Roof opinions

Discussion in 'Camper Conversions' started by rustbucket, Oct 19, 2016.

  1. I know you will all have a favourite but leaving that out of it. What are the pros and cons of each different pop type?

    Are some known to leak worse?
    Are some hellishly heavy?
    Some noises or too much hassle to put up?
    Are the beds in some useless?

    Etc etc you get the idea. And don't just say westy unless you can back up why. For instance I saw a few dormobiles in Brighton. I like the sky lights. But they don't seem popular. Is that cos you know something I don't.

    Have you had more than one type and one was way better?
     
  2. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Ok, rear hinged Westy with gas assist struts & 3 window canvas with fly screens.
    Pro's, easy up with the gas struts, full width bed which is easy to deploy, ventilation options depending on wind direction, integral roof rack with good access through front screen, single spring loaded catch which automatically secures roof when lowered. Some Berlins even have skylights. Good solid base for solar panels.
    Cons, eeerm....:thinking:
     
  3. Gets a bit narrow down the feet end
     
  4. vinnyboy

    vinnyboy Supporter

    How big are your feet lol
     
    3901mick and theBusmonkey like this.
  5. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Oh I forgot, you can store stuff up there too when the roof is down & travelling.

    We have...

    a 12v shower
    a lilo
    2 beach towels
    a compact drill/driver with drills & bits & charging station
    a socket set
    a multi compartment box containing nuts, bolts, screws, electrical terminals, washers etc
    a folding table
    a sun lounger
    a spare windscreen wiper arm
    a roll of cupboard liner :thinking:
    and a 1.5m long foam floatation device thing for aqua aerobic activities:eek:

    :hattip:

    thankyou MrsMonkey..our average 19mpg is becoming clearer haha
     
  6. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    plus a couple of fly swats and a torch...
     
  7. I've had loads ,westy ,dorma etc ,I was a bit against hightops because they are fugly ,but having owned one now I don't want to go back to any others ,the main reason is space and standing up...
     
    89Rallye likes this.
  8. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    Rear hinge westy without struts is heavy ish and you need to be at least 5ft 5 to raise it.

    Only down side is the fold out roof bed is a wrestle if the downstairs bed is opened out too and with the side locking clamps can snag the canvas if you aren't careful closing and locking it, later designs are better.
     
  9. USA riviera is good can't store stuff but have zips all round apart from rear canvas so lots of cooling condensation is the only problem sometimes it rains on me.
    Oh and not for the claustrophobic as it is like sleeping in a coffin.
     
  10. We looked at lots of different types when we were buying.

    I love the look of a dormobile type (martin walter) roof but in reality the hammock things you get with these are only suitable for small kids IMO and not as practical as something like a westy with a wooden bed base. Roof lights are cool though :)

    Once we'd made that decision (ie no hammocks) we stopped looking at those types

    Viking is prob the most space but they are pretty rare. Front hinge westy (early type) usually has only a hammock, although you can get a "continental" type that has a wood bed base, not as much room as a rear hinge (later) westy though.

    Very happy with our choice (rear hing westy) as there is loads of room up there, you can store stuff up there when travelling, kids often use it as a play area if the weather isnt great. Good point about the weight though - I fitted gas struts to make it easier to raise and lower, its a piece of cake now, very easy.
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  11. I have some comments on buses I've owned or my impression of those ive considered myself. First consideration is how many you need to sleep in there. After that its how often they will sleep in there, child, teenager, adult, (large adult - lol!)

    Westfalia Continental - (Front hinged roof). Well-built and very easy to operate, good access to external roof rack through zip in roof canvas, good ventilation through mesh inserts with zip-able flaps to cover them, low profile and aesthetically not unpleasing. Roof bed is a solid upholstered board which is easy to deploy but no headroom once its down and access isn't good. Ive slept in it but found it a little short and cramped. Good for two young kids I’d say. (No storage and not good for day storage when camped as the bed hinges up and if left down is simply a PIA!)

    Westfalia rear hinge. - Again, well built and an improvement on the front hinge in terms of bed comfort. Will sleep up to two adults up there ok in solid folding bed. Id echo @theBusmonkey comments on upgrades, ventilation and storage. Moderately easy to deploy in standard format but not as easy as continental. Aesthetics - bit more boxy but still quite low level.

    Danbury – Gives good headroom although this is restricted when bunks are deployed. The two bunks, one either sides are very solid but a little narrow for my liking although they will take an adult. Can be difficult at times to deploy properly as the rods that hold it up are fiddly. Headroom is quite restricted once they are occupied and you will be banging into someones butt if you aren’t carefull (guess that’s the case with all canvas bunks. On the move storage isn’t really an option. Camped storage then use a bunk! Roof bellows is vinyl and there can be an issue with condensation. I fitted a roof vent in mine to deal with this which worked ok. Aesthetically good but canvas can be a pain to get stowed away neatly but you get used to it.

