BUILDING THE TROOPY- HIGHS AND LOWS

A few months back we decided to get a 4WD camper so we could get better access to birds and nature in remote places...and so our Troopy journey began. But 4WDing can't just be for young blokes, right? In this update, we share what we've done so far, and what's worked for us as "senior gals" - and the challenges we are yet to overcome.

Everyone loves a Troopy, and so do we. It's a beast! It's also been described to us as a "flying brick", meaning "that thing will go anywhere the road takes you". Well, as a neighbour pointed out - you don't even need a road with a Troopy!

Anyway, we're having fun, mostly! We took it to Winton Wetlands and used the drone to get some fun footage:

1. 4X4 driving is different - and there's heaps to learn
We did a 4WD course with Victorian 4WD Association. It was excellent. We learnt that this vehicle is far more capable than we are, and we also learnt how to get out of a few jams - or avoid getting into them in the first place. We both learnt to drive in manual cars, so that was a bonus, but there's so much technical stuff with 4WDS - it's been a huge and enjoyable learning curve.

2. Building your Troopy takes (*sigh) ages
We got into this in September 2022. We did our homework, then we organised to have an AluCab roof conversion and awning fitted (and a GVM upgrade, side steps and rails - more below). The roof conversion means we can sleepover near the birds' natural habitats, and be on set at dawn and dusk. This was completed by Christmas, which is pretty fast, but it just felt like forever because we were excited to get going. But wait, the camper won't really be properly functional until the interior is kitted out with a custom fit out, water supply, solar electrics, and so on. Even though we booked in with alacrity, that won't happen until March 2023...that's just how it is!

3. It costs a bomb
Let's just leave that one there...except to say that apart from the vehicle and the build, you need all the recovery gear in case you get into trouble, and it doesn't come cheap (well, it can, but you don't want to be on the side of a lonely road wishing you had spent a bit more on your puncture repair kit). But we have learnt to be disciplined. The Troopy is often described as a blank canvas - you really can just keep adding the toys. We want to learn as we go, and see how things really work.

4. It's pretty strenuous
Yes, it takes height and muscles to get in and out, get the roof tent up and down, not to mention get a spare tyre into action. We know we are not the mainstream target audience in the 4X4 world - it's very blokey, and that's fine. We just reckon people like us can and should also have access to remote touring too. We don't want to tear up the beach or create videos of (literally) splashy river crossings - we just want to get to enjoy nature close up. So we're currently problem solving the challenges so that we too can participate. Getting the roof tent down is one such challenge: it goes up easily enough, but so far we have both been dangling off the back to get it down. And we're really determined to avoid having a fall or breaking a bone. We're also working on a better set of rear entry steps: to date, we're using plastic steps which are quite good, but with the GVM upgrade and lift, the Troopy is quite high at the back - that means further to fall. We're also going to be looking at a few more handles here and there, just to ensure stability.

5. It's fun!
We've been blown away by the welcome and kindness of those we have met so far in the 4WD community - people of all stripes have been very generous with their time and advice. We're guessing most of them love the great outdoors as much as we do. We're having a ball so far, getting fitter and staying stronger, and we're getting further afield than we could in our AWD. Watch out birdies, here we come!

​So here are the details of what we've done to date and why:
The 2022 Troopy came with very few kms on the clock, and already had an Ironman bullbar and winch, as well as Stedi spotlights and a Rhino roof rack (now removed). We added rear and forward cameras and parking sensors - one of the great things about the Troopy is that it fits in a normal parking spot, but these devices just increase safety and peace of mind.

The big decision was the AluCab roof conversion and awning: there are few different brands and we decided on this one after much research, but the others look good too. We visited the Ironman booth at the Melbourne 4X4 Show, and Sean and the team were so helpful, and generous with their time. This gave us confidence. However, it's a big decision: the process involves cutting (yes, yikes!) the roof off the Troopy, and it can't be reversed.

We also decided to get a GVM Upgrade. We have learnt that the Gross Vehicle Mass is how much your vehicle is designed to carry. The GVM includes a full tank of fuel, all its accessories (bull bars, roof racks, winches etc), luggage and and passengers. With our roof conversion and so on, we were getting close to the max, so we had this increased (and then registered with Vic Roads). We also added side steps and rails because we felt the original steps were rather narrow and a slipping hazard. A big shout out to Adam Green and the Ironman crew for shepherding us through this process - they were very patient and helpful, and kept us updated regularly.

But wait there's (always) more!

Remote touring means reliable communications are essential. We've invested in a Zoleo. This little device communicates directly with satellites even in the remotest areas, and using your phone (no phone signal required), you can text family and friends with updates, maps and GPS co-ordinates. If your situation is life threatening, hit the big red button and help will be on its way. We have also installed a Cel-fi (Telstra) signal booster - if there is a signal, the Cel-fi is designed to boost it to give you better comms. We're yet to try this one out. Finally, we've installed a Uniden UHF radio - not good so far: it has been very unreliable, and we're about to have it replaced. 

See you somewhere in the great outdoors, as they used to say on telly!