Afraid to ask this question...

[RVflyfish]

Just wondering if I'm missing something here. Is this just a problem with his Astro Van tops? (don't get me wrong, the photos in your album are horrible)

It seems like a fair amount of the people here have Colorado Camper Van tops on their Fords and the general responses I've read have been fairly positive. I'm getting ready to drop a fairly significant amount of money on a CCV top and I the kind of workmanship I see in those Astro Van pictures sure isn't worth the price.

Good question Wirehead. I was under the impression most Ford van tops from CCV have been positively received. Any owners out there have input?

 

[tequilasunset]

Just wondering if I'm missing something here. Is this just a problem with his Astro Van tops? (don't get me wrong, the photos in your album are horrible)

It seems like a fair amount of the people here have Colorado Camper Van tops on their Fords and the general responses I've read have been fairly positive. I'm getting ready to drop a fairly significant amount of money on a CCV top and I the kind of workmanship I see in those Astro Van pictures sure isn't worth the price.

I am also having problems with the scissor action, poor install etc... that I don't see being van discriminate.

I can't speak for others, but I have had people reach out to me with other vans with problems, one person even has a blog. There is also another thread in EP about numerous problems with them.

Search for this thread title...

Anybody heard from Colorado Camper Vans?

This may help your decision process.

 

[RVflyfish]

Got a link for Boywonder's work?

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f24/popping-my-top-10808.html

 

[tequilasunset]

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f24/popping-my-top-10808.html

Thanks much... I am always wanting to learn from others

 

[RVflyfish]

My pleasure. I feel like there's more to learn here than a person could apply to 20 vans.

 

[JeffT-SMB]

I had Derek install a top for me last summer. The job could have been done more quickly and everything wasn't perfect the first time, but he fixed the minor issues and I think he genuinely cared about getting things right. That's all I can really ask for.

 

[tequilasunset]

I had Derek install a top for me last summer. The job could have been done more quickly and everything wasn't perfect the first time, but he fixed the minor issues and I think he genuinely cared about getting things right. That's all I can really ask for.

Happy for ya... but if you read his responses to me in the thread over on EP, you will some of his truer colors be exposed... and kinda funny Derek had to FIX the work he did on your van too... seems to be a common theme.

 

[KTMRIDER-SMB]

I am also having problems with the scissor action, poor install etc... that I don't see being van discriminate.

I can't speak for others, but I have had people reach out to me with other vans with problems, one person even has a blog. There is also another thread in EP about numerous problems with them.

Search for this thread title...

Anybody heard from Colorado Camper Vans?

This may help your decision process.

If you get down to So Cal I would highly recommend the guy who fixed all my CCV issues, well all the ones I didn't fix myself. He has also repaired a friends CCV top lift mechanism as well. Other members have also used him for other fabrication and full interior builds.

Sorry you are having all the issues. It is all someone else's complaining until it happens to you, then things get real.

Eric

 

[tequilasunset]

If you get down to So Cal I would highly recommend the guy who fixed all my CCV issues, well all the ones I didn't fix myself. He has also repaired a friends CCV top lift mechanism as well. Other members have also used him for other fabrication and full interior builds.

Sorry you are having all the issues. It's always someone else complaining until it happens to you, then things get real.

Eric

That last line... you just won the interwebz

Thanks for all your responses, much appreciated!

 

[MSD-SMB]

Tequilasunset welcome to the forum great bunch for sure… Sorry to hear about all the CCV issues. My business is about 6 miles from Derek, I have gone back and forth with either CCV or Tufport. I have heard of issues with him/CCV but only rumor mill, not actual photo's and emails. That being said I will take a trip up to Canada and get a Tufport. I was entertaining the thought anyhow but now my mind is made up. Wishing you all the best in getting this all taken care of...

 

[tequilasunset]

Tequilasunset welcome to the forum great bunch for sure… Sorry to hear about all the CCV issues. My business is about 6 miles from Derek, I have gone back and forth with either CCV or Tufport. I have heard of issues with him/CCV but only rumor mill, not actual photo's and emails. That being said I will take a trip up to Canada and get a Tufport. I was entertaining the thought anyhow but now my mind is made up. Wishing you all the best in getting this all taken care of...

Thanks for the kind words MSD!

You live in a wonderful area! Man... I loved the Fort and Loveland areas, I arrived 2 days early to just get a feel for the area and make it a sort of a vacation, and make some good memories (almost pulled it off)... the vibe of the area, the character, craft brews, the way people were so polite (well most of them LOL) I wish I could live there!

 

[rallypanam]

I have gone back and forth with either CCV or Tufport

For a poptop? Tufport makes a poptop?

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Nice! I have a vanagon too, and at a cool camp event for them, the guy that runs one of the events is sort of in the same way... sold his dub and has a suv now

EDIT... just realized you are THAT person... I'm slow

'fraid not. I sold my SMB (and got an Excursion + off-road teardrop) and have never owned a Vanagon.

