VW T5 & T6 Pop Top Roof: Fitting, Beds and What to Expect

You’ve got a VW Transporter and you want to sleep in it. You’re in good company. The T5 and T6 are the vans most people picture when they think “pop top camper”.

But which VW T6 pop top roof? Front lift or rear? Do you need a bed up there? And what actually happens on fitting day? Here’s the straight answer from Manchester fitters who’ve been putting roofs on vans for over ten years.

Why the T5 and T6 make great pop top campers

There’s a reason you see so many Transporters at campsites. It’s one of the vans we’re asked about most, and it’s easy to see why.

• It’s still a van you can live with every day. Roof down, it drives, parks and works like a normal Transporter.
• The roof changes everything. Pop it up and you can stand to cook and get changed. Add a bed and two more people sleep up top.
• The choice is huge. Drivelodge, Skyline and Streamline all make roofs for the T5 and T6, in short and long wheelbase.
• It grows with you. Start with the roof, then add a bed, heater, electrics or a full conversion later.

Which VW T6 pop top roof can you get?

First question we always ask: short or long wheelbase? Every maker below does both, but the roof is made for one or the other. Then it’s about how low you want it closed, and which way you want it to lift.

Source: the Drivelodge, Skyline and Streamline websites, October 2026.

You can see the makers’ own pages for the Drivelodge T5 & T6 roof, the Skyline range and the Streamline VW roofs. Still weighing them up? Our Drivelodge vs Skyline guide goes through it side by side.

VW T6 pop top roof with bed: your options

A pop top on its own gives you headroom. A roof bed turns it into sleeping space. If there’ll be more than two of you away in the van, the bed is the bit that makes it work.

1. An elevating roof bed. It sits up in the roof and folds out of the way, so you can still stand up inside when you want to. Drivelodge’s bi-fold bed takes one or two people.
2. Removable bed boards. A simpler option. The boards go in when you’re sleeping up top and come out when you’re not.
3. A RIB bed downstairs. A seat that turns into a bed in the main part of the van. Pair it with a roof bed and the van sleeps more people.

Front lift or rear lift?

On a lot of vans you get one choice. On a Transporter you get several, and it’s worth thinking about how you’ll use the space.

• Front elevating. The roof lifts at the front. It’s what Drivelodge make for the T5 and T6, and Streamline’s SLine and AERO+ roofs come this way too.
• Rear elevating. The height goes at the back of the van instead. Streamline make rear-lift roofs for both wheelbases.
• Side and vertical lifting. Less common, but Streamline make them for the T5 and T6 if you want headroom along the whole van.

Want more glass whichever you choose? Scenic canvas adds windows all round the roof.

Fitting the roof takes a day. Picking the right one is the part worth taking your time over.

What happens when your VW pop top is fitted?

1. Talk it through. Tell us your van, the year, the wheelbase and how you’ll use it.
2. Written quote. Itemised, with the VAT shown.
3. Order the roof. A deposit secures your booking. Roof parts take about 4 weeks.
4. Fitting day. The headlining comes out, the roof is cut, and the new roof is fixed and sealed to the maker’s method.
5. Finishing. Trims, lights and the bed go in.
6. Testing. Every roof is leak tested. Seals, hinges and latches are checked, and the roof is opened and closed several times.
7. Handover. We show you how to open, close and secure it before you drive away.

What else to add while the roof is off

The headlining is already out and the van is already with us. That makes it the best time for jobs that would otherwise mean stripping the inside again.

• A diesel heater. We fit Autoterm Air 2D heaters. Warm nights, all year.
• Victron leisure electrics. Lights, fridge and charging off-grid, with a 5-year warranty.
• A Fiamma awning. An outdoor room for when it rains. Which, in Manchester, it will.
• Insulation and sound deadening. Dodo insulation, so the van is warmer and quieter.
• Windows and blinds. Tinted fixed or sliding windows, and Vanshades for privacy.
• Lining. CNC-cut ply lining or carpet lining, made to fit.

Thinking bigger? We also do full conversions, with the furniture designed in CAD and cut on our own CNC machine.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not knowing your wheelbase. An SWB roof won’t go on an LWB van. Check first.
• Forgetting the bed. Adding it later costs you another visit.
• Comparing a kit price with a fitted price. They’re not the same job. Always ask what’s included.
• Using a fitter who isn’t approved. On a Drivelodge roof, that can mean no warranty.
• Leaving it until spring. Everyone books in March. With a 4-week wait for parts, get in early.

Our verdict

A VW T6 pop top roof is one of the best upgrades you can make to a Transporter. It’s a one-day job that turns a work van into a weekend camper.

Know your wheelbase, choose your bed at the start, and use an approved fitter. Get those three right and you’ll love it. Got a different van? See our guides to the Ford Transit Custom pop top and the Kia PV5 pop top, or browse all our pop top roofs.

Frequently asked questions

Can you fit a pop top to a VW T5 and a T6?

Yes. Drivelodge, Skyline and Streamline all make roofs for the T5 and T6, in short and long wheelbase.

Can you fit a pop top to a long wheelbase Transporter?

Yes. All three makers do an LWB version. Tell us your wheelbase and we’ll recommend the right one.

Does a VW pop top come with a bed?

Usually not. The roof bed is a separate item. You can choose an elevating roof bed or removable bed boards.

How long does it take to fit a pop top to a T5 or T6?

One day for the roof, with about an hour extra for a roof bed. The roof itself takes about 4 weeks to arrive after you order.

Do pop top roofs leak?

A properly fitted roof shouldn’t. Every roof we fit is leak tested before the van leaves us. When a roof does leak, it’s almost always the fitting, not the roof.

What warranty do I get?

Five years on every roof we fit.

Do I need to tell my insurer?

Yes. Tell your insurer about any change to your van, a pop top included.