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Subject Topic: Pop top roof in cold weather? Post Reply Post New Topic
25/9/2023 at 11:07am
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Cabanon Malawi 2.0
View iscacamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to iscacamper Reply   Quote iscacamper Quote  
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Hi all,
I'm considering buying a camper van again after a break of several years. I'm thinking of going for a pop-top roof this time due to ease of parking and use as an everyday vehicle. We're a family of three, so our daughter will probably end up sleeping in the roof bed. One of the things I love about having a camper is the ability to camp out of season, but I'm wondering how feasible that would be with a canvas pop-top? Would it be comfortable enough in the roof bed area on chilly nights? I imagine we would need to run a night heater.

We have previously owned an Autosleeper Trooper which had a solid pop-up roof, but we were only two people at the time so could easily close the roof down overnight if it got cold. That won't be an option with three of us!

I'd be interested if anyone has experience to share of camping in a pop-top in autumn/winter.

Thanks!


25/9/2023 at 3:54pm
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View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
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depends on the age of your daughter but if it got really cold surely you would put her in the middle of you both? personally i think the opposite is going to happen, seeing as heat rises and that she will be really warm upstairs


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25/9/2023 at 4:17pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
View dk168's Profile View Profile   Reply to dk168 Reply   Quote dk168 Quote  
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I don't have a pop top, however, I am an ex-tenter and had camped in winter, and it will be cold as there is just a layer of fabric separating the pop top and the elements!

You can buy aftermarket additional insulation though, something like this:

https://www.vanshades.co.uk/product/insulated-pop-top-wrap-universal/

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


25/9/2023 at 6:15pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Cabanon Malawi 2.0
View iscacamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to iscacamper Reply   Quote iscacamper Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 25/9/2023
depends on the age of your daughter but if it got really cold surely you would put her in the middle of you both? personally i think the opposite is going to happen, seeing as heat rises and that she will be really warm upstairs



Thanks. She will be 13 in January, so I don't think her sleeping downstairs with us will be an option!


25/9/2023 at 6:15pm
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View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
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wow DK that is blooming expensive! i would say go the b&q and go the the insulation section, you can buy the stuff you put down the back of radiators on a roll (silver backed bubble wrap basically) that would do the same job and not cost £400 for doing it


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25/9/2023 at 6:17pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Cabanon Malawi 2.0
View iscacamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to iscacamper Reply   Quote iscacamper Quote  
Joined: 08/12/2004

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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 25/9/2023
I don't have a pop top, however, I am an ex-tenter and had camped in winter, and it will be cold as there is just a layer of fabric separating the pop top and the elements!

You can buy aftermarket additional insulation though, something like this:

https://www.vanshades.co.uk/product/insulated-pop-top-wrap-universal/

DK



Thanks DK - the pop top wrap looks interesting. To be honest I think we will probably have to rely on a heater and/or warm sleeping bag and see how it goes. Ideally I'd prefer a high-top van, but practical considerations mean a pop top will suit us better at the moment.


25/9/2023 at 6:19pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
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Never used a pop top, but it's little different to a tent on top of the van with it's thin fabric walls, with exception that heat rises, so any heat in the van is likely to be in the pop top roof!

From what I understand, campers/MHs can be chilly anyway, it's mostly that virtually uninsulated cab area with vast expanse of single layer glass that leaches all the heat out, so chances are you'd ALL want the heating on!

I've got a well insulated 4 season rated caravan with double glazed windows and roof vents, probably much better than a camper in terms of insulation, and I use the heating on chilly nights, I was away in Aug this year and overnight outdoor temps plummeted to 7-8C a few nights - the heating was put on! Been away a few times in Nov, and it was definitely necessary to have the heating on!
But interesting thing is, in bed at the lower level it's only just comfortable, if you stand up, the top of van at head height is stiflingly HOT! - suspect the pop top will be similar, albeit with a bit more heat loss out of fabric walls.


25/9/2023 at 7:13pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
View dk168's Profile View Profile   Reply to dk168 Reply   Quote dk168 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 25/9/2023
wow DK that is blooming expensive! i would say go the b&q and go the the insulation section, you can buy the stuff you put down the back of radiators on a roll (silver backed bubble wrap basically) that would do the same job and not cost £400 for doing it



Indeed expensive, and I have seen DIY jobs for a lot less, just need some foam mats, a tape measure and duct tapes!

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


25/9/2023 at 7:54pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
View dk168's Profile View Profile   Reply to dk168 Reply   Quote dk168 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 25/9/2023
Never used a pop top, but it's little different to a tent on top of the van with it's thin fabric walls, with exception that heat rises, so any heat in the van is likely to be in the pop top roof!

From what I understand, campers/MHs can be chilly anyway, it's mostly that virtually uninsulated cab area with vast expanse of single layer glass that leaches all the heat out, so chances are you'd ALL want the heating on!

I've got a well insulated 4 season rated caravan with double glazed windows and roof vents, probably much better than a camper in terms of insulation, and I use the heating on chilly nights, I was away in Aug this year and overnight outdoor temps plummeted to 7-8C a few nights - the heating was put on! Been away a few times in Nov, and it was definitely necessary to have the heating on!
But interesting thing is, in bed at the lower level it's only just comfortable, if you stand up, the top of van at head height is stiflingly HOT! - suspect the pop top will be similar, albeit with a bit more heat loss out of fabric walls.



Not sure how well insulated is my van, however, the roof top air con can also provide heating as well as cooling, and I have a Webasto heater/hot water system.

The van is designed with a Tambor door between the living area and kitchen/bathroom area, and there is a second set of thick black out curtains separating the cab and the living area (the first set is only down to the seats in the cab for privacy purposes and not floor-length).

This way, the volume that requires to be heated or cooled is minimised to the living area only and not the entire van.

The van is cosy when the heating kicks in during chilly nights, normally set at about 15 degC as I don't like it too warm.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


via mobile 25/9/2023 at 9:43pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
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I used to sleep on the bunk bed up in the pop top of my parents’ VW camper in the mid 60s. This was at all times of year, because we went with my dad whose job needed year round travel at weekends. It wasn’t cold that kept me awake, but we did live in a house by the Clyde with no central heating. What took a few nights to get used to was the bar along the length of the hammock - it was just a narrow piece of canvas that rolled out & hooked open, then got rolled away in the morning. If it’s comfy up there, with warm bedding plus a hot water bottle, I think it’ll be fine. If not, Daddy can man up and swap places next night.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


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26/9/2023 at 9:21am
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Treat it as a tent and follow advice for winter camping.


via mobile 27/9/2023 at 1:17pm
 Location: up north
 Outfit: Jack Wolfskin tent and VW Kombi
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1) We camped in a Transporter all through last winter (waking up to ice inside the van windows some mornings) but we were always nice n cosy at night, without heating, albeit in the main part of the van.

2) Bit of a wild card idea...if she struggles with the cold as we move towards winter then what about a (very small) one man tent, if you can find one to fit the pop top dimensions? Or a bivvy bag to go over her sleeping bag?


via mobile 24/7/2024 at 1:00am
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
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I have the diesel heater, but with EHU tend to use my low wattage electric heater with thermostat cut out - heats the van up fast. I am also looking at the thermal wraps for pop top, but might take the advice here and make my own. A friend takes her electric blanket. I always take hot water bottles for everyone.



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