Is the Brandrup Iso-Top roof insulation worth having?

[Aubisque]

Currently pondering on the pros and cons between an external topper and an ISO-top. As we need the child safety net in place; is this still possible with an ISO-top fitted?

Yes - no issues there

 

[MattBW]

Hi.
Further question about the ISO-top: most people talk mainly about it keeping you warm. would you say they’re more about keeping warm in the cold or are they just as good at keeping you cool in the warm?

It is a really hard to describe technical fabric so yes we found it helped in the hot weather too, you do lose the breathability of the standard canvas. I.e. when a breeze blows through but the windows are massive so can be opened to ensure flow if you need it.

We had it installed at the Cali meet in Bornholm trip, we experienced temps in close to 40 in germany and low 30s in Denmark (but it felt much hotter). Normally in direct hot sun you can feel the heat on the canvas radiating to the inside. The technical fabric did indeed seem to reduce that by creating an airspace of insulation but ultimately the air temp was very hot anyway so it certainly wasn't "cool" in there, just a little cooler than it might have been with the sun. For me though its the performance when its colder that is its strength and it will extend your camping season massively.

The isotop works on an internal air space between canvas and technical fabric but also doesn't stop the ventilation from working at the front of the poptop. No idea how the external ones interact with the air vents in the poptop.

It is slightly harder to get the roof down in my beach but it works well and with a bellows bungee no danger of catching the scissors.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

I fitted mine in September just before the weather turned in to the dreary nonsense we are currently experiencing.
It was a sunny day warm in the sunshine but temps dropping quickly as daylight faded. The difference as I was hanging the top and velcro-ing it into place was instant. As I perched on the edge of the upstairs bed, preparing the heat was hitting me making it uncomfortable and sticky. Then even with the sunny side only half attached and arms outstretched I was instantly more comfortable in the reduced temperature. So that little fortunate back to back exercise showed me a really noticeable difference.

 

[westfalia]

It was a sunny day warm in the sunshine but temps dropping quickly as daylight faded. The difference as I was hanging the top and velcro-ing it into place was instant. As I perched on the edge of the upstairs bed

Do you write exotic novels in real life

 

[Lightning]

It is good and does make it feel more cozy, however I have found that if it’s really cold and pretty windy it’s a bit draughty, as it doesn’t actually seal the space completely, there is a small gap all around at the top, and on mine there are small gaps in the lower corners where the fit isn’t perfect. So it’s a vast improvement but not perfect.

 

[MartG]

Do you write exotic novels in real life

Or erotic?!

 

[westfalia]

Or erotic?!

Thats the word i wanted

 

[Calimili]

Some are reporting that the Isotop makes the "upstairs room" smaller. As far as I could see from pics and videos, the fabric of the Isotop is basically adjacent to the pop top fabric.
So is the isotop actually reducing the space up there or is it just a feeling ?

 

[Lightning]

Some are reporting that the Isotop makes the "upstairs room" smaller. As far as I could see from pics and videos, the fabric of the Isotop is basically adjacent to the pop top fabric.
So is the isotop actually reducing the space up there or is it just a feeling ?

It doesn’t make it noticeably smaller. It makes it much darker and it feels more closed in, in a good way.

 

[MattBW]

I didnt find it felt smaller, probably about an inch gap between canvas/ isotop so yes smaller but not really noticeably so for me. I like that it is darker too.

 

[Calimili]

That's what i was hoping to hear, thx!

 

[Aubisque]

It is good and does make it feel more cozy, however I have found that if it’s really cold and pretty windy it’s a bit draughty, as it doesn’t actually seal the space completely, there is a small gap all around at the top, and on mine there are small gaps in the lower corners where the fit isn’t perfect. So it’s a vast improvement but not perfect.

The top corners are next to the air vents in the exterior canvas, so it's draughtier there. But some ventilation is good, so I don't mind that. You could always gaffer tape those vents up if you preferred.
I don't recall having gaps in the bottom, the velcro is a tight fit all the way round.

 

[Ocean Spirit]

Do you write exotic novels in real life

I hope you found it useful you've made a few comments about my posts that leave me wondering your intent.

