Is it worth getting a poptop installed in a high mileage van?

[kguy865]

Hi all,

Just after people's thoughts on/ what would you do in this situation:

I have recently bought a 2010 T5.1 (1.9 T28) and it's done 187,000 miles. From what I can gather it's been fairly well looked after, full service history etc

The van has a full width bed, big enough to fit all 3 of us (we have a 7 year old son)... So getting a poptop is not an urgent necessity for us to enjoy camping in it...

On the other hand, we would like a poptop...

Are we crazy for contemplating spending the extra few thousand on a van with that sort of mileage?

Or do you think we would be better off saving that money for the next (newer/lower mileage) van, whenever that might be?

Any thoughts welcome and apologies if this has been asked before, I did have a look for a similar thread...

 

[JOG]

Too many variables to give a definitive answer. However, if you think you’ll get a few years out of the van, then the extra room a pop top gives is a benefit. That said, a good awning gives a lot of room for much less cost!!! (And, you can have a roof rack!)

I wouldn’t be too bothered by the mileage

 

[Kind of Blue]

Another alternative might be a roof tent. Take it with you if you change vehicles in the future. Though it does not facilitate standing. Evidently it is also possible to make a bed up at the front seats for youngsters, can not recall who the manufacturers are. I can not answer your question sorry.

 

[JumpShip]

Will you get your moneys worth of use out of it?
How long do you intend to keep your van ?

 

[JoshB_]

It’s a 1.9….
It’s barely run in at 187k! My mate has a T5 with the PDi engine on over 300k that still runs sweet.
I’d be more concerned with rust before doing a pop top.

As mentioned above, too many variables. If the van is tip top and your pride and joy then go for it.

 

[kguy865]

It’s a 1.9….
It’s barely run in at 187k! My mate has a T5 with the PDi engine on over 300k that still runs sweet.
I’d be more concerned with rust before doing a pop top.

As mentioned above, too many variables. If the van is tip top and your pride and joy then go for it.

That's music to my ears!

As for rust... The underside has a bit here and there - but as far as I know no bits that can't be replaced (at what cost is a different matter )

I did have a two coolant pipes and the thermostat housing replaced due to rusting through/leaking - but hopefully engine wise the rest is sound

 

[kguy865]

Thanks for your replies everyone, been very helpful.

Funny thing is, originally I wasn't going to bother with a poptop, I was just going to sort out the paint job on the roof (one of the previous owners had rollered it black and it's flaking off in big chunks - rest of the paint is not so bad I'm comparison)

Looked into wrapping the roof (cheaper) but of course wrapping onto flaky paint is not a great idea, which then made me look at having it painted... Then I saw the price of a cheap poptop and thought I might as well go for that for a little bit extra... The looking into poptops I've persuaded myself I'd be better off spending more to get a better quality one...

Funny how it spirals out of control, isn't

Think I'll give it a year, see how it goes when it comes to MOT time

 

[kguy865]

Looks like the poptops will have to go on the back burner for now... My cambelt has just snapped ... and I had it booked in for a change the Wednesday after next

 

[Kind of Blue]

Looks like the poptops will have to go on the back burner for now... My cambelt has just snapped ... and I had it booked in for a change the Wednesday after next

Ouch, has it escaped further damage? Let us hope so, no idea the expense and difficulty. Really sorry to hear that just as you where considering expanding the leisure side of things .

 

[kguy865]

Just been on the phone to the recovery people/garage, he thinks it's just the serpentine belt/ ancillary belt - whatever the name is... Hopefully not as catastrophic as I'd originally thought

 

[Kind of Blue]

Just been on the phone to the recovery people/garage, he thinks it's just the serpentine belt/ ancillary belt - whatever the name is... Hopefully not as catastrophic as I'd originally thought

That is better news! Have it replaced and drive away or having additional just in case work sorted?

 

[kguy865]

That is better news! Have it replaced and drive away or having additional just in case work sorted?

Getting towed home (hopefully soon) and on Monday will ring the guys who were going to do my cambelt week after next and get them to do the lot (hopefully there's no other damage done )

And of all the places for this to happen, it happened at the same place I had my burst coolant pipe - Kimmeridge Bay is cursed, I swear!

 

[JOG]

Don’t forget to have the water pump done at the same time!

 

[kguy865]

Yep, got that booked in too

Don’t forget to have the water pump done at the same time!

 

[T5_Kombi_Rob]

Going back to your original question, we're in the same situation, although we now have 2 kids so sleeping space was getting tight- got our T5.1 booked in for a poptop in the next few weeks. We've had the van a couple of years and used it happily without, but looking forward to having extra space now. I don't think I'd want to put a 'budget' poptop on, we've got with a standard skyline, which will hopefully mean it's fairly long-lasting. If budget is tight or you aren't commited to the van, I think I'd suggest a rooftent as was suggested above

 

[kguy865]

Going back to your original question, we're in the same situation, although we now have 2 kids so sleeping space was getting tight- got our T5.1 booked in for a poptop in the next few weeks. We've had the van a couple of years and used it happily without, but looking forward to having extra space now. I don't think I'd want to put a 'budget' poptop on, we've got with a standard skyline, which will hopefully mean it's fairly long-lasting. If budget is tight or you aren't commited to the van, I think I'd suggest a rooftent as was suggested above

Thanks for the reply, definitely food for thought.

Just out of interest, seeing as you've had yours a couple of years now... Have you had any breakdowns/ disasters at all?

I've had mine 2 months now and had 2 big stresses with it already - I'm hoping that that's my bad luck out of the way but I'm also wondering if I'm being naive

 

[T5_Kombi_Rob]

No disasters, but a few bills for sure. DMF needed replacing a little while back, and the starter motor gave up, but apart from that it's just usual maintenance. My attitude is that once you get to know a van, and sort out any issues, its a safer bet to keep than upgrade, unless you are going for a significantly newer van