Skylight or sunroof?

[Longboard]

As I'm building as stealthy a camper from my 2003 Citroen relay hi roof van as I can - I would appreciate as much light as possible coming in from overhead.
As most of the affordable caravan skylights seem to be a milky white plastic, would I be better off sticking a pop-up universal type sunroof in instead? Two even? (front and rear)
Come to think of it, are those white caravan skylights intended to let light in at all? Or are they just for ventilation?

 

[n brown]

they let in a fair amount of light,but i just changed one for a mini- heki,which is clear plastic ,and it let in an amazing amount of light ! BIG difference

 

[Longboard]

Yes, or two of those would be just the ticket.
I must confess though that, as a newcomer, I am shocked at the prices of caravan parts. Especially roof lights - which are assembled from a few simple plastic mouldings... Ouch.
What do you think of the sunroof option? The only downside I can see is they can't be left open unattended in case it rains - but an equivalent sized Heki is £315!! I only paid £300 for the blinkin van! ( :

 

[n brown]

make your own then ,i used to . go and look at sliding hatch covers on boats and barges and have a bit of a think

 

[delicagirl]

Yes, or two of those would be just the ticket.
I must confess though that, as a newcomer, I am shocked at the prices of caravan parts. Especially roof lights - which are assembled from a few simple plastic mouldings... Ouch.
What do you think of the sunroof option? The only downside I can see is they can't be left open unattended in case it rains - but an equivalent sized Heki is £315!! I only paid £300 for the blinkin van! ( :

I know what you mean about the price of "camper" parts - I ordered 4 lights for just short of £99 and 3 weeks later I cancelled the order because they had not arrived, and my neighbour then found some for around £5 each that were just as good..... (but not labelled 'camper/caravan')

 

[Longboard]

I know that feeling!

I know what you mean about the price of "camper" parts - I ordered 4 lights for just short of £99 and 3 weeks later I cancelled the order because they had not arrived, and my neighbour then found some for around £5 each that were just as good..... (but not labelled 'camper/caravan')

I've decided to plough ahead with insulating my van before fitting windows etc. just because I'm on a budget and need to wait till I find what I need, at the right price.
Found these great little boat portholes that would be ace as 'stealth' windows on my van: only £20! But - they're in America - and the postage is . . . £30! How I laughed. . .
(you can but them here - but they're £60. Grrrr.)

 

[phillybarbour]

Go for the clear if you can find them at the right price, do you have any caravan breakers near you always worth try.

 

[Debs]

they let in a fair amount of light,but i just changed one for a mini- heki,which is clear plastic ,and it let in an amazing amount of light ! BIG difference

I also fitted two mini heki's, and they flood the place with light:cool1:

 

[hextal]

I know what you mean about the price of "camper" parts - I ordered 4 lights for just short of £99 and 3 weeks later I cancelled the order because they had not arrived, and my neighbour then found some for around £5 each that were just as good..... (but not labelled 'camper/caravan')

Nail on the head there.

Not only are motorhome parts way more pricey but the build quality is usually far far lower.

 

[hextal]

I also fitted two mini heki's, and they flood the place with light:cool1:

They really do make a big difference. Open all the window blinds in the morning and they let the light in, but once the blind on the midi heki is open it really floods the van.

Edit: floods it with light, not rain water, just in case I wasn't entirely clear.

 

[steveuk0]

Ive got 2 sunroofs from a scrap yard £10 each , came out easy and fitted easy .
brilliant for letting lots of light into the van and dont protrude giving me good barrier clearance, however for ventilation when sleeping not good if its likely to rain, but I usually chance it if its a very warm evening.
Also good air flow without being to noisy whilst driving along.

 

[molly 2]

A sunroof could be magnet for condensation ?

 

[FULL TIMER]

I would leave the sunroof idea, the main problem you will get will be condensation build up, most if not all motorhome type vents are permanently vented even when fully closed. if you want clear go for something like the fiamma if you don't want the white cover (which lets no light in ) go for the crystal. The MPK Vision Star M Pro is also worth a look which also includes flyscreen and roller blind

 

[Longboard]

Smashin!

Thanks for all the ideas, folks.
I have to confess I'm leaning towards the sunroof option. My van has a sunroof shaped roof pressing already, and I'm also having a little woodburner for cold nights - nature's own dehumidifier. ( :
Plus, I really need all the roof light I can muster - my windows are going to be as tiny and few as I can get away with.