POP TOP BED UPGRADE - (I MADE A MISTAKE) + SOLAR PANEL UPDATE

[@EpicSqu1rrel]

Always make out of cardboard first! trace around on the MDF after, so much easier and you can fine tune the OCD away

[@tazarcher3880]

Hey fella, just subscribed 👍🏻. Me an the Mrs are buying our first vw in a few months and your videos will help a lot when we come to converting it to a camper.

[@benjaminedwardjones]

This is a great idea and something I will be doing myself. My feet get crushed in the end of the pop top and I reckon this will solve my woes! Thank you.

[@JohnM26-b2i]

Superb Vlog Col, excellent work mate 💪👏👏

[@rosskennedy4795]

I have an SCA and they used a net and bar that once you’re up in the pop you raise the bar and attach it to the pop….hence no pillow lose, but love your idea….brilliant!

[@rosskennedy4795]

Obsessed with your videos over the last 2 days lol……great guy!

[@kenwarner681]

Nice job... I was thinking of the doing the same thing.

[@joyardley1742]

I made same….works great as a shelf during the day 😊

[@holloway2house]

So funny to watch but you do make it look so doable so going to get on. And do it now. Cheers for video xx

[@susangallagher9612]

Great video , really good idea 👍 enjoyed watching 😃

[@PawsomeAdventuring]

So funny.. I was thinking.. erm.. that’s not right as soon as you talked about you measurement as I remember the shape. Cracked me up as you said measure thrice cut once, so I was sure you’d have spotted your mistake before you cut it 🤣🤣🙈

[@caspervanlife8466]

Really enjoying your videos, watched every one to date. Taking delivery of my VW camper in the next week or so and can’t wait to get out there… keep the videos coming 👍

[@richgizz5024]

Hi been thinking of doing the poptop cover myself . Keep up the cracking videos love them and showing us interesting places to visit . Top job 👍😷🚐😁

[@davenaylor2000]

Love this, the first thing i thought when i got the van was that i could extend the top bed by 2 feet by doing this and tidy up the look of the van when’s it down. And yes i did lol at your measurements before you cut it. I’ve also watched two of your videos today, one drilling the hole in the roof for the solar panel wire and this one and they both gave me the heart palpitations. How you still have all your fingers and eye balls is beyond me 🤣Next time you do this, do me a favour, drive 3 miles up the Che in to my house and borrow my jig saw and googles!

[@theandroidanglers4931]

Well done in trying warts and all. Here is a top tip for any further shaped mods , make the shape from cardboard first. It can be cutt to suite the shape of most things.

[@evdm1912]

Love your honesty. With 6.3 I've got the same issue. Just didn't get a cover for the hole as good as yours, but you had a few attempts 🤪 Keep the videos oming, as you're giving me great tips and help me to prevent those mistakes 👍

[@bobhead6243]

Second time around looks great mate ! , well done .

[@beverleythomas6680]

Genius! Loving your honesty and humour, I would have probably done the same. Did you do a video on how you built the shelves? The long horizontal one and the small ones in this video? Would be good to see how you built/fixed them to the van

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Haha thanks Beverley, sadly not, they were more of an impulse build so I didn't film it :)

[@davidbloomfield1871]

Brilliant mate, so my Mrs says i suppose your going to buy some bloody MDF sheets now cos Colin says so!!! My reply was...absolutely and seeing as its 12.30am i might wild camp outside B&Q till they open 🤣🤣🤙

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hahaha this made me laugh a lot!

[@veedub1379]

Cardboard templates are a good way forward mate. Lol

[@angusdavies8582]

Great vid, just love you put the mistake in too. Just the type of mistake I would make and I have all the gear ( but no idea 😄)

[@deshammond7409]

Excellent 👍😁

[@tigerfeet3995]

Ace! The hole is glorious :D Multi-usage which is ace.

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

🤣🤣🤣

[@team-118]

A glory hole? 🤔

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

I like the poptop board idea, I’ll have a look at that for mine cheers

[@davidhatt8795]

Great work and should never worry about mistakes it’s what we learn from 👍😜

[@rob21974a]

Great idea we are new to camper vans so these sort of videos are great. Where did you get the black stitched lining on the bottom of the pop top bed

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Awesome mate, glad to help! The stitching was done when the pop top was installed (by C&H Pop Tops) ;)

[@stevebennett6727]

Note on Xmas list... a jigsaw 😉👌🏽

[@nealrobinson6709]

great job learn as you go.that is what it is all about

[@PCSGROUPUK]

Excellent good job keep them coming 😎👍 Just out of interest what was the make of your solar panel and how much did it cost

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hiya mate, thanks! It doesn't have a make, it's from amazon (100w flexible solar panel) about £100 ish..... it also came with an MPPT controller that I didn't need as I plugged directly in to my CTEK split charger as that has MPPT built in

[@PCSGROUPUK]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures Many thanks will investigate 😎👍

[@g-de]

Bet that was difficult to edit. I would have been so annoyed with myself 😂 End result looks good though. Got my van now and realised I'm a bit tall for the top bed but this seems a good solution. Also good to know about the solar. Campsites seem to be all booked up for electric but still have spaces for non-electric.

