Roof Pimp ??

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 6:36 pm

We have now sold the Eriba which we have had for 3 years.....We decided we wanted to be a bit more versatile and able to explore places we cannot get to towing the van...We want to remain with the Bongo so have opted for the following......Removeable Hi-Top roof.....The idea being that we don't want to lug it around full time......we will remove it in about 60 secs when not camping and about the same to refit it......We aquired the basic shell and over a couple of days cut it to exact shape...fitted rubber edge seals and a Fimma skylight......All we now have to do is spray it (the dark colour at the bottom of the Bongo)
Should be ready for the S W bash.....Fiamma F35 180 rollout awning and some quality windbreaks will complete the outfit.......
Access is via the TinTop electric sunroof which is very big.

technophobe · Post by **technophobe** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 6:47 pm

What a brilliant idea

. Have you taken out a patent?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 7:23 pm

Regarding the Eriba and the timeless quality of them.
I bought ours 3 years ago for £6500 from a importer/dealer....last week he collected it back and gave us a cheque for £7250......that is a bloody good investment

longhaul8 · Post by **longhaul8** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:09 pm

Fantastic idea and a fanstastic job when you taking orders ???????????

nigelgibson · Post by **nigelgibson** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:21 pm

If Carlsberg made ideas ....? - probably the best i've seen in a long while.

That is definitely one to patent.

On the Eriba front i bet you were gutted to see it go , they are really timeless and a gem in their own right , they also seem a perfect fit for a bongo, didn't realise what a good investment they are.

georgey · Post by **georgey** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:51 pm

Hi Haydn, Nice HiTop great idea.

Fitted fiamma 2.5mt F35 Pro awning to my Tintop with slightly modified VW T3 brackets great bit of kit. Half the weight of F45 so no rattling when idling.

regards Geoff.

Hobbsy · Post by **Hobbsy** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 9:03 pm

Good job mate, cant wait to see the finished job!

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 9:53 pm

Looks like it does the job

You going to colour code it Haydn?

New Forest Terrier · Post by **New Forest Terrier** » Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:20 pm

WOW Haydn. That is one hell of a good idea.

Solves all the storage problems of a tintop in one swoop. Does it add two more berths, or just make life easier.

The sunroof is certainly huge and very easy to climb through. My sunroof already offers standing room, but only on dry days.

Having a double decker Bongo quite appeals. Specialy as you can return it down to a low top for the winter, low car parks and others. If this works, I want one.

helen&tony · Post by **helen&tony** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:40 am

Hi
Haydn...
Now that's rather nice. I must admit that I've never liked that kind of Hi-top, but that one certainly does look better than some of the monstrosities, and it would seriously tempt me to look at a tintop and placky roof.
Was the roof selected as a particular model that just happened to fit, or did you know already?.....Also, did you cut the sides first, and then the front and back to fit???
The other thing is that it must be lighter...the C of G on an AFT must be seriously dodgy, as we nearly had the Bongo on it's side a few days ago, as the blighter slipped down some large ruts in the greasy mud...

Some step by step instructions may be good...or...dare I say... you could have a nice little side-line there!!!!!
Anyway...congratulations on the Bongo Find of the decade!!!!!
Cheers
Helen

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:33 am

Going to be sprayed the same as the colour around the "skirts" of the Bongo.....There is plenty of room to "kip" up there but it is a bit awkard to get up....a couple of kids would have no problems and I can in fact get up with a bit of a "wiggle"......Absoloutly loads of storeage space for foam mattress and duvets....spare clothes etc....We intend to sleep downstairs and pile everything up there when the bed is not made up.

It is held onto the foof with 4 x turnover clamps which can be secured into the locked position so some scrote cannot unclip them when your not looking.

Nippon Tuck · Post by **Nippon Tuck** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:26 am

That is fantastic for storage.

Way beyond the capabilities of most. What is the shell from? Its the perfect width!

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:46 pm

It is not out of the question that these Hi-Top roofs could be made available....They are custom produced to be fitted permanantly onto Bongos and this removable "idea" of mine is a prototype to see how it performs. There are concerns (not shared by me) that they are not robust enough to survive the lifting on/off process....I personally think they are fine but a little internal bracing could be very easy to add.....having said that, I fully understand the supplier's concerns regarding robustness untill I have fully evaluated it in use. The supplier is being kept informed and in due course will decide if they can be released for sale. The more interest shown the better the chance of it happening.
Mine is in the spray shop at the moment...Silent Silver to match the bottom third of the Bongo.
Of course you need a TinTop with a sunroof for this Hi-Roof to be viable.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:52 pm

Job Done

nigelgibson · Post by **nigelgibson** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:28 pm

Don't want to repeat myself but............

.........if Carlsberg made ideas.......

Looks even better finished , not being critical just a practical thought , would it be possible to add a rubber seal around the base to improve wind/drag aerodynamics and perhaps strengthen in readiness for the many times it will be put on / taken off?

Definitely made me think again about the tin top particularly with the apparent increased availability of the later models in this form.

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