Hardtop California wanted!?

[Lambeth Cali]

I‘m starting to relax about the fibreglas. The key is can I keep the bed completely as it is now. Including raising it when not in use. I suspect not. Best idea so far though.

 

[WelshGas]

I‘m starting to relax about the fibreglas. The key is can I keep the bed completely as it is now. Including raising it when not in use. I suspect not. Best idea so far though.

You might be able to keep the bed, the problem will be, most High Tops I’ve seen don’t go as high as the pop top roof so the bed won’t go as high.
You should ask that question.

 

[Calisand]

There is a company in Germany - Polyroof.de who specialise in converting California roof into a hardtop. They also can provide bed in roof. I think when I looked a year or so ago (only out of interest) the cost to do everything I would want was close to £10k although that didn’t take any allowance for what they’d give in exchange for taking current roof, mechanics, bed etc but they did say this would be part of deal. I didn’t pursue and would only think of it if I had serious issues with roof that would cost many thousands to repair outside warranty.
The photos of conversion on the website do look good in my opinion.

 

[Wildcamper]

You might be able to keep the bed, the problem will be, most High Tops I’ve seen don’t go as high as the pop top roof so the bed won’t go as high.
You should ask that question.

I am 6ft and the ceiling in our high top is at least 9" above my head when standing up inside.

 

[Phase one]

The ability to keep the bed completely as it is In a high top is an interesting design question.

The Westfalia Joker goes some way to achieve this, but the bed units are folded into the nose on a slick sliding track system

However, there is Wingamm’s very clever double cantilever design which simply pulls down (or pushes up into the roof space) a standard size double bed complete with bedding!

We presently have a Wingamm Micros and the bed is a very elegant solution and uses no expensive motors either.

Sadly, VW in their recent narrowing of production focus stopped producing a cab chassis base option in their van range, so it can no longer be produced by Wingamm - however, the same bed system is found in the Oasi 540 (5.4m).


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[WelshGas]

I am 6ft and the ceiling in our high top is at least 9" above my head when standing up inside.

And? I’m also 6’. and there is more than 9” above my head when the Pop top is up. My point is in the California with the pop top up the upper bed can be pushed upto the same angle. With a Hard top roof and retaining the California hinged bed, I’m not so sure if the bed could be lifted to the same angle.

Most High Tops I’ve seen have a different bed system compared to the California.

 

[Wildcamper]

And? I’m also 6’. and there is more than 9” above my head when the Pop top is up. My point is in the California with the pop top up the upper bed can be pushed upto the same angle. With a Hard top roof and retaining the California hinged bed, I’m not so sure if the bed could be lifted to the same angle.

Most High Tops I’ve seen have a different bed system compared to the California.

Just pointing out that there is plenty of room, nothing else. That space goes all the way to the back, unlike a pop top. We do not have, because we did not want one, an upper bed. There is no design reason why a hinged bed could not be included in a high top but one would lose much of the available space at the back. One solution would be to have a upper bed that conserteens (sic) at the rear. I have a feeling this option does exist but can't recall where I saw it.

 

[WelshGas]

Just pointing out that there is plenty of room, nothing else. That space goes all the way to the back, unlike a pop top. We do not have, because we did not want one, an upper bed. There is no design reason why a hinged bed could not be included in a high top but one would lose much of the available space at the back. One solution would be to have a upper bed that conserteens (sic) at the rear. I have a feeling this option does exist but can't recall where I saw it.

The majority of roof beds, in a high top slide from front to rear or vice versa. That is the sensible method. Using a hinged bed, ala California, as the OP mentioned would negate much of the head room advantage .
No criticism intended, except that a hinged bed + high top isn’t really a good combination.

 

[Wildcamper]

The majority of roof beds, in a high top slide from front to rear or vice versa. That is the sensible method. Using a hinged bed, ala California, as the OP mentioned would negate much of the head room advantage .
No criticism intended, except that a hinged bed + high top isn’t really a good combination.

I agree.

 

[Phase one]

Agree - A simple single hinge point bed as per a Cali in a high top roof does not work as you lose your standing height rapidly.

However, if you incorporate a second hinge point designed to match the curve of a high line roof (and if your front hinge incorporates a sliding action), then you end up with a drop down bed that will closely follow the roof profile, giving you maximum height in the living area within a short van (see pic)

The sliding roof bed options generally used in high tops work well (for example in the Joker) and many with high tops simply sleep downstairs but want the extra height of a high top for permanent standing room, better insulation and increased storage capacity.

