High and low top

[She]

I know this has been discussed before. Im still not have decided which to get. Either I get a high top and smaller van or a longer but shorter van. I watched some videos of people living in there vans and seem not to have a problem with low tops. I'm guessing cause you don't have far to walk. The reason Im considering a low top in the length which I think I would be happier with. On the other hand if I buy a extended van I can always later add the top. I think it would also be better stealth. For you guys who have have low tops ...what problems do you have ,if you do have them. 

 

[ped]

A long low top probably has less room than a short hightop becuase of overehead cabinet space. I have a low top now and while it's fine to sleep in I don't like to cook in it since it's so enclosed and I really do not like spending any time in it if I have to. Last summer I was out for 2 months and the last 10 days was nothing but rain for hundreds of miles. It was miserable sitting in the van the whole time.<br><br>Plain fiberglass hightops run something like $1200 then they need painted and installed. Adding one later is not really a great option. I say if at all possible find a hightop.<br>

 

[Les H]

I havnt had a low top, so I can't say for sure. But, at 6' tall, I like the fact that I can stand in my bus, cook, change my pants , even hang my kayak from the ceiling- inside. I do pay for the luxury though in greater drag and lower gas mileage. Another vandweller from another forum has given me one of the " bullet noses" from a semi truck,( the rounded portion that is attached to the top of some box trailers) I'll have to modify it to fit my bus, but it should help some.

 

[RetiredNomad]

I'm 6'1" and always had low tops. I use a small office chair, the kind with wheels. I sit, roll it back and forth, keeps me off my knees.&nbsp; The important thing is <u>you</u> have to be comfortable.<br>

 

[She]

Rolling wheels....I&nbsp;like&nbsp;that. Good idea.

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>I have a regular conversion van, that's being <a href="http://cargovanconversion.com" target="_blank">converted to a RV</a>. No high top. Main reason is parking in my garage.</p><p>Van.</p>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">4x4,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">That kind of sloppy workmanship is, unfortunately, seen too often. I hope you received some compensation for it.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I appreciate the work you have done yourself, and thanks for sharing.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I have a low top, standard length Chevy Express cargo van and it's very comfortable.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It works just fine but you do have to stoop over to pull up your pants.&nbsp; I'm 5'10 so it's not&nbsp;a problem.&nbsp; For others, it&nbsp;would be a "no way in hell" kind of thing.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The height is something you get used to though.&nbsp; I've slept in the van for most of a year it's not something I think of that much...&nbsp; Sure, it would be nice to have some ceiling space but that's also area you have to heat and cool.&nbsp; You can sit in a&nbsp;chair but it might have to have the legs cut down a couple inches.&nbsp; I'm contemplating a good sized marine boat seat to sit in...&nbsp; You learn to be a little extra&nbsp;resourceful.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">If&nbsp;the vehicle is for&nbsp;a couple, I would urge a person to&nbsp;buy higher and longer.&nbsp; For a single person, I'm happy as a bug in a rug with shorter and lower.&nbsp; There are plenty of other folks who are comfortable in their cars or SUVs, too.&nbsp; It's all relative.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It all depends on your own needs and preferences.&nbsp; There are so many factors:&nbsp; stealth, vehicle height, budget, what you need to haul, how you plan to cook, how tall you are, climate control, how handy you are, etc. that one solution doesn't fit everyone.&nbsp; I did a lot of planning and still&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;have&nbsp;enough clues till I started customizing... Most would agree that I'm still pretty clueless....&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">One of the things I learned is that there is no way I&nbsp;can - or ever want to - try to fit everything owned into a van at this stage.&nbsp; Later this week the plan is to rent a mini garage and&nbsp;store some of the&nbsp;stuff&nbsp;stored (winter coat, boots, the&nbsp;two&nbsp;Mr. Buddy&nbsp;heaters, etc.)&nbsp; If you have a smaller&nbsp;van,&nbsp;what you bring with you necessitates being a lot more picky and maybe storing a few things with a relative or at a rented location.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I did consider a high top at&nbsp;one point but just didn't find one&nbsp;with low enough mileage at a reasonable price.&nbsp; Wheelchair vans were going for a premium.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I'd go for the hightop if you plan to spend much time in it. Living in a bat-cave gets really old after a while and, while the two might be equivalent in cubic feet, the perception of space really matters (hightops just seem to be more spacious) and the ease of performing everyday chores. Standing while cooking and getting dressed is somewhat more convenient. I'm a bit over 6'1" (6'2" with shoes on) and, especially with my bad back, have really come to dislike cramped and low spaces. <br>&nbsp;Of course, there's a silver lining to getting something cramped.. you'll spend more time outdoors enjoying the fresh air.&nbsp; <br>

 

[She]

Looks like Im looking at tops here. I saw a few&nbsp;beauty's&nbsp;today. A fire&nbsp;engine red that was extended AND had a high top. Another one that was the same but it was white. Now if they only was selling them.....Trekker I totally agree with you on the not loading up everything all at once.&nbsp;I'm planning on renting a large closet type room at one of those self storage places. 25 bucks a month ...not to bad!

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Another nice thing about hightops is, seeing that they're not made of metal, there's less in the way of heat conduction and are thus easier to insulate effectively. <br>

 

[yesican]

<p>How much would an installation of a high top cost?&nbsp; How much are they to purchase?</p>

 

[Simran]

She,<br>I can't say for sure because I've yet to live in mine full time. Mine is a hightop and I'm sure it would be easier on fuel without the tall top. Mine isn't terribly tall like some. It must be about 70" or so be cause I can't stand up fully. I can stand but have to tilt my head to the side so I think it is a good compromise. I just couldn't imagine myself trying to cook and change clothes on my knees. Others here have found ways to deal with one inconvenience (low top) to have convenience of another kind (fuel mileage or stealth or both). At this time in my life I get paid mileage for my travels so I can deal with the lower fuel mileage for now.<br>While looking for a van I actually looked at a Dodge Maxi with a high top; so I know they are out there. It was very appealing but was in too rough of shape for my needs.<br>Good Luck,<br><br>gus<br><br>

 

[She]

Hey Gus to tell the&nbsp;truth I'm not worried right now about fuel. I'm going to be near my job for a while. If I was traveling yes I would be. The only traveling I'm doing is on my days off and then I'm exploring my state which is NY.&nbsp;Some how I think without a rolling seat of some sort I wouldn't be able to a low top. I can't see myself on my knees cooking either LOL sounds painful!

 

[Seraphim]

Our first camper van was a low top and we were in our early 20s. We didn't spend much time in the unit since we were active, and only got in it to rest or sleep.

We are in our mid 50s now and have a high top. We are still active, but once it gets dark we are in for the night, and we do more meal prep and showers in the unit. We wouldn't be happy in a low top now, even though we spend our days outdoors. It's nice standing up to cook, wash, make coffee, brush our teeth, etc. we also leave the tinted windows in the high top uncovered at night - no one can see in, and the dawn wakes us up.

Even the high top is still a bit small for two on extended trips, but - as Willy said - if we got anything bigger it would be too easy to get ensconced inside and not want to get out.

We're not that old yet lol.

 

[Seraphim]

BTW you can get a high top cap from a worthless donor van - much cheaper than new. The cost of having it professionally installed MIGHT even out the cost. Or, find about four friends, one with a saws-all and some mechanical skills, and have them install the top. Don't set out the beer until AFTER the installation, though.