Skyline Pop Tops: Honest Review From Pop Top Installer
If you’re exploring options for a pop top, you’ve probably heard about the Skyline. As a professional pop top installer, I always have customers asking me about different pop top roof brands and what I think of them.
While it’s true that Skyline is one of the most popular pop tops in the UK market, but I’d be lying if I said it is a perfect pop top. I’ve seen firsthand some of the issues that Skyline users experience.
In this review, I’ll share what I personally think about Skyline’s design, the pros and cons to consider, and how Skyline compares to other popular brands like Storm. If you’re after an honest perspective from someone who’s fitted and used these pop tops on real roads, read on to find out if Skyline is right for you!
What I Like About Skyline Pop Tops
Skyline is one of the most popular pop top brands, and there’s honestly a lot to like about the design. It has a fairly easy internal set-up, a cosy interior lining and sleeping space for two.
It’s also got a decently low profile, which is good for fitting under any height restrictions. Although I would say that their standard VW transporter pop top model is much more bulky than their Aurora model, so you do get a bit of the dreaded ‘upside down bathtub’ look.
On the whole, compared to some of the really cheap models on the market, it offers a decent design which is why I think it’s so popular. The Skyline seems like a good product at first glance, and the issues will only be noticeable after the installation (and after you’ve spent your hard earned cash!).
What I Don’t Like About Skyline’s Design
Skyline pop tops only have a partial warranty
Skyline offers a solid 5-year warranty on their pop tops, which seems like a great offer until you look at the fine print. This warranty actually only covers the main roof structure, while other essential parts of the roof structure, like the fixings and gas struts, only have a 12 month warranty.
In my opinion, this is pretty ridiculous considering that without working gas struts, the whole roof is going to be unusable. And in my experience, Skyline customers have had major issues when trying to make warranty claims for this exact reason.
Basically, I’d just recommend reading the fine print of the pop top warranty for whatever brand you choose, don’t just take it at face value!
The fixings are prone to rust
Skyline pop tops are constructed using stainless steel fixings. And look, when I first started out in the business I thought that stainless steel was the gold standard for long-lasting, anti-rust construction. That was until I saw customers who had rusty fixings on their Skyline after just a few years.
Then, Storm pop tops came out with Black Powder Coated Steel. This is essentially a coating on the steel that prevents corrosion, and I believe it works like a charm. In my experience, the fixings on Storm pop tops are almost rust-resistant while the Skylines tend to seize up pretty quickly, so it’s something to keep in mind when you’re making your decision.
Skyline window mesh lets in insects
Okay, so like most pop tops, the Skyline roof comes with these two mesh windows on the sides, which is awesome for ventilation. The issue that I’ve found with them is that the holes or perforation in the mesh are far too big, which means that small insects like midges can make their way into the van.
Obviously, that’s going to be a huge hassle in summer when you’ll have to choose between being bitten by midges or dying of heat!
Skyline pop tops can have defects
Skyline pop tops are constructed using a hand-laid GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) process, which can lead to minor inconsistencies in quality due to the manual nature of it. Everything is done by hand rather than a machine, so there’s a chance for mistakes.
For example, if the technician that’s making your Skyline is tired or really busy that day, you might receive a pop top with uneven layers or slight imperfections in the final product because it’s all done by hand. Little defects like this in the construction process can lead to leaks and reduce the long-term durability of the product.
This is one of the few times that “hand made” doesn’t actually mean better quality!
To be honest, I’ve only seen it a handful of times but it is something to consider. When you’re looking for a pop top that is going to last you 5+ years, I think it’s worth paying a bit extra for guaranteed quality. The Storm pop top is made using a mechanical RTM process, which eliminates the room for human error, so I would recommend it over the Skyline in this case.
Skyline hasn’t improved their product
Since its release in 2016, Skyline’s pop top design hasn’t seen significant updates or improvements. For me, this lack of evolution is a bit of a red flag, especially when other brands like Storm have been updating their designs and manufacturing processes to improve durability, weather resistance, and usability.
