If you had a well used van, would you invest in a pop-top?

[squashyo]

As some may know, I just bought a very used E350 for pretty cheap (in-law deal). It's a 2007 with 210,000 miles on it. My plan was to turn it into a sweet camper but now starting to second guess myself a little. I think it needs a pop-top for ultimate comfort but that is a $10k investment on a $1500 Van.

The shop I took it to said it (van) is in pretty darn good shape but 210,000 miles has me thinking....things are likely going to start going.

So my question...am I crazy to start dumping big money into this? Maybe I just do a simple build and dream of a sweet rig down the road.

Torn. What do you think?

[Pntyrmvr]

Buy a used top. $2000 or so. Hard to find, but not impossible.


"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."

[BrianBlair]

Buy a fixed top from MSD. You'll be into if for way less and fixed tops are awesome.

[Pritikin]

Agreemsg with the above. Use it as a base for a fixed top or home-built but don't drop that kinda money into a new top.

You'll learn *a lot* about what you like/don't like in layouts and about the various systems you'd install (water, electric, etc) that you can use for your next build.

[Flux]

You could probably find a junkyard fixed top and save again.

And I fully agree that after you build one you will have a list of "what I would do different". You will also hone your homebuild skills, end up with tons of tools you never had, and a few boxes of various leftover parts.

[TexomaPowerboater]

Agree with "what I would do different" likely experience. Don't get too caught up in the "build" craze. You can get away with very little. Personally, I don't see how an extended body van doesn't have enough room for you. Think you may be looking at too many build threads and thinking "I want that too" but do you really need it? In most cases you do not.

I would not put any amount of money into it without first camping in it as is just to see how it may or may not work. A pop top or high top will not do anything that a tent can't do unless your actually running some kind of trade shop out of the van and need the extra headroom and shelving. I recommend buying a tent and just trying it out. If you want to sleep in the van use the tent to store cargo to allow more space to sleep. If you want more headroom get a taller tent like a Kodiak and sleep in it. A roof top tent may also be a good option and unlike pop top's they actually hold their value and can typically be used on more than one model of vehicle.

Until you really get into camping out of the van I would only invest in items that will hold their value and can be used for a long time with or without the van like say a good portable refrigerator. For the $10K you will pay for a pop top you will come out much better selling your existing van and buying a used class b van for $10-15K.

[Nrobert10]

So I found a poptop and installed it myself and in the process of a buildout. I put a hightop on a friends van for him. “If I were to do it again” I would opt for the hightop. Much cheaper and so much more room all the time. Not just when popped.

[MountainBikeRoamer]

Originally Posted by Pritikin

Agree msg with the above. Use it as a base for a fixed top or home-built but don't drop that kinda money into a new top.

You'll learn *a lot* about what you like/don't like in layouts and about the various systems you'd install (water, electric, etc) that you can use for your next build.

Originally Posted by Flux

You could probably find a junkyard fixed top and save again.

And I fully agree that after you build one you will have a list of "what I would do different". You will also hone your homebuild skills, end up with tons of tools you never had, and a few boxes of various leftover parts.

Originally Posted by TexomaPowerboater

Agree with "what I would do different" likely experience.

Until you really get into camping out of the van I would only invest in items that will hold their value and can be used for a long time with or without the van like say a good portable refrigerator. For the $10K you will pay for a pop top you will come out much better selling your existing van and buying a used class b van for $10-15K.

Great thread!!!

As is being said by these smart guys above ----
---- whatever you ultimately decide to invest your time and attention into, your first van will be your first (and best) teacher of what you really do and don't want out of van.

Mistakes will be made (which are really awesome learning experiences in disguise), fun will be had, you'll spend some money on things you ultimately didn't need or want (but you can write off that money as "tuition" in new kinds of life knowledge), it's all good.

If there's an ultimate pattern that seems to emerge with many long-time owners of these rigs, its that there's often a trend towards "less is more" --- a simpler rig that gets done what you need, in comfort and capability, but without all the extras that end up taxing you with lots of complicated upkeep and maintenance. A "transformer" rig setup that perhaps also allows you to use the van in lots of other different ways (besides just camping out of) can become attractive over time too.

Enjoy the journey!!!!

[Flux]

Texoma brings up some really good points. I did my build using the template of a transformer type. I did know what I need because sleeping 4 is a requirement, so pop top it was. But I didn't limit my budget and got in deep. No big deal as it was part of the plan.

But yeah, maybe just build a wood platform and go camp a weekend and spend time in there thinking about what you would want and what you want to do with it.

My criteria was 4x4 and sleep 4. Everything else is just daydreaming and extras. Now I have a house battery, heater, and 12 volt cooler fridge. It's awesome. At a certain point I also starting employing my backpacking experience with small items that have a big impact. Stove, cookset, tools, etc.

I too like the less is more. My excursions are to get away from the clutter of everyday life and enjoy some simple conveniences

[carringb]

That's really not that many miles.

If you buy a more expensive van with less miles, you end up with a more expensive van.


I have almost 450,000 hard miles, and when I see how much newer vans are going for, I pretty much figure I might as well try stretching mine out a little longer. Not like its going to lose any more value...