First time away.

[Andy N]

 

[Andy N]

Thank goodness for the heater. Toasty inside minus four outside.

 

[BrendanJ]

Well, nothing quite like throwing yourself in the deep end , hahaha
Well done and yes the heater is definitely the game changer

 

[Coelshie]

Looks a bit fresh. Is that without a pop top cover as well? How was it?

 

[BrendanJ]

I cant

Looks a bit fresh. Is that without a pop top cover as well? How was it?

I can’t answer for the poster, but my own experience is we have never used or felt the need for a pop top cover. In very cold weather leaving the heater on 1 or 2 was more than enough, this combined with a good duvaley quilt
In fact we usually keep pop top zipper open a little as we prefer sleeping with fresh air, and actually sleep better in van that at home. Even in extreme temp.
The problem comes when you get up, lightly clothed or no clothes on. And open the door to let the dog out.

 

[Coelshie]

we have never used or felt the need for a pop top cover

Ah really? Good to know. We pick up our new van in a week and after seeing the OP i was questioning whether it really was needed and all that was needed was the heater and a good sleeping bag / duvalay (which look well cosy!)

The problem comes when you get up, lightly clothed or no clothes on. And open the door to let the dog out.

ha ha i can imagine that being a problem

 

[WelshGas]

Ah really? Good to know. We pick up our new van in a week and after seeing the OP i was questioning whether it really was needed and all that was needed was the heater and a good sleeping bag / duvalay (which look well cosy!)


ha ha i can imagine that being a problem

If you can't raise the roof at home to dry the pop top prior to leaving it closed for a week or more then a cover is useful to prevent mould.

 

[The Little Red Cali]

Ah really? Good to know. We pick up our new van in a week and after seeing the OP i was questioning whether it really was needed and all that was needed was the heater and a good sleeping bag / duvalay (which look well cosy!)


ha ha i can imagine that being a problem

The pop top wrap not only gives better insulation but also makes it so much quieter when sleeping up top. Also it’s very dark which is great for getting a good nights sleep. And as others have said you might have to dry it out at some stage when you get home. I personally think they are well worth the investment.

 

[ThomasHJ]

Absolutely think there are advantages to a pop top cover, but disadvantages as well, depending on who you are and how you like to camp. We had one but sold it. But to stay warm (even in subzero temperatures) it is not necessary. Although it surely helps.

 

[Nick from Bath]

We got a roof wrap due to the leaking bellows saga and probably wouldn’t have considered one otherwise. However we’re going to keep using it as it does help with keeping external noise down and makes the top more comfortable when the wind is really up, not that it is actually uncomfortable without one. There’s a real differential between up top temperature and the van.

The only minor downside was getting one without windows. It was what was available from a forum member so can’t complain (too much!) but I think if I ever buy again I’d spec one with the windows.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

View attachment 116960

I was camping this weekend too, all good fun!

 

[Andy N]

Looks a bit fresh. Is that without a pop top cover as well? How was it?

Van came with a Brandrup poptop liner.

 

[Tycho]

I was camping this weekend too, all good fun!

View attachment 116986

So did we in Dwingeloo, Holland

 

[ThomasHJ]

So did we in Dwingeloo, Holland

View attachment 117013

Mooi plekje! (nice spot!)

 

[Coelshie]

Van came with a Brandrup poptop liner.

Ah okay! Good to know. I was already thinking about the external, mainly due to leaking bellows but did like the look of the Brandrup liners

 

[Coelshie]

We got a roof wrap due to the leaking bellows saga and probably wouldn’t have considered one otherwise. However we’re going to keep using it as it does help with keeping external noise down and makes the top more comfortable when the wind is really up, not that it is actually uncomfortable without one. There’s a real differential between up top temperature and the van.

Cheers Nick and that was what i was considering. Was interesting in the temperature part as @Andy N seemed to be just the pop top (of course hidden Brandrup )

Will do some testing of my own over winter but think i will also go the pop cover route - mainly for better water and insulation.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Will do some testing of my own over winter but think i will also go the pop cover route - mainly for better water and insulation.

This is a hardy annual forum topic. You'll get people who swear by a cover, and others who don't.

We're in the latter camp. Bought a cover when we first got the van, used it once, never bothered with it since, even in winter (eg last weekend in north Scotland). As said above, 'upstairs' stays warm enough for us with heat percolating up from the diesel heater which is superbly effective and uses only spoonfuls of fuel.

We just take a winter-weight duvet and throw a blanket over if it's truly Nordic.

If you really do want extra insulation, I would go for one of the liners that stays installed when you lower the roof. Putting on and off an external cover is way to much faff for me, unless maybe you're staying put somewhere for several days - which we never do.

 

[Coelshie]

This is a hardy annual forum topic. You'll get people who swear by a cover, and others who don't.

Cheers - yeah there seems to be a few topics that seem to split everyone (wont start on swivel chairs ) - As you said, you will find out what works for you. With the recent bellow discussions, that might force a pop top cover but also conscious of space. Best to test and go from there!

Great pictures on the forum and this (and other) threads of people away in their vans in the winter. Superb!

 

[CaliCZ]

Friday night

 

[KevH]

This is a hardy annual forum topic. You'll get people who swear by a cover, and others who don't.

We're in the latter camp. Bought a cover when we first got the van, used it once, never bothered with it since, even in winter (eg last weekend in north Scotland). As said above, 'upstairs' stays warm enough for us with heat percolating up from the diesel heater which is superbly effective and uses only spoonfuls of fuel.

We just take a winter-weight duvet and throw a blanket over if it's truly Nordic.

If you really do want extra insulation, I would go for one of the liners that stays installed when you lower the roof. Putting on and off an external cover is way to much faff for me, unless maybe you're staying put somewhere for several days - which we never do.

First I have seen mention of the ‘faff’ of fitting and removing a poptop cover, I haven’t got one and assumed, wrongly, that it stayed put when the roof got dropped.
That raises the issue of storing a wet wrap between overnight stays, and the hassle that potentially causes.
I think I’ll keep hold of my money, unless the poptop starts to leak of course.

 

[chockswahay]

This thread is becoming a ‘Show us your best snowy camping’ type of thread!

(nothing wrong with that

Oh and ‘External covers yes or no?’ type also ……. Me? Yup, we carry a cover….. it’s use depends on circumstance

 

[66tim99]

liners that stays installed when you lower the roof.

I can vouch for the Brandrup Isotop. Keeps upstairs warmer in the winter and a bit cooler in the summer, but best bit is its 'fit-and-forget'. You just need to zip the front panel in when you pop the roof and want its full benefit. Literally 30 seconds.

 

[scottk]

I can vouch for the Brandrup Isotop. Keeps upstairs warmer in the winter and a bit cooler in the summer, but best bit is its 'fit-and-forget'. You just need to zip the front panel in when you pop the roof and want its full benefit. Literally 30 seconds.

The other benefit is that it keeps the top darker in summer and stops the rain drops coming through the mesh vents in bad weather.

 

[mike bennett]

I was camping this weekend too, all good fun!

View attachment 116986

Hi can I ask where your side shade is from ?

 

[Rob G]

I was camping this weekend too, all good fun!

View attachment 116986

Hi would you msg me on the product brand and name of that side cover