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A more economical alternative to Field Vans, Sportsmobile, and Colorado Campervan Pop Top. This top starts at 11k+ installed and typically would be 16K+ with options (fan, solar, headliner modification, shipping...)
This is a superior alternative to buying a roof rack then installing a roof top tent and about the same price installed giving you a dry entry point from inside a van vs outside on a ladder.
Video walk around first impressions
How large will the opening be? This is example of the cut out for entry from INSIDE the van to the pop top system.
Special seal for entry into the top from the van for hole opening. We used sealant as well to make sure we have a water tight seal...and tested it to make sure it won't leak in future. Its recommended to use sealant but not required. I would for sure use it to be 100% sure.
The top with 300w solar panels and Max Air Fan. Installing the fan and doing any electrical wiring before install is a must. To do this later, especially running wiring down the the support structure channels would not be a good time on top of a van. We did this prep work before putting the top on. You need a crane to put the top on. The top is very awkward and over 200lbs. Fit on the roof rails is exact. Threading the mounting bolts on the mounting feet on the rails is a bit tricky as its super tight...that took the majority of the time to line everything up and get the mounting bolts started into the slide nuts in the roof rack rails.
It took a bit of a work to install this first time...2nd time around will go much smoother as we figured out a bunch of install hacks to make things go smoothly...as with any part its always much longer than you think to install something. Figure its a good solid day with crew to get the top on...then more time to do interior work inside to finish the install out to a headliner. Crane as well is needed to lift it safely...its over 200 lbs and very awkward to lift and even more so threading those mounting bolts on. (figured a hack on this next time around that I think will save us a bunch of time)
Mounted and secured
Will be adding this extension on soon. This is needed for awning and would work handy if you wanted to mount front lights. Unfortunately it requires cutting, tapping threads, and some special hardware that was not with the rack so we had to order some hardware (T nuts) that did not come with the kit. You will need to cut the beams down...so a special saw due to the thickness is needed to cut down the beams. For the price of this extension, it should be 100% bolt on in our opinion with no modification needed. Its not a needed item however for this top.
stock photo of the extension
Working out interior trim to a factory headliner. Because we are going to install cabinets we will have to modify or make a custom trim ring to the top as the opening is just under an inch to wide for the optimal L track placement for cabinet mounting unless you want to run super small cabinets. If you are not running cabinets the stock trim ring would work just fine in any headliner. Its very similar to a Max Air Fan Trim ring...just much larger. The hole is big enough for a normal full size adult to climb up into...I think however it would be a big snug if you are a very large person. SMB and CVC tops of course do not have this issue, however this is not a direct competitor to those tops in our opinion, its an alternative that is superior to a regular roof top tent due to the opening to inside of the van making it way safer to enter the top as well as to avoid bad weather or slippery wet conditions if you had to climb a ladder outside of the van.
Modified trim piece to work with the L track positioning for storage cabinets that will go into this van. The L track position interfered with the opening and trim ring for entry into the Pop Top.
To put decent sized cabinets you will have to modify the opening to get them to fit. Here is a stock headliner and a Van Essentials Cabinet (basically same as AW Mule Bag). Its just short like 1/2 inch...but it will work with some modification.
Top with extension, this would be needed to mount an awning. This extension (first production units) unfortunately are not "bolt on" exactly. You need to cut them down and tap the channel to assemble them. This requires special tools that are not normal for an average DIYer.
In review:
Professional install a good idea, you need a crane to install this and more than a single person to put the top on a van. Its heavy and awkward to lift up so high. It does take a lot more than a few hours to install in a finished van. It is not directly comparable to SMB or CCV top, but is very similar to SCA top. Its a decent top for the price installed which will typically be realistically $12-16k with options.
What we like:
Lowest priced Pop Top in the market (1/2 to 1/3 less to higher end Pop Tops)
Inside entry, superior to just bolting on a roof tent on a rack
No roof rack needed
Decent sleeping area, wide and can fit someone easily at 6 feet
Install is fairly simple, takes 1-2 days depending on options
Complete system and usable "as is" including a trim ring
Good seal design to the roof top, seems water tight
Windows, black out covers, and screens can be replaced, they zip in/out
Top walls can be replaced, they zip on/off
The Compromises compared to the more expensive tops:
Side Windows- only black out and screens, no windows
Front Window- no screen, black out and window only, window thickness is pretty thin
No insulation option
Zippers have some small openings could be issue in very bad weather
No built in lights or out outlets (could be added, but time consuming)
No Built in fan (can be added, but not pre-wired for power)
Limited "sit up area" this is common with any top in a triangle shape
Manual lift, can be a bit difficult if fan and solar panels on top vs powered top, could use stronger struts
Lift Struts are exposed to weather...likely require replacement more often
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