Pop-up sleeping roof - adapt the space to your needs

Camper-vans and vans are great solutions for weekend and vacation travelers. However, when the family grows or we want to stay longer, the problem of space arises. Its solution is sleeping roofs.

The idea of using a car roof as a place to sleep goes back to the beginnings of caravanning. The first photos of motorhomes with a folding roof or a tent sliding over the vehicle structure come from the 1930s.

Extra space with SCA sleeper roofs

Placing the bed at the top means more space in the lower living area of the vehicle, which is a particularly advantageous solution for vans. At a standstill, after unfolding the roof and raising the mattress, we gain a comfortable space in the vehicle. In such a car, an adult can stay in a standing position. In turn, after lowering the bed to the folded roof line, we get an additional sleeping place for two adults .

The sleeping roof also benefits from the fact that when folded down, the height of most vehicles is less than 200 cm, so garages and underground car parks are still accessible , and the use of the car becomes easier and more enjoyable both in the city and on the highway.

SCA has been manufacturing sleeping roofs since the 1980s. Many well-known caravan manufacturers in Europe use SCA products when using roofs to build their cars. They are recognized for their advanced technology and high quality.

We talked about car roofs with Karol Szymanski - the president of the board of the limited liability company Easy Camper , which is a representative of SCA in Poland.

CampRest: What versions of sleeping roofs are there and how are they different?

Karol Szymański: The versions are adapted to the make and model of the vehicle, e.g. for Volkswagen T5 / T6 we have 3 roof models: SCA Start, SCA Comfort and SCA High. The first are fastened with belts, the second with a central lock. This version has a cover that covers the rolled roof walls over the heads of the driver and passenger, and flaps to help the roof walls roll inwards when folded. The SCA High is characterized by a 25 cm higher lift of the roof at the rear, which allows for more room for feet or the ability to sleep with your head facing away from you. This version is distinguished by a comfortable bed with a frame, noise reduction at higher speeds and increased insulation (9 mm instead of 4 mm). The perfectly flat top roof cover makes it possible to use flat solar panels without increasing the vehicle height. The leatherette cover hides the rolled-up roof walls over the heads of the driver and passenger, and the flaps help the roof walls curl inwards when folded down.

Which vehicles can the SCA pop-up pop-up roof be fitted to?

• Volkswagen - short and long versions of T4, T5, T6 models.
• Renault Trafic / Opel Vivaro / Nissan Primastar - short and long versions until 2014 and after 2014.
• Opel Zafira Life medium versions. Nissan NV200 - short and long versions.
• Fiat Talento - short and long versions. Fiat Scudo - short and long versions since 2007.
• Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Jumper L2 H2, L3 H2 and L4 H2.
• Ford Transit Custom - short and long versions .
• Mercedes Vito / V-class from 2014.
• Peugeot Expert - short and long versions since 2007.
• Peugeot Traveler / Citroen Spacetourer / Toyota Proace - medium versions.
• Citroen Jumpy - short and long versions since 2007.

How much does the vehicle height increase with a sleeper roof installed?

By a few centimeters, usually the height of a vehicle with a sleeping roof does not exceed 200 cm, which is important during use, e.g. in the city, due to the possibility of entering garages or underground parking lots.

Does fitting a sleeper roof affect the car's driving performance (aerodynamics)?

Thanks to the integrated spoiler at the front, the installation does not affect the aerodynamics, nor does it cause increased noise. Thanks to the use of a dedicated reinforcing frame, the vehicle maintains its stiffness and durability.

How does the SCA sleeping roof unfold (open)?

After releasing the locks, slightly lift the cover, which at some point, thanks to the installed gas actuators, will start to rise by itself.

How many people can accommodate a bed in a sleeper roof, and is there a weight limit?

The width of the bed is usually about 120 cm, therefore we accept two adults. The weight of both people should not exceed 180 kg.

What is the height between the mattress and the ceiling?

From approx. 100 cm in the front. We can straighten up freely while sitting on the bed, up to about 20 cm at the lowest part.

Is sleeping under such a roof comfortable? Is it too stuffy or too cold?

In summer, even on hot nights with the curtains open, there is a very pleasant airflow (built-in mosquito nets will not let in mosquitoes, for example), while on very cold nights we can feel discomfort. A thick sleeping bag can be the solution. In general, however, it can be assumed that the conditions are similar to those in a tent.

Can I use the roof bed in rainy weather?

Of course. The roof walls are impregnated.

What materials are SCA roof walls made of and are they waterproof?

The roofs are made of thick, flame-retardant tent material, properly impregnated with reinforced seams and zippers. One of the windows has a transparent glass, which provides additional lighting in the rain. In addition, window curtains and mosquito nets are fitted as standard.

How does the installation of a sleeping roof at Easy Camper look like and how long does it take?

Installation takes about 3 days. It consists in the proper preparation of the vehicle and its protection (it is very important to protect it against metal filings produced when cutting the roof), cutting out the factory roof cover, installing a dedicated reinforcing frame and connecting it to the vehicle structure and mounting the roof together with gluing and sealing the whole.

Before proceeding with the installation of the roof, it is necessary to cut out the factory roof sheathing, which in turn connects to the side pillars of the vehicle. This significantly weakens the structure of the entire vehicle. It is worth knowing that only the use of an appropriate, tested and dedicated to a given vehicle model a reinforcing frame, properly connected to the vehicle's body, ensures safety! SCA roofs have such frames that guarantee adequate stiffness and durability of the entire structure (roof with vehicle). All roofs have undergone appropriate tests and have TÜV safety certificates.

However, in special situations, e.g. when the vehicle has heating or air conditioning vents in the passenger section, and the customer wants to leave them, installation may take up to 14 days.

What is the waiting time for a pop-up sleeper roof if we order it from the Easy Camper?

Karol Szymański: If we do not have a given roof model in stock, the waiting period is approximately 8 to 12 weeks.

How much does the basic sleeping roof cost with installation in a Volkswagen T6 short version?

About PLN 23,000 gross.

What are the available colors of such a roof and can it be ordered to match the color of the car?

The standard color of the roof is white, but you can order a roof painted according to the customer's wishes.

Can I install the sleeping roof myself?

Unfortunately, due to the complicated installation, it can only be performed by properly trained personnel.

How about a roof tent?

There is one more alternative. If we do not want to deprive our car of the factory roof, and we need additional space, we can opt for a roof tent . The tents are designed for buses, vans, passenger cars and off-road vehicles.

Their advantage is a much lower price , slightly larger dimensions of the bed, more space above the head along the entire length of the tent and the possibility of transferring from one vehicle to another.

Roof tents, however, also have disadvantages. First of all, they protrude beyond the outline of the car , which results in increased noise while driving, susceptibility to gusts of wind and increased fuel consumption.

In the case of larger vehicles, the height of a car with a roof tent may exceed two meters , which limits the freedom of movement, including, in particular, the use of covered parking lots or garages. We should also remember that we will not be able to stand upright in the vehicle. You should also take into account the need to leave the car to open or close the tent, which can be troublesome in the event of rain.

If you want to know more, we invite you to this year's Poznań Motor Show , on March 28-31, 2019. Easy Camper will appear with us in hall 15. You will be able to talk directly with its representative there. You're welcome.