Fantastic question! We contacted Sportsmobile about that, and they said it wouldn’t collapse under the weight of snow. From what I can remember, the top is rated up to 150 pounds when it’s up, so you can imagine the failure point would have to be much higher than that. That being said, we’ve always cleared the top each day when it’s heavy snow, and never had any indications that it was under a lot of strain.
First time on the channel, enjoyed the video. It was hilarious watching you squint and try to keep the snow out of your eyes. If only somebody would invent a clothing accessory designed specifically to address eye protection …. Like a hat with a bill on it!! 😂
Love the idea of having the glycol lines go through the walls!! Thanks for sharing. Unrelated to this video, who is the manufacturer of the bench seat/bed that you have in the back? I’m looking for one just like that!
Hi Ari, We had ADF Sprinters do that custom seat with legal seatbelts. When we had our van built they were one of the few people that could do a legal seatbelts.
Hi Linnea! Yeah, we’ve seen those, but the cold isn’t an issue. We are plenty warm. If we have any issue that we are still trying to solve for… it’s condensation. Even with warm air blowing/circulating around the van, it gets wet, and then freezes.
@@TheVantasticLife It would help more I think with keeping your pipes warm and your gray tank from freezing. Condensation: in the RV/Trailer supplly section at Walmart they have something you keep opened and it absorbs the moisture. It’s in a white little bucket with a blue lid I think. Have you tried those?
Good point! In the video I talk about how we’ve kept those the pipes and gray water from freezing successfully. We have a super cool system for keeping our pipes warm with a flip of a switch that’s the same system as our hot water. The gray water stays warm via heat tape. Unfortunately, we’ve found that those RV condensation reducers don’t work very well. Last winter we bought and tested just about anything we could find. Maybe they are meant to be used with no one living in their winter RV’s 🤷🏼♂️
@@TheVantasticLife yeah. I like the skirt idea only for when it’s super duper cold and the antifreeze gray water starts to freeze. We lived outside in our trailer for 6 months before moving indoors in the new shop for two year while we built. While outside, condensation was tough. It really is Al about air flow.
@@TheVantasticLife oh hey! I just remembered we use the Eva-Dry in our gun safe. Works really well! You plug it in to charge dry. Once dried the beads change color. They are small and easily stored!
Hi Christiaan, We have a Sportsmobile pop top, or penthouse top as they call it. If you want to go the pop top route... I would also look into Colorado Camper Vans, as the Sportsmobile quality isn't the best.
Hi Steven, I believe we have the Rixen’s Hydronic with S-3 Diesel Furnace Kit. Or a combination close to that. We started with just the diesel heater and then upgraded to being able to run off of shore power when plugged in, and heating for the water pipes (freeze protection).
Yeah, it's a tough decision. The light is so good in the pop top, but it's also nice to have the tall roof for walking around without having to pop it up.
Hello, is your pop top from Colorado camper vans?
Hi there! No, it is a Sportsmobile Pop top.
Great video! What about the weight of snow on the pop top over night? I’m scared it will collapse on us!
Fantastic question! We contacted Sportsmobile about that, and they said it wouldn’t collapse under the weight of snow. From what I can remember, the top is rated up to 150 pounds when it’s up, so you can imagine the failure point would have to be much higher than that. That being said, we’ve always cleared the top each day when it’s heavy snow, and never had any indications that it was under a lot of strain.
First time on the channel, enjoyed the video.
It was hilarious watching you squint and try to keep the snow out of your eyes. If only somebody would invent a clothing accessory designed specifically to address eye protection …. Like a hat with a bill on it!! 😂
That would be super helpful! 😂
@@TheVantasticLife you’re a slave to fashion!
@@MikeKilo1969 #truth
Love the idea of having the glycol lines go through the walls!! Thanks for sharing.
Unrelated to this video, who is the manufacturer of the bench seat/bed that you have in the back? I’m looking for one just like that!
Hi Ari, We had ADF Sprinters do that custom seat with legal seatbelts. When we had our van built they were one of the few people that could do a legal seatbelts.
@@TheVantasticLife Thanks!
So neat Joe! Have you thought of investing in a fold up storable skirt to help with the cold weather?
Hi Linnea! Yeah, we’ve seen those, but the cold isn’t an issue. We are plenty warm. If we have any issue that we are still trying to solve for… it’s condensation. Even with warm air blowing/circulating around the van, it gets wet, and then freezes.
@@TheVantasticLife It would help more I think with keeping your pipes warm and your gray tank from freezing. Condensation: in the RV/Trailer supplly section at Walmart they have something you keep opened and it absorbs the moisture. It’s in a white little bucket with a blue lid I think. Have you tried those?
Good point! In the video I talk about how we’ve kept those the pipes and gray water from freezing successfully.
We have a super cool system for keeping our pipes warm with a flip of a switch that’s the same system as our hot water.
The gray water stays warm via heat tape.
Unfortunately, we’ve found that those RV condensation reducers don’t work very well. Last winter we bought and tested just about anything we could find. Maybe they are meant to be used with no one living in their winter RV’s 🤷🏼♂️
@@TheVantasticLife yeah. I like the skirt idea only for when it’s super duper cold and the antifreeze gray water starts to freeze. We lived outside in our trailer for 6 months before moving indoors in the new shop for two year while we built. While outside, condensation was tough. It really is Al about air flow.
@@TheVantasticLife oh hey! I just remembered we use the Eva-Dry in our gun safe. Works really well! You plug it in to charge dry. Once dried the beads change color. They are small and easily stored!
Nice video! Do you know which brand of poptop that is?
Hi Christiaan, We have a Sportsmobile pop top, or penthouse top as they call it. If you want to go the pop top route... I would also look into Colorado Camper Vans, as the Sportsmobile quality isn't the best.
What is the diesel heater you are using? Have the same pop top and trying to decide between an Espar D2 or D4. Thanks
Hi Steven, I believe we have the Rixen’s Hydronic with S-3 Diesel Furnace Kit. Or a combination close to that. We started with just the diesel heater and then upgraded to being able to run off of shore power when plugged in, and heating for the water pipes (freeze protection).
For as much as the Thor Rize models cost. I would not want a tent top. I had to have the 18M.....
Yeah, it's a tough decision. The light is so good in the pop top, but it's also nice to have the tall roof for walking around without having to pop it up.
Who cares...
You talk too much.
I'm sorry. If you need help let us know.