PJ's Camper Van: Popup Top Installed

14313 Views 19 Replies 12 Participants Last post by PK1, Jul 14, 2021

pjtezza

Discussion Starter · Oct 23, 2016

8

One of the best things about a DYI conversion is that you get to do things the way *you* want. Prior to my Transit, I had a 26' Tioga RV for about a year, during which, my wife dogs and I took a month long trip. I also took lots of shorter trips with various combinations of companions. After learning alot about RVing in general and specifically what I wanted in an "iron tent", last Spring, I sold the Tioga, bought a Transit and began the process of a custom conversion. Two major things I wanted were a popup top and 4 wheel drive. As you can see from the pictures below, I recently had the popup top installed. I have an appointment to have the 4 wheel drive installed in December - just in time for snowboarding season! In the meantime, I'm working on the rest of the conversion as my work and family schedule allows.

My 148" wheelbase transit has a lot less square footage than our 26' Tioga RV. It is quite a puzzle to squeeze in beds, toilet, appliances, dogs and a bunch of gear. One straightforward way to get a lot of space inside the van is to put the space hogging bed on the roof. It also preserves the low roof. I drive a lot and one of the things I really didn't like about the Tioga was the high maintenance driving. After a lot of reading and some test drives, I became convinced that a low roof van would drive better than the medium and high roof vans. Another nice possibility a popup top adds is the ability to stand up inside a "low roof" van.

As you can see in the photos below, the popup top has a "sleep mode" and a "stand mode". In sleep mode, the bed is resting on the edges of steel beams installed in the roof cutout. The bed is split into two parts. The front part is slightly larger and can be attached to the popup top's roof to give more than 6' of standing height. The back part of the bed does not attach to the top's roof, but it can be tilted 90 degrees if you need more room to stand up. There are 5 led lights. As a result of the installation, the ceiling of my cargo van is completely finished.

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Reactions: 5

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klp

· #2 · Oct 23, 2016

That is a nice setup for sure. Is it from CCV? Looks like.

I went with a low roof van for the same reasons as you, mine has windows all around but cargo like yours. Have you noticed a mpg penalty or any increase in wind noise? I would love to have a pop top but it is not in the budget right now.

Who do you plan to have install the 4wd kit?

Have you got any pics of the van with the roof down?

pjtezza

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 23, 2016 (Edited)

klp said:
That is a nice setup for sure. Is it from CCV? Looks like.

I went with a low roof van for the same reasons as you, mine has windows all around but cargo like yours. Have you noticed a mpg penalty or any increase in wind noise? I would love to have a pop top but it is not in the budget right now.

Who do you plan to have install the 4wd kit?

Have you got any pics of the van with the roof down?

I went with Sportsmobile for several reasons two of which are they were closer and could offer an earlier install appointment.

I don't watch the wind noise and MPG like a hawk, so I can't say for sure, but I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary on the 3 hour drive home. I can't imagine it would make a big difference in MPG and the van is pretty noisy anyway. I can tell you it added some significant new creaks when going in and out of my driveway. My driveway is super tight, so I'm always a little paranoid that I'll hit something and the creaks were a little freaky at first.

My 4wd appointment is with Quad Van in Oregon.

If you look at my DIY window thread, you can see a bit where the top is down. I have the top up right now, but when I put it back down, I'll try and remember to take some pictures.

dustboy

· #4 · Oct 28, 2016

Wow, cool! First pop-up I've seen on a Transit. When my kids get bigger I might have to add one to my mid roof.

pjtezza

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 28, 2016

dustboy said:
Wow, cool! First pop-up I've seen on a Transit. When my kids get bigger I might have to add one to my mid roof.

FYI, Sportsmobile will only install Popup tops on low roof cargo vans (no wagons).

makenmend

· #6 · Oct 29, 2016

poptop

pjtezza said:
FYI, Sportsmobile will only install Popup tops on low roof cargo vans (no wagons).