[@surferbu]

Great stuff, love the content. Been meaning to make some shelves like yours for ages, think I'll go do it now :)

[@Seasideandy]

Oh man...I'm afraid I did shout at you at the first cut!!! (but I bet I would have done the same!). Good job in the end :-)

[@cliffh]

I copied the idea and it is great. It is also useful as a shelf during the day, and stops cold air dropping to the cabin in winter when the upper bed is down.

[@jasonmiller2642]

Love the videos bud 😁quick question, can you fit the board when the pop top is in the down position ?? Just to tidy the front of the pop top Cheers Jay

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

You can't with the one I have made but with a little design tweak I'm sure it could be done

[@fayemcquillan9126]

Hi! Love the videos, we have a Renault traffic campervan with pop top and was wondering about the weight limits for the pop top bed? We are a bit anxious of both sleeping up there

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hiya Faye, I am not 100% sure, the one I have fits two adults comfortably (im 15st and the Mrs is, well, it would be rude to say haha, but I would be happy with another adult at 15st on there with me too) best checking with the installer as they will know the tolerances better

[@kevspick]

Nice job mate.. in the end 😂

[@garethsmith5726]

Great vid, we all make mistakes and showing us your mistakes help people not to make the same. I would have to make sure that there was carpet cut into the hole to lift it out with my head would not allow me to have wood on show. Excellent job though :)

[@Ann-fr8ee]

Good job! Can I ask where you got your hooks that go over the over window shelf please?

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Cheers Ann, they are from Aldi (down the "tat" isle) about £3 for a set of 3

[@Ann-fr8ee]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures Wow! I expected u to say Kirivans or at least Amazon lol - will get myself across to the “tat isle” at Aldi’s tomorrow then!😎. Love ur vlogs(videos? ) is that what they are called? Dinosaur talking here! Anyhoo keep em coming! We have an Austops pop top with the straps coming down - it always worries me if they are not strapped down properly in case it “Pops Up” whilst driving - how does ur pop top strap down?

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Haha nope, you have to remember, im a Yorkshire Man, if it ain't cheap and good quality, I'm not buying it 🤣🤣!! Mine is just held down with straps too, it will be totally fine, the roof is super heavy so even with the straps off it shouldn't pop up !

[@Ann-fr8ee]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures - unfortunately we both wound down our windows at the same time creating a vacuum - and the pop top decided to “Pop” just as we were going over the Dornoch Bridge - eeek! Disaster avoided by quick reaction and lay-by correction! Wish we could have a more secure locking system tho!

[@pdorman9086]

This is a brilliant idea, I’ve an Austops pop roof and I’d love to do the same thing. The hole you put the ply into looks the same shape as mine, is your roof from Austops? Cheers, Phil

[@campervanchris4171]

Great video 👍🏻 Have you been offered a jackery power station to test yet ?

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Cheers bud, not yet... id love one though! If you're reading this Mr Jackery, yes please 🤣🤣

[@deshammond7409]

Me again, what I should have said was..... very nice !! 😁 👌

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

🤣🤣🤣

[@parkay3560]

I'm so nicking "perfection station nation"!!!!

[@kampertravel6027]

Hi mate, do you store the board under the pop top mattress when the roof is down when driving?

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Yes mate, it fits perfectly!

[@bobcheckley6802]

What a great vid very useful, few questions, where do you get the carpet from and do you have the hatch in place whilst the pop top is down if so do the straps holding the top top down fit ok?

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Cheers buddy, the carpet is from a place called Mega Van Mats (although you can get it from Kiravans too) - the board goes where the matress is when the pop top is down as it would (as you say) be I the way of the straps :) hope this helps

[@GarySmith-cr2el]

Hi just a question what size solar panel did you fit and what make

[@m1les7]

That’s Mint! Where did you get the memory foam mattress for the pop top? And do you leave it up there all the time? Great vid 👌👌🎉

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Cheers matey, the mattress actually came with the pop top install (C&H Pop Tops) and yep, I can leave it up there. Sadly though, it's not that thick so we use it as a topper for the bed downstairs and take a thicker mattress for the pop top

[@m1les7]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures brilliant, thanks loads for getting back to me! See you at Camper site 🍺👌👌🕺

[@PaulFlynny]

Great video, good to see the work in progress. Do you sleep up in the pop-top often? I'm thinking of getting a van to use for biking and just use the roof for sleeping, but not sure it will be enough space/comfy enough. Cheers

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Cheers buddy, yes I sleep in the pop top all the time (well not in winter as its cold 🤣) get a good mattress, sleeping bag and a thermal wrap and you'll be toasty mate!

