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Following on from a former query regarding dimensions, a quick follow-up.
The big-brand elevating roofs cost an eye-watering amount compared to some of the smaller players. Has anybody got any recommendations WRT lower-cost suppliers? Positive and negative experiences welcome - is it worth spending the extra for Reimo/HiLo/SCA et al, or are there any cheaper ones that are just as good?
TIA
I've a LWB and a hilo. I like the product, not so much dealing with them.
They're backing out on fixing /replacing a window mesh that has split saying it's misuse of the window. But it's directly on a crease in the mesh and on both sides.
The roof is nice and low and does give you lots of headroom/foot space.
The panoramic tent feature is nice when you're parked up.
Having said all of that, I would not buy a Transporter again if I want to sleep in it. Too many compromises with regards to storage, cooking, sleeping, bike storage, crouching down all the time, hitting your head despite the roof being up and being discreet when parking up (hard to be stealthy when the roof is above the hedges....).
Want to buy a lhd, 2009, murdered out, LWB, solar, fridge, under floor has tank, new drive shafts, new Conti all season tyres....? 28,000€ and she's yours..
😂
Don't buy Reimo. Shite.
Also. Make sure you make the most of the LWBness of the van by fitting a really long bed.
Or just do what the useless fools at Torbay Camper Conversions did and fit the same shitty little short bed that fits in the SWB. and end up with an enormous hole and a compromised sleeping area. Good job they don't do this sort of thing for a living...... Oh wait...
The horror stories of some of the roofs I’ve read (bending with a kayak on top, fabric getting scissored, popping open, water ingress etc), means if we do pop ours we will be saving hard and going for the eye watering Jerba. Seen it at the NEC and it was wonderful. Much better than the Reimos etc.
The hilo works with a steel frame and can be used with a roof rack with a load of >100kg.
Friends of ours have a SCA roof and fitted a roof rack. It sags like mad and it's only a year old.
Lots of dodgy installers around, mostly thanks to the popularity of these vans and everyone jumping onto the bandwagon.
Had to go back with our van several times due to issues with the finishing. Place near Colchester... Google "Colchester, hilo, Vision....".
IME avoid.
I have a T5 SWB with a pop-top with what I assume was a cheap roof as it bowes in the middle. It came with the van and it’s seems to be a no name make. However I have re-proofed the canvas a few years ago & it does work fine apart from the bow that collects water when it rains in a puddle.
Dunno if these guys are in the eyewatering price range but they are always busy http://www.vamoosecamperconversions.co.uk/vamoose_elevating_roofs
I’ve got a reimo, if I did it again I’d honestly spend the extra and put a California roof on. Don’t think they do a lwb version though. Much better bed and roof system.
They all have their pros and cons, but buy the fitter not the roof. Talk to a few converters see what they fit. Get recommendations.
CC campers did the roof on our vivaro. Was fine after 6yrs of good use before we sold it. Would recommend.
SCA roof on our T5 LWB was ace. Whole conversion inc roof was done by Jerba. No complications or complaints at all. Roof bed was long and fairly comfy, better after I added a memory foam topper. Not cheap though.
Since sold it after 10 years for the greater space a caravan offers but still miss it. Still going strong with my work colleague who bought it.
We have had a Vamoose on our T4 for two summers and it's a joy to use, good as new and designed to carry weight.
Great people to deal with too.
Cheap UK poptop on mine,never leaked or anything,can take fair bit of weight too.
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I’ve got a Skyline in my LWB T6 - seems a solid bit of kit so far (8 months in).
My in-laws have a Reimo. The sides pulled away from the roof while on holiday, I think it got repaired under warranty when they got back though.
We have a cheap one (fitted before we bought the van) which has hinges instead of a scissor at the rear. It means that tall folk won't like it as you don't have much space for your feet at the end! I sleep downstairs instead, which is comfier and quieter 🙂
Thanks all. Some useful stuff for me to mull over there. 😀