + £300 for the bed. The only slight issue I had was the hinges on the back, these stand out a bit and decrease the space over Reimo style scissor hinges but in retrospect I'm glad I went for this design as I just got back from a wild camping and surfing trip in Cornwall and at one point ended up camped on top of a cliff in a gale with the kids asleep in the roof;-0.... The roof canvas didn't flap about at all and there was no lateral movement of the roof what so ever (even though the van was seriously buffetting about in the wind), and the kids didn't even wake up - I didn't sleep a wink on the other hand!
ReplyDeleteWe also did a steady 80mph with no issues. They're also cheaper that most of the competition!
Hope this helps.
Thanks guys, both great comments and definitely food-for-thought. I'm just back from spending all weekend looking at T5 roof conversions, from inside and out, at Busfest.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting closer to making a decision and will be visiting a few different roof fitters over the next couple of months.