TROOPY REVIEW - FOUR YEARS DOWN THE TRACK

​In 2022 we kitted out a Troopy as a remote camper. Our neighbours nodded approvingly, saying 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. Four years on, having tested it all out (and after several "fails"), we’ve made some pretty big fixes and enhancements to our Troopy 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 a National Luna 50 (it failed three times) and got the Bushman and we’ve never looked back. Brilliant fridge.
• Storage: we added an extra cupboard with a 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!
• Water outlets: We asked the plumber to install a dual outlet tap at the back of the vehicle, and a gravity feed outlet near the passenger door in case the pump fails (and it did). A local auto sparky installed a neat operating switch at the rear.

• Spare wheel bags: 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.

• 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 mounted on the roof and you also have full wifi calling in the remotest places. We went for the Boss Aluminium roof mount. Everyday Offroad did a great job on the fitting.
• 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!

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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, 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.

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WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY?

In a future fit-out, we’d be conscious of weight and space so we would consider a lighter aluminium fit-out. Also, we’d

• 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 so you don’t have to retrofit
• 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!