Pop Top vs Hi-Top Roof Conversion — Which Is Right for Your Hiace Campervan?

What is a pop top?

A pop top (also called an elevating roof) replaces the factory roof panel with a fibreglass lid that hinges up on gas struts. When closed, the van looks almost stock — maybe 30–50mm taller than factory. When popped, you get full standing room inside the van (roughly 1.9m internal height on most Hiace builds).

The sides are typically canvas with zip-out windows and mesh insect screens. This means you get great ventilation when you're set up, but the canvas sections aren't as well insulated as solid fibreglass. In practice, most Australian campervan owners say this isn't a dealbreaker — we camp in a warm country.

What is a hi-top?

A hi-top is a permanent fibreglass roof extension that's bonded to the van body. It raises the entire roofline by approximately 300mm, giving you permanent standing room without any setup. The roof is solid fibreglass all the way around — no canvas, no moving parts.

Hi-tops are structurally simple and virtually maintenance-free. The trade-off is that your van is permanently taller — which means more wind resistance (slightly higher fuel consumption) and you need to be aware of height clearances at car parks, drive-throughs, and underground parking.

The key differences

When to choose a pop top

Choose a pop top if you value stealth. When closed, your van looks like a regular Hiace. You can park in shopping centre car parks, drive through height-restricted areas, and camp in suburban streets without drawing attention. This is the number one reason most Australian vanlifers choose a pop top.

Pop tops also win on aerodynamics. The near-factory roofline when closed means less wind noise on highways and marginally better fuel economy — not a huge difference, but it adds up over a long trip.

The daily routine is simple: arrive at camp, pop the roof (takes about 5 seconds with gas strut assist), and you're set. In the morning, push it down, latch it, drive away.

When to choose a hi-top

Choose a hi-top if you want to walk in and stand up without any setup. There's something to be said for pulling over, sliding the door open, and being at full height immediately. No popping, no latching, no canvas to worry about in the rain.

Hi-tops are also better for permanent solar installations. You can mount panels flat on the roof with plenty of space, and run roof racks for kayaks, surfboards, or extra storage. With a pop top, the hinged lid limits what you can mount up top.

If you're planning a full-time live-in build or a mobile workshop, the hi-top's extra fixed volume and solid insulation make it the better choice.

What most people choose

About 70% of our customers choose the pop top. The stealth factor is the main driver — most Australians want to be able to park anywhere and not look like they're in a campervan. The $2,000 price saving doesn't hurt either.

That said, the hi-top buyers are usually very sure about their choice. They tend to be people planning longer trips, full-time living, or builds that need maximum interior volume (like mobile workshops or photography studios).

Both options at Bare Camper

Our conversion partner DIY RV Solutions builds both pop tops and hi-tops in their Brisbane factory. Both are custom-moulded fibreglass, both fit H200 and H300 series Hiace, and both have a 10 business day turnaround. The conversion includes the roof, interior headliner, LED lighting, and a 12-month warranty.

If you're importing a van through us, the roof conversion happens right after compliance — so by the time you pick up your van, everything's done.