Pop Top Installers

[stesmit]

Hi All,
This is my first post here as I'm a relatively new van owner. I've used this forum for info many times and really appreciate the community that's been built over the love of van! Thanks!

I've got a 2005 E350 SuperDuty XLT Extended wagon. We've been sleeping on a queen size platform bed that was installed after removing the rear rows of seating but the kids have gotten larger and we are too big for one bed. We are looking at pop top installers and have found Field Vans, Sportsmobile, and Colorado Camper Van. Any insights or experience with these or other installers I should know about before booking something? Any helpful information I can provide?

Thanks,
Stephen

[Lilnuts2]

Most consider the CCV top to be the better one. They all are pricey and a few months out.

[Otter]

I’ve got the CCV midsize poptop on my E350 and it’s fantastic. I originally had an installation appointment with SMB to get their top installed and then I saw a CCV in person and switched. The two main reasons the CCV proved superior were these: 1) the size of the bed space. It’s both longer and wider, fitting two adults comfortably spread out. Most importantly, you can sit up in the CCV bed, with headroom to spare, not possible in the SMB. 2) the top is full length; i.e., the cover goes all the way across the length of the roof, giving you a nice storage space above the cab headliner.

There are other advantages to the CCV but those are the two most important to me. Take a look at my commentary and photos on my build starting on post 142:

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...-17377-15.html
.

[tedujam]

As mentioned, the CCV top is bigger and better.

[1der]

Sent you a PM, please check. Thxs, Ray

[MSD]

I’ll chime in way late on this (used to work for CCV, now retired). The CCV top is better as mentioned above. One thing not mentioned that SMB & field van does & shouldn’t do is cut out the last rear roof Pillar aka the D pillar. The B & D need to stay, they make the van much more structurally sound, that & the CCV frame is stronger & bolted in keeping the strength wear the roof was removed. Any other questions & Ray aka 1der will have you covered.

[Glen]

Absolutely LOVE my CCV high top. It was the biggest & scariest investment I made on the van, but well worth the cost. The guys at CCV were great to work with. Here's a couple of pics:

[MSD]

One other quick note, pretty sure Glens van was featured in 4wheel mag not to long ago. Congrats Glen.

[sbgrimm]

Hey Glen (and MSD), I see you carry a lot of gear on your CCV pop top. I've got one as well and often carry sea kayaks or rafting frame and gear. It's never been clear to me just how much weight the CCV top can lift. It seems much sturdier than the SMB top that it replaced and the lifting mechanism seems robust. With our sea kayak, Yakima bars, and solar panel we're pushing 120 lbs. When we have that load we assist the top by pushing up manually the first 8-12 inches as Derek instructed.

How much weight do you guys have on top?

[MSD]

150lbs with manual help. I’ve know of people going higher, but not really recommended. When the top is in the down position & you are not going to raise it up, you can go much higher. But you’d need to remove gear to raise the top.