Terra Cabana Top
- Thread starter Schmeegz
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Not to be a Debbie Downer here, but I wonder if a cabana could be a hard top - I think that is the only way it would work here in the Northeast (and other places where we get Ice and Snow in Winter IMHO). Almost like the Rivian roll-away / powered tonneau but on the roof. Otherwise, my fear is that Scout will be seeing a ton of service & repair tickets with a roll-away soft top here. Even with a hard top that rolls away, there would still be the potential for weather and other problems (like sticks and leaves and debris getting into the tracks and eventually creating havoc). I'm pretty mindful to take good care of the tracks on my powered tonneau and it is still working flawlessly at 60K miles, but it might be harder to take care of a cabana up high on the Scout. I will probably opt for glass or a metal roof personally (based upon harsh winters). Also, a roll-away hard top won't work up high b/c there is no space to store a rolled-away the hard top (which is why its a cabana top in the first place)
I still believe that (in a perfect world) the best option for an open roof would be comprised of modular, interconnected & removable solar panel slats that come all the way off the truck and can be stored somewhere easily (but I digress and that opens a whole other can of worms for a new Scout solar panel partner to deal with). I would not want Scout trying to figure that one out - I would want them to be using a 3rd party and remain focused on trucks. An option like that would still require a $hit-Ton of engineering work to tie the electrical together / inverter piece together with intricate wiring through the roof and pillars. That would also add a $hit-Ton of $$$.
I still believe that (in a perfect world) the best option for an open roof would be comprised of modular, interconnected & removable solar panel slats that come all the way off the truck and can be stored somewhere easily (but I digress and that opens a whole other can of worms for a new Scout solar panel partner to deal with). I would not want Scout trying to figure that one out - I would want them to be using a 3rd party and remain focused on trucks. An option like that would still require a $hit-Ton of engineering work to tie the electrical together / inverter piece together with intricate wiring through the roof and pillars. That would also add a $hit-Ton of $$$.
I think location and use are big factors. For how you use yours I fully agree. For me I garage vehicle, have a fully open lot at work with no overhead potential debris and if it snows (which in our area it’s usually a few inches at best) and if we get buried on a rare occasion I work from home and avoid going out. I don’t see the worry. I also see it being a much higher take rate in the southern regions where if I lived I’d have it open regularly. I will have mine open so long as temp gauge shows 50 degrees or higher for outside temperature. Love open air driving
Yes, I have my truck garaged, but I'm considering when I am out doing "truck stuff" in the mountains, or on a road trip north in the winter that concerns me. I have had plenty of situations where my truck is exposed to high winda, blizzard conditions, freezing rain, etc. when out in the wild. Just trying to think ahead. Of course, everyone's use cases are very different.
What roof are you wanting at this point? It sounds like solid based on your use case.
I'm a Terra BEV reservation holder. I would go glass or solid. I have a full glass pano roof on my R1T. Nice for the passengers in the back, but does little for me in the drivers seat. It does heat up the truck nicely this time of year!
And that’s my concern about the glass roof will it be too far back for me as the driver to enjoy. I sure hope not.
If there's one thing I know about VW Engineers, its that they know how to make canvas roofs.
Having the option for an open top would be ideal, though I understand the limitations. A sunroof wouldn’t really deliver the experience we’re after, however, pairing a potential cabana-style top with the rear window down would create a much more complete open-air feel. Or bring back the t-tops!
Its not that its too far back, its just that you don't look up while you drive! I mean, its nice to have some light and sunshine over top but it wouldn't kill me not to have a pano glass roof if I am being honest.
That’s why I love my Wrangler. My ClearLidz roof starts right after the windshield basically so I can see up too because it’s so in front of me.
I'm not complaining - but I enjoy this much more while parked.
Driving? Not as much, or maybe I just take it for granted looking straight ahead at the road.
This is obviously a nice benefit for backseat drivers!
Driving? Not as much, or maybe I just take it for granted looking straight ahead at the road.
This is obviously a nice benefit for backseat drivers!
Curious if in your region the Jeep Wranglers with the retractable soft tops have you heard if they have the types of issues you're concerned about with the cabana top?
I live in GA so I'm planning on going cabana top all the way! I too have a R1T and while I love the glass it gets VERY hot on the inside and I can feel to top of my head (I'm 6'2) getting hot when I'm driving. Yes, a quick solution is a shade, (or Rivian's opaque glass option which I can't add to my tuck) but then I miss the view and don't want to have to remove and install the shade every time I want the glass open. Therefore, in order to get the best of both worlds the cabana top is exactly what I'm looking for and excited about.
The jeep wrangler offers a power top and I have seen many here in the NorthEast.
That one touch roof. I went and test drove one with that on it since that’s the closest thing to a cabana top I can think of. Love it when it’s open but when it’s closed I feel like I’m in a cave.
I have both the hard top and the soft top..... I would have opted for the One Touch top but the rear glass is not removable and that was a deal breaker for me.
For me, and others have mentioned it as well, you never really see anything above you except the visors and headliner. Not often you are looking higher up than that.
Would be curious to hear what others think of owning the "Jeep version" of a cabana top in colder climates. I would have to think that your cab would also require more energy to heat in the winter with this? I just don't see something like that lasting very long (given my environment and use case!).
TBH - One of the things that worries me is freeze/thaw and how that expansion that occurs in colder climates could lead to issues.
TBH - One of the things that worries me is freeze/thaw and how that expansion that occurs in colder climates could lead to issues.
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I shudder to think what it wold cost if I ever have to replace it but the Model X windshield is fantastic. It goes all the way back to the B pillars. It's tinted at the top and the sun shades fold out of the A pillars and magnetically connect to the rear view mirror.
I honestly haven't thought about the roof for my Traveller yet. I guess I'm waiting until I can see them in person? I like the idea of the cabana but not sure how much I would use it. I did take the roof off my Roadster quite often and my Wrangler would be topless for months at a time. Though I was younger and tougher then
