POP TOP VS CARAVAN

Macka1706 · Member

POP TOP VS CARAVAN

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to the Forum Macka, Good information to consider.

DMaxer · Guru

My first van was a Jayco single axle pop top. It was a Discovery and about 17 foot and I really liked it. It was light, easy to tow and as I did most of my touring solo it fitted my needs. As I am over 6 ft tall it was always necessary to raise the roof every time I went inside the van. Added to that having solar panels on the roof made the lifting of the roof that much more difficult. The storage was not really an issue when travelling solo. There was room under the bed and sufficient cupboard space for clothes. Wet weather was okay it was just if you were heading off the next morning you did so with wet vinyl around the roof.

I sold the van when I went overseas for an extended time and when I returned I purchased a full caravan. My present van is only about a foot longer but feels much roomier and heaps more space to store a load of junk I never use. The fuel is the same and the towing feels the same as the pop top. Not having to lift the roof and wait for things to dry is great. I wouldn't get another pop top just for those reasons. If I just used the van for a trip once a year then maybe I would but as I now spend most of the year travelling I would choose another full van.

If I did get another van I would get single beds or one three quarter bed. Having a queen size bed in a 18 foot van certainly limits the inside space.

Long Weekend · Guru

DMaxer wrote:
Added to that having solar panels on the roof made the lifting of the roof that much more difficult.

For others having the same problem you can replace the gas lifting struts with ones having a higher rating.

Murray

Cnewc · Veteran Member

I have a small 13 ft poptop with aircon and 2 big solar panels on the roof. Before I set off on my travels (female on my own) I fitted internal airbags. All I have to do is close the valve and switch the pump on which is in a cupboard just inside the door. Once the roof has popped (about a minute) I switch off the pump, open the valve to let the air out of the bags and all is done. Have never had a problem in 3 years. Of course, you have to remember to unlatch the roof and switch the awning lever to unroll .

Hitting the road · Senior Member

We bought a Jayco Journey Outback pop top van after upgrading from our soft floor camper trailer. I preferred the pop top for tree branch clearance in the offroad scenario, a lower towing height, plus improved ventilation for those warmer days when chasing a breeze.
Being able to unzip large openings on all four sides is a real bonus when coupled with opening the windows. The higher vents allow warmer air to escape too rather than being trapped in the van.

The downside is a lot less storage, even though our van is a tandem and a 17' body length, there are no cupboards at ceiling height...the only bonus is once the roof is up there is shelving to take advantage of when parked. There is not as much insulation from outside temps with the canvas section of the poptop, and not as much sound insulation but we have not found that to be any disadvantage to date. The van has air conditioning and a diesel heater, have used both and very satisfied with the comfort,

Being close to 6' I can't stand up in the van with the roof down so it does mean lifting the roof to be comfortable at a road side stop if the weather is ordinary....the awning thing is no issue, yes it does need to be loosened to allow the roof to be raised, but that takes but a moment... and a minute or so to release the catches.

Would I buy another pop top, probably not...and the only reason for that is lack of cupboard space and storage...other makes may offer better storage but the Jayco though...

hufnpuf · Senior Member

Hitting the road wrote:
The downside is a lot less storage,

I felt that the storage in my little poptop was better. It had a pull-out pantry and more drawers. My van now only has one drawer in the "kitchen" area. Also the cupboards/shelves in this van are very shallow in height so I've had to get containers that are shorter in height. In the poptop, I had containers I'd use when parked, I'd put them up on the cupboards. I could put my bits and bobs up there and have it out of the way. I don't have benchspace in my van.

Ivan 01 · Guru

I just voted to help keep Yobarr off his motor bike and 86 from his sports cars.

My only real experience with a pop top is that I bought one once and used it for one months annual leave touring the countryside. I sold it when I got home.

I found it draughty or windy at night. It was also cold. It was a PITA to raise and lower the lid. It had a small fridge and a bed that we had to climb over each other to get out for a P.
It was better to cook outside. The seating was extremely uncomfortable.

All in all when at that time we had compared it to a full van the only advantage was the towing and parking while closed, height.

They might be better today, in fact they are, but I would be reluctant to have another pop top if I had a partner to share my adventures and I would not have one at all unless all my travel was in a warmer climate.
During my holiday mentioned above we did not get any heavy rain but I could bet that the rain may have posed yet another problem.

StewG · Senior Member

On retirement, we did our research and decided on balance that full height van was what we wanted.
PROS:
Reduced set-up and move-out time
Always ready for inside access
Better insulation from cold/heat/rain/noise
CONS:
Watch out for low-hanging branches/bridges (3.1m)
Wind resistance - fuel economy suffers
Side winds have greater effect
Roof is difficult to access for inspection/cleaning

However, we have been able to compare our experience with friends who have a pop-top by travelling away with them. We are pleased with our choice of full-height.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

I agree with 86GTS about the practicalities of a 17' poptop.
Yes they are cooler but in the tropics, who wants to be warm? We carry doonas, light blankets for the cooler climates that our children live in.

Yes I'd like more storage (weight) ability but that means going to a tandem axle but the BIGGEST advantage of our poptop is that I can stand up in it!! While there might be the odd full sized van that might have 6'6" of ceiling clearance, the rooftop airconditioning unit impedes & I might want to wear slippers to keep my feet warm.

It's horses for courses - what suites some-one might not suite every-one. Weigh up what you need, can afford, your van storage & get what suites you.