20" or 24"

[ValerieP]

Today is the day I can order my hightop from Fiberine! Alas, I'm still debating 20" or 24". I like the looks of the 20" far more than the 24" , and I think it would be high enough. There is 56" at the high point now- so if I allow for 2" for insulation, flooring, and a headliner- I would have 74" with a 20" and 78" with a 24".
Please offer your opinions! 
Thanks!

 

[mudbunny]

My vote is for the 24". That's what I have and I'm 6'3", my hair just touches the headliner. Either one is going to add some wind resistance and the extra 4" isn't going to make much difference. The extra 4" is going to give you more storage but just for lite weight items. I don't know the prices or if there is a big difference as mine came with it already installed. I do get buffeting when it's windy or around semi's but I think both would. You probably don't need the extra headroom so it will just come down to which one pleases your eyes or your bank account. Just my $.02.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

 

[steamjam1]

I'm 6"2 and My van/RV has a 24" hightop. Even with the liner, and insulation I can stand up in my van. I appreciate that. But yeah, when its windy outside and your on the freeway, it can get "interesting"....

 

[highdesertranger]

this is America if big is good, bigger is better. seriously though if a 20 works for you go for it, if not go for a 24. highdesertranger

 

[karl]

Never been disappointed with too much headroom, but have been by too low hanging branches or drive thru's.

 

[Almost There]

I vote for the 24" - not just for the extra headroom which is great.

I'm only 5' so I never have to worry about headroom. I have 6'2" of standing height after floor and ceiling are installed. Visitors can stand up.

When you're getting the top installed, seriously think about having them leave in not just the front drivers' compartment (necessary for safety reasons) but also the back 3'. I have more storage up there than you can ever imagine! See pics in build thread or Bob's video of my van.

It leaves me 6' of the center of the van for standing height which is more than enough to dance in....  

Also those 2 windows I have in the fiberglass top have proven to be more than wonderful. I can leave them open at night for airflow, open then when I'm cooking inside and I also use them to vent hot air after driving or on warmer days. I really recommend them! I'd not had them in a high top before and now I wouldn't be without them.

With the 24" high top and the 2 windows I still have room enough on the fiberglass top to add an awning (on this years' bucket list). You wouldn't have that kind of room with the 20".

One gets used to the tug of crosswinds adn transports and learns to drive and park accordingly. Yes, I've had to white knuckle it a couple of times but seriously a heavy crosswind affects vans even as small as the Astro/Safari ones. I certainly wouldn't use fear of it as a reason to not get the high top.

 

[galladanb]

I am 6-2, and I REALLLLLLLY want a hi-top ASAP...

But, I have questions such as how much are we talking about?
How much lead time for the pre order?
How will you manage your personal property while the van is in the shop?
Is there an option for a self install?
Can they ship the top out east, say to Tennessee?
How much would that cost?
Will they let you video the install?

Maybe, I'm simply over thinking all of this???

Thx in advance for helping me with this!

 

[user 15722]

Over the years I have camped in many vans.
We frequently wished for better insulation, sometimes for a heater, and most all the time for more headroom.
Full time ?
Yes, go for the 24".

If you do run into the high wind situation mention, in your travels, stop along the roadside and perhaps park, parallel to the winds direction.
Ride it out for the few hours in comfort. wheels

 

[ValerieP]

I am 6-2, and I REALLLLLLLY want a hi-top ASAP...

But, I have questions such as how much are we talking about? Approx. 4000 installed
How much lead time for the pre order? Pay half and ready in 2 weeks
How will you manage your personal property while the van is in the shop? Im taking more of it out and storing it. They do the install in one day.
Is there an option for a self install? I don't know, but the install is 850 or so
Can they ship the top out east, say to Tennessee? I don't know 
How much would that cost? You would have to ask 
Will they let you video the install? I don't think so

Maybe, I'm simply over thinking all of this??? No, it's a big investment.

Thx in advance for helping me with this!

 

[breeze]

Geusstimating from descriptions, 20" sounds like near 10' tall and that's plenty high enough. My oem high roof is 2" short of 10', but I still have solar and a roof vent going up, so I'd have to have an 11' garage for comfort with angles of slopes entering and exiting considered on a 20' long vehicle.

