the bed system in my SCA is a sprung wooden slats which I don't think others have and also the canvas can be replaced, again i don't think others can. happy to be proved wrong.
Which Pop-Top?
- Thread starter T6dder
- Start date
lovethemountains
New Member
Anybody done a lowlife stealth roof? I'm new to this but assume its like a Hi-lo but in carbon fibre. I thinking of a reimo - all looks excellent but not keen on the overall look. Lowlife roof looks really nice....not easy.
I spoke to a few fitters when discussing a HiLo and Low Life popped up in conversation (with Vision Tech Automotive).. they told me they had dim views on the quality of the LowLife roof.
They didn’t expand and I’m not sure whether they were based on seeing the roofs in the flesh or just on what they’d heard.
Try, if you can, and speak to van owners who’ve had a Low Life installed before you take the leap!
lovethemountains
New Member
Thank you. I had a look at Vision Tech Automotive the message says they can't take calls and the email bounces back. I'll try again. Thanks for thoughts. Still looking for people who have had the lowlife roof fitted.
Looked at the low life roof at Busfest, and compared side by side with Hilo. Thought the lowlife one was rubbish. Hinges are inside the canvas. Roof looked flimsy. The paint had been rubbed off the roof down to bare metal where the closed poptop clearly judders around.
lovethemountains
New Member
That's really helpful - thank you. As I say, I'm very new to all this but the van is ordered so I'm in now 
Reading the threads, people clearly like the SCA. Is there a general consensus to go SCA over Reimo or am I getting into all sorts of personal tastes? Really, I'm just looking to navigate immediately away from anything that members know is inferior - hence your experience at Busfest is so useful to me as a novice. I want a van as a keeper so more interested in getting it right than saving the cash.
Reading the threads, people clearly like the SCA. Is there a general consensus to go SCA over Reimo or am I getting into all sorts of personal tastes? Really, I'm just looking to navigate immediately away from anything that members know is inferior - hence your experience at Busfest is so useful to me as a novice. I want a van as a keeper so more interested in getting it right than saving the cash.
Personally I like the Hilo. Don’t have a pop top yet..........That's really helpful - thank you. As I say, I'm very new to all this but the van is ordered so I'm in now
It is very much a case of personal taste. Loads of folk highly rate the SCA, Reimo, Skyline; but for me, they all look like the van is wearing a Tupe. But that’s the beauty of the VW Transporter, you can make it whatever you want to, and to hell with anyone else’s opinion. They can do whatever they want on their own van.
I think SCA makes our roof?
Whoever it is, it’s electric, now waterproof (the old one wasn’t) and pretty low profile.
Ideal.
Whoever it is, it’s electric, now waterproof (the old one wasn’t) and pretty low profile.
Ideal.
lovethemountains
New Member
Clearly I have plenty of research to do.....thank you for valuable input - all very helpful. I'm trying not to be a 'maximiser' i.e. someone who is never happy because there is another choice which might have been better, but I'm not sure speccing a T6 is help with this tendency !
Looked a a few myself when deciding, I found them most important factor when getting a roof installed was who actually installed because quality of workmanship varies a lot!
I decided in an Insatll without exploria of a Reimo roof and am very happy with it, got their own bed which has integrated lights that look really well, finish and install was top notch from them also. They will also offer the SCA but the preferred and recommended the Reimo so I went with that, only tried it twice but very happy so far
I decided in an Insatll without exploria of a Reimo roof and am very happy with it, got their own bed which has integrated lights that look really well, finish and install was top notch from them also. They will also offer the SCA but the preferred and recommended the Reimo so I went with that, only tried it twice but very happy so far
lovethemountains
New Member
That's very relevant Sean - thank you - and for the recommendation.
We used our Reimo in Ireland and. Irnwall in October. Very wet at times eg Storm Brian or somesuch and no problems at all especially is pointing straight into the weather (ours is the other way round ie highest point at rear). Put it away wet a few times and tucked it away inside above the frame and no damp inside at all. However we don’t sleep up there so cannot comment on that aspect.
Oops.
Mattbluebus
New Member
So I've got all details of my kombi conversion sorted, apart from the roof..
SCA looks best but a bit too bulky when down.. Skyline same, hilo too much compromise on headroom..
I came across a company that fits VW California roofs, obviously second hand, I've read about the corrosion issue here, any other thoughts, advice, help?? they look visually the best but ??
Thanks
SCA looks best but a bit too bulky when down.. Skyline same, hilo too much compromise on headroom..
I came across a company that fits VW California roofs, obviously second hand, I've read about the corrosion issue here, any other thoughts, advice, help?? they look visually the best but ??
Thanks
Mattbluebus
New Member
thanks for all replies... I'm still struggling a bit.
I came across a company that fits VW California roofs, obviously second hand, I've read about the corrosion issue here, any other thoughts, advice, help?? they look visually the best but ??
Thanks
I came across a company that fits VW California roofs, obviously second hand, I've read about the corrosion issue here, any other thoughts, advice, help?? they look visually the best but ??
Thanks
We've used our Reimo in some truly dreadful conditions last year, in heavy rain and wind. It was absolutely fine. It had to spend a while stowed before I had a chance to get it up and dried and can report no issues. Ours has the integrated mattress on a proper, trimmed, base, into which are neatly integrated some led lights which light the interior well of an evening. It's very comfortable indeed.