[@PaulFlynny]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures quality, cheers for the feedback. Keep up the good work 🙌

[@simondenton986]

We got the safety net which I use as a headboard

[@Adam_H_Official]

That looks great pal, keep thinking I should do the same, out of interest.....have you seen any difference in road/wind noise at all since having the panel in ?

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hey Adam, With such a flat panel there is zero noise from it at all. Their is more noise from the wing mirrors than the pannel haha!

[@Adam_H_Official]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures good to know, we have a skyline poptop, and you do get a bit of wind noise rushing through the roof bar gaps. So I'm thinking if we installed a panel like you have that would cut down on it as it would seal that section off. Might give it a go when it starts getting warmer again :D

[@jandaniels2789]

Hi, what type of mattress do you have up there? Im just about to have pop top fitted but not sure which mattress to buy, thank you, 🙂

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hey, it's just a mattress from our sofa bed (memory foam one) but it can't stay up there as it's too thick) sorry I can't be more specific :)

[@jandaniels2789]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures thank you, i will measure up and go shopping, thanks for your time🙂

[@markcheetham5537]

Im just starting out with my conversion, still making bits up as I go to see what I like. Di you do a video on your solar upgrade? or a solar installation, I do want solar but no idea what I need.

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hiya mate, I have yes. Its on my channel bud!

[@markcheetham5537]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures thanks I’ll have a look. Great channel by the way.

[@faye3791]

I want one now 😂

[@glynn9650]

Hello what’s the mattress you have in your pop top? and also can you leave it up there when you shut it down

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hey Glynn, it's the one that came with the pop top when I had it installed. It's not very good if I'm honest, I use a much thicker one that has to be taken out when the pop top is down. However, to answer your question, it does fit inside the pop top when it's down. We use it as a topper for the downstairs bed!

[@glynn9650]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures Many thanks for your reply 👍 keep up the great blogs

[@Danny-jv5bx]

6ft8 with the quiff 😂

[@DanceCampers]

Hiya mate. Where did you get the vw logo from in the pop top bed? Just got a t5.1 and its missing the bed and realy want 1 with the vw logo and light in. Also just started a channel so please take a look, any advice is appreciated. Cheers, dance campers

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hiya buddy, it was part of the install C&H Pop Tops did for me. I'll go subscribe now buddy and good luck with the channel! :)

[@DanceCampers]

@@Yorkshirepoptopadventures ah, will look into it. Thanks mate!

[@bugsterboy79]

Yes my pillows always fall down there too. Now I can see how to do it.. And how not to do it 🙃

[@davidglassford2194]

I thought those (mistake gaps) were to lift it to get down 😁

[@MatthewsBrother]

I never make mistakes says no one ever!

[@exploresandtosummit]

You should of done a live stream, then we could of all shouted at you!!

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

🤣🤣🤣 it would have saved me an hour and another tenner thats for sure

[@Retirement_Life]

Yes, I put my hand up! Still a good idea, though!

[@evobobber]

Sound vid again. 😎

[@slazbury15]

Love the mistakes .👍

[@joyardley1742]

I have one of these going if anyone is interested….. I only needed a shelf. It’s all carpeted.

[@classic1989mini]

Did you hear me shouting? ha. Get yourself a jigsaw.

[@geegee2022]

Saw that you was cutting wrong as you was cutting🤣 We all make these mistakes 👍

[@GH02-o_o]

anything worth doing is worth doing twice!

[@blackpool321]

Always make a cardboard template .

[@bobhead6243]

Oh dear , someone has made a mistake with their measuring !

[@DS-cf1zc]

I have seen it done slightly differently - in that you only make an extension to the square bit - that way the angled bit is left out of the equation, and you can extract the extension and get out with ease. Love the fact you show this warts and all - as I might have thought the same way if I had not seen it done a different way. And you keep talking about it being a tight fit with wood. 🤪Stop it, it's killing me.

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Hahahaha in my head I kept saying "that's what she said" 🤣🤣🤣!

[@hikerwoody182]

man you're hardcore with that glory hole thing, think I now know why you need the extra privacy 😂

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@stevezodiac491]

You need to carpet your 'hole' to finish it off or put a plastic ring in it.

[@Yorkshirepoptopadventures]

Absolutely, I was thinking some sort of plastic bung as I don't like the bare wood showing!

[@RamblingTog]

Is anybody really interested in this stuff

[@angusdavies8582]

Yes, most definitely 👍

[@OurSam68]

Hell yes!

[@pdorman9086]

Very interested!! It’s a brilliant idea!