Skyline Pop Top: Your Complete Guide
Are you thinking about investing in a Skyline Pop Top Roof for your campervan conversion? We’ve put together a complete guide on this pop top roof manufacturer.
No Campervan Conversion is complete without a pop top roof.
Pop tops have loads of benefits. They're easy to set up, provide more space than your average van, and most come with an additional “upstairs” bed. Some of the most popular pop top roof manufacturers are:
- Austops
- Skyline
- SCA
- Storm
- Pop Top UK
But what about the Skyline pop top? There are so many manufacturers out there that it’s often hard to narrow down what you’re looking for. It can be a pretty daunting process choosing the right pop top for your van.
There are seemingly never ending options out there. We’ve created this guide to dig a little deeper into the benefits of the manufacturer Skyline. This should help you make a more informed decision before placing your order.
What is a pop top roof and how does it work
A pop top roof is a type of campervan roof that can be raised or lowered, providing extra headroom when needed. The roof carcass is usually made from fibreglass or aluminium. It will include a canvas and is attached to the main body of the campervan via a system of hinges and supports.
To raise the roof, simply unclip and push the roof up until it locks into place. Different roofs will have different ways of opening and shutting. It's important to test out the system before ordering.
Some pop top roof systems can be over complicated and difficult to use. They're sometimes complex to open and then heavy to push up.
There is usually a platform that can be raised or lowered. This then creates your bed. Make sure your pop top roof order includes the bed as part of the cost. You'll then need to purchase a pop top roof mattress. You'll want one that can be left in the roof when it is lowered.
The benefits of having a pop top roof on your campervan
A pop top will provide extra headroom, but it also makes it possible to stand up and move around inside the van.
- Extra headroom
- Easy to open and close
- Ventilation
- Cool the van during summer
- Differentiate between a van and a campervan
- Add value to your conversion
- You can still add an awning rail or awning
How do converters install a pop top roof?
Installing a pop top roof is a fairly straightforward process, but can be a difficult task for novice converters. Most roofs follow roughly the same steps. We've written an in-depth guide on what the fitting process of a pop top looks like.
So... Who are Skyline?
Skyline is one of the many roof suppliers that are based in the UK. From their workshop in Somerset, they’ve become one of the most well-known pop top roof manufacturers around.
Some of the biggest converters use these pop tops for their conversions. Wildworx has used Skyline on a lot of campers in the past, we think they’re one of the best pop top roofs on the market.
Skyline Pop Top - The Price Range
The Skyline pop tops will set you back somewhere between £4,000 and £6,000 including supply and installation. This is about mid-range in the pop top roof market at the moment.
At the higher end of the market you have manufacturers such as SCA, who are renowned for being the best out there. These roofs come with a hefty price tag. As a rough guide SCA will come in at around £10,000 for supply and installation.
Skyline being mid range makes it one of the best value roofs on the market.
Skyline 5 Year Warranty
All of the Skyline products come with a very generous 5 year warranty. You obviously hope nothing goes wrong. However if something does happen, you're covered. A few points to keep in mind:
- This limited warranty covers any defects in material or workmanship under normal use during the warranty period of 5 years from completion and is non transferable.
- This is a return to base warranty, where Skyline will renew the defective part.
- To obtain warranty service we require the customer to first contact Skyline where they will determine the problem and find the best solution.
- The warranty does not cover damage resulting from improper maintenance or use of our Skyline Roof system.
While there are a few very fair caveats to keep in mind, it still gives you that extra piece of mind. So hit the road and enjoy the journey, knowing that your campervan is built to last.
Skyline Aurora Pop Top Roof
Probably the most popular roof in the Skyline range is the Aurora. The Skyline Aurora, a streamline, lower profile roof, available in short and long wheel base for the VW T5 & T6.
Benefiting from a latch down locking system, railed canvas application, larger scenic canvas, a lower profile roof and designed to the van body.
TUV Approval
A fully TUV approved roof is an essential part of any campervan or pop top conversion. Wildworx only recommends purchasing a roof with a stamp of TUV approval. TUV approval is a stamp of quality and safety, so you can be sure that your campervan roof will withstand whatever the elements throw at it. When choosing a campervan roof, only explore manufacturers with this option.
Skyline Pop Top Reviews
It’s really important to check reviews. We recommend looking in the forums and also reading their company reviews. This should give you a feel for how the company treats their customers and how food their product is.
The reviews of Skyline are good. People love the scenic canvas upgrade and the choice of colours for the canvas. A few people have mentioned that you can only keep a thin mattress in the Skyline Aurora roof when it’s pulled down. However we know from experience that the Wildworx camper roof mattress fits perfectly.
I will say that there were more issues a few years back. The earliest versions of the Skyline roof seemed to have some problems. However this seems to have been rectified. We haven’t heard anything of the sort in the last few years.
Benefits of Skyline according to online reviews:
- Good quality
- Quality canvas that comes in lots of colours
- Best warranty out there
- Can fit solar panels
- Roof bars can be added
- Awning rail compatible
- Proper safety certification
What's our opinion?
I know there have been issues in the past, however I think these have been troubleshooted. Overall we like Skyline and use the roofs on our own conversions. They're good quality for a fair price.
You might get a bit more with Reimo or SCA, however you're going to pay heavily for that.
You can't argue with a 5 year warranty, they obviously trust their product.
Wildworx is a Registered Fitter of Skyline Pop Top Roofs
If you're looking to add a pop top roof to your campervan conversion, Wildworx is the perfect place to turn. We are a Registered Fitter of Skyline Pop Top Roofs, and we have years of experience working with the brand. We can help you answer any questions you have about your campervan or Campervan Accessories.
We can help you design your perfect campervan. It’s important to ensure any roof you choose is installed by a professional. We’re experts in campervan conversions, so we can help you with every step of the process. Whether you're looking for a simple pop top roof or a complete campervan conversion.
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about the skyline pop top roof. If you’re considering adding one to your own vehicle, we’d be happy to help.