New Pop-Top Bellows (double skin?) question.

[Andrewdiverman101]

Does any know if the new 2023 delivery California bellows canvas is double skinned. I am still waiting for my July 22 Ocean order with still no date planned. I did however buy a Brandrup Isotop VI in preparation. Not sure if this will be suitable or even required now.
I would like to hear from anyone with the new canvas. Thanks Andrew.


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[andyinluton]

Yes it is double skinned. I’ve not slept up there yet but it does give a much nicer feeling & brighter look to the upstairs.

What it doesn’t address is the drafts, light and rain that can come in through the ventilation mesh in the top front corners.

When I get round to it I will be thinking of some sort of cover to go over the mesh rather than a full liner. With the full front being able to be unzipped it won’t be a problem accessing the outside of the mesh from inside the van, so am thinking something attached by magnets inside and out may work.

 

[Corradobrit]

Does any know if the new 2023 delivery California bellows canvas is double skinned. I am still waiting for my July 22 Ocean order with still no date planned. I did however buy a Brandrup Isotop VI in preparation. Not sure if this will be suitable or even required now.
I would like to hear from anyone with the new canvas. Thanks Andrew.


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Mine has the new canvas but I have yet to see it in person. I believe it had a Nov build. Whether you need an isotop too probably depends where you plan to use the Cali. I'm hoping the new skin will be adequate for most conditions in Northern/Southern Europe (except Alpine) without the need to resort to an aftermarket solution.

 

[Corradobrit]

some sort of cover to go over the mesh rather than a full liner. With the full front being able to be unzipped it won’t be a problem accessing the outside of the mesh from inside the van, so am thinking something attached by magnets inside and out may work.

Good idea

 

[dspuk]

My recollection was that all Calis built after the summer shutdown at the factory will have the new bellows as they were doing the retooling then.

Our July 22 has the old ones - be interesting to know if the new bellows would have done away with the need for our Rainbow Screens cover. My sister has one arriving March time so will get a scoobies then.

 

[dspuk]

Yes it is double skinned. I’ve not slept up there yet but it does give a much nicer feeling & brighter look to the upstairs.

What it doesn’t address is the drafts, light and rain that can come in through the ventilation mesh in the top front corners.

When I get round to it I will be thinking of some sort of cover to go over the mesh rather than a full liner. With the full front being able to be unzipped it won’t be a problem accessing the outside of the mesh from inside the van, so am thinking something attached by magnets inside and out may work.

Been thinking about something velcro based myself with a small tablet shaped piece of thick material to stick over when we do the NC500.

 

[Corradobrit]

My recollection was that all Calis built after the summer shutdown at the factory will have the new bellows as they were doing the retooling then.

Our July 22 has the old ones - be interesting to know if the new bellows would have done away with the need for our Rainbow Screens cover. My sister has one arriving March time so will get a scoobies then.

According to Calibord.de it was any Cali built after 3rd week of Sept. last year

 

[andyinluton]

According to Calibord.de it was any Cali built after 3rd week of Sept. last year

That sounds about right some early MY23 didn’t have the revised roof.

 

[andyinluton]

Been thinking about something velcro based myself with a small tablet shaped piece of thick material to stick over when we do the NC500.

I think the spacing on the mesh might be enough that a piece of Velcro on the inside May attach to its counterpart on the outside. If it does that will simplify things, it’s too wet and windy to put the roof up to find out at the moment.

 

[yossarian]

What it doesn’t address is the drafts, light and rain that can come in through the ventilation mesh in the top front corners.

When I get round to it I will be thinking of some sort of cover to go over the mesh rather than a full liner. With the full front being able to be unzipped it won’t be a problem accessing the outside of the mesh from inside the van, so am thinking something attached by magnets inside and out may work.

I glued velcro around the mesh, made up some midge proof velcro on covers and have a piece of acetate film that slides in between. Mrs Y doesn't know the acetate is there.

One day I'll test the thermal performance. For now I'm happy with the result. I suspect most covers / liners achieve a large portion of their gains by defeating the vents.

