I'll go for an old classic VW king of this time. What is the king of poptops and why? Get your nominations in and I'll post a poll later.
I have never used a poptop for any length of time but from the time I have spent with them I think the Dormobile side hinged roof is the best. It give pretty much the same height over the whole area unlike the slanting Westies, it goes up nice and high unlike the Devons, and it's rounded, low profile design compliments the van (Vikings/westies look like they've been given a flat top. I think this one is done and dusted, Dormobile is king.
Oh, I'm sorry. Your little Devons are cute and all but my money is on the late Westfalias with the full beds. First of all, the high end is about 9-10 feet high. Add the fact that it has large screened windows on 3 sides and you have more air circulation and spacious feel than any Devon, not to mention the great view and constant breeze in the upper bunk. Also, what most people don't realize is that the low end is not nearly as low as it looks from the outside. The fiberglass top nearly touches the tin at the rear, but the tent stops considerably short of the end, where there is much more height.
LOve my viking for the space but not the best looking. I have in my mind a Dormy roof with a push out side like the viking, better looks and a roof rack. In my calculations would still provide two single beds upstairs and enough standing room at the cooker/sink. Similar standing room to a westy front hinge. Incidentally i used to have a front hinged westy and got shut as I couldnt have the bed down and live in the bus. Too many bad backs!
For those with families, Devon double-tops (which I think are known as Moonrakers) and Westy rear-hinge are by far the best - because you get a proper comfy double bed in the roof. Sure, with others you get bunks, but they're just canvas hammocks - not the most comfy things for anyone to sleep on during a 2-week holiday. The Westy rear-hinge roof looks better than the Devon DD because the Devon's sits too high on the roof. It looks a bit too tall, big and cumbersome. Mind you, not as big as a Viking - they're simply enormous, way too tall and I don't like their interior set-up either. That said, they do have a good deal of space and, again, proper beds in the roof. I don't see any inconvenience with a Westy rear hinge. Yes, it slopes at the back, but you can't stand beyond the rear seat anyway, so what's the problem? Looks too. When raised the Westy rear hinge is up, it just kind of looks superior to me than any other conversion. Each to their own, but I'd say the Westy rear hinge will always be King.
Devon double top for me. Full head room through out the whole van unlike Westies plus you can store stuff above the cab and a double bed up top thats full width and also not like sleeping in a cave due to the westy sloping roof.
i must admit i do like the small devon roof and found it practicle , the only downside of a side hinged roof for me was wind when travelling , we used a extra strap to hold it down sometimes , i am hoping the front hinged westy roof on mine won't be the same . i chose the westy because of the double bed , cool looks , and thought out design -- will let you know, when we get to use it
Dormobile for me. Which is why that's the one I fitted. If you look closely you'll see a stepladder in that pic. I stood on the top step of the stepladder inside the van and my head still didn't touch the ceiling. And I'm just over 6 foot.