    Dormobile – Can be difficult to put up in cold weather as it can be a stretch and take some persuasion to get the catches to line up and operate. The bunks are wider apart and easy to deploy. There isn’t any on the move storage but the overhang on the driver’s side can take a few bits and bobs when roof is up, or indeed keep a bunk deployed. There is the slight increase in head height with the roof down and when up it’s pretty cavernous! Biggest benefit to me are the vents and windows making it bright and airy inside. Aesthetically…. It looks like a Dormy which is in itself a classic shape and with the roof rack fitted (if you’re lucky enough to get one. I like the look of them indeed I’d probably have one with a few tweaks.

    Devon – ¾ no great experience but earlies can leak, id go for the later type. Easy to deploy from what ive seen and well-engineered, aesthetically fine. Bunks seem fine but narrow. A number of people have fitted bed boards rather than the bunks which look like an improvement to me!

    Devon full length – Back to the world of solid beds and not bunks. Good space. Easy up and down if gas struts are good (if not then youd fit new. Bit boaty but a good option for families or those wanting to dump a load of stuff in the roof during the day.

    Viking. Theres a version with bunks (which are actually quite large, and a small cot sized bed running withways which gives good headroom and access when bunks are deployed but the daddy is the Super Spacemaker which comes in two layouts with either 4 singles in the roof or a double and a single in there (which still has the ability to sleep 4). All roof beds are solid and when roof is up and beds deployed there is no loss of headroom. It’s a heavy roof and gas struts need to be tip top. Can be fiddly to stow away but you get the hang of it. If you aren’t intending to use all the beds when away then leaving the bed cushions at home results in some significant storage. An acquired taste as these are the highest roof other than a high top.

    I will leave it there for now. As I could go on and of course there are conversions I haven’t even touched on but thing those are the main types. In the end its all about whats most practical for your circumstances of course but quite often people don’t even care about the conversion. They just buy a bus they like and make it work for them!
     
  12. Forgot to say. Mines a Westy Continental originally and ive fitted a Viking super spacemaker. Sleeps 5 in beds. Loads of space for keeping the living area clear during the day by putting the bags up in the roof. Interior is quite minimal and it lacks a little storage but more cupboards= more stuff you wont use!

    Roof is a bit heavy but Its ok when your used to it but I may uprate the gas struts a little at some point. No significant moisture problems if I keep the canopy stitching treated (proper bellows are welded mines a replacement one I had made) and I fitted a roof vent to get rid of most of it. Another drawback is that its a large canvas area and during cold weather it can make the van very cold.

    Mines modded too so I don't have the bed boards that run along the cut out as they restrict hight and its perfectly feasible to camp with just two people and not have the roof up and the head height is adequate to function without much trouble. I cant stand as im over 6 ft but the Mrs can!
     
  13. Mines a front hinged Westy too - very heavy to lift so thinking of fitting gas struts (any recommendations). We've just removed the upholstered bed as we don't use it and it makes it lighter to lift and gives more headroom
     
  14. @Dicky is right its all about how you will use the van to camp

    Mine suits me as it's just two adults

    Normal Devon pop top
    Pros:
    Low profile roof, I prefer the external look
    Easy to lift up, easy to close
    Plenty of head height to move around entire length of van (back seat to front bulk head)
    Original roof canvas didn't leak

    Cons:
    Bunks not large enough for big adults
    Roof canvas leaked after replacement (now sorted)
    Can't use pole and clamp to attach rain shelter, as gap isn't big enough, have to use figure 8
    Not as good for roof storage
    With both bunks out, people below couldn't stand up
     
    CandyCamper, scrooge95 and paul2590 like this.
  15. Exactly right - have a look around at a show or two and decide what you need out of a roof , storage / bed / lashing points etc etc ...

    Mines a Leisure drive , sort of an 80`s Westy ripoff but works well for me / us ... :thumbsup:

    :hattip:
     
    paul2590 likes this.
  16. I cant recall but is this a rear hinged one as i think it is it retains more of the original roof than the westy so the roof bed, if it has one sits higher. Wondered if thats actually better as would give improved headroom in the opening with bed down. Or i could be completeluy off pat!
     
  17. You have a shower brilliant



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  18. Yep - rear hinged but the orifice is almost cut into the roof curve so long as it can be really ....

    As for the roof bed , it`s been used a-plenty in the past but it just lifts out so i`ve made an upholstered `shelf` that sits about a metre out and is great for throwing things on when camping giving more room when standing up .

    To be honest it`s hard to fault the layout , a really practical set up - got a skylight too , great when the weather plays ball :thumbsup:

    :hattip:
     
  19. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Nothing too fancy @Geordie , but it does the job!
    068 (6).jpg

    Hair wash day in Greve in Chianti. Mrs Monkey's friend Jess joined us for a week to do Rome to Pisa via Sienna.
    Gotta have a shower for the girls...:rolleyes:
    17092014133.jpg
     
    Geordie likes this.
  20. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such detailed replies. All very helpful for a new boy numpty.
     

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