Pop top versus Full frame

Jacob R · Member

Pop top versus Full frame

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

There are lots of downsides to a pop top, a few perceived advantages but very few real ones.
If you don't need a pop top for storage height reasons, stay with the full body.
Cheers,
Peter

dieseltojo · Senior Member

I Have a pop top as per Peters comment on garage height, I need a low van. But I must say I reckon it is easier to tow. Though not being any lighter than a full van the 400 mm lower in traveling height has to mean less wind resistance.

You see folks attach wind diverter etc to some vans to aid in this regard but simply lowering the rig is another way of doing this. But it shouldn't be the reason to buy one.

I also like that, though it would weigh the same as a full height van, it is a more compact load and therefor the centre of gravity is lower. Not a lot mind you but it all helps in the towing department.

Having had both types the pop top is way better in the Northern heat for mine, and easily beats the full van for ventilation and getting breezes through the van. But that is the opposite in Victoria in the winter. smile

If you read the stories on how heavy the top is to lift (and tiresome) you will see the trade off. With a gas heater installed the winters to me are no problem at all.

For my situation I am sort of trapped. But Idon't mind the pop top at all. I am only 73 years old though and have no probs lifting the top even with 6 solar panels on top. ( increase the hydro struts strength though.) smile

vince56 · Senior Member

Now that I have a full height caravan I have noticed how much quieter they are inside than the canvas alternative. I also think the towing difference is very minimal. The other advantage is that the van cabinetry can be "full height" also so the cupboard space is much better than my old van.

Knight · Senior Member

My first caravan in many decades purchased second-hand in 2012 was a pop top Jaco and it was reasonably comfortable but very basic. I purchased it to see if I wanted to return to caravan travel and then traded it in on a fixed or full height caravan with ensuite bathroom.

I do not miss having to raise and lower the roof, the flapping of canvas in windy conditions, and drafts. And having to remember to check the roof lock down clips.

Rob Driver · Guru

Hi Jacob R,

If the main concern is your wifes allergy to plastic fumes then I suggest not buying a new van, wether it is pop top or not.

Most van manufacturers use vinyls and plastics extensively throughout the interior and when new the fumes from some materials can be quite overpowering.

If buying second hand you may find that most of those fumes have dissipated from the material used and with adequate ventilation should not cause her many problems.

With relation to the pop top or hard top, most of the comments above have covered the main points and I would only add that if you are using the van in colder climates then my choice would be the hard top as the pop top will be colder and although not impossible, harder to heat.

Regards

Rob

-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Wednesday 9th of October 2019 11:49:53 AM

sandgrooper1 · Senior Member

Hi,

Vince and Knight sum up almost perfectly how my wife and I feel after moving from our pop top which we had for 10 years to our full van four years ago.

I agree with all points raised and the only reason I would be going back to a pop top would be for storage height reasons, not by choice.

Possibly a pop top is a better option if you intend to do a lot of bush tracks due to lower clearance for over head branches.

Cheers AL

Knight · Senior Member

vince56 wrote:
Now that I have a full height caravan I have noticed how much quieter they are inside than the canvas alternative. I also think the towing difference is very minimal. The other advantage is that the van cabinetry can be "full height" also so the cupboard space is much better than my old van.

Vince I could not believe how quiet inside my Jurgens Skygazer is with solid panel walls and double glazed windows.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

I have a poptop, and have had 2 full vans before, and this is my second poptop. I actually bought this poptop, because,was lighter then the vans, I had available to me at the time, [plus, we were after single beds, but the beds being a bit wider then the norm, was what this van offered, it also had all the features we wanted, and couldn't at the time find similar in a full van. But if I had my chance again, I would get a full van, and also one with an aluminium frame. For various common sense reasons. IN relation to scents, I cannot smell the vinyl in the van, but it is a few years old now, if you bought anything really new, either a poptop or a full van, you would have a hell of a lot of plastic scents in their. I would suggest your wife, gets into every van and spends at least an half an hour in each one, to see if she would have problems.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Wednesday 9th of October 2019 04:21:51 PM

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Wednesday 9th of October 2019 04:31:02 PM

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Wednesday 9th of October 2019 04:41:46 PM

Eaglemax · Guru

I'm not a fan of poptops, of course some people need to store them under low roofs so there is reasons.

If you browse through the caravan sales section and look at caravans made around 1980's they are a lot lower than the vans made now- and I'm talking bitumen road caravans. New caravans now seem far too high off the ground even when they are not off or semi off road.

My home built is quite low around 8 inches off the ground with a low drop axle. This makes my full van lower than some modern pop top vans remarkably. Considering this, and your wifes allergies, I would look around for an older caravan that has been cherished, garaged and looks new. Any odd material smells would have long gone.

Pictured is a poptop, my van and a Jayco on road van. Note the approx. height of these vans.

Hendo · Guru

How many Pop Tops have you seen upside down recently !

Jacob R · Member

Thanks for the help - pop-top is off the wish list now

Jacob R · Member

Eaglemax wrote:
I'm not a fan of poptops, of course some people need to store them under low roofs so there is reasons.
If you browse through the caravan sales section and look at caravans made around 1980's they are a lot lower than the vans made now- and I'm talking bitumen road caravans. New caravans now seem far too high off the ground even when they are not off or semi off road.
My home built is quite low around 8 inches off the ground with a low drop axle. This makes my full van lower than some modern pop top vans remarkably. Considering this, and your wifes allergies, I would look around for an older caravan that has been cherished, garaged and looks new. Any odd material smells would have long gone.
Pictured is a poptop, my van and a Jayco on road van. Note the approx. height of these vans.

It is indeed interesting to see all those high off the ground 4WD vans. We live next to Warrumbungle NP and see then every day. Back in 1996 we bought an old Hallmark caravan towed with a Land Rover County with 4.8 dual fuel. I towed the monster to places where I dare say not even one modern BIG 4WD caravan would dare to go - in 1999 we took the crossing from Brisbane to Alice Springs via Birdsville - Boulia - Tennant Creek - yes the Plenty hwy , at Coopers creek I reversed the axle from the hub on top the the hub below - making the deep ruts in the road easier to pass , on the Plenty we lost the rear axle , had it fixed at a station and continued happy ever after. Once crossed a river East of Alice , the water was more han Knee deep but we had no choice , it was crossing the river of waiting for the river to cross us. We now use the van as a guest accommodation - the timber is getting a bit tired. But whenever I see those indeed very high modern vans I wonder: "Why do you guys never stop at the bush camp next door but go to the service holiday park in town ???? :D :D
Anyway the Pop Top is off the charts - looking for an old aluminum framed van - not a rotting timber one like our good old Hallmark.