You’ve decided you want a pop top. Brilliant. Now comes the hard part: Drivelodge or Skyline?
As accredited fitters of both pop top roof brands here in Manchester, it’s the question we’re asked most. This guide gives you the facts and our honest take, so you can choose with confidence.
Key takeaways
- Fitted prices start at around £3,000 + VAT.
- Both brands come with a 5-year warranty on parts and labour when fitted by us.
- Skyline’s Aurora and Skylow have the lowest profiles; Drivelodge covers more van models.
- We can usually fit a roof in 1–2 days.
- A pop top does not count towards DVLA motor caravan reclassification.
What is a pop top roof, and why does the brand matter?
A pop top (or elevating) roof replaces part of your van’s steel roof with a hinged roof and fabric canvas. Parked up, it lifts to give you full standing headroom and room for an extra double bed. On the road, it folds flat.
So why does the brand matter? Because the roof decides how your van looks, locks and sleeps for years to come.
Drivelodge pop top roofs: the facts
Drivelodge is a UK manufacturer based in Crosshills, Yorkshire, and has been building roof conversions since 1994. It currently offers 35 pop top models, covering everything from VW Transporters to Ford Transit Customs, Renault Trafics and even the Land Rover Defender 110.
- Frame: single-piece steel box section with multiple mounting points
- Hinges: laser-cut stainless steel, tumbled smooth to protect the canvas
- Canvas: UK-made and tested against wind and rain before it leaves the factory
- Extras built in: two flush LED lights, pre-carpeted trim boards and a front spoiler to cut wind noise
- Warranty: 5 years on parts and labour. Because Manchester Pop Tops is an accredited fitter, we can provide a 5-year warranty on both parts and labour. You’ll find us listed on their website.
Skyline pop top roofs: the facts
Skyline roofs are made in Langford, near Bristol, and are especially popular with VW Transporter owners. The range includes several distinct designs:
- Standard: front or rear elevating, around 100mm profile, tie-down straps (VW T5/T6)
- Aurora: streamlined, TÜV-approved one-piece roof, around 75mm profile, key/cam latch locking and a larger railed scenic canvas (VW T5/T6 SWB and LWB)
- Skylow: Skyline’s most compact roof, with cam locking (VW T5/T6)
- T7 / Transit Custom: 2024 design with around a 90mm profile
- Warranty: 5 years on parts and labour. Because Manchester Pop Tops is an accredited fitter, we can provide a 5-year warranty on both parts and labour. You’ll find us listed on their website.
Drivelodge vs Skyline: what’s the difference?
Here’s how the two compare side by side:
| Drivelodge | Skyline | |
|---|---|---|
| Made in | Yorkshire, UK | Bristol, UK |
| Vans covered | 35 pop top models (VW, Ford, Renault, Land Rover and more) | VW T4–T7, Transit Custom, Crafter, Sprinter, Trafic, Vivaro, Primastar |
| Profile when closed | Varies by model, around 100mm | Approx. 75mm (Aurora) to 100mm (Standard) |
| Locking | Varies by model, ask us | Tie-down straps (Standard) or key/cam lock (Aurora, Skylow) |
| Warranty | 5 years, parts and labour (accredited fitter) | 5 years, parts and labour (accredited fitter) |
| Upgrades available | Bi-fold bed, scenic canvas | Bi-fold bed, scenic canvas, slide-over cover panel |
| Price | Ask for a quote | Ask for a quote |
Drivelodge pros and cons
✓ Widest van range
✓ 5-year warranty on parts and labour
✓ LED lights and trim included
✓ Bi-fold bed upgrade available
✗ No slide-over cover panel option
Skyline pros and cons
✓ Ultra-low Aurora and Skylow profiles
✓ 5-year warranty on parts and labour
✓ Bi-fold bed and slide-over cover panel upgrades
✓ Strap-free latch locking on Aurora
✗ Lowest-profile roofs are VW-only
A brilliant roof fitted badly is still a bad roof. The fitter matters as much as the brand.
The pop top set-up we recommend
Not sure what to add? This is the typical set-up we advise, and it’s our most popular bundle:
- Pop top roof: Drivelodge or Skyline, to suit your van
- Scenic canvas: zip-open panels for views and airflow
- Bed: bi-fold bed or standard bed board
- Solar panels: keep your leisure battery topped up off-grid
- Colour coding: the roof painted to match your van
🎨 Colour coding: make it look factory-fitted
This is the upgrade that makes people stop and stare. Colour coding means we paint the roof shell to match your van’s exact paint colour, so your pop top looks like it left the factory that way rather than being added on afterwards.
Whether your van is Candy White, Indium Grey or something bolder, a colour-coded roof gives a sleek, seamless finish and helps your van look its best when it’s time to sell. Just ask and we’ll include it in your quote.
