Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.

Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

For tech on expedition vehicles

Moderator: bru21

Post Reply
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

If your reading this thread you have probly been asking your self a heap of question, as i did when me and the missus first decided to sell our home and take a drive .
There is an mirade of choices out there as to vehicles you could use for a long term home on the road .
A bus towing zook ? A 4x4 or 6x6 truck with a hard side camper.
All have advantages and disadvantages it all depends on the end user "you" to way up all those questions and hopfully make the right choice.

I needed a vehicle that offerd a home like comfort with the best offroad ability we could afford.
The vehicle needs to "fit" on australian tracks especially coastal areas where trees and bushs, and rocks tend limit the size of a vehicle,
We chose a nissan gu 4.2 turbo diesel trayback ,on the tray i have built a simple camper,
camper had to be tall enough to stand in ,have double bed ready to sleep in,fridge.freezer,60ltrs water,a self contained 12v power system,enough ventilation from windows to be usable up north .
A semi off road caravan to use as base camp.

So this is what we started with "covered wagon and the farm truck"

Image






'
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

The needed to be built from somthing easy and cheap,i retained the steel tray as the base, and added a 25x25 x1.6 frame out of mild steel, get your measurments right ,and have the steel mob cut it for ;)
Thanks to Ben for the welding.

Image
Posts: 1321
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2004 7:56 pm
Location: Jamisiontown NSW

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by MARKx4 »

Cant wait to see the out come, im currently looking for a large dual cab 4x4 and adding a lazy axle and extending for a good sized slide on camper. I have contemplated building my own so this is going to be watched closely.

Mark.
Its not cool, unless it's got boost :)
Posts: 4426
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 4:39 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by bru21 »

This is exactly what I wanted this section to be about!

Your build and tour plans look exciting!

cheers bru
ADHD Racing would like to thank
Mrs Bru @ Sunshine Coast Developmental Physiotherapy - www.scdphysio.com.au , Ryano @ Fourbys www.generaltire.com.au Blitzkrieg Motorsport
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

Thanks Mark -Bru ,
The roof frame is hinged at the front , my tray size determined the size of the roof,and its an idea to remember the available cladding sheet sizes when building stuff like this ,most alloy is 2400 x 1200.
We used 1.6 alloy with a join down the middle,allternative in a single piece you can get a .90 x 2700 x as long as you want.
Bit of a worry having a join was worried about leakage so i decided to use sika flex 252 adhesive ,on the roof sheets you need to prep both surfaces,once this stuff goes off you will not get it apart without destroying the sheet,i added 2 x 200 watt solar panels.
The sika also works to isolate the combination of steel and alloy which apparantly don't play well left alone together :) (corrosion).


Image

The seal on the hinged end of the roof is grey PVC with a flexible sealant pop riveted under some 2x20 al strip.

Image
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

At the rear i wanted a dirty area for stuff like jerry cans ,generator, spare ect.
this formed by a 350mm allcove in the rear of the box.
simply folded prop sheet,

Image

some extra pieces of metal in the right spot behind to support the spare ect.

Image

Oh nearly forgot don't forget some triangulation.
(nearly as good as cable braceing ! :D )

Image
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

Above the rear recess leaves a shelf area inside the box via the full width an area around 1900x350x350 large enough for a small cooking storage area.

Image
Road Ranger
Posts: 10722
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2004 12:21 pm
Location: In a town near you

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Tiny »

Looks tops mate, I tow I dual cab rodeo behind the bus and want to build something similar.....ish

The main focus for me is suitable power/water wtc and a cooking section and bed. First on the list is to upgrade the trailer and then I need to replace and upgrade battery and solar in the bus, going from 400a/h battery and a pidly 240w solar to 1000a/h and 1240w solar :D

How long ya been full time now? 18months for us and loving it!!
If the above post did not offend you in any way please PM me so I can try harder!!
Subversive Bucolicism
Posts: 9196
Joined: Sat Mar 13, 2004 10:47 pm
Location: I think I hear a Dingo eating your Baby

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by longlux »

That gen set looks just like our one, runs the fridge & split system in our bus easily.
Workplace Safety :
Destroying our forests one Take 5 at a time.

Every time you do a Take 5 an Orangutan cries.

https://www.facebook.com/shadowthetravelcat" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

Tiny wrote:Looks tops mate, I tow I dual cab rodeo behind the bus and want to build something similar.....ish

The main focus for me is suitable power/water wtc and a cooking section and bed. First on the list is to upgrade the trailer and then I need to replace and upgrade battery and solar in the bus, going from 400a/h battery and a pidly 240w solar to 1000a/h and 1240w solar :D

How long ya been full time now? 18months for us and loving it!!
Thanks Tiny, been since july ,but we floated around central coast for a month or so sorting stuff out, been exellent so far .
Im thinking i would like to see a bit of a thread on your bus and setup , :armsup:
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

longlux wrote:That gen set looks just like our one, runs the fridge & split system in our bus easily.
longlux 4.4 kva yep runs our heron 3.0 in the van no probs, mainly got it for inverter welder ,grinder drill ect.
Posts: 1321
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2004 7:56 pm
Location: Jamisiontown NSW

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by MARKx4 »

I was looking at using high impact plastic sheeting like the outer cladding of newer caravans, or just buy the insulated sheet from caravans to keep the framing to the minimum.

Mark.
Its not cool, unless it's got boost :)
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

A pair of 6000kpa struts make the roof lift a breeze large zip down windows allow for good air flow,
bed is what they call a caravan double.

Image

Under the bed lives a 65ltr primus fridge freezer,2x 120 amp batterys,60ltr water tank,chain saw,grinder , inverter welder,ect ect.
oh and the queens seat ;)

Image
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

MARKx4 wrote:I was looking at using high impact plastic sheeting like the outer cladding of newer caravans, or just buy the insulated sheet from caravans to keep the framing to the minimum.

Mark.
Some of he composite would be exellent Mark ,i allways loved these FWC light as and low profile http://www.fourwheelcampers.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; in amoungst there pics is some of there framing.
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

The fridge is on a couple of bunnings 45kg slides.

Image

Door hinges from the top,and half an alloy ladder gets my short old ass up there.

Image
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:50 pm
Location: Currently On the Road !!

Re: Dozoor's Gu Patrol Trayback diy poptop camper

Post by Dozoor »

Basically thats it,its still a work in progress,
of cause it needed a few extras, tires where sad ,bfg muddies 285x75x16 on 8inch sunnys, some ipf spotties,
and a trip to Dobbinsons at narrellen nsw to get its fat butt up a couple of inchs they done a top job.
and a 12500lb winch.
Also tinted windows thanks to Terra firma 4x4 @ kempsey nsw who done the after hours :cool:

know one really knows whats under the tarp ;)

Image


I will try to finish it if i can just stop using it ! :oops:

Image
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests