Removing the factory installed pop top?

[Mikeystravelingtails]

I have a 2023 Thor Rize 18A with pop top. This was built on the 2022 Ram Pro-Master 1500 chassis. I bought this van brand new a few months back and have had tons of issues with it. I’m stuck with it for a few years so am doing a complete reconfiguration and 1 of these things would be to remove the pop top completely. Has anyone done this, or know what this might consist of? I know I’ll have to close the opening off somehow, but would like roof access for a rooftop pop up deck in the future and the solar panel which I would move to the vans roof.

 

[16ACE27]

I have a 2023 Thor Rize 18A with pop top. This was built on the 2022 Ram Pro-Master 1500 chassis. I bought this van brand new a few months back and have had tons of issues with it. I’m stuck with it for a few years so am doing a complete reconfiguration and 1 of these things would be to remove the pop top completely. Has anyone done this, or know what this might consist of? I know I’ll have to close the opening off somehow, but would like roof access for a rooftop pop up deck in the future and the solar panel which I would move to the vans roof.

Not that has been discussed on this Forum.

 

[Mark54]

I have a 2023 Thor Rize 18A with pop top. This was built on the 2022 Ram Pro-Master 1500 chassis. I bought this van brand new a few months back and have had tons of issues with it. I’m stuck with it for a few years so am doing a complete reconfiguration and 1 of these things would be to remove the pop top completely. Has anyone done this, or know what this might consist of? I know I’ll have to close the opening off somehow, but would like roof access for a rooftop pop up deck in the future and the solar panel which I would move to the vans roof.

I had the 20AT with pop-top, and made a insulated plug for the skylight/hole. All you can do for now.
No practical way to have a deck and solar up there- too small, and not enough structure to support a lot of weight, imho...then there's waterproofing.
Just sell it and start with a raw promaster 2500 or 3500 chassis. I have rebuilt my 20L and took 2 yrs. No more pop-top. Batteries and electrics all moved up inside too. These things are not well thought out, and QC is horrible, but i knew that going in and price was right- had everything I wanted, just not where i wanted it. I can do all my own work, and even I should have started from a stock van, but I don't have time of space to work in either.
You'll also find it is not insulated- not what I call insulated at least. I've been changing out the crap they installed and replaced with havelock wool.

 

[45Kevin]

You would probably get better advice from people on Expedition Portal.

https://forum.expeditionportal.com/

 

[marksil]

I had the 20AT with pop-top, and made a insulated plug for the skylight/hole. All you can do for now.
No practical way to have a deck and solar up there- too small, and not enough structure to support a lot of weight, imho...then there's waterproofing.
Just sell it and start with a raw promaster 2500 or 3500 chassis. I have rebuilt my 20L and took 2 yrs. No more pop-top. Batteries and electrics all moved up inside too. These things are not well thought out, and QC is horrible, but i knew that going in and price was right- had everything I wanted, just not where i wanted it. I can do all my own work, and even I should have started from a stock van, but I don't have time of space to work in either.
You'll also find it is not insulated- not what I call insulated at least. I've been changing out the crap they installed and replaced with havelock wool.

I have a '22 Tellaro AT. Wish I had not gotten the poptop, although there is a bit more room to work with on a 3500 chassis. You mentioned you plugged the skylight, that thing is apain, sits up so high, VERY noisy. How did you replace it?