Khyam Kamper Cosi or Cali Topper

[CannonDale]

Which would you go for, Kamper Cosi or Cali Topper and why. Looking to get one in the next couple of days but which to chose. I have done a search but not much comes up.

 

[calikev]

I would definitely go for the cali topper no contest. I had the vanarak the kyham is a copy of that and it bent my roof.

 

[Lewis]

Just recently bought a roofless Cali topper. It is the easiest thing to put on, really well thought out. Rain runs straight off and the roofless feature makes if future-proof if you ever need roofbars.

The Khyam one is much cheaper (was going for £100 in the Jan sales) but if price difference is a factor I'd suggest picking up a Cali topper second hand - they seem to come around lots on here.

 

[Mr & Mrs B]

We had the same question and decided on the Cali Topper - having watched the video it seems quite easy to put on. We ordered ours from the Club shop (in fact it's being delivered this morning) with a few other bits 'n' bobs - all we need now is Cali!

 

[Trebor]

View attachment 19198 We have both Roofless Calitopper and Kamper cosy . Got Kamper Cosi for the snow . Very impressed with it and very well made and easy to fit . Also very waterproof and warm . Quite light but won't quite fit in chair in rear door unlike Roofless Calitopper. I'd say Calitopper summer Kamper cosi for cold/ bad weather .

 

[steve and lisa]

+1 for the Comfortz Cali topper, plus for us was it fits in with the chairs in the tailgate for storage, also made in the UK as all Khyam stuff is made in China now.

 

[Esandar#1]

View attachment 19199 View attachment 19198 We have both Roofless Calitopper and Kamper cosy . Got Kamper Cosi for the snow . Very impressed with it and very well made and easy to fit . Also very waterproof and warm . Quite light but won't quite fit in chair in rear door unlike Roofless Calitopper. I'd say Calitopper summer Kamper cosi for cold/ bad weather .

Hi Trebor,
I have to ask after seeing the photos you posted... have you used you Cali on ski trips?

 

[Trebor]

Yes Meribel this Feb and now in Crouesty France working on our boat . The Kamper cozy is really good . Easy to fit and when it's blowing a gale and heavy rain you're glad you've got it . We've had 25 deg and torrential rain and a lot of wind this week . No worries with kyham Kamper cozy . Have another topper which is lighter but prefer kyham . Only downside is it won't quite fit into chair in back door .

 

[Esandar#1]

Yes Meribel this Feb and now in Crouesty France working on our boat . The Kamper cozy is really good . Easy to fit and when it's blowing a gale and heavy rain you're glad you've got it . We've had 25 deg and torrential rain and a lot of wind this week . No worries with kyham Kamper cozy . Have another topper which is lighter but prefer kyham . Only downside is it won't quite fit into chair in back door .

Excellent. Do you actually use the Cali as your accomodation in Meribel or just use it to get there? The whole concept of 'wild camping' in a ski resort is quite appealing is a slightly odd cold /cosy sort of way!!! Downside of Kyham seems to be that it is bulkier than the competition.

 

[BigMan]

Only used our Comfortz Cali topper a few times but the benefit for us was how lightweight it is and packs away in with chairs which I think is essential for something that is not used very often.

 

[Esandar#1]

Only used our Comfortz Cali topper a few times but the benefit for us was how lightweight it is and packs away in with chairs which I think is essential for something that is not used very often.

Thanks BigMan. Fair point. Is that the full cover (over roof as well) or the newer roofless version? I quite like the idea of the complete cover but the roofless one does allow for roof bars etc which at some point we may need to get...

Cheers
Ian

 

[BigMan]

Hi Ian, We have the full one with Windows in dark grey, I think the roofless one is possibly just for people with roof bars, solar panels etc.

Being honest you will not use it much but it's nice to know it is there just in case.

 

[Trebor]

We've got both but when the going gets tough ... about 25% bigger when packed but almost same weight I'd say . Very well made .

