Roof toppers for the Beach

Good evening all. First couple of trips are now planned over the next few weeks. As it's getting a bit chilly here in the UK I'm seriously considering investing in a topper straight away (was going to see how we go).

Any thoughts on what works and what doesn't? Internal vs external etc.

I like the convenience of an internal but worried about the initial fitting of something like the Isotop (do you have to make a hole or something?) Plus impact on ease of lowering the roof and tidying away the canvas...

Main worry with externals like Comfortz is the faff of putting it on. Looks fairly easy if you have an Ocean (raise roof slightly, chuck it over the top, raise roof rest of the way). I assume this won't really work with the manual roof which seems to go from down to up in one go. Has anyone got the Comfortz and how do they find it?

Last consideration is full coverage or just the sides. Big advantage with the open roof options if I go for solar down the line. Again how easy are these to put on? And does anyone have problems with water run off at the back?

Loads of questions there but tricky to know what these are really like to live with from looking at photos online. Thanks in advance.

Steve39 said:

Good evening all. First couple of trips are now planned over the next few weeks. As it's getting a bit chilly here in the UK I'm seriously considering investing in a topper straight away (was going to see how we go).

Any thoughts on what works and what doesn't? Internal vs external etc.

I like the convenience of an internal but worried about the initial fitting of something like the Isotop (do you have to make a hole or something?) Plus impact on ease of lowering the roof and tidying away the canvas...

Main worry with externals like Comfortz is the faff of putting it on. Looks fairly easy if you have an Ocean (raise roof slightly, chuck it over the top, raise roof rest of the way). I assume this won't really work with the manual roof which seems to go from down to up in one go. Has anyone got the Comfortz and how do they find it?

Last consideration is full coverage or just the sides. Big advantage with the open roof options if I go for solar down the line. Again how easy are these to put on? And does anyone have problems with water run off at the back?

Loads of questions there but tricky to know what these are really like to live with from looking at photos online. Thanks in advance.

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Can you dry the Canvas bellows at home? If so then the Internal will provide the necessary insulation, but the bellows can get wet in rainstorms and will have to be dried before extended closure.
The External shouldn't be too much of a problem on the Beach with 2 people, one unclipping the roof and holding it partially open while the other puts on the Topper on, or put the Topper over the roof and spread out and clip on and then raise the roof slowly.
As far as Solar, you can get Comfortz to make one with a clear vinyl roof panel.

We've not yet invested but personally after reading countless threads we feel internal is the way to go... not the cheapest for sure but from my research the most effective and minimum hassle.


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Steve39 said:

Good evening all. First couple of trips are now planned over the next few weeks. As it's getting a bit chilly here in the UK I'm seriously considering investing in a topper straight away (was going to see how we go).

Any thoughts on what works and what doesn't? Internal vs external etc.

I like the convenience of an internal but worried about the initial fitting of something like the Isotop (do you have to make a hole or something?) Plus impact on ease of lowering the roof and tidying away the canvas...

Main worry with externals like Comfortz is the faff of putting it on. Looks fairly easy if you have an Ocean (raise roof slightly, chuck it over the top, raise roof rest of the way). I assume this won't really work with the manual roof which seems to go from down to up in one go. Has anyone got the Comfortz and how do they find it?

Last consideration is full coverage or just the sides. Big advantage with the open roof options if I go for solar down the line. Again how easy are these to put on? And does anyone have problems with water run off at the back?

Loads of questions there but tricky to know what these are really like to live with from looking at photos online. Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

We have the roofless Comfortz external version on our Beach. I put it on and remove it solo, without steps, though I do often use one to make it easier. I raise the roof slightly (it doesn't pop open) then work from front to back. The rear has two flaps, one over and one velcroed under the lifting roof. The only niggle is that rain seeps into the seam, so I've cut drainage holes in the bottom of the seam at the back and both sides. The seam could be taped to prevent this.


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Mrs S manages the Kyham topper on her own (external) though needs a small set of steps to make sure it's well positioned.

Just been through the same decision & I've gone for the Isotop, but yet to fit it.

Convenience was my main consideration, irrespective of the weather.

It would be folly to buy one up front - invest in a cosy duvet and if you then feel the need get one. We have a parking heater but have only used it 5 or 6 times (mainly to heat water overnight for the shower).

We are new Beach owners (experienced camper-vanners however!) and have a cali-topper which we feel is really good - for us. It kept us warm upstairs and the canvas dry
We have just been away for several days last week to work out how we should be using our van and our experience so far with the topper is:
It is best not to try and put it on for the first time in pitch darkness!
Release the roof clips and let the roof spring up a few inches - don't push it up
Place the topper over the roof and position the corners of the topper over the roof corners
Elevate the roof and straighten out the sides
slide in the restraining screw-thingys into the awning rails and using the bungy-loops tie the topper down
Oh and by the way - as we don't have a wind-out awning - take out the rubbery strip in the awning rail first - and find somewhere to stash it in the van - it does have a tendency to unroll if you roll it up - Ahhh! (putting it back again afterwards is a matter of mind over matter and brute strength and washing up liquid)
Taking the topper off is more challenging - particularly if wet.
remove all screw-thingys
lift the rear sides and corners over the rear roof corners so the topper lies on the roof
pull it forwards from the front - I stand on the drivers and passengers step to do this
The topper then usually slides free and falls off - if it is wet you then get a free shower.
finally bring the roof down.
When we tried to bring the roof down before removing the topper all hell seemed to break out - it seemed to stick and then free and thump down - not a controlled descent at all - hence the above method to date!!
All advice welcomed!!

I can think of at least three advantages of the external topper over the internal topper, and just one disadvantage.

Advantages:
1. Protects bellows and opening mechanism from rain
2. Can be left off on warm nights for a cooling breeze
3. Can be left off daytime with the bed up and vents open to allow rising warm air to escape for a cooler Cali

Disadvantage
1. Needs to be deployed and removed for each use


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