Isotop and damp..?

[couplands]

Having been camping in our new Cali Ocean over the winter in freezing weather I’m fairly convinced to get an Isotop - unless anyone has a better solution to keeping the cold out.

My question is; is there any issues with damp between the two layers of material…? Our new canvas let moisture in at the front for its first few outings but doesn’t seem as bad now - but it hasn’t rained so much lately. I have also found dampness at the rear which may just have been condensation rather than leaking.

So I’m slightly concerned if damp gets between the layers will it just fester and go mouldy…?

 

[andyinluton]

So I’m slightly concerned if damp gets between the layers will it just fester and go mouldy…?

I used various Isotops for 7 years, never worried about putting a wet roof down & not opening it again for sometimes weeks & never had any sign of mould or the like on either the canvas or isotop when removed.

 

[yossarian]

unless anyone has a better solution to keeping the cold out.

I've been meaning to test this objectively but not got round to it.

Theory: the two top vents are the main source of the problem.

Subjectively my van feels much warmer with a piece of acetate over each vent. I can remove or partially open them if required.

I crack the driver's window for ventilation purposes.

The vents are about 0.05 m² and 3m or so above the heater outlet. The thermosiphon effect must be significant.

 

[andyinluton]

I've been meaning to test this objectively but not got round to it.

Theory: the two top vents are the main source of the problem.

I agree, they are also the main source of light entering.
The other thing that the Isotop stops is any moisture wicking through if you lean against the canvas.

The MY23 roof has its own built in second layer which should stop the wicking, just need to put some sort of baffle in front of the vents.

 

[yossarian]

The MY23 roof has its own built in second layer which should stop the wicking, just need to put some sort of baffle in front of the vents.

I glued velcro around the vents and made up some midge nets to go on top. I could put something to block the light entering instead of the acetate (which is practically invisible) but Mrs Y would no doubt complain. I'll take photos in a month or two.

 

[couplands]

I agree, they are also the main source of light entering.
The other thing that the Isotop stops is any moisture wicking through if you lean against the canvas.

The MY23 roof has its own built in second layer which should stop the wicking, just need to put some sort of baffle in front of the vents.

I saw a MY23 roof on a Cali at the dealers. It looked a much better fabric than our MY22 version. Very thick and not at all porous. Still had the vents though, which as you say are a major source of draft/cold. But I guess needed to keep condensation under control.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Never needed an isotop or any type of cover. For really cold nights, tumble dry tube from diesel heater vent to Poptop.
Makes a massive difference

 

[Amarillo]

We have an external topper. It prevents water even getting to the canvass.

It does need to be put on after raising the roof and taking off before lowering. With practice this takes just a few minutes. The roofless version is easier than the roofed version and can remain in place if you have solar panels on the roof.

 

[calimera]

We love our Isotop ,one of our best purchases. Not only does it keeps us warm ,it also acts as a blackout. Especially useful in the early daylight in the summer.

 

[BeeBee]

Never needed an isotop or any type of cover. For really cold nights, tumble dry tube from diesel heater vent to Poptop.
Makes a massive difference

Continue to be amazed by the ingenuity of you guys…. love it

 

[Steve1]

Having been camping in our new Cali Ocean over the winter in freezing weather I’m fairly convinced to get an Isotop - unless anyone has a better solution to keeping the cold out.

My question is; is there any issues with damp between the two layers of material…? Our new canvas let moisture in at the front for its first few outings but doesn’t seem as bad now - but it hasn’t rained so much lately. I have also found dampness at the rear which may just have been condensation rather than leaking.

So I’m slightly concerned if damp gets between the layers will it just fester and go mouldy…?

I was worried about buying an isotop, it was very expensive and I was sceptical about it holding out water and keeping it warm. We previously had an external cover but it was a pain to keep putting on and off and when it got windy it pulled away from roof on one side and pressed very hard against the canvas leaving a mark which I was worried would ruin the canvas so I had to take it off in the wind etc.
I have had the isotop for nearly a year now, we have camped through the summer and winter and I can only say how pleased I am with it. When combined with the heater on setting 2, -2C outside was still lovely in the roof. And no water wicks through from the wet canvas now. If you fold the canvas wet it doesn't soak into the bed the isotop stops that. And as long as you air the canvas when the weather is dry after a trip, I haven't had any damp problems.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Continue to be amazed by the ingenuity of you guys…. love it

Total cost £9.06.
Easy.

 

[Neilos]

I couldn’t face the faff of the external cover. The isotop makes it harder to close our beach roof, but you get used to it. It makes the roof much more cozy.

The cold air falling through the open vents when you are sitting in the front seats in the evening has almost been removed.

Overall. Very expensive for what it is, but probably worth it. No issues with damp getting in where as without it, driving rain would find a way in.

It also blocks out most light and the kids sleep in longer. I’d pay £50/hr for sleep. So it’s paid back in 10 nights!

I do miss the daylight in the day though but it does have windows you can open.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dspuk]

We decided to go with the external cover and got a Rainbow one. We only intend to use for the few times in winter we'll camp so bought into the faff. It's not that bad with two of you.

We thought about isotop but didn't want one in permanently and its quite expensive.

 

[WelshGas]

Having been camping in our new Cali Ocean over the winter in freezing weather I’m fairly convinced to get an Isotop - unless anyone has a better solution to keeping the cold out.

My question is; is there any issues with damp between the two layers of material…? Our new canvas let moisture in at the front for its first few outings but doesn’t seem as bad now - but it hasn’t rained so much lately. I have also found dampness at the rear which may just have been condensation rather than leaking.

So I’m slightly concerned if damp gets between the layers will it just fester and go mouldy…?

Looking at it logically, Yes water could get in-between the roof canvas and Isotop, but as long as the roof is raised to dry out thoroughly before lowering for extended periods there shouldn't be a problem.
Only an external cover will keep the roof canvas dry.