 

[westfalia]

I hope you found it useful you've made a few comments about my posts that leave me wondering your intent.

I never realised that, for sure there is no intent and never would be.

 

[ArunAlec]

In the process of fitting mine and found fitting the 5 tabs into the roof lining was made a lot easier by sliding a credit car into the roof slot then pushing the tab up between the liner and the credit card (hook side against the card) once adjusted for exact position it was easy to pull the card out leaving the tab in situ.

Despite running the heater and getting the temperature up to 29!! I decided to get some cheap velcro as a temporary fix until summer. If it holds great if not I will use the 3M fixings when conditions are better.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

In the process of fitting mine and found fitting the 5 tabs into the roof lining was made a lot easier by sliding a credit car into the roof slot then pushing the tab up between the liner and the credit card (hook side against the card) once adjusted for exact position it was easy to pull the card out leaving the tab in situ.

Despite running the heater and getting the temperature up to 29!! I decided to get some cheap velcro as a temporary fix until summer. If it holds great if not I will use the 3M fixings when conditions are better.

Screwfix sell the wide Velcro with self adhesive backing:

Velcro Brand Black Heavy Duty Stick-On Tape 1m x 50mm - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Easy to use alternative to nails, screws, glues and tapes. Holds up to 7kg per 50 x 100mm strip. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

 

[ArunAlec]

Screwfix sell the wide Velcro with self adhesive backing:

Velcro Brand Black Heavy Duty Stick-On Tape 1m x 50mm - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Easy to use alternative to nails, screws, glues and tapes. Holds up to 7kg per 50 x 100mm strip. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

You need 10mm for the bottom fixing so I got 10m x 10mm Velcro from eBay about £10.

 

[Cali4nia-Dream]

Despite running the heater and getting the temperature up to 29!! I decided to get some cheap velcro as a temporary fix until summer. If it holds great if not I will use the 3M fixings when conditions are better.

What do you mean by the 3M fixings?

 

[Calimili]

In the process of fitting mine and found fitting the 5 tabs into the roof lining was made a lot easier by sliding a credit car into the roof slot then pushing the tab up between the liner and the credit card (hook side against the card) once adjusted for exact position it was easy to pull the card out leaving the tab in situ.

Despite running the heater and getting the temperature up to 29!! I decided to get some cheap velcro as a temporary fix until summer. If it holds great if not I will use the 3M fixings when conditions are better.

Are you working outside and managed to get 29 degrees Celsius? If so why are you postponing the fitting of the velcro, you are well above the recommended 18?
I'm facing a similar dilemma, fit now or wait for spring...

 

[ArunAlec]

Are you working outside and managed to get 29 degrees Celsius? If so why are you postponing the fitting of the velcro, you are well above the recommended 18?
I'm facing a similar dilemma, fit now or wait for spring...

I managed to get the inside temperature high but only whilst the heater was on. I think it really needs to at ahigh temperature fora while to get the adhesive to bond. Also the ally frame was probably not that warm.

 

[ArunAlec]

What do you mean by the 3M fixings?

The loop fixing supplied with the Isotop is made by 3M rather than Velcro. I believe 3M is a higher spec so is probably better but needs more care when applying.

 

[willwander]

Will the isotop mk6 fit a T5.1 Se?

 

[MattBW]

I have a beach and I cant remember if its 5 or 6 but it was listed as suitable for T5 and T6 beach. I believe the roof is the same on the T5 facelift and T6 so it should fit both.

 

[HonzaKaspar]

They're worth every penny. They keep it warmer, darker, draught free and dry. We sleep upstairs all year round in all weathers without ever having needed the heater on during the night. IMO it's the number one after market accessory. However we do like to have our bedroom fairly cool and sleep in a three season sleeping bag with a throw over the top. Very snug!

Hi, I am particularly interested in how it insulates in the summer? Will it prevent pop top overheating? Thanks for advice!

 

[HonzaKaspar]

Hi, I am particularly interested in how it insulates in the summer? Will it prevent pop top overheating? Thanks for advice!