Rooftop Tent into Penthouse Conversion?

[Paco-SMB]

Has anyone tried converting a hardcased roof top tent into a penthouse pop up?

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27157&stc=1&d=1557854842

I want the extra headspace of the penthouse but dont have the extra 8k so i've been thinking about cutting the bottom of the RTT and the roof of my van and somehow attaching them.

Has anyone tried anything similar to this? Want to get your thoughts before turning my van into a convertible.

thanks!

 

[shenrie]

member abitibi did something similar with an ambulance conversion.


http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f24/ambuland-build-thread-2001-e350-ambulance-9789.html

 

[Grampswrx]

I think you want to focus on the RTT that covers the most of the roof. Or just buy a plain top. Where are you located?

There was one for sale in SoCal. There was also a full van for sale in MA that was too rusty to pass inspection but had a good top on it. Tops run $1000-$3000. Might be easier and better to do that.

 

[Paco-SMB]

member abitibi did something similar with an ambulance conversion.


http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f24/ambuland-build-thread-2001-e350-ambulance-9789.html

Oh man this is exactly what I was talking about. Thanks!

I think you want to focus on the RTT that covers the most of the roof. Or just buy a plain top. Where are you located?

There was one for sale in SoCal. There was also a full van for sale in MA that was too rusty to pass inspection but had a good top on it. Tops run $1000-$3000. Might be easier and better to do that.

I’m in California. When you say plain top do you just mean a roof topper?

 

[Grampswrx]

I’m in California. When you say plain top do you just mean a roof topper?[/QUOTE]

I just mean a stand alone pop top. They come up for sale every so often. If you have a van ready, just get the right top when it come up for sale. Run a roof top tent until you find a good top to install. There is a reason people use the tried and true providers even at high prices: they work.

A roof top tent will prefer a flat mating surface like an ambulance box provides. But hey, you do you and I will watch your build out excitedly.

 

[Cyrull]

member abitibi did something similar with an ambulance conversion.


http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f24/ambuland-build-thread-2001-e350-ambulance-9789.html

I've seen it in person, very impressive.

 

[rallypanam]

Buddy of mine did it on his sprinter years ago.. Loves it.

 

[86Scotty]

Robb, I was hoping you'd post that. I was too lazy to dig it up.

I have considered trying this many times but I'm just not too keen on cutting up a new RTT.

 

[upsidedown]

I got a 18” tall fiberglass top off craigslist for $200...deals are out there. Junkyard had them for about the same price here in San Diego.

I’ve thought about a rooftop tent on top of some Thule bars on top of my high top. Extra sleeping area. Seems like it could be an interesting build. You could reinforce the fiberglass with plywood and fiberglass or an aluminum frame and fiberglass the pop-up sleeper to the high top. That would be some custom ****. Rhino line or Raptorline it all white and it might look pretty bomber.