Camper Pop Top Roof Fitting

Our pop top roof work only turns out so well due to our meticulous planning. A large part of being a skilled craftsman is down to an ability to properly plan out the work and exercise patience while working.

Here’s our typical project process:

1) Inspect the vehicle thoroughly. This step is especially important for used vans where there may be damage at some point around the roofline of the vehicle.

2) Mark out the hole to be cut into the roof. Our team are definitely advocates of the “measure twice, cut once” ethos, as it very difficult to correct an error once cutting has begun. The distance from the front of the van roof to the front of the opening has to be spot on, and the same for the rear.

3) If the camper pop top roof is to be painted, it is marked and trimmed to size first.

4) The canvas has to be well protected from any paint, oil or general dirt as these can leave a mark that may be very difficult to remove.

5) The headlining is then removed and is either adapted or new trim is fitted when the roof is finished. Any roof wiring is re-routed.

6) Whilst carefully cutting the hole with an angle grinder, all cut metal edges are covered and safety gloves and goggles are used when handling tools and cut metal.

7) We use protective covers when working on a camper van, inside and out, to ensure no accidental damage to painted surfaces.

8) The roof strengthening frame work and pop top are then fitted, sealed, double checked and also checked for water ingress. Even though camper pop top roof fitting is a daily occurrence in our workshop, every vehicle gets a test drive to ensure there is no movement of fitted parts. The team will each double check another team member’s work.

Camper Pop Top Roof fitting will improve immeasurably on a camper vans living area, turning a 2 berth van into a 4 berth one. The extra headroom is pretty much vital if you’re standing up in the van for cooking or washing up in the sink. The extra light provided in the van is also brilliant. These conversions can be difficult, though, and it’s very important to have the right high quality tools to hand when working. It certainly isn’t as simple as cutting a hole in the van roof and bolting on the pop top roof. Structural strengthening beams have to be correctly fitted to ensure the roof retains its rigidity. A badly fitted pop top roof is a certain MOT failure! It is vital that measurements made are accurate, to make sure the cut out is covered by the roof frame and can be properly sealed against water ingress.

A camper pop top roof is made from fibreglass (glass reinforced plastic) and comes with hinges and gas rams pre-fitted. The steel strengthening beams are fitted; front and rear, inside the roof, and two side beams are then fixed along the length of the roof. We use plenty of silicone sealant to prevent pop top roof movement noises during driving. Attention to detail is important to us. The pop top roof has to look like it was factory fitted; in fact the roofs we fit enhance the overall appearance of a camper van, turning it into a great looking vehicle.

Call us today and let’s get together to discuss your camper pop top roof fitting project.