Roof beds

Hi, has anyone any experience of making a roof bed for an AS Trooper? I'm looking to purchase a VW t4 based Trooper with a solid sided pop top but unfortunately it doesn't have the bed boards for the roof and AS no longer supply them. Would it even be possible to make them? I'm assuming they are just basically covered ply but not sure what other fixings may be required. Any help greatly appreciated, many thanks.

I used to have a Renault pop top with three original boards for the bed. Don't know what they were made of perhaps plywood but I don't think they would be difficult to make. There was a ridge they slid on in the roof and when you had to put the roof down they slid into a lower ridge. Very clever. Try to find the same van for to see how they work and for measurement. Found this pic of a Trooper to give you some idea

Thanks for the info. My main problem is most of these seem to be for sale miles away from where I am, even the closest being 150 miles so not the sort of round trip I'd fancy just to take a tape measure. Dave

Put the make and model of the van up and if anyone on here has got one they will give you the correct measurements. They will be easy to make.

Thanks, it's 1994 VW T4 based Trooper. Dave

Send this member a message. It's on Motorhomes for sale and has roof bed. DaveyP2004

Hi Dave,

I have a Trooper of similar vintage. Everything that wasn't fixed to the vehicle was missing. All reasonably easy to make with a bit of thought.

The bed boards (there are 3) are thick ply, think I used 3/4" but can confirm if need be. I bought it from B&Q as they will cut nice & square to exact measurements. We wanted to go away before I could finish so just threw a thick duvet on top. After chamfering the board edges, I on fixed 2 layers of foam on using spray glue - you might decide on 1 layer but I wanted a dense base with a softer top. Foam is available pre cut, on-line. Over the foam and board went a polyester wadding layer. Next, more spray glue & staples to fix final fabric to the board bottom. With much careful measuring & marking, I made a fabric lid, got lovely sharp edges by turning the fabric back on itself and ironing to stick together with wonder web. Finally, glued & stapled the lid in place.

Bit of a fiddle but you can do a decent job with patience. Failing that, I was quoted £200 - £300 by a local furniture upholsterer if I supplied the boards.

If you diy, don't forget to allow for the thickness of the coverings. I did and my boards are more of a snug fit than I would wish!

Happy to meet & show you what I did if you are near Norwich.

KR, Dave

That's great Dave thanks for all the info, all seems pretty straightforward, just needed to hear from someone who had actually done it. One last question, is there any form of locating hardware needed on the boards once made to keep them in place while either driving or when they are in use as the roof bed. Dave

Hi, The rail that the boards sit on has a square block to keep the boards in the 'made up' position. When you drop the roof, you need to stack the two large boards so you can get to the rear locking mechanism. The pop top side boards squash on to the bed boards and hold them in place. The third board is a very short one at the back, I don't think it is restrained at all but have never been aware of it moving - perhaps some Velcro could be used if required...?

I find it all a bit Heath Robinson but it seems to work well. Sometimes simple is best!

Cheers, Dave

....if the roof bed is mainly for youngsters, you might consider a net so they can't fall out - my T5 Trooper bed has a net attached to the front board which fastens either side.

Mine doesn't have any fixings for a net but I'm sure they could be added if that is a concern.

I have sent you a PM Dave. We are near Burton on Trent, is that near you?
Bert