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.
@treenotion94662 ай бұрын
Sounds great!
@barackmycat94482 ай бұрын
That sounds like a tricky job. I can`t wait to see your game plan. Cool!
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
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.
@conniewaite13712 ай бұрын
About time you made that a high top,looking forward to it
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
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.
@lindawitham18762 ай бұрын
You never cease to amaze me!
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
It's certainly a challenge, but it's also mostly been fun and interesting. There have been a few moments though... LOL
@virginiajorgensen86142 ай бұрын
Looking forward to seeing this.
@sandysue20172 ай бұрын
Cutting off the rooftop sounds intimidating so it will be interesting to follow your progress. Good luck!
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
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.
@WindGypsy6528 күн бұрын
Looks very interesting.
@Alicia-pi1qw2 ай бұрын
Wow! How exciting! Looking forward to it.
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
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.
@kathrynarnold19662 ай бұрын
This sounds interesting. When you post the videos, be detailed with the description and hashtags. This series should draw plenty of interested nomads.
@SarahTree2 ай бұрын
Awesome! Good luck to you guys!🎉😊
@KatysCampKitchen2 ай бұрын
Looking forward to this project!!!! I think it’s awesome!!!! ❤
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
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.
@diannahaas71712 ай бұрын
That's Great Robert! I'm looking forward to this project!
@paulhunter5462 ай бұрын
Look forward to the high top & interior build 😁👍
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
It's coming along and taking shape! We are looking forward to being able to take it our for a trial run :)
@Linda-xb5olАй бұрын
I just seen your video ❤❤❤❤awesome idea ❤❤❤can’t wait to see you get started ❤❤❤
@jackkunkelАй бұрын
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!
@rickstonewall25572 ай бұрын
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.
@conniewaite13712 ай бұрын
If you are doing all that work,could you make a it a popup with sleeping up above?
@conniewaite13712 ай бұрын
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?
@gwb84452 ай бұрын
Good luck! Every homemade high top I've seen looks like crap. Hopefully, yours will be better.
@RobertWithamАй бұрын
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.
@sonofabutcher70032 ай бұрын
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.
@andyrehm2 ай бұрын
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.