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[Lambeth Cali]

You might be able to keep the bed, the problem will be, most High Tops I’ve seen don’t go as high as the pop top roof so the bed won’t go as high.
You should ask that question.

I am only really likely to pursue the idea if I can’t fix my roof sensors.

 

[The Merle]

Agree - A simple single hinge point bed as per a Cali in a high top roof does not work as you lose your standing height rapidly.

However, if you incorporate a second hinge point designed to match the curve of a high line roof (and if your front hinge incorporates a sliding action), then you end up with a drop down bed that will closely follow the roof profile, giving you maximum height in the living area within a short van (see pic)

The sliding roof bed options generally used in high tops work well (for example in the Joker) and many with high tops simply sleep downstairs but want the extra height of a high top for permanent standing room, better insulation and increased storage capacity.

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Love the wingamm bed very clever, only down side is the head room when shut isn’t great if you’ve over 6ft.
Amazing layout though, shame they don’t make VW ones anymore.

 

[Cali Phillip]

Love the wingamm bed very clever, only down size is the head room when shut isn’t great if you’ve over 6ft.
Amazing layout though, shame they don’t make VW ones anymore.

Did like this https://www.newwavecustomconversions.co.uk/client-builds/newwave-rent-high-top-verso-conversion/

 

[soulstyledevon]

Did like this https://www.newwavecustomconversions.co.uk/client-builds/newwave-rent-high-top-verso-conversion/

I was just about to post that.
Great minds

 

[The Merle]

Did like this https://www.newwavecustomconversions.co.uk/client-builds/newwave-rent-high-top-verso-conversion/

If it doesn’t have a loo or shower then no benefit to me, would have a cali again.

 

[DavidofHook]

I’m just not a big fan of fibreglass. A friend has a great T4 Westphalia and it’s roof peels after a while.

Yes, this happened to ours after a while, it did take 9 years though.

 

[stevieb]

If you take your California to Autohaus in Minehead they will put a high top on, like picture - this is not a California. I think they will be surprised at the request, but they will do it. Price, at a guess £5k.

View attachment 77487

Hello
That’s exactly what we did September 2020! Covid delayed things somewhat but finally got the job done August this year and we couldn’t be more pleased!
Our reason to change the roof was medical, both of us having back problems and after having to cut a couple of holidays short we thought our camping days were numbered. It’s was a struggle when the roof was down which was our problem, it’s not always convenient to pop the roof.
It did come with some ‘extras’ though. Not only storage but the roof corrosion problem had returned worse than when it was done the first time.

 

[Calisand]

Hello
That’s exactly what we did September 2020! Covid delayed things somewhat but finally got the job done August this year and we couldn’t be more pleased!
Our reason to change the roof was medical, both of us having back problems and after having to cut a couple of holidays short we thought our camping days were numbered. It’s was a struggle when the roof was down which was our problem, it’s not always convenient to pop the roof.
It did come with some ‘extras’ though. Not only storage but the roof corrosion problem had returned worse than when it was done the first time.
View attachment 84294

Can I ask where you had it done and how much?

 

[stevieb]

Can I ask where you had it done and how much?

Hi

We had it done at Autohaus Minehead.
It was around the £5k mark but included in that was the side bars and decals. They did say it was much trickier than expected as it was their first California.

 

[Calisand]

Hi

We had it done at Autohaus Minehead.
It was around the £5k mark but included in that was the side bars and decals. They did say it was much trickier than expected as it was their first California.

Thank you. Do you have any internal pictures?

 

[stevieb]

Thank you. Do you have any internal pictures?

Hi

 

[CALI FATE]

wow thats pretty drastic - but if it suits then it got to be worth it

 

[Calisand]

Hi
View attachment 84295View attachment 84296View attachment 84297

Thank you. It really transforms the internal space with lots of extra storage and of course full standing height all the time.

 

[stevieb]

wow thats pretty drastic - but if it suits then it got to be

wow thats pretty drastic - but if it suits then it got to be worth it

I suppose it is drastic! It wasn’t a decision taken lightly but hopefully will give us another five or so years of camping!

 

[andyinluton]

I like that, as you say if it gives you more years of camping & don't need the top bed and it solves the roof corrosion problem it looks like a win win solution.