Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 15:58
G'day There
I too have a 2001 78 Series Pop-Top Troopie - like Stevesub
mine was also Ex-Rental and had about 100k on the clock when I got it. (4.2 diesel, non-turbo)
In my case - I could not recommend such a vehicle highly enough. Since owning it - I have done the
Canning Stock Route,
Gibb River Road (including
Kalumburu,
Mitchell Falls and Port Warrander),
Oodnadatta track and a whole lot of local weekend trips..... As you can see - I'm not shy about how I use it.... So far I have had no problems with it (now has 140k on the clock). The conversion was originally performed by
Ballina Campers I believe....
I bought
mine Ex-Rental direct from Kea Campers in
Sydney (ask for Norman) - they were great to deal with and the vehicle was in tip-top shape. I looked at others (privately and through other rental co's) and the ones through Kea stood out head and shoulders.
I have noticed absolutely no
water leakage or any such problem with the roof - the only thing I would comment on is the whole vehicle clearly doesn't seal as
well as a non-converted vehicle, so a small amout of dust seems to get in and turns up in one of the cupboards. I solved this by taping over the cargo area vents inside the rear, and leaving the fan running when it's REALLY dusty (its not a big deal at all - but worth mentioning).
So to answer your question - I'm no engineer - but I believe there would be some reductions to structural integrity caused by the roof, but I have seen no sigs of any issues caused by this. I had a 2000 model non-converted troopie before this one - and fuel consumption is roughly the same (about 13L/100kms around town; 12L/100kms gentle cruising; 14-15L/100kms towing a boat; worst was 22L/100kms really loaded up driving in heavy sand on the CSR).
I have also made extensive modifications to my truck to improve it's off-road and touring ability - and think it the ideal vehicle for people who really like to get away - and don't want any hassles with tents or trailers (you can
camp anywhere on any surface).
Mine has three batteries; front and rear bars with twin wheel carrier; spotties; twine shower; OME
suspension; aerotech seats; compressor; 3rd fuel
tank (tot. 275 litres);
water tank (came with conversion); good stereo; UHF; home made roof console; and custom over bonnet tradesman style roof rack. I have also modified the interior lay-out slightly - the fridge is now on a slide at the small rear door, and I changed the roof bed lay-out to allow for a thicker mattress (I'm a softy).
From pulling up - we can be sitting on chairs with the first beer cracked in about 4 lazy minutes - undo four clips - give the roof a nudge and voila!!!
My advice - if you can find a good one at the right dollar - go for it, happy to talk more. (I have nothing to do with Kea - but can recommend them if you were after a newer one and have the dollar - you will be pleasantly surprised with their prices - I was).
It's not all beer and skittles though - the bad points I have noted would be:
1. The roof of my troopy pops at an angle (hinges above the windscreen) - this results in a triangular sleeping area which may feel a little confined at first - the big windows make for great ventilation though - it has never worried me.
2. If you are the sort of person who sets up base
camp and does day trips - you have to pack up your sleeping area to go driving - not a big deal, but some might not like this. Depends on your personal style.
3. If the roof is popped, and the bed set-up, you don't really have much room to get changed or shelter inside. We often put up a tarp for extra shade, and/or hide behind a door to get changed - we also have one of those pop-up shower enclosures which can be used in cases where you can't get any privacy by hiding behind the truck.
As with any
camping set up - there is always a few compromises - you just need to find a set-up that involves the least compromises for your style.
Good luck!!!
Cheers
AnswerID:
82562
Follow Up By: John - Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 11:33
Thursday, Nov 04, 2004 at 11:33
Hi there Troopie
I met you both at
cathedral gorge and sunset ( remember the funny US girls and spinifex) I have the troopie camper with the rack over the bonnet and had just strugled back from a long walk up picininee
creek!
Made it to Cp
York - van is in
Townsville will be back on the road end of the month. At present back home in
Perth for a month.
Seems like the rest of your trip went ok - my sunset pics came out
well how did yours?
Troopie went
well too.
Cheers
John
FollowupID:
342010
Follow Up By: Troopie - Friday, Nov 05, 2004 at 10:16
Friday, Nov 05, 2004 at 10:16
G'day John
Great to hear from you mate! Yep, the rest of our trip was brilliant after the Bungles. We were held up in
Kununurra for a while waiting for the radiator - but no big deal. Yeah - the sunset photos came out pretty
well - although not quite as a
well as I'd hoped.... Got some truly amazing ones from on the Canning though!!!!
After the Bungles, we crossed the GRR and went up to M. falls, Port Warrander and
Kalumburu - great stuff. Then ended up in
Broome and
Cape Leveque for a while before making the long trip home - although we did duck up to
Darwin for a few days.
The truck was brilliant - no murmours or problems at all, although the vehicle we were travelling with had several flats on the GRR and a few minor, but frustrating, issues.
How'd you go up the Cape? We spent several weeks on the Cape two years back and loved it!
Once you are on the Rd. again - if you end up down this way your welcome to swing by anytime - there's plenty of room.
Cheers
Dave
FollowupID:
342138