A high roof installed in a van can increase headroom or even make standing possible. Adding a high roof can be an expensive process but owners generally feel it to be a worthwhile investment.

An increase in frontal area can have a negative impact on MPG. An increase in sail area can make the van more susceptible to sidewinds. An increase in exterior height will reduce clearance in drive-throughs, wooded areas, etc.

These vans can be ordered with a factory high roof:

• Transit 148“ wheelbase¹⁾ - 81.5”²⁾
• Sprinter - 77.8“³⁾
• NV >= 2500 - 76.9”⁴⁾
• Promaster - 76“⁵⁾

The most common roof alteration for American vans is the fiberglass raised roof. The roof can be shipped or installed at the roof forming factory; buying a new fiberglass roof and installing it will cost $2000-$4000.

Vendors/Manufacturers:

• Fiberine
• Discount Van - Truck - SUV
• CycleVan - CycleVan is no longer making high roofs as of Nov 2016.⁶⁾
• Tufport

Some used ice cream and wheelchair conversion vans will have the roof raised already.

It may also be possible to source a high roof from a junkyard. Steamjam1 notes that “Dodge van roofs never changed from 1971 all the way to 2003, [except] for minor details like third brake light holes.”⁷⁾

Pop top roofs are canvas-sided extensions that raise on both ends or only one end, as with the prototypical Westphalia camper.

• PRO
  • adds standing room to normal height van
  • low profile when stored
  • increases ventilation
• CON
  • canvas sides may be damaged in high winds, as when desert boondocking
  • canvas sides need to be dry before storing
  • may not be as watertight
  • expandable roof / struts may not be able to support solar panels or other roof-mounted gear

A turtle top is a slim raised roof found on conversion vans. The raised area provides space for media and HVAC accessories but does not provide significant headroom compared to a passenger van. If the accessories are stripped out there is will be some additional headroom.