Do you know the reasoning for this,? I can't see the roof being any different on the wagon or the cargo van

kenjent

· #7 · Oct 29, 2016

makenmend said:
Do you know the reasoning for this,? I can't see the roof being any different on the wagon or the cargo van

Three years ago, I brought our passenger Chevy Express van to Sportsmobile West to installl the pop up top. They started to remove the headliner and found the side curtain airbags the length of the van on both sides. They decided they can not do the pop up top installation on our Chevy van because of the airbags.

I do not know if this is the same reason for the Ford Transit wagon.

pjtezza

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 29, 2016

kenjent said:
Three years ago, I brought our passenger Chevy Express van to Sportsmobile West to installl the pop up top. They started to remove the headliner and found the side curtain airbags the length of the van on both sides. They decided they can not do the pop up top installation on our Chevy van because of the airbags.

I do not know if this is the same reason for the Ford Transit wagon.

When I first contacted them, I was considering starting with a wagon. I was told they wouldn't do it even if I took the airbags and/or air conditioning parts out first.

klp

· #9 · Oct 29, 2016

pjtezza said:
FYI, Sportsmobile will only install Popup tops on low roof cargo vans (no wagons).

Must be they hate wagons!

phil

· #10 · Oct 30, 2016 (Edited)

I was under the impression that you could not cut the top of a unibody like that, did they install a reinforcing ring?

pjtezza

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 30, 2016

phil said:
I was under the impression you could not cut the top of a unibody like that, did they install a reinforcing ring?

Yes, there is substantial steel angle surrounding the the cut out.

fargy483

· #12 · Oct 31, 2016

This is so sik. from the pics you did one helluva job sir.

TransitCaliforniaCamper

· #13 · Mar 25, 2017 (Edited)

I have a GTRV pop top fitted to a low roof. You can see photos at Instagram. https://instagram.com/p/BQ-wLldF7v9/

Reactions: 3

BabyBuffy

· #14 · Mar 25, 2017

klp said:
Must be they hate wagons!

I would be willing to place a small bet it has to do with liability possibilities.

klp

· #15 · Mar 25, 2017

TransitCaliforniaCamper said:
I have a GYRV pop top fitted to a low roof. You can see photos at Instagram. https://instagram.com/p/BQ-wLldF7v9/

I can't see the top even mounted on there, did it add any height at all? How are your panels mounted, tape?

I would love some more info on your rig but I am not an instagrammer. Your windows look real dark, are they covered from the inside?

Nice van, I am building stealth too and love it.

Reactions: 1

WAMTB

· #16 · Mar 26, 2017

TransitCaliforniaCamper said:
I have a GYRV pop top fitted to a low roof. You can see photos at Instagram. https://instagram.com/p/BQ-wLldF7v9/

Where did you find those very low profile solar panels?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

TransitCaliforniaCamper

· #17 · Mar 27, 2017

I got mine from Amazon. Solar Panel KINGSOLAR 100 Watt 18 Volt Monocrystalline Semi Flexible Solar Panel Bendable folding Solar panel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WS1R4DA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-Hi2ybMX1PFTZ

TransitCaliforniaCamper

· #18 · Mar 27, 2017

KLP, Yes the roof is super low profile. You do lose some headroom inside when it's closed though. I had it fitted by GTRV in California and I am doing the rest of the work myself. I'm almost there. The windows had a factory tint but I had some film added to the inside. They now offer complete privacy and you can still see out just fine although it's a little dark at night. Let me know if you want to know anything else. Dave

gipsygman

· #19 · Mar 28, 2017

You will never be disappointed with your Sportmobile top. I owned an 89 Ford Sportsmobile for many years. I bought it right from the TX factory, as it was their very first trade-in, back in 95. The factory was right down the street from me and the guys were always happy to chat, they even remembered when they built the one I bought. Quality is second to none with them.

Reactions: 1

PK1

· #20 · Jul 14, 2021

How much weight would you say the SportMobile or GTRV Top added to your rigs overall??

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