Herb

BTW, I think Ramsey (Agile Off-road) had the best suggestion. Get the top to fit right, and then have it Rhino lined. Cheaper than getting the gel coat fixed and more durable.

 

[Sheriffdoug]

Hi Eric!

So would it be cool to post that info here? Just got the estimate to repair the gelcoat only... almost the cost of the install!!!

5,181.93

In my early research days, I seriously considered Colorado Campers. But things didn't add up. Glad, I didn't go down that Path. Imagine the repairs problems with the vehicle in Australia?

 

[tequilasunset]

'fraid not. I sold my SMB (and got an Excursion + off-road teardrop) and have never owned a Vanagon.

Herb

BTW, I think Ramsey (Agile Off-road) had the best suggestion. Get the top to fit right, and then have it Rhino lined. Cheaper than getting the gel coat fixed and more durable.

That just might be the ticket!

 

[tequilasunset]

In my early research days, I seriously considered Colorado Campers. But things didn't add up. Glad, I didn't go down that Path. Imagine the repairs problems with the vehicle in Australia?

YIKES... yeah that is a bit far! I'm 5 states away driving and that is incredibly far, but plays into his hands. I'd be there everyday if I lived near by

 

[86Scotty]

Tequila, welcome aboard and I'm super sorry to hear about your problems with Derek and CCV. I'm one of the early CCV customers who had my Ford EB van done years ago. Larrie (forum handle) has and loves that van now. I had a couple of alignment problems and a remote go haywire on me but at that point I genuinely thought Derek was just new to the scene and having some growing pains. I'm really sad to hear how he has treated you. The facts are that can converters (especially pop tops) are few and far between. There are several here who have been very happy with Derek's work as he does offer a good product, but the attention to detail and business practices are going to have to get better across the board for him to succeed. I really hate to say it since personally I think he is a really cool and talented guy.

You are welcome here, even to bring up problems. People need to know the good and bad experiences with these expensive toys. Astro vans are awesome microcampers anyway and we need a few folks to carry the torch.

Baja has the best idea. Get it Raptor/Rhinolined and move on. It will cost 1/5 of the repair quote. The structural problems should be pretty straightforward for any fabricator or the like. Let us know where you are and someone will step up with a recommendation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tequilasunset]

Tequila, welcome aboard and I'm super sorry to hear about your problems with Derek and CCV. I'm one of the early CCV customers who had my Ford EB van done years ago. Larrie (forum handle) has and loves that van now. I had a couple of alignment problems and a remote go haywire on me but at that point I genuinely thought Derek was just new to the scene and having some growing pains. I'm really sad to hear how he has treated you. The facts are that can converters (especially pop tops) are few and far between. There are several here who have been very happy with Derek's work as he does offer a good product, but the attention to detail and business practices are going to have to get better across the board for him to succeed. I really hate to say it since personally I think he is a really cool and talented guy.

You are welcome here, even to bring up problems. People need to know the good and bad experiences with these expensive toys. Astro vans are awesome microcampers anyway and we need a few folks to carry the torch.

Baja has the best idea. Get it Raptor/Rhinolined and move on. It will cost 1/5 of the repair quote. The structural problems should be pretty straightforward for any fabricator or the like. Let us know where you are and someone will step up with a recommendation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the kind words Scotty... and I didn't want to come off as a whiner right out of the gate, but this has been burning me up. I am generally a goof ball and prefer it that way

One common theme is, Derek does a lot of FIXING... getting it right the first time does not seem to be a top priority unfortunately. I mean its not a perfect world in which we live in, stuff can and will go wrong on occasion... but when its fairly common, a person needs to have some higher standards when running a business.

Locally I have a shop that did a 1.8T conversion for my Vanagon (Stephan's Auto Haus) along with gobs of other work (close to 30K in work)... and I have pimped the heck out of his shop the last 3 years and brought him many customers. I wish other companies (people) followed Stephan's lead... Stephan has an outstanding reputation.

 

[86Scotty]

I'd take it straight to him and see if he can get the mechanical stuff on your top right, and go have it lined after. I'm not trying to wear this point out as it may not be your choice, but having recently Raptorlined a top I can't believe any offroad van would have it any other way. I also can't believe converters will actually do the paint and work (gelcoat, etc.) involved in getting them right when Raptor is so easy and tough. Anyway, just my .02

You're not a whiner. Hang around awhile, we all do a little of that here. I'm currently whining cause I don't have a van.

:b5:

 

[tequilasunset]

I'd take it straight to him and see if he can get the mechanical stuff on your top right, and go have it lined after. I'm not trying to wear this point out as it may not be your choice, but having recently Raptorlined a top I can't believe any offroad van would have it any other way. I also can't believe converters will actually do the paint and work (gelcoat, etc.) involved in getting them right when Raptor is so easy and tough. Anyway, just my .02

You're not a whiner. Hang around awhile, we all do a little of that here. I'm currently whining cause I don't have a van.

:b5:

5 states away, not so easy...

UPDATE... I am in communication with Matt, lets see what happens.