My one regret so far...

[Lucy]

I have a feeling, just from moving around inside the van getting him ready and everything, that I am going to regret not having a high-top. I'm glad I picked the van that I did, because for the money and condition I couldn't have done any better. But man. Those extra inches up top would have really been nice. And not even for storage, just for...you know, not having to stoop quite so low.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Hopefully that will be my biggest regret about the whole thing, because as complaints go it's definitely one I can live with. But for you guys out there who are still shopping for vans...don't undervalue the high-tops. &nbsp;<br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">When money and assistance becomes available, you can add a high top. You can probably find one in a junkyard or such, if you don't want new. For a DIYer with some basic tools (the most advanced being a saws-all)&nbsp;and several friends, it's not a daunting task.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">A good RTR project, perhaps...</p>

 

[Nemo]

if you check Bob's site, I think there still an article where Sandy did Just that.&nbsp; yep, there is <a target="_blank" href="http://cheaprvliving.com/Installing_A_Hightop.html">http://cheaprvliving.com/Installing_A_Hightop.html</a><br><br>

<p style="margin: 0px;">When money and assistance becomes available, you can add a high top. You can probably find one in a junkyard or such, if you don't want new. For a DIYer with some basic tools (the most advanced being a saws-all)&nbsp;and several friends, it's not a daunting task.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">A good RTR project, perhaps...</p>

 

[sl1966]

I went through the same thing after buying travel trailer. It came with bunk beds instead of a full sized bed. Which is technically not true, the dinette coverts into a full size bed. The problem is that I don't want to go through the trouble of making and breaking it down every day. I went ahead and gave the bunks a shot and it wasn't so bad. It's not what I preferred but I quickly adjusted to it. When you stop to think about it, you spend most of your time in some sort of a seated or reclined position at home anyways. You really only stand up to move around and since everything is pretty much within arms reach in a van ...<div>&nbsp;</div>

 

[akrvbob]

For me a high-top is essenital. I want to be able to stand up. However, many people build their beds across the back and make them 4 feet wide. That puts the edge of the bed right in the middle of the van. So while you are sitting on the edge of the bed, you can do your cooking, your bathing, dressing, almost everything, while you are sitting. All you have to do is step in and stoop till you are seated, then you are done. For some things you will have to get on your knees in the center of the van, but not that often.<br><br>It may not be as bad as what you fear. Bob&nbsp; <br>

 

[travelingchic]

I just want to say that I'm glad I'm 5'1 for the first time in my life. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div><br></div><div>I know this is a problem when not having a high top but sometimes you just have to go with what you got till you can afford the better version. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I agree this might be a good RTR project since everyone is so helpful and informative. &nbsp;</div>

 

[She]

I just want to say that I'm glad I'm 5'1 for the first time in my life. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div><br></div><div>Yeah just rub that in won't you.&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">&nbsp;</div><div><br></div>

 

[Lucy]

Yeah, if I had a pile of friends and power saws and whatnot I'd probably start looking around for donor vans with high-tops. But I have none of those things. I read that article about the DIY installation, and I sighed a lot. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I think Bob's right, I'll probably do fine day to day. I keep thinking about how I want to be able to stand upright, damn it, and then it occurs to me: there's an entire world outside the van. I can, like, go outside and stand all I want. I think the worst part is going to be getting dressed.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Les H]

I pay for my high top every time I drive my bus. It's roof is 14" higher than a standard van, and it has a large flat surface above the windshield. I have a fiberglass bullet nose from a tractor trailer that I plan to cut down and install to help with aerodynamics. My van gets about 13.5 mpg @ 62 mph. I have heard of people with the same, though standard height, van getting over 15 mpg( or better) , so there is a penalty to pay, but I love being able to stand up and walk around, stand to cook or change my pants, important when you are 6' tall like me. There are plenty of factory and aftermarket hightops that are more aerodynamic than mine, but there are also the boxy fiberglass tops that are usually on wheelchair vans. My roof is steel, with welded in crossmembers, so safer in a ( god forbid) rollover, and it does not flex as much in high winds. Just some thoughts I'd share with you....
Les

 

[karl]

I'm thinking more and more about a pop top- only need standing ht from the bed fwd to the seats- no more than 3' wide and 6' long...kinda like some of the European hard sided pop ups, being cheap, I plan on creating my own.<br><br>

 

[Lucy]

