Making a poptop roof higher
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 20, 2022 at 01:44
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nickb
I’m looking to upgrade to a 2nd hand poptop. Found one I really like but the issue is interior height. This particular poptop has an internal height of 1.87m - problem is I’m 1.98m tall.
Currently the vinyl skirt is about 400mm high, can I go to 550mm?
Is that too tall to be strong enough in high winds?
What modifications are required?
No ac on roof but has a couple of solar panels.
Cheers
Nick
Reply By: Erad - Sunday, Mar 20, 2022 at 15:19
Sunday, Mar 20, 2022 at 15:19
Theoretically, there should be no problem in raining the height of the roof. You would need extended lifting mechanism - later model pop-tops use gas struts instead of the old scissor lifts. The principle is the same though - you have the canvas or fabric skirt raised and under tension. I am not sure about my Jayco Poptop - how high the roof raises, but I doubt it would be 550 mm - I suspect more like 450 mm.
As for stability in high winds, we used to have a camper with wind up roof and slide-out beds. The roof raised at least 1 metre on what appeared to be flimsy corner posts. Now that roof used to sway around in the wind but it never failed and we went through some very strong winds at times. Eventually I put some cleats on the sides of the roof and under windy conditions, I tied the roof down to pegs in the ground. With a poptop caravan, the roof stability comes from the fabric un der tension - for the roof to move laterally in any direction, it has to dip lower at one end than the other, and with suitable tension provided by the gas lifts, it won't do this. We have had our poptop out in very windy conditions and on one night, we slept with the roof closed, but the was the only time.
Speak to a caravan repairer or a supplier of the skirts and see what they say, but I can see no reason that your proposal won't work, given the extra height gas lifts as
well. You will also have to extend the electrical wiring because of the extra height.
AnswerID:
639886
Follow Up By: nickb - Monday, Mar 21, 2022 at 00:24
Monday, Mar 21, 2022 at 00:24
Cheers, I have a jayco dove and you’re right, for what they are they stand up to a lot of wind.
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Reply By: bobsabobsa - Tuesday, Mar 22, 2022 at 14:17
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2022 at 14:17
The easy lift bars / frames call it what you want , that lift the roof from inside would be a major
redesign .
the skirt easy peasy,
longer struts not so, but would be doable , you would have to work out the repositioning due to the length increase and when compressed to where they
seat in the closed position
maybe a bump hat would be cheaper hahaha only joking
but maybe keep looking until you get what you want would be better
Bob
AnswerID:
639907
Follow Up By: nickb - Friday, Mar 25, 2022 at 23:34
Friday, Mar 25, 2022 at 23:34
Cheers Bob, the seller did offer to cut a bit out of my chin!
I spoke to an older canvas guy today, he used to replace skirts. He was confident that sorting out the scissor lifts wouldn't be too bad a job while replacing the canvas. As you say, struts will need a bit of thought but not too big an issue. This poptop has no internal lifts, just handles used to push up.
Been looking for a few months, most have been too expensive, average condition/needed too much work etc, this one ticks 90% of the boxes at the right price, if only I was shorter...
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Reply By: nickb - Monday, Apr 04, 2022 at 23:29
Monday, Apr 04, 2022 at 23:29
Thanks all for the replies, I decided to buy the caravan. The extended top will have to wait a while though. I bought it as a project, the interior will be getting modified to suit.
New question, are there any issues with removing the overhead cupboards and the top shelf?
Does the shelf serve any other purpose than to hold the skirt when the roof is down?
This is the caravan, above the door and fridge there is no shelf, I would like it to be like that all around the interior.
AnswerID:
640087