In 2022 we kitted out a Troopy as a remote overland and camper. Our neighbours nodded approvingly, telling us they love a car that “you can accessorise” – well, that’s exactly what we’ve done as we’ve worked out how to travel in this beast. In its first iteration, the Troopy was dressed up as follows:
- AluCab roof conversion, 270 degree awn, shower cube
- Drifta fit out including storage in marine-grade ply which housed a 100l water tank (behind passenger seat), one large pull out draw (left side), storage cupboards and drawers, and room for a National Luna 50l fridge (all on the right), including the electricals (Enerdrive Adventurer Pack: 200 amp hours lithium battery, 2000w inverter, 125 solar panel on the roof).
Four years on, having tested it all out (and after several “fails” – see below), we’ve made some pretty big fixes and enhancements to our mobile money pit. Here’s what we’d do all over again, and things we wouldn’t do next time .
BIG IMPROVEMENTS: Here are the main ones:
Bushman 35-52l fridge/freezer: We replaced the National Luna 50 (it failed three times) with the Bushman and we’ve never looked back. Brilliant fridge.
Storage: we added an extra cupboard on the right side and added a large lip on top (for extra storage – every centimetre counts) and we replaced two of the drawers as a single storage space with a drop down door. Much better use of space! (The drawers are space occupying and awkward).
Water outlets: Drifta gave us a substandard hose and outlet to the back of the vehicle: We had a plumber replace it with a dual outlet tap, as well as a gravity feed outlet near the passenger door in case the pump failed (and it did). A local auto sparky installed a neat operating switch for the pump at the rear of the vehicle.
Spare wheel bags: we learnt that wheel bags with straps over the spare tyres perish in the heat – we’re super impressed with the Offroad Echidna bags.
Lightweight awning walls from Shady Gear velcro to our awning and add privacy. A tarp underfoot keeps dust down. This arrangement has been a game changer for us.
Alpine head unit (with CarPlay): expensive but totally worth it. Great sound and much safer to use voice control for phone and navigation. Combine this with a Starlink mini mounted on the roof and you also have full wifi calling in the remotest places. We went for the Boss Aluminium roof mount.
Gas struts on the bonnet: The Troopy bonnet is high and heavy. With these struts, you can almost open it with your little finger!
Dash organiser and Side Seat Bags by the Bush Company – not cheap but excellent quality and really add lots of storage within reach in the cab
Maxtrax side table from the Expedition Centre: it’s great to get the Maxies off the load bars on the roof and now they provide a handy table on the side of the vehicle. We hope this is the only use the Maxies will ever get!
REGRETS? WE’VE HAD A FEW…What would we do again – or not?
- Buy a Troopy? Yes! We love our 2022 V8. It’s thirsty if you drive above 100kph (we rarely do) but it goes anywhere including a normal carpark. Mechanically, it never misses a beat. The only engine mod is a pre-diesel filter which makes sense for remote touring.
- Add a roof conversion? Yes! We can sleep in the Troopy without towing. We like the AluCab’s dark heavy canvas. A GVM upgrade ensures weight is legal. We’d install the 270 awning but forgo the shower cube (we don’t use it).
- Add the Enerdrive Adventure Pack? Yes! (200Ah battery power is enough if you’re careful – bigger batteries add more weight). We’d consider increasing solar input using lighter panels.
- Stick with induction cooking? Definitely! Heating frozen “one pot wonder” meals made in advance is quick and energy efficient. No gas in the vehicle feels safer.
- As above, we would still add a Maxtrax table, head unit, bonnet gas struts, and a roof-mounted Starlink. Also, we wouldn’t be without a UHF radio. It’s essential for safety.
WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY?
In a future fit-out, we’d
- be more conscious of weight and space so we would consider a lighter aluminium fit-out
- Install a 70l underbody water tank rather than 100l tank inside the vehicle. We rarely carry 100l.
- Ensure the fit-out includes water pump and inverter switches at the back of the vehicle.
- Think very hard about adding two spare tyres and a rear bar – it’s annoying to open the swing arms, and they add weight and fuel consumption. Needing a second spare is a highly unlikely scenario for us.
- Add a bull bar but forgo a winch (weighty) and spotlights (we never do remote driving at night).
Realistically, there will come a time when we can’t physically manage the Troopy (no sign of that yet) but until then, see you out there!
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