 

[Trebor]

Excellent. Do you actually use the Cali as your accomodation in Meribel or just use it to get there? The whole concept of 'wild camping' in a ski resort is quite appealing is a slightly odd cold /cosy sort of way!!! Downside of Kyham seems to be that it is bulkier than the competition.

We camped on a great little site 5 mins from Merribel.

 

[Detritus]

I bought a Mutze from California camping
http://www.california-camping.de/muetze-fuer-den-t5-california-beach.html

It's absolutely brilliant - really well made, breathable airtex material, light silver with metallic effect do it reflects the heat of the sun. Really reasonable cost, postage was really cheap even though coming from Germany and no tax to pay. Can't recommend it enough!

 

[2into1]

I note the California camping de ones now have the option of opening (zipped) windows at extra cost, plus a wider colour choice which you can mix up, but the total cost gets scary.

 

[Esandar#1]

View attachment 19199 View attachment 19198 We have both Roofless Calitopper and Kamper cosy . Got Kamper Cosi for the snow . Very impressed with it and very well made and easy to fit . Also very waterproof and warm . Quite light but won't quite fit in chair in rear door unlike Roofless Calitopper. I'd say Calitopper summer Kamper cosi for cold/ bad weather .

We've got both but when the going gets tough ... about 25% bigger when packed but almost same weight I'd say . Very well made .

Thanks Trebor. So, its definitely the Kamper Cosy for you when you need protection from the elements! That is good as that is the cheaper option too!

One more question: in the Meribel picture, you appear to have your bike rack on? I cannot imagine you took your bikes skiing, so why don't you take the bike rack off? Surely it must obsure your rear mirror view when driving, be extra weight that you don't need to carry on a long trip... or is it a real pain to be taking the bike rack on and off or is it just the easiest place to store it.?I see so many Cali's being driven about 'bike rack on'...? Or is it just cool to do so?!

 

[Esandar#1]

I bought a Mutze from California camping
http://www.california-camping.de/muetze-fuer-den-t5-california-beach.html

It's absolutely brilliant - really well made, breathable airtex material, light silver with metallic effect do it reflects the heat of the sun. Really reasonable cost, postage was really cheap even though coming from Germany and no tax to pay. Can't recommend it enough!

Hmmm. That also looks very good!!! And does the reflect the sun job in summer to keep the top cooler (or would you not actually use it all in summer. Have you given it a stern winter test yet? How small (or not) does it become when stored in Cali? Many tanks for your input and opinion.
Regards
Ian

 

[Detritus]

Hi Ian,

The quality is superb, it's very waterproof and the various fixings are excellent. It packs up small enough to go into the chairs in the tail gate so no issues with storage either. The fit is excellent, goes on and comes off really easily although having one person either side of the van makes it far easier.

I've not tested it in full sun yet to see how effective it will be - it's not been very sunny yet! I have a black beach so use in summer to help keep the top cool if we aren't parked in the shade was one of the reasons for going for this over a Comfortz or other make in PVC and plain colours. The breathable material and metallic silver stuff (it glistens rather than is mirrored) was one of the advantages as I saw it, others may disagree. We're going to Croatia this summer so it'll get a good sun-test then I'm sure!

I didn't go for the multi-coloured or window options - again because I want it to reflect the sun as much as possible. I've also bought one set (of 4) of these extensions for the side attachments to help with ventilation:

http://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p59_kederschrauben-verlaengerung--set-.html

They hold the sides open to let air circulate as well as shielding the sun. The sides on the mutze are attached to the front and back (rather than separate as for the Calitop shown in the picture) so I just use these extensions for the two central attachments on the side. It holds the side out by a good 10cm and works really well. If you have an awning then you can only do this on one side (as you can't get to the channel under the awning) but it seems sufficient so far - good air flow when you want it, use the standard thumb screws when you don't. You do need to also buy the thumb screws to go with them as the ones that come with the mutze are m4, the extensions are m6 (Sod's law they would be different!). The price is per thumbscrew so I bought 4:
http://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p19_knob-screw.html

If I'd had a lighter coloured van (white!) then I probably would have gone for the Calitop itself as it can stay attached when you fold the roof down (according to the site) and you can open the sides out as shown I. The picture to give loads of ventilation. However it doesn't cover the roof so wouldn't work for what I want.

