DIY Custom Van Hightop - Will We Succeed or Fail?!?

[@Greg_Jones]

This should be good. Standing by for the fun!! I solved a lot of solar problems by dumping the 12v Renogy panels. I got a 315w panel on the Caravan. The nice part is its 36v. There's not enough real estate on a van roof to match that output w/12v panels.

[@treenotion9466]

Sounds great!

[@barackmycat9448]

That sounds like a tricky job. I can`t wait to see your game plan. Cool!

[@RobertWitham]

It is coming along and taking shape. The fun part is that since it is completely custom we are able to build what will work best for our needs. On the other hand, there is no blueprint or instruction manual so we're on our own and having to be creative.

[@conniewaite1371]

About time you made that a high top,looking forward to it

[@RobertWitham]

We have talked about it for quite a while, but it was also a bit of an intimidating project. I kind of went back and forth between doing this project and just replacing the van with something that already had a high roof. Ultimately the cost of vehicles these days and the generally poor condition of anything that was "reasonably priced" provided the motivation to just tackle this project.

[@sandysue2017]

Cutting off the rooftop sounds intimidating so it will be interesting to follow your progress. Good luck!

[@RobertWitham]

It was definitely intimidating! I've half-heartedly thought about it for years, and have been seriously thinking about it for months but it took a while to work up the nerve. I have plenty of building experience, but cutting off the roof and building a hightop is a first and there are lots of unknowns. It's coming along though and is taking shape.

[@lindawitham1876]

You never cease to amaze me!

[@RobertWitham]

It's certainly a challenge, but it's also mostly been fun and interesting. There have been a few moments though... LOL

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

Looking forward to seeing this.

[@SarahTree]

Awesome! Good luck to you guys!🎉😊

[@KatysCampKitchen]

Looking forward to this project!!!! I think it’s awesome!!!! ❤

[@RobertWitham]

Thank you :) It's been interesting and mostly fun so far. We are able to be creative and work on building something that will work well for our specific needs. It is coming along and taking shape. We have been shooting video and I have a bunch stacked up already to edit.

[@Alicia-pi1qw]

Wow! How exciting! Looking forward to it.

[@RobertWitham]

We had been talking about it with varying degrees of seriousness for a while, but I will admit it was somewhat nerve wracking! It's one of those projects where you're committed and just have to figure it out once you start. While I have been involved in plenty of building and repair projects, cutting the roof off the van and building a hightop is definitely a first and I knew there would be plenty of surprises and decisions along the way. It is coming along though and we are excited to be able to take it out for a trial trip.

[@diannahaas7171]

That's Great Robert! I'm looking forward to this project!

[@kathrynarnold1966]

This sounds interesting. When you post the videos, be detailed with the description and hashtags. This series should draw plenty of interested nomads.

[@paulhunter546]

Look forward to the high top & interior build 😁👍

[@RobertWitham]

It's coming along and taking shape! We are looking forward to being able to take it our for a trial run :)

[@WindGypsy65]

Looks very interesting.

[@Linda-xb5ol]

I just seen your video ❤❤❤❤awesome idea ❤❤❤can’t wait to see you get started ❤❤❤

[@conniewaite1371]

If you are doing all that work,could you make a it a popup with sleeping up above?

[@rickstonewall2557]

Have you checked any junkyards for high tops? Have you thought about going the cargo trailer route again? I had a grandfather that chopped the top half off a station wagon and attached it to the top of a cargo van (back in the 1970s) to make his own high top.

[@conniewaite1371]

Can you xut it off on the side,raise the rop and insert an extra,walk section to add to the walls and put the roof back on? Has that ever been done?

[@jackkunkel]

As a 6 year van nomad, cutting the top off my van would scare the s___ out of me! But I'd love to have a high top. I'll be interested in your project. But be careful! Bob Wells (Cheap RV Living) hired a guy who works with plastic or fiberglass to do it. It was a disaster. I can't remember all the things wrong with it, except he used screws that weren't waterproof or something. Before you start cutting, you might want to find Bob's video, to learn some things NOT to do!

[@gwb8445]

Good luck! Every homemade high top I've seen looks like crap. Hopefully, yours will be better.

[@RobertWitham]

We are definitely hoping to make it look decent when we are finished! That has honestly been one of my reservations about the whole project.

[@sonofabutcher7003]

Nooooo! Melanie, save Robert from himself before it’s too late!!! You guys would be better off spending money on a newer used travel trailer or get a used cargo trailer and build it out to fit your needs. Trying to convert a van with 300k miles is like throwing your money away.

[@andyrehm]

I agree with you on this. Just sell the current trailer and use that money for a down payment on a good used trailer that will last.