What is a pop-top roof?
Part of the existing van roof is removed, and replaced with an elevating roof with an integrated canvas ‘tent’ to keep out the weather. This allows standing space inside the van, and a bed platform to enable the van to sleep up to four people.
Keeping cool in hot weather
Firstly, let’s look at ventilation. When your roof is in the elevated position, this forms a ’tent’. Anyone who’s been camping in a tent knows that when the weather is warm, a tent will heat up very quickly and become very uncomfortable. The same can be true for a pop top roof with no ventilation.
So, have a look at the pop top roof and make sure you have adequate ventilation, particularly with mesh nets to stop mosquitoes and other bugs coming in when you have the zips undone.
Sleeping ‘upstairs’
In the pop top roof itself, you will find a bed platform. This will generally support up to 150 kg in weight, so you might have a couple of small adults or two kids up there. Have a look towards the back end of the vehicle and see how much the pop top roof rises above the van.
Think about when you’re lying up at the top and your feet are down that end, it’s important to have a good elevation to allow space for your feet. Your head will normally be at the front end of the van so this is not an issue.
A comfortable night’s sleep
When you look at the bed platform itself, many vans simply have a plain board with a thin mattress on top. This might be fine for the occasional night sleep, but it’s not always the most comfortable. Many vans now are built with sprung boards, as well as a mattress on top, which significantly increases your comfort overnight.
Enjoy the view
Another feature which some pop top roofs have is a scenic roof, also known as a safari roof. This allows the whole tent portion of the roof to be unzipped allowing a completely uninterrupted view of the sky, the feeling of increased space, and unlimited fresh air. A lovely feature to have.
Safety considerations for your pop-top roof
Perhaps the most significant factor you should be considering, although not immediately obvious, is the safety of the roof that has been fitted to your van. When these vans are converted, a portion of the roof of the original van has been removed, and this therefore affects the integrity of the van as a whole.
It’s therefore absolutely paramount to ensure that the roof and frame that has been fitted is fully tested to DVSA standards. The DVSA is the branch of the government which oversees safety on vehicles and their approval means that the roof has been tested in line with current safety guidelines in the event of a crash.
In line with this, it’s important that the design of the roof and the bed platform does not restrict access to or from the roof space. In the unlikely event of a fire or another emergency, anyone upstairs needs to be able to get down quickly, and likewise anyone from downstairs needs to be able to access those upstairs who may be in need of help. Ensure that at no point is your access blocked to and from the pop top roof.
For any campervan you are buying with a pop top roof, ask the converter if they have got certification of the safety of the roof fitted to that van.
