Horizon Pop Top - Experience

[tommycj]

I just had a Horizon Pop Top installed in my T6 4Motion and wanted to share my experience, as I know there aren't many real-life reviews on here so I'd share my experience.

Let me know if I can answer any questions.

First of all, it was installed at Custom Haus in Swindon, an authorised dealer for Horizon. From start to finish, they were incredible; their customer service and workmanship were second to none. I would 100% recommend them and am going to go back there to put a Front Runner roof rack and other things in the future.


The Build
-The material is very high quality, it feels very premium.
-It is very slimline when down; you literally cannot notice it. I had it sprayed the same colour as my van so that helps.
-You don't lose any space inside when it's down.


Here is a photo of it down, you can see it looks very much like the stock roof.


Sleeping in and usability
It takes me about three minutes to put it up. You have to unscrew two bolts inside the front of the van and two at the back, unlock the safety catch, and push it up.
-It takes five minutes to put it down. It's a pretty easy process when you know what you're doing.
-It is massive inside, when the bed platform is up and when it's down. It adds so much space and light and has transformed the van.
-I put Vango Mattress in there, and I've slept in there with my dog, we were very comfortable, and it's blacked out.


Photos of the inside.

 

[Bav]

Looks great @tommycj.

The Horizon roof was developed from the Hilo roof (which is the roof I have), and with a Hilo you definitely lose 2-3" of headroom in the rear of the van due to the rear hinge mechanism sitting below the original roofline, so I'm intrigued by your comment that "you don't lose any space inside when it's down". Do you have the floor-to-roof measurements from the rear of the van for before and after fitment?

 

[DXX]

It certainly is a very high pop top, much higher than my Reimo Easi-fit.
The only thing to be wary of is the wind, even with a lower roof you need to consider the wind direction and speed (inc forecast) when parking up for the night.

 

[Bav]

I was assured that the Hilo had been tested in "very high winds". Whilst no specific wind speeds were ever quoted, having used it several times in what i would describe as very strong, blustery winds, I'm confident it copes better than most designs (subject, of course, to sensible precautions, like orientating the van with the wind).

 

[Skyliner33]

Looks great @tommycj.

The Horizon roof was developed from the Hilo roof (which is the roof I have), and with a Hilo you definitely lose 2-3" of headroom in the rear of the van due to the rear hinge mechanism sitting below the original roofline, so I'm intrigued by your comment that "you don't lose any space inside when it's down". Do you have the floor-to-roof measurements from the rear of the van for before and after fitment?

The OP is incorrect, from the Horizon Roof website:

Inside Height Loss*

@ CAB front seats: 5-10mm

@ KOMBI seat: 25-35mm

@Rear R/R Seat: 50-60mm

 

[tommycj]

With the height loss, It may say that - but I am saying that I do not feel like I have lost any room - I feel like I've gained it!

2.5cm isn't alot for what you gain.

 

[Bav]

With the height loss, It may say that - but I am saying that I do not feel like I have lost any room - I feel like I've gained it!

2.5cm isn't alot for what you gain.

Oh, I agree the gains when the roof up are significant compared to the minimal losses when down, but then we only ever travel 2 up so rear headroom on the move ain't a problem for us. For those needing to carry taller adults/older teens in the back though, their passengers may well struggle for headroom, especially if they have a rib bed fitted.

 

[gjt01]

Oh, I agree the gains when the roof up are significant compared to the minimal losses when down, but then we only ever travel 2 up so rear headroom on the move ain't a problem for us. For those needing to carry taller adults/older teens in the back though, their passengers may well struggle for headroom, especially if they have a rib bed fitted.

We have the Horizon Roof fitted which I absolutely love. It looks incredible and you can hardly tell it has a pop top.

I would definitely agree with the comment regarding carrying taller passengers in the back though. We have a rib bed, and you will loose head room, so something to consider however its a compromise I was happy to accept when the roof is down. The room inside the van when roof is up and bi-fold bed is pushed back though is very good.

 

[tommycj]

Here it is on a recent trip to France

 

[Thinbo]

Good review @tommycj
I’ve just bought a 2nd hand van with a Hilo roof. It’s really noticeable the extra height when up compared to other roofs, helped by the bifold board.

My kids (8+5) can stand up in the roof!

The one downside is the lack of space to leave a mattress in it when down. I stuck a couple of my old thermarests in there, but kids have complained they’re not comfortable enough.

Which Vango mattress do you use?
I was thinking of buying the Vango California pop top 5 cm

 

[Bav]

Which Vango mattress do you use?
I was thinking of buying the Vango California pop top 5 cm

That's the one we use, though, as 2 adults sleeping in the pop-top, we find we need to use it in conjunction with a mattress topper.

For a little extra comfort, you might want to consider something like this...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mp/vango/vango-rock-and-roll-12cm-self-inflating-sleeping-mattress-shadow-grey/_/R-p-0aecc513-4fc9-4436-b99c-fcbae105ec36?mc=0aecc513-4fc9-4436-b99c-fcbae105ec36_c3.c8&c=grey_blue&utm_term=0aecc513-4fc9-4436-b99c-fcbae105ec36&srsltid=AfmBOooeAwKueufD1zyV6rd42IIQ_bbn02YWJY_GQz9zaWYTb94vQMsQ6tc

It's designed for use on an R&R bed, but can't see why it wouldn't work 'upstairs'.