💡 Fitter’s tip
Ask every fitter for a fully itemised quote: roof, bed, canvas upgrade, colour coding and VAT. And if it’s over your budget, talk to us. We can always work with you to bring the price down, for example by removing certain extras or adding them later. There’s always a way.
Which pop top roof is right for your van?
So what does this mean for you? Work through these five questions in order:
- What van do you drive? If it’s not a VW T5/T6, check which brand makes a roof for your exact model and wheelbase.
- How low do you want it? If a sleek, almost-invisible profile matters, look at Skyline’s Aurora or Skylow.
- Who’s sleeping up top? Decide between a standard bed board and a space-saving bi-fold bed.
- Do you want a slide-over cover panel? That’s available on Skyline roofs, not Drivelodge.
- What’s your all-in budget? Add bed, canvas and colour-coding upgrades before comparing prices.
⚠️ Did you know?
GOV.UK guidance on converting a vehicle into a motor caravan lists a high-top roof as a qualifying external feature, but specifically excludes pop-top elevating roofs. A pop top alone won’t change your van’s V5C body type.
What happens when your pop top roof is fitted?
Nervous about someone cutting a hole in your van’s roof? Completely understandable. Here’s what a professional fit looks like, step by step:
- Check-in and measuring: we confirm your van model, wheelbase and the roof, bed and canvas options you’ve chosen.
- Protecting the van: the interior is covered, and any headlining, lights and trim are carefully removed.
- Cutting the aperture: the steel roof panel is cut to the manufacturer’s template.
- Strengthening: the opening is reinforced with the roof’s frame, so the van’s body stays rigid.
- Bonding and sealing: the roof is bonded and sealed to make it fully watertight.
- Finishing inside: trim boards, lights and your chosen bed are fitted.
- Testing and handover: we test the lift, locks and seals, then show you how everything works.
We can often complete a fit in a single day, but we allow 2 days so every detail is perfect. Our current lead time from booking is around 1–2 months, so get in touch early if you’re planning for a particular trip or season.
Common mistakes to avoid
🤔 Been quoted £2,000–£3,000?
If you’ve been given a much cheaper price, it’s most likely a non-branded pop top. Before you book, ask yourself:
- Does it have the reputation of a branded roof like Drivelodge or Skyline?
- How many reviews does the fitter and the roof have?
- Have they itemised everything you want, such as the bi-fold bed, scenic canvas and carpeting?
- Comparing headline prices only: a cheaper roof can cost more once a bed and canvas are added.
- Forgetting roof bars and solar: ask what’s possible with your roof before it’s fitted.
- Skipping the insurer call: declare the modification before your first trip.
- Choosing on looks alone: think about who sleeps up top and how often you’ll raise the roof.
Is a pop top roof worth it?
For most van owners, yes. You gain standing headroom and two extra berths without the height of a fixed high-top, so the van still works as your everyday vehicle.
Just remember to tell your insurer about the modification before you drive away.
Our verdict
There’s no wrong answer between these two pop top roof brands, only the right one for your van.
- Best all-rounder: Drivelodge, for its wide van range
- Best for a sleek VW: Skyline Aurora or Skylow
- Best value: compare itemised quotes, as the extras decide it
Still torn?
Bring your van to our Manchester workshop and we’ll show you both pop top roof options side by side. Learn more about how our pop top roofs work, browse our gallery of recent builds, or get a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pop top roof cost in Manchester?
Most fitted pop top roofs for a VW Transporter or Ford Transit Custom cost between £3,500 and £5,500 including VAT, and that includes extras like a bi-fold bed or scenic canvas. At Manchester Pop Tops, fitted pop top roofs start from around £3,000 + VAT.
How long does it take to fit a pop top roof?
At Manchester Pop Tops we can often fit a pop top roof in a single day, but we allow 2 days so every detail is perfect before you collect your van.
Is Drivelodge or Skyline better?
Neither is better for everyone. Both are high-quality, UK-made roofs with a 5-year warranty on parts and labour when fitted by us. The right choice depends on your van, the look you want and the upgrades you’d like, and we’ll help you pick the one that suits you best.
What warranty do I get on a pop top roof?
When fitted by Manchester Pop Tops, both Drivelodge and Skyline roofs come with a 5-year warranty on parts and labour, because we are an accredited fitter for both brands.
Does a pop top roof make my van a motor caravan with the DVLA?
No. GOV.UK guidance says a high-top roof can count towards motor caravan reclassification, but pop-top elevating roofs are specifically excluded. You’d need other external features to qualify.
Do I need to tell my insurer about a pop top roof?
Yes. A pop top is a modification, so you should tell your insurer before you drive the van after fitting. Not declaring it could invalidate your cover.
Can I colour code my pop top roof?
Yes. We can colour code your roof shell to match your van’s paintwork, so the pop top looks factory-fitted rather than added on.