Buddha said, "You can never satisfy greed." Take the middle of the road. It costs a lot in racks and planning to effectively utilize that high space and then a high center of gravity is not safe. If you can stand up is the main thing. Don't be greedy. I look at all the low branches of every neighborhood street and highway road I ride down EVERY second I drive, and mine is a steel oem top too. Most branches are cut borderline high for my van too, so far :-( I swerve a lot in neighborhoods from irresponsible land owners not trimming their trees properly.

 

[ValerieP]

I ordered! I chose the 20" aesthetics, tree limbs, and a little less cross wind issue led me to choose the 20". Plus I measured and the way it is now I have 56". I thought it was 52", so 20" ought to be plenty.

 

[galladanb]

? Yay!

Can't wait for the install review and videos!!!

Side question, how far is Fiberine from Fresno?
Thinking maybe we could crash at my nephew's, lol??

 

[travlinman and wife]

when they did mine wait  time was one week. shiping to tn was $800 so I opted to take a vacation for that amount of money I could drive out and back and let someone who has installed hundreds of them and would know what  they are doing and I was very pleased. as far as your belongings I took part out and left part in and they covered it with plastic. I arrived about 8 in the morning and they took me down to long beach with a lot of shopping and tourist  attractions called me in about 6 hours that he was ready to come and pick me up. and the belongings I took out I left on the property.

 

[ValerieP]

? Yay!

Can't wait for the install review and videos!!!

Side question, how far is Fiberine from Fresno?
Thinking maybe we could crash at my nephew's, lol??

241 miles- about the same distance I will travel from Pahrump!

 

[ValerieP]

I'm still thinking about my dogs- we have 4 of them. There is a campground in Orange County I might stay at the night before. The thought of getting up early enough to get there by 8 is not pleasant and the area has too many people for me to feel comfortable boondocking at the local Walmart.

 

[ColoRockiesFan]

I am 6-2, and I REALLLLLLLY want a hi-top ASAP...

But, I have questions such as how much are we talking about?
How much lead time for the pre order?
How will you manage your personal property while the van is in the shop?
Is there an option for a self install?
Can they ship the top out east, say to Tennessee?
How much would that cost?
Will they let you video the install?

Maybe, I'm simply over thinking all of this???

Thx in advance for helping me with this!

I'm in the same situation but I live in Virginia (I found a reliable installer in PA). Here's an email I got from Fiberine:

24" Bubble top w/reverse flange: $2950.00 each
Set of 12"x 43" half sliding windows:$750.00
Inside white liner: $650.00

For shipping, we have a packaging and crating fee of $375.00 (shipping fees are not included). I was able to get you a shipping quote to Gilbert, PA 18331 for $680.00. Please keep in mind this shipping quote is only valid for the next 48 hours.

Other van top options:
1). 3 strips of wood on the ceiling:..........................$95.00
    (for mounting a headliner)
-OR-
2). OSB plywood reinforcement on the ceiling:.....$295.00
  (for mounting external AC, solar panels, etc.)
3). Wood strips on sides of the van top:..................$140.00
  (for mounting cabinets)

Al of our van tops come in a standard white gel coat. Manufacturing time for all of our van tops is 2-3 weeks.

//////////////////////////////////////

I hope this helps. I'm still debating the 20" vs. 24" ...

 

[ValerieP]

It's a hard debate, but if I were 6ft., I would have definitely chosen the 24".

 

[ColoRockiesFan]

It's a hard debate, but if I were 6ft., I would have definitely chosen the 24".

Fortunately, I'm 5'3" ...   

But I'm still debating! I prefer the aesthetics of the 20" as well ... but like the storage potential of the 24". ARGH!

 

[ValerieP]

Fortunately, I'm 5'3" ...   

But I'm still debating! I prefer the aesthetics of the 20" as well ... but like the storage potential of the 24". ARGH!

I also emailed Fiberine about the extra wood reinforcement for the sides of the 20". They never mentioned that and I think it would be nice to have. I flipped back and forth on the height for a month or so, do I totally understand!

 

[ColoRockiesFan]

I also emailed Fiberine about the extra wood reinforcement for the sides of the 20". They never mentioned that and I think it would be nice to have. I flipped back and forth on the height for a month or so, do I totally understand!

I finally decided! I also ordered the 20" with the windows and liner! WAHOO!
Now off to auction a kidney ....