 

[cgtmiles]

Unless you sleep in the top I’m not sure the point of a really high roof but I don’t have one so I can’t (or shouldn’t) comment on that ( I appreciate that I just did ) but we do have a RIB bed and I would say the problem with height loss when down has to be at least in part to do with the seats being too high! My feet dangle like a 5 year old when I sit on it, why couldn’t they just find a way to make it an inch or 2 lower???

 

[Neilson]

Unless you sleep in the top I’m not sure the point of a really high roof but I don’t have one so I can’t (or shouldn’t) comment on that ( I appreciate that I just did ) but we do have a RIB bed and I would say the problem with height loss when down has to be at least in part to do with the seats being too high! My feet dangle like a 5 year old when I sit on it, why couldn’t they just find a way to make it an inch or 2 lower???

I agree. love our rib bed but they could have easily designed it to be 2" lower.

 

[Skyliner33]

That's the one we use, though, as 2 adults sleeping in the pop-top, we find we need to use it in conjunction with a mattress topper.

For a little extra comfort, you might want to consider something like this...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mp/vango/vango-rock-and-roll-12cm-self-inflating-sleeping-mattress-shadow-grey/_/R-p-0aecc513-4fc9-4436-b99c-fcbae105ec36?mc=0aecc513-4fc9-4436-b99c-fcbae105ec36_c3.c8&c=grey_blue&utm_term=0aecc513-4fc9-4436-b99c-fcbae105ec36&srsltid=AfmBOooeAwKueufD1zyV6rd42IIQ_bbn02YWJY_GQz9zaWYTb94vQMsQ6tc

It's designed for use on an R&R bed, but can't see why it wouldn't work 'upstairs'.

I think its too wide to work 'upstairs'.

 

[Bav]

I think its too wide to work 'upstairs'.

Probably - might squeeze it in, but it'll be pushing against the canvas, so no good if it is/has been raining.

 

[Skyliner33]

Probably - might squeeze it in, but it'll be pushing against the canvas, so no good if it is/has been raining.

I found these mattress toppers, they are100cm wide so should fit without touching the canvas. Although id sleeping with a duvet rather than a sleeping bag the duvet might rub the canvas.

Mattress topper 100 x 200 cm | Mattresses Discount

Die besten Topper in 100x200 cm | Ihre Vorteile ➤ Kostenloser Versand ✔ Blitzschnelle Lieferung ✔

matratzen.discount

 

[TfletcherTF9]

Late to this thread but very topical for me! I am looking at a Horizon roof also. I have a Halo roof fitted and love the look however, after a few trips this year I now want to add a pop-top. How did you manage to get the Red strip lighting added? That looks really cool and exactly the look I am after. Thanks! Tom

 

[dErZ]

Good review @tommycj
I’ve just bought a 2nd hand van with a Hilo roof. It’s really noticeable the extra height when up compared to other roofs, helped by the bifold board.

My kids (8+5) can stand up in the roof!

The one downside is the lack of space to leave a mattress in it when down. I stuck a couple of my old thermarests in there, but kids have complained they’re not comfortable enough.

Which Vango mattress do you use?
I was thinking of buying the Vango California pop top 5 cm

I purchased this inflatable mattress as recommended in this link, you can leave the mattress deflated up there with the roof down.

HiLo PopTop - mattress

You may struggle with space in the HiLo, depending on how flat that mattress will go. @Ozi, @russ_e or @Honest_Bertie mught be able to tell you this as a search shows they’ve bought the same brand. I’ve got a SWB HiLo Sport and think the bed measures 118cm wide, but this was fitted in 2017 so...

www.t6forum.com

 

[oldgoat]

Have recently (beginning 2024) had a Horizon roof fitted (T6 LWB)…

Pros…looks great, very subtle (yes you do lose some headspace to fit the system in, no back seats for us, as when looked found with RIB seat clearance / comfort was getting tight (bench seat instead) and great standing clearance front and back).

The cons… had (some fixed) and having some problems: (ponding / standing water (roof bows, and also water held within recessed gutters against canvas), leaks at gutter to canvas junctions, poor quality control in pop up moulding). Luckily asked for roof installation with no finishing, so easier to see / fix. Working with and resolving with installer and supplier first before post outcome. Both installer and supplier fully engaged and very constructive in resolving, so hopefully sorted soon…watch this space!

 

[roooms]

Have recently (beginning 2024) had a Horizon roof fitted (T6 LWB)…

Pros…looks great, very subtle (yes you do lose some headspace to fit the system in, no back seats for us, as when looked found with RIB seat clearance / comfort was getting tight (bench seat instead) and great standing clearance front and back).

The cons… had (some fixed) and having some problems (ponding / standing water (roof and held within recessed gutters), leaks at gutter to canvas junctions, poor quality control in pop up moulding). Luckily asked for roof installation with no finishing, so easier to see / fix. Working with and resolving with installer and supplier first before post outcome. Both installer and supplier fully engaged and very constructive in resolving, so hopefully sorted soon…watch this space!

Who was the installer?