troopy vs 80 series

Hi Turbo-hopeful,
We currently own a 1995 4.5lt RV Troopcarrier. You have to ask yourself what options you would like the most.
1. Comfort
2. Storage
3. Seating
4. Vehicle passenger access i.e 2 ,4 etc

We have two children and have always owned a Troopcarrier. We to made a similar decision when we upgraded to the latest Troopy.
As you can see our question was answered , we went the Troopy.
We have BFG muddies 285/75/16 on and find the ride fine. Have a look at our rig have a list of things we have.
One thing that made our decision was the fact we had more room in the rear for fridges etc.. for quick access to the essentials for the set up of camp and relaxing after the long hard days driving.

It doesn't matter what you buy you will find something that you will have to modify to suit yourself.!MPG:3!

Trooptrek

I agree with Troopytrek, but then again I own a troopie RV too and am bias towards them!

If you don't have kids why not set out the rear of the troopie with a false floor to store stuff under and a bed on top? Saves you getting the roof top camper, you just sleep in the car.

We have kids so we have a forwards facing rear seat for them and cargo barrier behind them. That stops us from having a bed in the back. We just use a tent. Any particular reason for the roof top tent?

As for cracking "A" pillars, I would suggest that is caused by previous owners putting too much weight on the roof racks combined with rough roads. Not much you can do about previous owners apart from looking at the pillars and NOT buying one with re painted / fixed or not fixed cracked pillars.

The roof top tent wont be too much weight for a troopie as long as that is all you put on top. Sure, it will be more top heavy than without one, but you need to adjust your driving style to suit.

It sounds like you are leaving plenty of time for research and searching for the right vehicle for you, so don't do yourself a dis-service and buy one right at the last minute. I would suggest purchasing the vehicle 12 months before you go. That way you have plenty of time to do a 4wding course with that vehicle, preferably with it set up the way you will be travelling. You have time to learn the characteristics of the vehicle ie the top heavyness etc. You also have twelve months to get someone to help you service the vehicle and get to know how to change oil, change a tyre, grease all the grease points, change an alternator belt etc.

It will take a while but maybe it would be worth while searching through this site and looking at members rigs. There used to be a way of searching and looking for troopies for example. Then you have a squiz at their rig and you might get some photos of how others have set theirs up.

Please feel free to ask more questions too!

From your name I assume you are looking to get a turbo troopie? Me, I would not touch an aftermarket turbo troopie. Just another thing to go wrong. There isnt much wrong with a standard troopie for mine! They are slower than other cars when taking off at lights, but they still get to 110km/h. Besides, how many sets of lights are there in the outback?

Enjoy your trip, when you finally take it.

sdr00y

Had both.

Troopy - Best all round tourer just a bit agricultural in base form but can be tickled up. Just sold it, was like shooting an old friend.

80 - Still a great tourer, more comforts. More family orientated tourer.

Final choice will be what you feel more comfortable with and either will do whatever you want it to do.

Hi Turbo,

I don't own any Toyota so my info is based on what I have seen. I have ridden in and travelled with both types of vehicle.

I have seen some great setups in Troopies. Probably the best was on Cape York. The guy was a boler maker and had built a single draw full length of the rear of the Troopie. Everything was compartmented and the outside end of the draw was set up as a kitchen and dining area for two. It worked a treat. He also had water storage and a hot water system. His bed was above this draw and could be left made up all the time. It took him about 2 min to get into bed at night. Hand break on, engine off, walk to tree, return to Troopie and climb into bed. I was pretty sure that was the way I would go once the kids left us alone.

On a later trip with a different couple along I had the opportunity to ride in a Troopie. This thing was set up for beach work with big wide radials, tyre pressures were down because we were in an area that had frequent soft sand drifts over the track. I have never been so uncomfortable in my life. It was like riding a jack hammer.

On the other hand another friend of mine had an 80 for some time and it was a very nice car to travel in. I did a couple of rough tracks as a passenger in the 80 and it felt sure footed and very comfie at all times. I have never seen an 80 with what I would call a great setup for two people though.

As others have said if there are only the two of you the Troopie could be very functional without the rooftop camper. You would not as easily sleep inside an 80. Alternately the 80 will be more comfortable.

Duncs

Once you've done a few miles on coil springs, going back to leaf springs (and bloody stiff ones at that) takes some getting used to.

tubo i have an 80 series no problems with 235 80r 16 tyers. been to krumber and back via grib river and wallcott inlet. no problems .bite the bullit and by the troopie. i have orderd the new 70 series troopie .because 78 series are not on the maket.regards pedro

We've had all the toyota's, when I met my husband he had the 75 series ute, it had a canopy and we decked it out with cupboards under the mattress for travelling. A bit high to get into over and over agiain as it had a suspension lift.

Then we had a troopie, even got a chev V8 put in it. At that stage we purchased a 3k box trailer type camper to tow behind. Seemed to have a big turning circle and all the rest of it, from a womens perspective I didn't think much of it off road, seemed a bit top heavy particularly compared to the ute.

Now we have an 80 series, got it probably 9 months after our first kid came along. If you have a family I have found it to be a much more family friendly car. We've put a chevb V8 in it too for better fuel economy & camper trailer towing. Haven't done real serious off road stuff as yet, but hopefully not too far down the track. It's great with a draw system and fridge in the back and we also have dual wheel carriers. (it's not barn door - the other type). The 80 series is a '91 model I think the troopie was a '97 or '95.

Troopie would probably be pretty suitable for a couple - we had a bit of wood we could put in the back to make a bed on travels - and some foam off seats from our old caravan. But if there's more than 2 of you then an 80 series is probably a must.

We only have one car & I couldn't imagine climbing over all the shopping all the time to get the kids out. Mind you the 80 series with dual wheel carriers isn't the easiest to park everywhere if you happen to live in a big city.

But ultimately when the kids grow up (they're 2yrs and 4yrs) hubby want's to go back to a 75 series ute (or something to that effect).

There is an option for you - a ute with a removable tray top type camper?

have been jetting about autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/troopyoz/ and some of the things they are getting up to in those troopies have made up my mind that they will do the trick.

there are some great set ups for all occasion and with all the info on this site and the yahoo one i could pick and choose and with a little bit of my own ingenuity i could have a great set up.

there are pictures of troopies on 3 wheels right out to the peak of articulation and still looking like they are gonna be fine. also pics of them set up for outback touring with wiring that would make any auto sparky look twice. they seems to be the ultimate base for customisation with plenty of space to work with.

all in all.....I'M GONNA GET ME A TROOPY!

Hi
I have a 94 model Troopy, diesel that has just turned over 200K ( I use another vehicle around town) It came with narrow tyres and I have continued that way. They are easy to buy everywhere as most stations have 75 series running these. The skinnies have got me across the Simpson several times, twice to Cape York and once up the Canning plus numerous other destinations. I have a 60 litre water tank from OOT underneath with a pump, a bullbar and winch. I replaced the front passenger seat with a comfortable aftermarket one with arms, built a shelf in the rear to hold the frig, gas bottles, tent, kitchen box etx and chairs card tables slide under shelf. I built two plywood boxes up each side held down to the original seat and seat belt bolts in the floor. These have hinged lids on the top and sides giving dual entry. The top of these boxes is underside of windows and I carry some plywood that just fits across the "aisle" between the boxes to deck it out completely if we (only two of us) need to sleep in it. This is usually only for overnights on side of road or when pouring rain and inconvenient to set up our usual tent. We sleep on foamies that we store just under the roof on straps spanning across at the top of window level. We are more than happy with this arrangement and are off in early July for 3 months in WA. If interested I could probably post a couple of photos.
Mal