New Viking roof canvas
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New Viking roof canvas
This weekend I fitted a new canvas to my Viking roof. I had to take the roof off anyway to have the rusty hinges repaired, so I took the opportunity to order a new 'bespoke' canvas. Unlike the more popular pop-tops there don't seem to be any 'off-the-shelf' suppliers of Viking roof canvases, but someone on this forum posted that he'd used Kingswood Canvas. I can't speak highly enough of them. I'm really pleased with the new canvas - it would have been a good buy at any price, but for £235 delivered including several bespoke mods it's an absolute steal.
We've not had the van very long, and have only had one trip away in it, but during that time we felt that the original canvas lacked proper ventilation and was prone to a lot of condensation. So I was determined to tackle the ventilation issue. I've had the vents in the two ends enlarged considerably, and I've added another vent between the two windows.
Here's the before picture...
...and after
I also wanted to solve a problem that the old canvas had, in that when it rained the water would run off the canvas and along the underside of the near horizontal overhang, then run off in rivers onto the sliding door window, and of course if you opened the door it would run into the van. So I asked Kingswood to add a skirt, a drip rail if you like, around the overhanging section.
And here it is in action, courtesy of the lousy weather today. Works a treat!
I also took the opportunity, while the roof was stripped, to get rid of the 30-year-old contiboard, which hadn't coped well with the condensation, and I replaced it with marine ply throughout, and I replaced all the rusty fixings with nice new stainless steel screws and screwcups.
The canvas itself is much lighter than the original (about 4kg compared with 9kg for the original thick PVC), and it let's more light through, and together with the extra vent panels the whole feel of the upstairs section is much lighter and airier.
So now folks, here's the reason I was attracted to the Viking roof in the first place. Gaze in wonder at the vastness of a Viking Mk2!
We've not had the van very long, and have only had one trip away in it, but during that time we felt that the original canvas lacked proper ventilation and was prone to a lot of condensation. So I was determined to tackle the ventilation issue. I've had the vents in the two ends enlarged considerably, and I've added another vent between the two windows.
Here's the before picture...
...and after
I also wanted to solve a problem that the old canvas had, in that when it rained the water would run off the canvas and along the underside of the near horizontal overhang, then run off in rivers onto the sliding door window, and of course if you opened the door it would run into the van. So I asked Kingswood to add a skirt, a drip rail if you like, around the overhanging section.
And here it is in action, courtesy of the lousy weather today. Works a treat!
I also took the opportunity, while the roof was stripped, to get rid of the 30-year-old contiboard, which hadn't coped well with the condensation, and I replaced it with marine ply throughout, and I replaced all the rusty fixings with nice new stainless steel screws and screwcups.
The canvas itself is much lighter than the original (about 4kg compared with 9kg for the original thick PVC), and it let's more light through, and together with the extra vent panels the whole feel of the upstairs section is much lighter and airier.
So now folks, here's the reason I was attracted to the Viking roof in the first place. Gaze in wonder at the vastness of a Viking Mk2!
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
- rainman
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
good work there, looks like a Bedouin parlour or somesuch. And cheaper than the canvas I just put on my kinda westy roof (£335). I'm not at all envious.
1983 2L a/c CU homebrew (ex-Autohomes Kamper)
- kevtherev
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
Truly the undisputed king of pop tops.
What a fantastic job and at a great price.
Brilliant mod for the drips
It looks utterly fabulous
What a fantastic job and at a great price.
Brilliant mod for the drips
It looks utterly fabulous
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
that looks great, very envious of all that space, well thought out mods too
1985 hi-top 2.1MV with DG carb and LPG
1955 trials buggy with 1.9 DG high lift cam and twin dell's (now sold)
1972 1303 beetle
1992 Audi 100 2.8 quattro estate
1967 Vw Madison kit
1955 trials buggy with 1.9 DG high lift cam and twin dell's (now sold)
1972 1303 beetle
1992 Audi 100 2.8 quattro estate
1967 Vw Madison kit
Re: New Viking roof canvas
Thanks folks - still a few bits to finish off, but then, you never know, I might even be able to take it camping again! I might have to find a good way to heat it if that's going to be before next spring though.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
Re: New Viking roof canvas
Lovely, and a great view from the large window.
How many kids adults can you fit up there?
