Penthouse Pop Top Camper Van Conversion

The Penthouse Pop Top is Sportsmobile’s own elevating roof. You can get it as part of a full camper van conversion, or have it installed on a van you already own.

Why a pop top

A pop top gives a low roof van the standing room and sleeping space of a much taller van, while the van stays low when you drive. With the top down, the Penthouse is styled to blend with the van’s lines. The effect on crosswind handling and fuel economy is very small.

With the top up:

• The interior feels more spacious with a high ceiling.
• Two people can sleep upstairs with the optional bed.
• Five large screen windows give cooling cross ventilation and wide views.
• Soft vinyl side windows have double zippers, so you can leave the tops open in rain, protected by the top’s eave.
• The front window flap zips closed for privacy, and side windows have solid curtains that roll up and down.

How the Penthouse works

It raises full-level. The Penthouse lifts straight up, not at a slant. A slanted top cuts interior space and limits sleeping position at one end. A full-level top does not.

Dual-U-Tube elevating assembly. The patented Dual-U-Tube system uses compression and tension springs that work with the tubes, so raising and lowering is quick and easy. The springs are over-engineered so they do not fatigue.

Manual or electric. An electric top is optional. Unlock the latches, push the switch, and 12V motors do the rest. Always unlock first: raising a locked electric top bends the u-tubes. If that happens, we can replace them.

Screens and light. Three window screens unzip and roll down for photos or a more open feel. LED lights give soft light for reading in bed.

Room for two: the Penthouse bed

The optional bed turns the top into a sleeping loft. The main bed section uses the same soft, firm foam as Sportsmobile’s seats and beds. Ceiling height in the bed is about 30″, and the large windows keep it from feeling closed in. A ladder is optional. When the bed is attached to the ceiling, bedding can stay on top and the space works as a shelf.

The bed supports up to 400 pounds, with optional reinforcements.

Which vans the Penthouse fits

Penthouse installs are done on low roof vans with no rear air bags, and on all medium roof Ford Transit vans. Current choices on the pricing form:

• Mercedes Sprinter: RB (regular body) low roof. Sportsmobile is the only company approved by Mercedes-Benz to partially remove the Sprinter roof and install a pop top on a Sprinter RB low roof. Not on high roof vans.
• Ford Transit: RB (130″) or EB (148″) low roof, and RB (130″) or EB (148″) medium roof.
• Ram ProMaster: RB low roof.
• Ford E-Series / Chevy Express: RB or EB low roof.

Not sure about your van? Get in touch and a Sportsmobile rep will confirm.

Built strong

• Fiberglass shell. The top is reinforced fiberglass, and metal parts are heavy duty.
• Reinforced roof cut-out. The front roof rib over the cab and the rear rib stay in place. The sides and rear of the cut-out are framed with 14 gauge steel bolted to the van roof. That frame reinforces the roof, supports the bed, and is the base for the lift.
• Roof crush tested. General Testing Laboratories ran the FMVSS 216 roof crush test on 07/02/2008. The Sprinter RB with the Penthouse more than exceeded the test weight requirement.
• Within Mercedes-Benz limits. Mercedes-Benz allows 660 pounds of added roof weight on the Sprinter. The installed Penthouse adds about 345 pounds. With an RB-50 conversion and the Penthouse, center of gravity is 45.8″, below the Mercedes-Benz 51.2″ maximum.
• Insulated. Tempshield bubble foil (R-value 14.9) sits between the fiberglass shell and ceiling panels.
• Weatherproof walls. The sidewall is convertible car-top vinyl-impregnated fabric that is easy to clean; the interior fabric resists mildew and condensation.
• Proven design. Sportsmobile introduced its third generation model in 1974 and has very rarely replaced a part because of wear.

Installation

Installation takes an estimated 5 days, longer if you add other items. Scheduling depends on make, model and options; your Sportsmobile rep will contact you with current lead time and confirm colors, materials and trim before drop-off. Every top includes a maintenance-free, UV-resistant urethane coating matched to your van.

See Penthouse Top pricing options

See the Penthouse on real builds

Each of these Sportsmobile gallery builds includes a Penthouse Pop Top. Browse the floor plans, then use the same top on your own van.

Mercedes Sprinter

• Sprinter camper van, Penthouse Top
• Sprinter camper van, Penthouse Top, standard plan
• Sprinter low roof, Penthouse Top, platform bed
• Sprinter low roof, Penthouse Top
• Sprinter AWD with pop top

Ford Transit

• Transit AWD 130 RB low roof, Penthouse
• Transit AWD 148 EB mid roof, Penthouse
• Transit, Penthouse Top
• Transit, Penthouse Top, rear dinette
• Transit, Penthouse Top, sofa bed
• Transit, Penthouse Top, gaucho
• Transit, Penthouse Top, gaucho, large galley kitchen
• Transit, Penthouse Top, low shower, toilet, gaucho
• Transit, Penthouse Top, rear dinette, SmartSeat Easy XL

Ram ProMaster

• ProMaster camper van, Penthouse Top

Chevy Express

• Chevy Express extended, Penthouse
• Chevy Express regular, RB50 Penthouse

Browse the full gallery. Want the backstory? Read the Penthouse pop top history.

Visit a Sportsmobile shop

• Sportsmobile Texas — 9805 Gray Blvd, Austin, TX 78758 · 512.835.4409
• Sportsmobile North — 250 Court St, Huntington, IN 46750 · 260.356.5435
• Sportsmobile Southwest — 5818 S Kings Ranch Road, Suite 1, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 · 602.704.1955

All locations