While Skyline offers a solid pop top, it would be great to see continued innovation and refinement in future models based on customer feedback and design advancements.
The canvas could be better quality
Skyline advertises that they use a weather-resistant, marine grade canvas for their pop tops, but I’ve found it can be hit and miss. In my opinion the Skyline canvas is not the highest-grade material on the market.
The canvas Skyline uses is similar to seating upholstery fabric, which just doesn’t feel very sturdy in high winds or heavy rain. Having had a Skyline pop top back in the day, I can tell you that during heavy rain there will certainly be some moisture and even droplets coming through.
Plus, I’ve noticed that this type of canvas marks pretty easily, which is frustrating when you pay so much for the pop top – you want to keep it looking brand new for a little while at least!
Last thing I’ll note is that some customers have said that the material loses its tension over time and sags, which is annoying for operating the roof but also affects the aesthetic of your van big time. I’ve never seen these issues in Storm pop tops, so that’s why I say that the Skyline isn’t the best material on the market.
How Does Skyline Compare to Other Pop Tops Roofs
Austop pop tops vs skyline pop tops
In my opinion, Austop and Skyline pop tops are quite similar in terms of quality, and both are decent options within a comparable price range. It depends on the model, but the Skyline is usually just a few hundred pounds more.
One of the main differences between them is that Austop has been around a bit longer, releasing their pop top in 2014 compared to Skyline’s in 2016, but neither brand has significantly updated their designs since release.
So, if you’re deciding between the two, it will likely come down to personal preference, as they’re both popular options for UK-based campers.
Storm pop tops vs skyline pop tops
Okay, so I’ve already touched on this earlier, but Storm is by far and away my preferred pop top roof brand. Let me explain why.
Storm is committed to improving their product, and over the last five years I‘ve seen the development of it based on their testing, feedback and innovation. This has created a much higher quality product in terms of aesthetics, consistency and durability.
Consistency
Like I explained before, one of the things that sets the Storm pop top apart is its consistent quality thanks to its advanced manufacturing process. Unlike Austop and Skyline, which rely on a hand-laid GRP process, Storm uses vacuum infusion moulding (RTM).
This approach removes the potential for human error because it’s machine-operated, so every roof is built to the same high standard.
Durability and aesthetics
The finish on the Storm pop tops is overall just cleaner and more durable.
The Storm has a higher grade canvas that isn’t flimsy like the Skyline. Trust me, you can tell just by looking at each canvas that the Storm is going to be more durable in high winds, rain and sun, while the Skyline will sag and leak after a few years.
On top of the higher grade canvas, the Storm has a fully polished gel coat underside. That means you don’t get the same untidy or exposed areas underneath when the roof is raised like you do the Skyline.
Lastly, Storm’s roofs come with stainless steel and black powder-coated fixings, which means less chance of corrosion and sticking – even after years of use. Customers always love the reliability of the Storm for this reason.
Installation and repairs
Storm has also streamlined the installation process, making it quicker and simpler for installers, which translates to a shorter wait for customers. And with all parts sourced and manufactured within the UK, Storm is able to offer faster support for van repairs or warranty issues.
This local sourcing means you’re less likely to be held up by long waits for replacement parts, and the same unfortunately can’t be said for the Skyline. The wait time might not be a deal breaker for everyone, but I know whenever I’m doing a full van conversion for myself I am super eager to get it on the road!
Is Skyline a Good Choice for a Pop Top?
I’ll be honest, whenever I’m discussing pop top with customers, I will always recommend Storm over Skyline. Overall, I think that Skyline is an okay pop top choice, but it comes with a lot of risks. The canvas isn’t super high quality, the manufacturing process is hit and miss, and the fixings tend to rust.
For just a few hundred pounds more, I think the Storm is worth every cent, especially considering that the pop top is the most important conversion factor to get right! Storm uses higher quality materials, a more reliable construction process, and is quicker to install and repair.
Of course, it’s totally up to you and the Skyline is still a better choice compared to much cheaper models on the market. I hope this has made your decision easier! If you’d like to chat more about your options or arrange a pop top installation with us, just get in touch!
