Making space

Have you considered a Troopy ?

The New Pajero 3.2 CRD has just been upgraded. It is a great vehicle to drive and has a 3 tonne towing capacity.

Details

Tony, with just one or two adults, depending on what you want to carry, have you considered a ute with a canopy?

For our last 4WD, since it was just wife and me, we ventured into the world of Dual Cab utes and bought a Hilux. We added a canopy, removed the rear seat and put in a carpeted plywood platform, bolted down via the seatbelt bolts.

The Hilux was great, but when we came to upgrade to something with more load carrying and towing ability, we figured 'what is the use of buying a 4 (or 5 or more) seater vehicle, then spending time and money converting it to a 2 seater.

So, this time, we got a 79 Series Land Cruiser cab chassis. Fitted an aluminium canopy, then, I have fitted it out with drawer units, shelves, fridge slides, roof rack and boat loader, etc.

We reckon, that for two people, this is the perfect touring vehicle. You have total flexibility with set up, depending on your interests and whether you will be towing a CT or van.


Worth a thought?

I now believe for this sort of set up, tray back utes are the best. The canopy is more expensive, but the vehicle is cheaper. But there is much more flexibility in set out and much better access for loading. For my new LC, I just bought the cab chassis (no tray). The canopy has integrated floor and is bolted direct to the chassis. These two pics might help explain.

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Norm C

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The fun is in the planning.

Norm C

Hi olddigger
If you get a pajero take out the second row of seats. Fit the cargo barrier in the forward position and then fit a false floor in front of it. You can then utilise this space as long as you have proper tie downs etc.

G'day olddigger,
Mate how long is a piece of string?
Your use, area's travelled and how remote you want to get must be factored in by you. However, here's my camp set-up:
For two max. a Troopy has the space to install a raised floor, pull out storage draw, an Engel and as we use, a 150mm high compression foam mattress that affords a great night's sleep for this old digger. Also keeps you off the ground. We are too old for tents now. A steel roof rack will cope the hardest country. Alloy is for show and the theorists.

Does all this work? well the old HJ75 was bought in 1986 with the Engel and I made the rack. Been to the top numerous times and nothing broke. Which is all you need to know re durability.

Good luck with your research but remember K.I.S.S.

Cheers

Seakarvan

Hiya Tony


Would probably help too if you mentioned what you want to spend on a vehicle !
Diesel,Petrol ???????

Cheers

A Prado has almost the same packing space as a Patrol & with 180 litres of fuel in Standard tanks it leaves more than enough room for touring with only 2 people. If you can't fit everything in that space then you're taking way too much junk. Rear seats do weigh a fair bit so removing them is a good idea if there is no need. There can be some legal issues changing the configeration of seats in some states I've heard but I certainly haven't worried about it.
Cheers Craig..

hey tony,we have a toyota 3L turbo diesel ex cab with a canopy on the back with a pop top that has a double bed.down below we have lift up side opening doors.on one side we have our fridge and kitchen gear ,stove etc.on the other side is extra storage for recovery and fishing gear and another spare wheel etc,as it is made from aluminium the weight is ok and the roof is also alum so no camping under canvas and up off the gound by 2metres.the set up is easy and quick.we have just returned from 5 months and 30 000 k touring oz.we saw lots of different styles of travelling and every style is a compromise on comfort and convienience.you learn alot on the way but the biggest lesson for me was to keep it simple as too much gear is a mission .we returned with less gear than we left with. our fuel average was 9km to the litre.hope that helps regards phil