sixstringsteve
Explorer
Thanks Trevor, that looks great!
Pop-tops: are they worth it?
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
sixstringsteve
Explorer
I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a high top. Can anyone explain what a "reverse flange" is on these? I'm not sure if I want a reverse flange or regular flange, as I have no idea what that means.
Pinnacle Campers
Chateau spotter
As I understand it reverse flange screws on from the inside, the lower lip curves in to sit flat on the van. Regular flange screws on from the outside and the screws are usually covered with that aluminum moulding with a vinyl or rubber strip in it.
Most people choose a reverse flange.
Most people choose a reverse flange.
sixstringsteve
Explorer
ah, that makes sense. Thank you. Does the reverse flange stick in much? Meaning, will I lose a lot of interior room with a reverse flange? I think the reverse flanges look better.
I think I'm arriving at the same conclusion - any top I may put on my van is going to be a rigid high top. Sportsmobile won't work with my van (due to the dual side barn doors) and CCV is very nice but too expensive. My issue is that I'm 6'2" so I need a top that is at least 22" to be able to stand. I've been eyeing the more aerodynamic models at Fiberine, like the 30" Super Sport top:
http://www.fiberine.com/GVMR/Full_Size_Van_Tops.html
My question is if a shorter roof would be "enough"? Would someone who is taller still be annoyed by almost being able to stand?
http://www.fiberine.com/GVMR/Full_Size_Van_Tops.html
My question is if a shorter roof would be "enough"? Would someone who is taller still be annoyed by almost being able to stand?
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sixstringsteve
Explorer
Yeah, none of them look particularly sexy, but I like the 24" bubble top. You guys with white vans are lucky, I'm going to have to get mine painted.
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Pinnacle Campers
Chateau spotter
You don't lose any interior space necessarily, your hole cut out in the roof wouldn't be able to go outboard of the reverse flange anyways, and here lies one of those cons of this setup, you still don't get those nice square flat sides still.
The opening at the flange area chokes down to say 48-50" wide because of the roof perimeter structure needing to stay.
Personally I wouldn't like a bed as high as Trevor's, if I have 6' of total height I would prefer to be able to sit up in bed requiring about 3'. This requires you to suspend the bed platform lower than the flange area maybe putting it at the middle of the Windows further complicating installation.
I think Trevor's setup with the roll cage would be perfect for a lifting bed system suspended from the cage bars.
EDIT: I ran across this thread where someone installed one and includes pics of the reverse flange as well as other useful info for high top investigators, http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-E-250-stealth-conversion?page=3
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sixstringsteve
Explorer
After by Trevor Stellrecht, on Flickr
Untitled by Trevor Stellrecht, on Flickr
Just built a new loft bed capable of holding two people yesterday.
Untitled by Trevor Stellrecht, on Flickr
There's still room to stand in front of it and behind it within the van.
Untitled by Trevor Stellrecht, on Flickr
Hey trevor. Thanks for the tour today. The van looks great, and you've sold us on a high top.
Just had an interesting conversation with a local van upfitter who supposedly deals with Fiberine fiberglass tops. The woman told me that since my vehicle is a 1/2 ton van, adding a top exceeds the GVWR for the vehicle so they won't do it. We never discussed a specific top. Rather than argue, I thanked her and hung up. None of this makes sense since conversion vans have varying sizes of fiberglass tops and they are all 1/2 ton or smaller. Accrete (on this site) has a Fiberine 24" bubble top on a 1/2 ton van.
I now have a call into Fiberine (left a message) to get the real story.
I now have a call into Fiberine (left a message) to get the real story.
boardrider247
Weekend warrior anarchist
I just looked at the shipping receipt for my 24" fiberine top. 415 pounds which included the wooden crate that it shipped in. The crate alone weighed over 100 pounds. So lets say the top weighs in at 300ish.
She is saying 300 pounds puts a 1/2t van over gvwr, that is obviously not the case I'd try to find somewhere else to do the work.
Accrete had his van weighed after his full build loaded for camping and still had a couple hundred pounds to spare below gvwr if I recall correctly.
Hi goneagain - I also come in at just under 6'2" and figured the 24" top would have been plenty. Seems that you are saying this is not the case? Interior height of the van with the standard roof is roughly 52". A 24" top should add 24", giving an overall height of 76". I would love to hear more about your experience. I won't consider this seriously if I can't stand up.
I got a call back from a very nice woman at Fiberine. She has no idea why that shop said they would not add the top due to the GVWR. That is not Fiberine's stance. She did give me some pricing if I ordered direct and had it shipped to me. Looks like for a 24" Bubble Top with windows and OSB reinforcement, I would be north of $4000 not including shipping and installation.
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Hi I live in north Vancouver bc where it is a rainforest. We are talking 4 inches rain in a evening on bad night.
I love my pop top traverse van. I use it year round in snow rain winter and summer. Pop tops are not a seasonal top.
I love being able store our gear bags up top during the day when parked or when traveling gear down stairs sleep upstairs so quickly...
I love my pop top traverse van. I use it year round in snow rain winter and summer. Pop tops are not a seasonal top.
I love being able store our gear bags up top during the day when parked or when traveling gear down stairs sleep upstairs so quickly...
Jb1rd
Explorer
30" Super Sport Top
Sorry (not sorrrrrrrrrry) for jacking your thread but it seems the most relevant to my question, have you or anyone here on the forum been in a van with this particular top???? It seems to be a great compromise from the 30" super camper top and the 18" version of the Sport Top. The more I think about and closer I am to sending deposit money for a CCV pop top the more I feel like I am going to be bummed that I can't move around "at will" in the van without stooping/crouching/crawling etc. I am also not super thrilled about the added weight or complexity of the pop top mechanics either, I am trying to keep it K.I.S.S.
http://www.fiberine.com/GVMR/Full_Size_Van_Tops.html#23
Sorry (not sorrrrrrrrrry) for jacking your thread but it seems the most relevant to my question, have you or anyone here on the forum been in a van with this particular top???? It seems to be a great compromise from the 30" super camper top and the 18" version of the Sport Top. The more I think about and closer I am to sending deposit money for a CCV pop top the more I feel like I am going to be bummed that I can't move around "at will" in the van without stooping/crouching/crawling etc. I am also not super thrilled about the added weight or complexity of the pop top mechanics either, I am trying to keep it K.I.S.S.
http://www.fiberine.com/GVMR/Full_Size_Van_Tops.html#23
According to Fiberine, the 30" Super Sport Top has been discontinued. I had the exact same thoughts and asked when I called. They just haven't taken it off their site yet.
Jb1rd
Explorer
That is a serious bummer!!! I am 6' tall and it seemed to be a great alternative to the Super Camper and the massive wind drag, it looked to be that you would only lose the space directely above the cockpit, maybe I am wrong but I know that my B190 with that style top was a BIGGER BRICK than a standard or even moderate bubble top.