Thank you so much on all the info here. I’ve been in two minds for an age whether to fit a pop top or get a hi top. Thank you 🙏🏽 I love your hoodie…. Lost one just like it! It would be so funny if it’s the same one! If so, I’m glad it went to a good home 😁 keep up the good work. Thank is again! 👌🏽👍🏽
As is the nature of these things, once completed, issues appear and you discover and learn about how it could have been done differently. However, irrespective of any issues (all of which may be remedied) the greatest thing that's been achieved is in one's sense of self! Having designed, fabricated and installed one's own metal pop top roof is a tremendous achievement, and it hugely reinforces one's confidence in one's own abilities! You've learned far more than how to make a roof and you have the satisfaction of having done it yourself, without spending a huge sum of money.. It was really considerate of you to share your journey with others, and to report back on issues. Credit where its due, your roof is great and it looks really neat.
Very well thought out mate! I have a 2010 Transit Connect I converted into a campervan to take me and my electric bike fun places to explore...but I have thought about a pop top. I saw one of those fiberglass clam shell roof tent, and cut a hole in the roof and attach the roof tent so you would have the nice waterproofed canvas with windows and screens (and can always buy a spare canvas for it for "down the road" because the sun does eat fabric. Brilliant Job!
For someone who has never done the job before...you have to expect redo work....i believe that "if your not screwing up....your not learning".....i say GOOD JOB
I'd have thought you would have needed strengthening bars down both sides of the roof where you've cut it out to stop the flex in the van long ways. My vw had a steel frame going right around the opening of the pop top for this. You've got big balls to try this mate I tell ya 😂 👍
Currently doing a build of my own and making notes so thanks fo rthis series. Wondering if you could maybe attach a window on with zips? Means you can open it up if you want fresh air and would be watertight
Fantastic build it looks very professional, I have always wanted to do this how do you seal the canvas to the actual van so it doesn't leak and did you make the brackets for the gas struts. The canvas is it all one piece, it looks great I'm very impressed. How do you fasten the canvas to the actual pop top itself and do you have to silicone all of it . If you could let me know it would be very appreciated. I'm subscribed enjoy your video very much thanks Dale
If you look at my channel I've done a few build videos on how I've made it. I used brackets from strutsdepot.com, the canvas is two seperate pieces as I don't have a sewing machine, and is attached by bolting strips of metal together holding the fabric between.
Would it help the damp ingress if you drenched the fabric in waterproofing canvas tent spray? You still achieved a good job but I'm sure it was a right head ache to do 👍
@@georgescott6671 I never knew you could do that, Great tip tanks. Do you know clear silicone is 50% stronger than white and brown as the pigment weakens the coloured stuff. Just thought you might find that interesting 🙂
great thought, i would really like to know how you compensated for the roof after you just remove all the structural strength as you'll be going in areas where torsion of the van chassis is going to be bending the rest of the body as it move especially in off road.
I added two steel bars cross wise, and when the roof is down and latched, it adds strength as well. When driving I've not noticed any movement or creaking.
I have only one but important question. When you report to the DVLA that you converted a VAN to a CAMPER..... they don't have any problems that you converted the roof? Are there any official guidelines on what needs to be done to strengthen the roof on the sides (cut crossbeams)?
pointless trying to register with DVLA - they don't allow pop-top conversion as campers anyway, best you can get is "van with windows" because they don't have a high roof, you need to be able to stand in the van as is. A full fibreglass high-top conversion is the only way to get it on a low roof van. The requirements are ridiculous and they apparently reject most applications. As long as your insurance company knows it's a camper (or build in progress) then you're all good. Just report the mods to the insurance as and when you install them; I'm with One Call and they don't charge for modifications for a build in progress
Thank you so much on all the info here. I’ve been in two minds for an age whether to fit a pop top or get a hi top. Thank you 🙏🏽 I love your hoodie…. Lost one just like it! It would be so funny if it’s the same one! If so, I’m glad it went to a good home 😁 keep up the good work. Thank is again! 👌🏽👍🏽
As is the nature of these things, once completed, issues appear and you discover and learn about how it could have been done differently.
However, irrespective of any issues (all of which may be remedied) the greatest thing that's been achieved is in one's sense of self!
Having designed, fabricated and installed one's own metal pop top roof is a tremendous achievement, and it hugely reinforces one's confidence in one's own abilities!
You've learned far more than how to make a roof and you have the satisfaction of having done it yourself, without spending a huge sum of money..
It was really considerate of you to share your journey with others, and to report back on issues.
Credit where its due, your roof is great and it looks really neat.