The cost of the mutze (all silver, t6beach, no windows) was €314 including postage - but when I emailed them to say I was a VIP member of the forum they refunded me €29 so cost was actually only €285 - so about £245 including postage!

Cost of the thumbscrews and extensions was about €60 so quite expensive an addition. I was ordering some other bits from Calitop anyway so the delivery was 'free' for these bits in my mind - not sure how much they'd charge if you ordered just those.

I'm very pleased with the mutze and extras so far and will report back after its had a really good test in the sun as well as in the rain ️

Jez

 

[Esandar#1]

Hi Ian,

The quality is superb, it's very waterproof and the various fixings are excellent. It packs up small enough to go into the chairs in the tail gate so no issues with storage either. The fit is excellent, goes on and comes off really easily although having one person either side of the van makes it far easier.

I've not tested it in full sun yet to see how effective it will be - it's not been very sunny yet! I have a black beach so use in summer to help keep the top cool if we aren't parked in the shade was one of the reasons for going for this over a Comfortz or other make in PVC and plain colours. The breathable material and metallic silver stuff (it glistens rather than is mirrored) was one of the advantages as I saw it, others may disagree. We're going to Croatia this summer so it'll get a good sun-test then I'm sure!

I didn't go for the multi-coloured or window options - again because I want it to reflect the sun as much as possible. I've also bought one set (of 4) of these extensions for the side attachments to help with ventilation:

http://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p59_kederschrauben-verlaengerung--set-.html

They hold the sides open to let air circulate as well as shielding the sun. The sides on the mutze are attached to the front and back (rather than separate as for the Calitop shown in the picture) so I just use these extensions for the two central attachments on the side. It holds the side out by a good 10cm and works really well. If you have an awning then you can only do this on one side (as you can't get to the channel under the awning) but it seems sufficient so far - good air flow when you want it, use the standard thumb screws when you don't. You do need to also buy the thumb screws to go with them as the ones that come with the mutze are m4, the extensions are m6 (Sod's law they would be different!). The price is per thumbscrew so I bought 4:
http://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p19_knob-screw.html

If I'd had a lighter coloured van (white!) then I probably would have gone for the Calitop itself as it can stay attached when you fold the roof down (according to the site) and you can open the sides out as shown I. The picture to give loads of ventilation. However it doesn't cover the roof so wouldn't work for what I want.

The cost of the mutze (all silver, t6beach, no windows) was €314 including postage - but when I emailed them to say I was a VIP member of the forum they refunded me €29 so cost was actually only €285 - so about £245 including postage!

Cost of the thumbscrews and extensions was about €60 so quite expensive an addition. I was ordering some other bits from Calitop anyway so the delivery was 'free' for these bits in my mind - not sure how much they'd charge if you ordered just those.

I'm very pleased with the mutze and extras so far and will report back after its had a really good test in the sun as well as in the rain ️

Jez

 

[Esandar#1]

Hi Ian,

The quality is superb, it's very waterproof and the various fixings are excellent. It packs up small enough to go into the chairs in the tail gate so no issues with storage either. The fit is excellent, goes on and comes off really easily although having one person either side of the van makes it far easier.

I've not tested it in full sun yet to see how effective it will be - it's not been very sunny yet! I have a black beach so use in summer to help keep the top cool if we aren't parked in the shade was one of the reasons for going for this over a Comfortz or other make in PVC and plain colours. The breathable material and metallic silver stuff (it glistens rather than is mirrored) was one of the advantages as I saw it, others may disagree. We're going to Croatia this summer so it'll get a good sun-test then I'm sure!