I'm thinking more and more about a pop top- only need standing ht from the bed fwd to the seats- no more than 3' wide and 6' long...kinda like some of the European hard sided pop ups, being cheap, I plan on creating my own.<br>

<div><br></div><div>Kudos. I like the idea of them - you keep the wind resistance down while driving, gas mileage stays the same, and then when you're parked you can hike up the ceiling. Logistically it seems even more complicated than installing a hightop, though. I wish you luck. &nbsp;</div>

 

[SoulRaven]

At 6 ft even with bad knees I dont have any problems, though a hi-top would be nice... like anything you get used to it and like this life style you have to adapt or be spit out back to a life of muldrum... There is allot of compromise in this life style in deed, just suck it up and drive on, remeber the van is to sleep in, spend time outside to counter-act the low ceiling... a very nice thing is a single burner stove will heat the inside fast with low cost of propane...<br>

 

[WinterSmith]

<span id="post_message_1273682969">Thanks for sharing your experiences. I start living in a van this Thursday (that is not a high top) and this is (undoubtedly) one of the many things I haven't thought of. I'm not mechanically adept either, and w/o such skills you have to do w/o a lot amenities one takes for granted in a home (there needs to be a mechanic who specializes in van adaption).<br><br>Getting dressed will be a bit of a challenge. If you go to a health club to shower bring your street clothes with you. You can sleep in your gym clothes, go do a brief workout, shower and change in the locker room. <br><br>Sounds like you're doing well though. Hang in there, good luck, and just remember: "improvise, adapt, overcome".<br><br>Wintersmith<br></span>

 

[WanderingRain]

Indeed, if we only could have a do over...<div>But like you said, Lucy, it was the best at the time for your budget. I'm in the same boat.&nbsp;</div><div>I'm waiting for the next vehicle to get that wish as well.</div><div>Meantime, like you said... we have the entire world to stand straight in.</div><div><br></div><div>I only use my van to sleep in. I change clothes in the morning, but that's about it. I've learned to put pants on while sitting in my bed so it's not much of a struggle. I even view it as a chance to exercise my badly out of shape abdominals. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div><div><br></div><div>We'll wait till the next time around. Because there will be one, I am almost sure of it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div>

 

[Willy]

Bed across the back works well.. unless you're tall, like me. Pop tops sound good, but there are some major drawbacks. These are:1) major interior condensation/heating problems during cold weather if the top is up. 2) less storage space. 3) LEAKS, cuz the 'canvas' tends to wear and develop holes at the base and where there are folds. Have had both pop top vans/slide in camper and nothing but a PITA.&nbsp; ..Willy. <br>

 

[Rollin]

I looked and could not find it but&nbsp;there's&nbsp;an&nbsp;article&nbsp;I read on the net&nbsp;somewhere&nbsp;about the dangers of altering the stock roofs on vans.&nbsp;Something&nbsp;about cutting the roof out really&nbsp;weakens&nbsp;the whole structure of the van. They&nbsp;weren't&nbsp;engineered&nbsp;to do that. Normally this&nbsp;isn't&nbsp;a problem .&nbsp;Until&nbsp;you have a&nbsp;roll&nbsp;over and then it becomes a&nbsp;huge&nbsp;problem.

 

[Guest]

<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I wanted a Toyota 12'box truck for just this reason, though I got impatient and bought the G20 instead. I'm loving my Van and do not see myself getting rid of it at this point. If anything I will prolly get a cargo trailer and convert it. My Van is a BEAST.... RAWR!<br /><br />

 

[Heinz]

<p>Yeah, cutting the roof out of a stock van is a terrible idea. It'll change the whole drive of the van.&nbsp;</p><p>Ever wonder why&nbsp;convertibles&nbsp;usually weigh more than their sedan/coupe&nbsp;brethren? It's because car manufactures have to reinforce the&nbsp;chassis&nbsp;to make up for the lack of rigid materials on top. They typically also handle much worse than non-convertible&nbsp;cars.<br /><br />I'm all for making modifications and owning your&nbsp;vehicle, but just be sure to do the research. Car companies do employ lot of&nbsp;engineers&nbsp;;-)</p>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>blkjak ....<br /><br />i might do a cargo van next for my bike, storage, and standing up ....</strong> <br /><br /><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Thats called a Toy Hauler</strong></span>&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></span>

 

[offroad]

last week I wanted a trailer, then I thought stealth van, now I am thinking truck with cargo top, and trailer. &nbsp;Trailer has to be a standing room arrangement. &nbsp;Guess I will never settle. &nbsp;