Pop Tops

[mistericeman]

One of my early experiments with vehicles was a S2A LWB ex military. Not an ambulance but a standard LWB with a hard top and rear door. That was converted as a basic camper, bench seat down one side, sink cooker etc along the other seat folded down to make a double bed. Not standing headroom or anything posh. Spent the coldest camping night I can remember on the summit of Foel Cwmcerwyn in that.

Where is that campsite I am sure I recognise it Port a Beigh by any chance?

It was up on the end of the Coigach peninsula

The final nail for me for the Marshall was the sheer weight of the thing due to the, body on the back....

I have a soft spot for ex military stuff.... BUT even with, a 200/300 tdi transplant and lt77 5 speed...

It would've been grim driving any distance.

Still got several landrovers though including a rather late one civvy owner after being cast 24v FFR.

 

[Moonraker 2]

I wish I had bought a pop
top but I was worried that the canvas would make it cold. With a pop top you can get in any car park, either for the night or just the day. I have even discovered park and rides with height barriers
I have a high top and don't use any bed up there, I just like the fact I can stand up.

As always I encourage people to think about where they want to go and what they want to do before looking for a van.
Small van : very mobile,easy to park, squeeze in anywhere, less obvious.
Big van: more comfortable, more facilities, more people space.

 

[ProDave]

It was up on the end of the Coigach peninsula

Yes that is the one. Lovely site, good pub at the top of the hill.

 

[Neckender]

I have a storm pop top fitted to my T6.1 fitted by Cosmic campers Derby, they did a fantastic job on my van 3 years ago.

 

[mark61]

I wish I had bought a pop
top but I was worried that the canvas would make it cold. With a pop top you can get in any car park, either for the night or just the day. I have even discovered park and rides with height barriers
I have a high top and don't use any bed up there, I just like the fact I can stand up.

As always I encourage people to think about where they want to go and what they want to do before looking for a van.
Small van : very mobile,easy to park, squeeze in anywhere, less obvious.
Big van: more comfortable, more facilities, more people space.

Cheaper peage too. I think.

 

[trevskoda]

They can go places you can't in your van

These panels look just fine to me

IMG_20190701_164133 by David, on Flickr

Where is the private loo if you have mum and girls, nice but sorry a day van or just for a bloke.

 

[wildebus]

Where is the private loo if you have mum and girls, nice but sorry a day van or just for a bloke.

Just because it doesn't suit you doesn't mean it is not able to be a camper. I have seen lots of VW Transporters with as big a shower room/toilet as a "full size" Ducato PVC.

 

[martinmartin]

Just because it doesn't suit you doesn't mean it is not able to be a camper. I have seen lots of VW Transporters with as big a shower room/toilet as a "full size" Ducato PVC.

Having a preference for what constitutes a real motorhome is a personal choice.For me l need space to swing a cat or perhaps a haggis.l would not disregard a day van because needs must.

 

[trevskoda]

Just because it doesn't suit you doesn't mean it is not able to be a camper. I have seen lots of VW Transporters with as big a shower room/toilet as a "full size" Ducato PVC.

I never said it dont suit me, i said as far as i can see its a day van, would it be a motorcaravan in the log book.

 

[ricc]

We've got a vivaro poptop, it gives headroom in the cooking area, when we've got grand daughters with us we stop on campsites with proper toilets and showers and use the drive away awning as the extra bedroom. Ours is lwb so there's room for the portapoti in front of the bed at night.
But the real benefit over a proper coach built motor home is when not camping, now were retired I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of the car...the vivaro will do everything the car currently does, and a lot beside. With the bed down in bed mode the space above the bed can be accessed through the rear doors to carry long items...ladders bookcases whatever. With the bed folded as a seat there's a large space in the side door....wife's tricycle and my bike will fit in...can't do that with a motor home.

The lwb van and lengthwise folding bed works for us. Whether a pop top is better than a high , or semi high roof is another question....
If replacing this one I might convert a semi high lwb van.... We don't really need the fitted sink and cupboards down the drivers side... A full width 3seat rock an roll bed might be better than the 2 seat just under 4 foot wide one . Still plenty of room for a hob , fridge and portapoti behind the front seats.

 

[trevskoda]

We've got a vivaro poptop, it gives headroom in the cooking area, when we've got grand daughters with us we stop on campsites with proper toilets and showers and use the drive away awning as the extra bedroom. Ours is lwb so there's room for the portapoti in front of the bed at night.
But the real benefit over a proper coach built motor home is when not camping, now were retired I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of the car...the vivaro will do everything the car (currently does

Sounds handy for duel use, my wife would never use a open loo, she must be behind doors locked with security guards on the door.

 

[alcam]

Sounds handy for duel use, my wife would never use a open loo, she must be behind doors locked with security guards on the door.

To keep you out ?
How strange

 

[trevskoda]

To keep you out ?
How strange

Not strange but playing safe.

 

[macberran]

Had two pop tops a type 2 and 3. With 2 young kids and awning it was great, an absolute breeze and indeed was what camping was all about. Even did a few gigs/concerts with a few mates in the T2...easy if a little cramped but then also very useable and..thats all we had and back in the 89/90's. It was thought to be a luxury compared to tenting. You had a wee shelter for cooking and cupboard space for conveniences and has been said very easy for getting to places bigger vehicles can't go and so easy to use. Nowadays there is much more choice and expense while the market caters for the older generation with MH's having every modern convenience and luxury known. While thats all well and good for just touring it is far removed from the original idea of a 'camper' van camping and exploration of remote, quiet hard to get to places....each to there own.

 

[alcam]

Eventually had a look at Panama 57 . Lots of clever design features .
Just too many compromises for my mate and me .
Would certainly suit some

 

[runnach]

The bang bus, popped up from passenger side, you can make out the clips. Not to be driven past Ibrox or Tynecastle on a derby day fixture.