Penthouse Replacement to Hardtop

[Fremebe]

Well this week I learned a lot about my only 9 year old Sportsmobile. First the shower issue that destroyed all the wood and now when taking apart the back where the top attached I found that the wood in the back is all rotten. The van was build in 2015 and the top was replaced under warranty in 2020. And not even four years later it is a disaster.

I now have a van that cost 70,000 in conversion from 2015 in total shambles, all on workmanship.

Anyway my post it to a BIG shout out there for anyone who removed the penthouse and replaced with a hard top. What company did you use? Was there someone who could do the work?

I am over the issue with the top. Want to go a safe route and just gut and start over. Any help appreciated.

[Fremebe]

I just learned that Fibrin has replaced many of the sportsmobile penthouse tops. So therefore, my new updated post is, Sportsmobile penthouse top for sale.

I'll be making arrangements as soon as I can to get the new top put on. Private message me and I will send all information on the existing top.

[Big_ern_101]

Consider a Colorado Camper Van pop top if you like the pop top features but think the Sportsmobile tops suck.

[Fremebe]

Yes I had considered Colorado Camper Van a few years ago. At this point I think I am done with pop tops. I have decided to purchase the Fiberine top. Just trying to find a company to remove the penthouse and install the new top. The penthouse was replaced under warranty in 2020. Original van built 2015. Peter at Sportsmobile West finally agreed to replace when the wood upfront buckled and the top came up in the corner. Until I peeled back the vinyl I did not know it wa starting again.

The rest of the top is intact. Will be selling it as soon as I figure out how to do the swap out.

[dbhosttexas]

I've never heard of any undue issues with the Penthouse tops. Having said that, there is always the possibility of getting a dud.

The interiors are well made-ish. To industry standards as they say, and the industry standards are complete crap.

A vehicle intended to be used for outdoor AKA wet activities should NEVER have MDF or tempered hardboard of any sort anywhere near it.

If I could find a unicorn and get an unmolested EL E350 cargo van to start off with, I would copy some of the ideas from SMB, but would start off with a Colorado Campervans hi top model pop top. It gives me at 5' 10" almost fully standing room, far enough to change clothes, and move about the van pretty freely without having to have to top popped, yet retaining the ability to pop the top and have a much roomier Penthouse bunk if need be...

All campers at some point are going to leak, that's just how it is. My intent with my RB11 rebuild is to shed the MDF junk cabinets is to use the OE panels as templates for proper baltic birch plywood panels and simply rebuild the bed cabinets. Kitchen cabinets / toilet cabinet / Closet would get a massive redesign.

My point is no matter the build, there is always going to be something you won't like. Fix it, or replace it.

Depending on the MFG / Installer, fixed hi tops can and do leak as well. Fiberine has a VERY good reputation though. Why not have them do the swap for you? If I were interested in a fixed hi top and could afford their price tag, they would be my one stop for that job...

[Fremebe]

A lot of wisdom in what you wrote. The if I only knew then… The reason for not having Fiberine do the install is logistics. I am now located in the Washington area. I would need to get solar, roof racks, penthouse off—then somehow get to California. Rather have the top shipped to outfitter somewhere near me and do everything at once.

Going to just start over—new top, new window (possibly flares) and then new rebuilt. Between the shower disaster and the penthouse rotten wood if really is a start over anyway. Guess a good time to recreate and reimagine. A lot more options out there since the first build in 2015.

[dbhosttexas]

Make sure you pick a VERY qualified shop to do the swap. Fiberine is famouns not just for their producct, but also their process. They produce a quality result because of their processes they follow for the install.. Not saying others can't many do. Some however turned out to be real duds... Just make sure you pick a good shop that knows what they are doing.

And even at that, as they say, sh*t happens. People make mistakes, products fail etc...

Just from my perspective, I wouldn't do an indoor shower, Too paranoid about leaks...or just spraying everywhere...

[N147JK]

You will probably like the hard top better anyway. If you're living in the cool Pacific Northwest, they are comfortable. We go out in the shoulder season and a lot of the time it's very cool. With a hardtop, we are warm and dry all the time. No leaks, drafts, etc. Just pull into a campsite.. there's nothing to set up. Best of luck with your project.

[N147JK]

Originally Posted by dbhosttexas

Just from my perspective, I wouldn't do an indoor shower, Too paranoid about leaks...or just spraying everywhere...

Agree - I'd take it out and leave it out. Might consider an outside shower instead. Free up a lot of interior space.

[Oogs]

Good luck with the swap, I think you'll like the hard top better. My first SMB was pop top and had it replaced under warranty about 6 years in. Our current is built with the Voyager top and 11 years of ownership with no issues.