I didn't go for the multi-coloured or window options - again because I want it to reflect the sun as much as possible. I've also bought one set (of 4) of these extensions for the side attachments to help with ventilation:

http://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p59_kederschrauben-verlaengerung--set-.html

They hold the sides open to let air circulate as well as shielding the sun. The sides on the mutze are attached to the front and back (rather than separate as for the Calitop shown in the picture) so I just use these extensions for the two central attachments on the side. It holds the side out by a good 10cm and works really well. If you have an awning then you can only do this on one side (as you can't get to the channel under the awning) but it seems sufficient so far - good air flow when you want it, use the standard thumb screws when you don't. You do need to also buy the thumb screws to go with them as the ones that come with the mutze are m4, the extensions are m6 (Sod's law they would be different!). The price is per thumbscrew so I bought 4:
http://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p19_knob-screw.html

If I'd had a lighter coloured van (white!) then I probably would have gone for the Calitop itself as it can stay attached when you fold the roof down (according to the site) and you can open the sides out as shown I. The picture to give loads of ventilation. However it doesn't cover the roof so wouldn't work for what I want.

The cost of the mutze (all silver, t6beach, no windows) was €314 including postage - but when I emailed them to say I was a VIP member of the forum they refunded me €29 so cost was actually only €285 - so about £245 including postage!

Cost of the thumbscrews and extensions was about €60 so quite expensive an addition. I was ordering some other bits from Calitop anyway so the delivery was 'free' for these bits in my mind - not sure how much they'd charge if you ordered just those.

I'm very pleased with the mutze and extras so far and will report back after its had a really good test in the sun as well as in the rain ️

Jez

Thanks Jez - that is all very helpful information. If the Mutze makes a good job of reflecting the sun - and thus helping the top keep cool in summer - then it truely is a cover for all seasons as its winter credentials seem very strong already. Thanks also for the advice on becoming (and mentioning to Mutze being) a VWCC VIP member, which is actually something I now realise I should done before I bought my Kyham awning in January!

Plenty of info to mull over - just as I was beginning to tend towards the Thais, though the Mutze sound great and clearly the products (and service from Nick) at Comfortz get rave reviews too!

Croatia sounds like a might fine adventure! We hope to do Italian lakes at some point later this summer after a few trips to beaches in Dorset, Devon or Cornwall - whenever the sun puts in an appearance.

Cheers
Ian

 

[daz60]

Which would you go for, Kamper Cosi or Cali Topper and why. Looking to get one in the next couple of days but which to chose. I have done a search but not much comes up.

Hi Cannondale, I have both, both of them are very good, but the Kamper Cosi is heavy difficult for one person to put up and can tear easily and rub the paint thin on the corners of the roof . The Cali Topper is easy for one person to put up very good quality doesn't rub the paint will not tear and stows away with the chair. Go for the Cali Topper.

 

[Esandar#1]

Hi Cannondale, I have both, both of them are very good, but the Kamper Cosi is heavy difficult for one person to put up and can tear easily and rub the paint thin on the corners of the roof . The Cali Topper is easy for one person to put up very good quality doesn't rub the paint will not tear and stows away with the chair. Go for the Cali Topper. View attachment 21788 View attachment 21790

Hi Daz60 / Mighty Quinn,
I think Cannondale probably bought whatever they decided to buy some months ago (when they started this thread) but the info that you have all provided has been very interesting for me, as I'm intending to buy one and have been round the houses (several times) looking at pros and cons of each! I'm narrowing it down!!! Will report back when I purchase and test!

 

[CannonDale]

Thanks guys, I did get the Khyam. Been to France twice and still not had to use it. In Provence now, it chucked it down last night and the van stayed nice and dry and warm without any topper. I am aware of issues re the khyam and will be careful when using it.

 

[Trebor]

Thanks Trebor. So, its definitely the Kamper Cosy for you when you need protection from the elements! That is good as that is the cheaper option too!

One more question: in the Meribel picture, you appear to have your bike rack on? I cannot imagine you took your bikes skiing, so why don't you take the bike rack off? Surely it must obsure your rear mirror view when driving, be extra weight that you don't need to carry on a long trip... or is it a real pain to be taking the bike rack on and off or is it just the easiest place to store it.?I see so many Cali's being driven about 'bike rack on'...? Or is it just cool to do so?!

Aluminium waterproof box for cable snow shovel etc carried on bike rack .