Awesome videos on this build mate. Really enjoyed eat hung them and seeing the final outcome. You did a great job, fair play to you
Very well thought out mate! I have a 2010 Transit Connect I converted into a campervan to take me and my electric bike fun places to explore...but I have thought about a pop top. I saw one of those fiberglass clam shell roof tent, and cut a hole in the roof and attach the roof tent so you would have the nice waterproofed canvas with windows and screens (and can always buy a spare canvas for it for "down the road" because the sun does eat fabric. Brilliant Job!
Simply BRILLIANT!
Beautiful job. Yes you did it. I am sure your proud of it. Just outstanding!!
Very good a lot of time put in.
Thanks for the advice!!!
Great job for first attempt, im sure u will do another one even better! Look forward to it.
For someone who has never done the job before...you have to expect redo work....i believe that "if your not screwing up....your not learning".....i say GOOD JOB
Great concept and looks awesome -great job 🎉
unfortunately your music dominated your voice and narration of what you did - so lots of audio lost
Damn! This is brave mate 👍 fair play to you 👌🏻
I'd have thought you would have needed strengthening bars down both sides of the roof where you've cut it out to stop the flex in the van long ways. My vw had a steel frame going right around the opening of the pop top for this. You've got big balls to try this mate I tell ya 😂 👍
i know I'm quite randomly asking but does anyone know a good website to watch newly released series online?
@Wells Nolan I watch on FlixZone. Just search on google for it :)
@Zev Karter Definitely, have been watching on flixzone for since april myself :D
@Zev Karter Thank you, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I really appreciate it !!
@Wells Nolan no problem :)
Mix a tube silicone with thinners and aplly to ouside of canvas or get some tent sealer like fabrasil either will cure you wicking problem
Currently doing a build of my own and making notes so thanks fo rthis series. Wondering if you could maybe attach a window on with zips? Means you can open it up if you want fresh air and would be watertight
I'd bought some materials to try it, but when I got so far I was so fed up I decided to leave it!
It's worth it
Mate this is genius!
Where are you based I’d love to see this in person.
Good job 🙌. Maybe try some of that waterproof spray for jackets etc in the canvas? Might help with the saturation
I ended up using a silicone waterproofing, made a good improvement
Amazing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Fantastic build it looks very professional, I have always wanted to do this how do you seal the canvas to the actual van so it doesn't leak and did you make the brackets for the gas struts. The canvas is it all one piece, it looks great I'm very impressed. How do you fasten the canvas to the actual pop top itself and do you have to silicone all of it . If you could let me know it would be very appreciated. I'm subscribed enjoy your video very much thanks Dale
If you look at my channel I've done a few build videos on how I've made it. I used brackets from strutsdepot.com, the canvas is two seperate pieces as I don't have a sewing machine, and is attached by bolting strips of metal together holding the fabric between.
@@georgescott6671 Thanks very much I just saw your other videos now
bacana essa gambiarra
Would it help the damp ingress if you drenched the fabric in waterproofing canvas tent spray?
You still achieved a good job but I'm sure it was a right head ache to do 👍
That's the job I've set myself this weekend! Will mix silicone sealant and white spirits then paint on.
@@georgescott6671 I never knew you could do that, Great tip tanks.
Do you know clear silicone is 50% stronger than white and brown as the pigment weakens the coloured stuff.
Just thought you might find that interesting 🙂
great thought, i would really like to know how you compensated for the roof after you just remove all the structural strength as you'll be going in areas where torsion of the van chassis is going to be bending the rest of the body as it move especially in off road.
I added two steel bars cross wise, and when the roof is down and latched, it adds strength as well. When driving I've not noticed any movement or creaking.
@@georgescott6671 would also like to see the seamless fit on the roof when the top is closed ...but this is great
stuff.
I have only one but important question. When you report to the DVLA that you converted a VAN to a CAMPER..... they don't have any problems that you converted the roof? Are there any official guidelines on what needs to be done to strengthen the roof on the sides (cut crossbeams)?
I'm not planning on talking to the dvla, they have a crazy list of requirements and have been known to reject people even if they've done all of them
pointless trying to register with DVLA - they don't allow pop-top conversion as campers anyway, best you can get is "van with windows" because they don't have a high roof, you need to be able to stand in the van as is. A full fibreglass high-top conversion is the only way to get it on a low roof van. The requirements are ridiculous and they apparently reject most applications. As long as your insurance company knows it's a camper (or build in progress) then you're all good. Just report the mods to the insurance as and when you install them; I'm with One Call and they don't charge for modifications for a build in progress