The main thing we found was that while it's ok for one, getting up in the night (as you do) makes for some interesting contortions to try and avoid your sleeping partner! Turning round so you can get down is challenging if there's someone beside you. It may be possible to sleep with your head to the rear, but I've found this too claustrophobic, even with the relatively high roof at the back. For this reason we've ended up using the seat/bed instead when we're both away.
However, if solo, we've both found it's simpler to just leave the seat (and table) as is and go sleep "upstairs". In truth, we were hoping the pop-top bed would have been our go-to sleeping arrangement, but it's proved not ideal. It will be useful for our nieces though when they come out with us.
People are commenting that the lower profile of some of the roofs on offer looks better, and I'd agree with this. However, at the end of the day it should be about having a practical set-up rather than "looks". I appreciate the visual aspect of modd'ing vans, but by way of example I can't see the point of having a super low van on big wheels when so many people then report problems with harsh ride, tyre wear and cracked alloys. The same is true for pop-tops. A super low pop-top won't have the space for a mattress (or indeed any bedding) so you'll just end up storing it in the wagon where it takes up space. And as for seeing exposed bed-boards / slats, that just strikes me as really unacceptable. Equally, there are many people who put lovely furniture etc in their vans and then never use the hob as they don't want the van to smell of cooking. Fair enough. We cook in the van, but that's what we bought it for, not as a show-piece.
I rather suspect there's little to choose between SCA (from what I hear and read) and Reimo. Both seem to be quality items and certainly Exploria did a superb install of the Reimo on ours. I suspect it's as with all things, you get what you pay for. And neither are what could be called cheap. The other key aspect I noted in a previous reply is the load rating of the roof, and now that we've had a chance to use it with it's roofrack and two big sea kayaks on, I have to say I'm impressed thus far. It's absolutely solid, even at m/way speed and I note no movement, rattles or anything else of concern - so far anyway. This was a key factor for us, and one I was concerned about initially.
I can't comment on the genuine Cali roof although the ones I've seen appear to be fine notwithstanding the corrosion problems I've noted too.
The main thing we found was that while it's ok for one, getting up in the night (as you do) makes for some interesting contortions to try and avoid your sleeping partner! Turning round so you can get down is challenging if there's someone beside you. It may be possible to sleep with your head to the rear, but I've found this too claustrophobic, even with the relatively high roof at the back. For this reason we've ended up using the seat/bed instead when we're both away.
However, if solo, we've both found it's simpler to just leave the seat (and table) as is and go sleep "upstairs". In truth, we were hoping the pop-top bed would have been our go-to sleeping arrangement, but it's proved not ideal. It will be useful for our nieces though when they come out with us.
People are commenting that the lower profile of some of the roofs on offer looks better, and I'd agree with this. However, at the end of the day it should be about having a practical set-up rather than "looks". I appreciate the visual aspect of modd'ing vans, but by way of example I can't see the point of having a super low van on big wheels when so many people then report problems with harsh ride, tyre wear and cracked alloys. The same is true for pop-tops. A super low pop-top won't have the space for a mattress (or indeed any bedding) so you'll just end up storing it in the wagon where it takes up space. And as for seeing exposed bed-boards / slats, that just strikes me as really unacceptable. Equally, there are many people who put lovely furniture etc in their vans and then never use the hob as they don't want the van to smell of cooking. Fair enough. We cook in the van, but that's what we bought it for, not as a show-piece.
I rather suspect there's little to choose between SCA (from what I hear and read) and Reimo. Both seem to be quality items and certainly Exploria did a superb install of the Reimo on ours. I suspect it's as with all things, you get what you pay for. And neither are what could be called cheap. The other key aspect I noted in a previous reply is the load rating of the roof, and now that we've had a chance to use it with it's roofrack and two big sea kayaks on, I have to say I'm impressed thus far. It's absolutely solid, even at m/way speed and I note no movement, rattles or anything else of concern - so far anyway. This was a key factor for us, and one I was concerned about initially.
I can't comment on the genuine Cali roof although the ones I've seen appear to be fine notwithstanding the corrosion problems I've noted too.
as @MikeB says.....
sca and reimo will give you the guarantee and the structural confidence in the roof.
remember it's a blinking big hole they cut into your beloved so the fitting and strength has to be 10/10 whichever you chose. You get s what you pay ...most of the time.
Buy cheap.....buy twice is my feeling
sca and reimo will give you the guarantee and the structural confidence in the roof.
remember it's a blinking big hole they cut into your beloved so the fitting and strength has to be 10/10 whichever you chose. You get s what you pay ...most of the time.
Buy cheap.....buy twice is my feeling
I Have just had a hilo fitted by Xtremevan very happy with it no squeaks or rattles infact van seems a tad quieter since having it fitted
I think you have to go with what you are happy with. for me the height in the roof when used as a bed to sit up and move around is great in the hilo.
but also the look when its down plays a big part. for me
with roof rails the hilo just looks right.
I know when i was deciding it was between the SCA and hilo and all info and pics help a little. but in the end hilo ticked the boxes for me.
A few pics with new roof and rails and one pic before fitted
I think you have to go with what you are happy with. for me the height in the roof when used as a bed to sit up and move around is great in the hilo.
but also the look when its down plays a big part. for me
with roof rails the hilo just looks right.
I know when i was deciding it was between the SCA and hilo and all info and pics help a little. but in the end hilo ticked the boxes for me.
A few pics with new roof and rails and one pic before fitted
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