What Is a High Top Conversion Van?

A high top conversion van is a type of vehicle designed for travel as well as temporary daily living. The roof of the van is higher than a standard van's roof to allow for more head room inside the vehicle, as well as storage space and accessories, and in some cases, the roof of the high top conversion van can extend even further upward when the van is parked and ready for living or camping. The high top can accommodate several accessories that will vary by model, and the outside of the van may also have additional features that vary.

A conversion van is one that can be converted from a passenger vehicle into a living space, which means a high top conversion van often features pivoting or swiveling bucket seats that can be moved or even removed entirely for more space. Tables can fold out from the floor of the vehicle, and televisions and radios are often included in the van for entertainment. The high top conversion van is likely to feature extra lighting and plenty of space for sleeping. It is not uncommon for such a van to feature curtains that can be pulled back and forth to block light or allow views of the outside.

The rearmost seat of the high top conversion van is usually a bench seat that can be folded down completely to act as a sleeping surface. This seat can also be removed to make even more room inside the vehicle. These vans are very useful for long trips as well as for transportation of several people, and the interior is usually quite spacious, depending on the configuration. Added accessories such as cupholders, entertainment units such as televisions and radios, and so on make the trip much more pleasant for passengers.

Some high top conversion van models are made for off-road use. The tires are oversized and feature aggressive treads, and the suspension is overbuilt to endure the abuse it will take during off road driving over treacherous terrain. The engine and transmission are both large enough and strong enough to handle treacherous driving; these types of high top conversion van models are intended for serious campers and people who will be traveling over extreme backcountry terrain. The van does tend to sit quite high off the ground, which can make it unstable in some situations, so the wheel base of the vehicle is often wider to accommodate for this.