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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Ha, yes I'm sure we'll be fine - we have an air tent but it's just a bit big!

I just heard back from Drexl and thanks to the wonders of Google translate I know they can start the conversion in.... August!! Ha ha, that was inevitable! Laughing

For those who are interested, the Drexl roof conversion is EUR 11,200 or GBP 9,450 including fitting. So still approx £400 cheaper than an Alucab fitted by Nene but approx £1,000 more than a very similar poptop from Ex-tec, which surprised me.

You also have to handle "inward processing" for the truck for customs into Germany, which I guess is a new thing since we left the EU.

Lots to consider!
Post #941797 9th Feb 2022 4:47pm
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db950



Member Since: 01 Feb 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 559

United Kingdom 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
Have you had a quote for an Alu-Cab off Tuff-Trek?
Errol at Coastline Campers used to fit all their Icarus roofs but I see on Instagram they are now doing in house fitting so might be worth a call to them.

I paid £8300 for my Icarus but that was 18 months ago and fitted it myself (although they don’t normally allow self fitment due to warranty) 1997 Ex-MOD 110, Pop Top Camper, build thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72352.html
2014 Discovery 4 SE Tech
Instagram @the110camper
Post #941840 9th Feb 2022 9:17pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
I spoke to them both at shows last year but didn't get a firm price.

I'm probably going to go for one of the German made roofs, even if I have to wait until after my holiday because my wife is very keen on the most comfortable bed possible and the slatted beds seem to tick the box.

I think Drexl and Ex-tec use these: https://rs-comfort.at/produktportfolio/rs-fuer-hubdaecher2/
Post #941947 10th Feb 2022 2:25pm
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PocketFred



Member Since: 02 Feb 2022
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 22

Switzerland 2001 Defender 110 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
You can put pretty much any bed/matress in any poptop you want.
And if you want some of the very very best sleeping comfort, you'll want to check out

https://fanello.swiss/

They have some ready made for Alucabs, but they will do any format you want/need as everything is custom made. 110 HT TD5 w/ PopTop for travelling
110 CSW 300tdi for hunting
Post #941949 10th Feb 2022 2:36pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2068

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
we have one of these double mattresses which are self inflating and can be compressed when the roof is down to allow for pillows and extra bedding etc. - Also It fits perfectly in the xVx slated bed
About £100 - water proof and comfortable !
Have used it regularly for over 4 yrs now with no issues.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-Kip-Double-...lating+mat

Thumbs Up Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #941980 10th Feb 2022 7:30pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
The more I look into this the more fun it gets! Confused

I have had emails and quotes back from Drexl and Ex-tec - they both mention customs or forwarding agents. This was from Ex-tec:

You will need a forwarding agent who will open the customs procedure at the border and who will also take
over the return of the vehicle to the UK after the conversion work has been completed. For the conversion we
need the vehicle for 2 weeks + the time for customs clearance


I don't understand the reference to the forwarding agent "taking over the return of the vehicle"? I assume this is all new post-Brexit. What I would like to do is drive the truck there myself and then collect it and drive it home again. I would expect use a customs agent in some way for the paperwork, but does anyone know if the truck has to be "delivered" back to me - or could this just be Google translation confusing things?

I've called 3 companies whose websites say they do vehicle transportation to Germany to see if they can help, but thus far none of them are actually doing it!

Any information is very much appreciated!
Post #942050 11th Feb 2022 11:19am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3996

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Just a a guess, but as you are buying the product in the EU, you will need to pay VAT and other taxes to get it into the UK. Same as if you buy something online. However it is probably fraught with misunderstanding as customs will need to understand it is just the conversion and not the entire vehicle you are wanting to import. I guess using an agent will ensure the process is smooth. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #942057 11th Feb 2022 12:06pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Yes, you are right.

The process is that I have to pay the VAT in Germany, then pay the import taxes in the UK (I believe on the added vale of the poptop) and then I send my proof of paying import duties back to Ex-tec/Drexl and they will refund the VAT. So I will definitely need help with all the paperwork!