 

[Andrewdiverman101]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I thought the Brandrup Isotop V1 was the default solution for warmth, blackout etc, so I bought one in readiness for my delivery some time this year. When I heard of the new bellows, I then wondered If the Brandrup Isotop V1 will still be compatible or even necessary and it would be good to know from other users with new bellows. I can’t find out much from my dealer or Brandrup yet.


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[dspuk]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I thought the Brandrup Isotop V1 was the default solution for warmth, blackout etc, so I bought one in readiness for my delivery some time this year. When I heard of the new bellows, I then wondered If the Brandrup Isotop V1 will still be compatible or even necessary and it would be good to know from other users with new bellows. I can’t find out much from my dealer or Brandrup yet.


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It should fit fine, the main question will be with the double skin, is it even needed anymore.

 

[andyinluton]

It should fit fine, the main question will be with the double skin, is it even needed anymore.

Having tried the Theis liner, Isotop V and Isotope V1in previous vans, Unusually for me I havn't yet rushed out to get the V1 for the new van.

I would be slightly apprehensive about how tight it will be up there getting everything to fit. My previous T6.1 with the earlier version of the bellows with the Panoramic opening + the Isotop was a very tight fit at the front. The extra layer in the MY23 bellows may make the fabric even thicker & thus an even tighter fit. Current van also has the storage net in the roof hatch, which may make it even harder.

 

[dspuk]

Having tried the Theis liner, Isotop V and Isotope V1in previous vans, Unusually for me I havn't yet rushed out to get the V1 for the new van.

I would be slightly apprehensive about how tight it will be up there getting everything to fit. My previous T6.1 with the earlier version of the bellows with the Panoramic opening + the Isotop was a very tight fit at the front. The extra layer in the MY23 bellows may make the fabric even thicker & thus an even tighter fit. Current van also has the storage net in the roof hatch, which may make it even harder.

We had a choice of this or the Rainbow cover. Latter great but if the new bellows thick enough to not need would be a great result for new owners and maybe a future upgrade. So new top doesn’t have the full zip, just the half moon?

 

[andyinluton]

We had a choice of this or the Rainbow cover. Latter great but if the new bellows thick enough to not need would be a great result for new owners and maybe a future upgrade. So new top doesn’t have the full zip, just the half moon?

No, new top still has full Panoramic opening. It's the Panoramic + the isotop V1 together that gets tight as they both have additional zips running full height on the front corners, when the roof folds down those zips are folded in half & you end up with essentially 4 layers of zip together, if the new bellows adds even thicker material in this area its going to be even tighter.

Previously ive always just had the internal liner for convenience, we tried an external one once & sold it. If we were camping in snow I can see the need for an external on.

 

[Corradobrit]

Having tried the Theis liner, Isotop V and Isotope V1in previous vans, Unusually for me I havn't yet rushed out to get the V1 for the new van.

I would be slightly apprehensive about how tight it will be up there getting everything to fit. My previous T6.1 with the earlier version of the bellows with the Panoramic opening + the Isotop was a very tight fit at the front. The extra layer in the MY23 bellows may make the fabric even thicker & thus an even tighter fit. Current van also has the storage net in the roof hatch, which may make it even harder.

The batch of 3 Cali's my dealer received (incl mine) were the first he has seen with the new fabric. He says its stretchier and easier to close compared to the single skin which I think has more of a tendency to bunch up without some assistance.

 

[Andrewdiverman101]

Brandrup have now confirmed to me that the V1 Isotop works perfectly with the new 2023 Bellows fitted to California’s. .


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[Corradobrit]

Brandrup have now confirmed to me that the V1 Isotop works perfectly with the new 2023 Bellows fitted to California’s. .


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I'm hoping an isotop will not be necessary with the new double skinned fabric. Someone reported that the tambour is quite hard to close due to the bulk of the new material, and having all that extra Isotop material isn't going to help the cause.

 

[andyinluton]

Brandrup have now confirmed to me that the V1 Isotop works perfectly with the new 2023 Bellows fitted to California’s. .


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They would - it's in their interests to keep on selling them. The main advantages of the Isotop is to stop wicking of moisture through the canvas and making the upstairs darker, if the new double skinned roof solves those 2 problems I don't think I will be buying one.

I just need to workout how to restrict light & airflow through the roof vents.