2 adults along the longest edge and 2 kids sleeping in the head and foot area.
Regards
Steve
How many kids adults can you fit up there?
2 adults along the longest edge and 2 kids sleeping in the head and foot area.
Regards
Steve
Westfalia pop-top 1990 1.6JX
Re: New Viking roof canvas
Hi Steve
It's designed for 3 people upstairs. The push-out section makes it wide enough for the beds to lie width-ways - so there's a double at the back and a single at the front. You can squeeze a dog or two up there too, on the bits either side of the hatch, provided they're small enough to lift. I used to have a dog that could climb a ladder, but that's not common as far as I know and even he couldn't climb down again.......
It's designed for 3 people upstairs. The push-out section makes it wide enough for the beds to lie width-ways - so there's a double at the back and a single at the front. You can squeeze a dog or two up there too, on the bits either side of the hatch, provided they're small enough to lift. I used to have a dog that could climb a ladder, but that's not common as far as I know and even he couldn't climb down again.......
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
cracking job
do you have to treat/waterproof the canvas?
do you have to treat/waterproof the canvas?
1.9td AAZ
T25 - an adventure before dementia
T25 - an adventure before dementia
- keith
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
That looks mint....and a steal at that price.
I like the extras that you have built in too.
Its like camping on top of a van.
I like the extras that you have built in too.
Its like camping on top of a van.
1989 Westfalia Joker TDi
Discovery 5
Couple of motor bikes
Discovery 5
Couple of motor bikes
Re: New Viking roof canvas
lefty67 wrote:do you have to treat/waterproof the canvas?
No, it's a plasticised material - totally waterproof. It's what they use to make awning roofs apparently, and has a smooth outer face and a plasticised cotton texture on the inside. It's apparently better at preventing condensation drops from forming. Before I ordered from Kingswood they sent me a sample, and I tried running it under the tap - water beaded up and rolled off either side (but especially on the inside), and I guess it's that property that helps with the condensation.
The only slight issue I've got at the moment is that one of the seams, behind the support rail over the windows, wicks a little moisture through in the rain. That's apparently not unusual for a new canvas, especially if a seam touches a rail, and may stop by itself once it's been through a few wet/dry cycles. If not I may have to paint some seam sealer over it.
keith wrote:....and a steal at that price.
Yep, top company. What are you waiting for - go give them your business! Apparently they make canvases for all sorts of pop-tops. I was especially impressed that they managed to copy my original canvas without unpicking it, so I've still got that to put back on if ever I feel the need to revert to totally original spec.
keith wrote:Its like camping on top of a van.
Yes, I saw one of these on my hols. Obviously just a cheap copy of a T25 with a Viking roof - you have to go outside to climb into the roof for heaven's sake!
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
- Choppski
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
Your new roof looks awesome and I love idea of the skirt to stop the drips!
Was it hard to fit the new canvas?
Where did you get the ladder from?
Was it hard to fit the new canvas?
Where did you get the ladder from?
1982 Viking with 2.0 CU
Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem
Re: New Viking roof canvas
Choppski wrote:Your new roof looks awesome and I love idea of the skirt to stop the drips!
Was it hard to fit the new canvas?
Where did you get the ladder from?
Hi Choppski
It wasn't a difficult job, but it was certainly quite a long job. I was stripping the roof to have some corrosion around the hinges fixed, so I dismantled all the beds. If you're just doing the canvas it would be a bit quicker - but still not quick.
The ladder was from Maplin - their telescopic 1.7m version - looks like they've finally run out though I'm afraid. There was a thread on here about them a while ago, but I can't find it - maybe it's been 'pruned'.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
- Choppski
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
Thanks, looks like they might get some refurb stones in, you never know!
1982 Viking with 2.0 CU
Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem
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Re: New Viking roof canvas
Hi, love your new roof canvas. I am thinking of replacing mine as it is looking a little tired. Is it difficult to fit yourself or for somebody with no trimming experience? Mine has a fleece lining that buttons all around the inside. A nice brown colour makes the whole upstairs feel like you are inside a teddy bear!
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1982 Viking with 2.0 CU
Re: New Viking roof canvas
Interested to know if anyone else has fitted their own canvas to a super king viking roof?
How hard is it? Do you have to take the roof off?
How hard is it? Do you have to take the roof off?