What was confusing me was the implication that someone had to ship the vehicle back to me, which doesn't sound right. I found a shipping agent who is looking into it..
Post #942060 11th Feb 2022 12:16pm
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MOI



Member Since: 06 Jan 2017
Location: madrid
Posts: 7

Spain 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Alaska White
hello. You also have the roof manufactured by rrc offroad.com in France, they are distributors of Ex-tec roofs with some modification of fabrics, I just put it on and I have traveled from Spain to put it on. I recommend it if you like Ex-tec ceilings. you have them for 8900 euros. greetings from Spain. sorry for my english is very bad
Post #942521 14th Feb 2022 10:54pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Hi MOI, thank you for the information. I had seen RR Concept before and thought their poptop looked very similar to Ex-tec and now I know why!

I am making progress... I took the advice from PocketFred and used Instagram to contact X-Vision-X and I am waiting for a quote to be sent to me. The good news is I think they can have the work done and completed by July in time for my holiday in the Pyrenees which will be fantastic.

There's lots of great info and links to various poptop suppliers in this thread so when I get a minute I'll pull them together and post in one place.
Post #942562 15th Feb 2022 12:38pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2068

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Thumbs Up
good luck and give them our best regards ! Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #942565 15th Feb 2022 1:23pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3996

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
andy2111 wrote:
Hi MOI, thank you for the information. I had seen RR Concept before and thought their poptop looked very similar to Ex-tec and now I know why!

I am making progress... I took the advice from PocketFred and used Instagram to contact X-Vision-X and I am waiting for a quote to be sent to me. The good news is I think they can have the work done and completed by July in time for my holiday in the Pyrenees which will be fantastic.

There's lots of great info and links to various poptop suppliers in this thread so when I get a minute I'll pull them together and post in one place.


That would make a good sticky on Overlanding/Camping section. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #942570 15th Feb 2022 2:42pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Hi everyone,

I have gathered together all of the links in this thread so I can post in one place. Please advise of any errors or if anything is missing and once it is all confirmed I will post it.

One question from me is if the Drivelodge has an integrated bed in the roof or not... I have assumed not?


Existing roof not used:
https://www.alu-cab.com/product/icarus-roof-conversion/ - South Africa but supplied/installed in the UK by Nene and Tuff Trek
https://www.psp-expeditioncampers.com/nl/p...fender-110 - Netherlands
https://dormobile.co.uk/campervans-land-rover-defender/ - UK
https://www.safari-equip.co.uk/shop/roof-t...amper-110/ - UK

Existing roof used - no integrated bed system
http://drivelodge.co.uk/new-products/land-...escription - UK


Existing roof used - includes integrated bed system
https://shop.ex-tec.de/de/space-tec-hubdaecher/ - Germany - Options for 110 and 90, hard and soft materials
http://www.x-vision-x.de/product_info.php?...pdach.html - Germany
https://drexl-fahrzeugtechnik.de/hubdach-laavu - Germany
http://www.rrconcept.com/V2/toit-relevable...ncept.html - France
https://www.4land.pl/EN/kampery - Poland
http://4x4camp.eu/layout.htm - Germany - 3 different models
https://www.facebook.com/TravelTopTLT/ - France


Lifting roof kits - you must install yourself
https://en.theoverlandies.com/ - Germany
https://faaq.fr/azteque/ - France


Bed systems
https://rs-comfort.at/produktportfolio/rs-...-2-teilig/ - bed systems for lifting roofs - Austria
https://fanello.swiss/produkt-kategorie/kleinbus/fanello-rooftop/ - more bed systems - Switzerland


Last edited by andy2111 on 16th Feb 2022 6:31pm. Edited 6 times in total
Post #942593 15th Feb 2022 5:13pm
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PocketFred



Member Since: 02 Feb 2022
Location: Lausanne
Posts: 22

Switzerland 2001 Defender 110 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
psp doesn't reuse the existing roof. It's a bespoke construction.

F 110 HT TD5 w/ PopTop for travelling
110 CSW 300tdi for hunting
Post #942594 15th Feb 2022 5:19pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Fixed - thank you!
Post #942595 15th Feb 2022 5:20pm
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