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Old 01-21-2017, 09:29 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brianjwilson View Post
From an outside view it looks impractical for a top bed, but inside it looks so much better.
It looks bad to me! I would be extremely uncomfortable trying to sleep there in that coffin.

But that van is beautiful.

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Old 01-22-2017, 07:33 AM   #22
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Originally Posted by Brianjwilson View Post
I would really love to have a couple of measurements from this type of top with a bed. From an outside view it looks impractical for a top bed, but inside it looks so much better. This thread is definitely making me think more about fixed tops.

Does anyone have measurement for the top of bed cushion to the middle of the roof for this type of top? Or from the "ledge" that the bed sits on to the top of the top?

I don't mind being stuffed in a smaller space, and although I'm 6' tall I'd be content with an interior slightly shorter. But I am trying to imagine my wife climbing up and trying to turn around up there.
I'd just shoot BVerhulst a PM, he's a super nice guy and sim sure would be willing to measure up a few things for ya.
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Old 01-22-2017, 10:01 AM   #23
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Here's the 2002 Adventure Wagen that, together with Jimmy's, got me thinking and now wanting this style top. Found the pictures over on Expedition Portal for sale section (was for sale in 2011).
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AW1.jpg   AW2.jpg   AW Roof.jpg  
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Old 01-22-2017, 10:02 AM   #24
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Adventure Wagen interior. I like the room the top gives the top bed and I think the Tufport top is very similar.
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AW Interior 1.jpg   AW Interior 2.jpg   AW Interior 3.jpg   AW Upper Bed 1.jpg   AW Upper Bed.jpg  

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Old 01-22-2017, 01:22 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by pjpvi View Post
Adventure Wagen interior. I like the room the top gives the top bed and I think the Tufport top is very similar.
I agree Tufport looks similar you should talk to them, they are a great bunch. Before I started doing tops they were very helpful and I almost pulled the trigger on one… Sounds like a trip is in order
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Old 01-22-2017, 08:14 PM   #26
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Well there is definitely a lot of room in that adventure wagon, but I'm not looking to add a second story on my van. Just a bed. Lol
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Old 01-23-2017, 01:59 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by Brianjwilson View Post

Does anyone have measurement for the top of bed cushion to the middle of the roof for this type of top? Or from the "ledge" that the bed sits on to the top of the top?

I don't mind being stuffed in a smaller space, and although I'm 6' tall I'd be content with an interior slightly shorter. But I am trying to imagine my wife climbing up and trying to turn around up there.
My last van had the 24" Fiberine/Voyager type top with an upper bed. I would sleep up there on week long trips when my father was in town from Down Under. Otherwise if was normally just me and I would sleep down below. It was really tight getting up there and trying to turn around but I always slept great. Mine had the fantastic fan right above my head as well as two sliding windows along the sides that helped airflow.

If you have, or are prone to getting, a sore back I wouldn't recommend it but otherwise it is tight but doable. Trying to turn around is a challenge and may not be needed depending on how your bed is laid out. Mine was up front so if you didn't turn around it would slope near your head. I slept that way a few times but preferred to sleep with my head the other way.

I have a pop-top now that has its own positives and negatives but you can't beat a pop-top for airflow when its nice out! I do miss the hardtop at times but I also like keeping a lower profile and having the choice to pop the top or not. The hardtop was always HOT in the summer and really it never wanted to cool down even with the fantastic fan and windows. The windows also loved to leak if parked at an angle and it was raining hard.

I would get a hardtop again but it for sure would be a larger one. You are gonna pay a penalty on that height anyway so after owning one I would go big like OCSMB/Brian Wilsons old one or even one of the bigger ones. The old Airstream B190 might be overkill but those have a lot of room.

Let me know if you have anymore questions. I don't have any photos of my old rig handy at the moment but can get some. It was a great layout and very functional.
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Old 01-23-2017, 11:19 PM   #28
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I appreciate the input KTMRIDER.

After careful consideration I've decided. I need two otherwise identical vans. One with a pop-top and one with a fixed top.

Most of my life right now revolves around keeping the kids happy. 11 months and 2.5 years old. The warm, dry and quiet part of a fixed top is so appealing for that reason. I've slept in WAY more cramped quarters on boats, oil rigs, connex boxes with bunks etc. at least I wouldn't be listening to 8 other grown men snore and fart within arms reach. The wife's comfort up there on the other hand... I mean I could get her a nice tent but, I don't think we would travel much as a family. Hrm... Maybe that's ok though too. Haha

Interesting though how you found the fixed top getting very hot. My experience with the four wheel camper is that direct sun on the gray vinyl/pvc or whatever, it got damn hot. It was like sitting by a big glass window. I had the arctic pack which helped, but in the high desert sun I ended up putting reflectix up there if I was inside during the day. I would THINK I could insulate a fixed top well enough to reflect the heat pretty well. Definitely need a fan over the upper bed.


Of course it could be the unusually cold winter that has me currently thinking more about fixed tops. I love the open air feeling of a pop-top during the summer. But I also entertain the idea of living half time in the van until the kids are in school. It sure would be nice to store bedding in the upper bunk and have the "relative" stealthness (yeah right!) of a fixed top. Decisions decisions.
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Old 01-26-2017, 11:35 AM   #29
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heres another I noticed on the homepage in the 3 random pix that are always changing.



member name: Jcracing. gallery: Sportsmobile Forum - jcracing's Album: Jcracing
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Old 01-28-2017, 06:20 PM   #30
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I was out of town when this thread started and away from Big Thunder. Thought I'd add these pictures when I got home.

Overall View of the Van. We have and Aluminess roof rack with, solar panels, spare tire (adapted Yakima tie down) and Maxtrax on top.

Back view.

Drivers cab.

Overall view looking towards rear.

Left lower cabinets.

Upper Rear Storage Rack/Basket. I made this. It is mounted to the backing plates of the roof rack.

Upper Rear Storage Rack/Basket - Closeup
Upper Rear Storage Rack/Basket Open

Left Rear Shelf - The bins were bought at Walmart

Right Rear Shelf

Front Center Cabinet

Upper Left Cabinet

Upper Right Cabinet

Front Center Cabinet Open

Barn Door Kitchen

Bedding in Travel Mode - We just fold bedding over behind bench seat

Bedding in Sleeping Mode


Things we like. A huge amount of storage. No need to store stuff in the living area. We are able to move around the back on the road with full height. We are able to change the bed from travel to sleep in two minutes flat and back again as fast. We have 32 gallons of water on board.

Things we don't like. Can't go through drive ins. Reduced gas mileage from increased drag. Can be tight in certain places.

Overall we are happy to have the Cruiser top. Breaking camp usually takes less than five minutes. We are really into the Mobile part of SportsMobile.
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