Pop Top Camper Troopy (1 Viewer)

[gmac]

SportsmanJake, unfortunately I already put the roof back on. We have been working on it quite a bit, just need to make time to post an update. The roof with the new fabric are back on. Need to finish installing the solar panel and the roof rack. We are now working on installing a bestop rear seat, a sleeping sofa and insulating the interior to reduce noise and heat. The roof system is a bit messy if you ask me. You have the original roof with a big hole, then there is a custom fiberglass matting roof that attaches to the original roof, and then is the pop top part of the roof that closes on the custom matting part. Probably the best if for me to draw a sketch of how it goes together and post it here along with a couple of photos. Will see if I can make time this weekend.

tls3601, Thanks

Guy

 

[YukonCruisers]

re the extra battery - I have no idea if this would work re engine and hood clearances, but what if you went with a 2f style air intake (on top) and put the extra battery in the old space(?) Looking at this makes me regret (a little) going with a second 40 instead of a pig build... Cheers

 

[gmac]

Making great progress! While you have the roof off, could you take some detailed pictures of the pop top?
I am curious as to how it is supported.

Sportsmanjake,

Hopefully the following drawing and photos will help explain how the roof goes together. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[gmac]

Made some good progress recently.
Got the roof back on, insulated the interior, added a Bestop rear seat with seat belts, added a sleeping bed installed LED headlights from Racer.
Also, used roof seals from Racer, and I have to say they are very good quality.
Added fake gutters for the roof rack, installed the solar panel, (not fully connected yet, but it's up there) and installed a small (6.5" round) exhaust fan for warm days/nights camping.
Next will be re-installing the water tank and installing the fridge.

 

[gmac]

And a photo of what the beast looks like right now.
Planning a trip to Vancouver Island in August (going with the family, wife, son and daughter), coming back through Canada with just my son doing some camping and mountain biking.
Won't be finished, but my son and I will be confy camping.
Guy

 

[SportsmanJake]

Thank you so much for the drawings! It explains a lot.

 

[SportsmanJake]

What is the easiest way to access the back seats?

 

[gmac]

No real easy way. Either the passenger and driver side are both a bit of a pain.

 

[gmac]

Today (after work) my son and I leave towards Seattle and then Tofino in Vancouver Island with the Troopy. We will take some interstate and some back roads to Seattle. We will be camping and mountain biking along the way. In Seattle we will pick up my wife and daughter and then drive to Tofino. On the way back my wife and daughter will take the fast way home, and my son and I will drive back through Canada, doing more mountain biking and camping. Will try to post some updates along the way, but the focus of the trip is to "unplug" so you may get the bulk of the photos and stories, once we are back home in Montana. Overall almost a 2 week trip. Can't wait to get out and on the road.

 

[Jdc1]

Today (after work) my son and I leave towards Seattle and then Tofino in Vancouver Island with the Troopy. We will take some interstate and some back roads to Seattle. We will be camping and mountain biking along the way. In Seattle we will pick up my wife and daughter and then drive to Tofino. On the way back my wife and daughter will take the fast way home, and my son and I will drive back through Canada, doing more mountain biking and camping. Will try to post some updates along the way, but the focus of the trip is to "unplug" so you may get the bulk of the photos and stories, once we are back home in Montana. Overall almost a 2 week trip. Can't wait to get out and on the road.

Sounds like fun, looking forward to the trip report.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Hey, let the guys in Nanaimo know you are coming through, Vancouver Island Club page. Sure would like to see your
truck, even in passing. Enjoy your time on the island, J

 

[gmac]

Cruiserpilot, sorry, I did not see this until after we had gone through Nanaimo.

 

[gmac]

So, we had an awesome trip. My son and I took two and half days getting from Bozeman to Seattle. Did some late night driving and camping, also some mountain biking in Idaho and drove around the South end of the Coeur d'Alene lake. Easter Washington was hot, 95 deg. in the shade plus the heat of the 2F. We had a second night camping in Vantage, WA. From there to Snoqualmie, WA for some mountain biking at Tiger Mountain with an old friend. That night we picked up my wife and daughter in Seattle. A night in Seattle with friends and the next day we left very early 3:30 am towards the Ferry in Canada and to Tofino, in BC.

Loaded and ready to head out.

Camping spot in Vantage. It was still like 88 deg F after midnight. Made it hard to sleep.

In Redmond, WA

Waiting to load the ferry to Nanaimo

In the ferry. We had to load with the trucks and campers. We where over 8' high paddle board on the roof and about 22' long with the bike rack.

 

[gmac]

We relaxed for a few days in Tofino as a family. Did some sea Kayaking and hiking, as well as a lot of beach time. Beautiful part of the world.

 

[gmac]

We had lot of comments on the troopy while in Tofino. From "so cool" to "rad" to my favorite "So sick man". After Tofino, my wife and daughter drove with my father in law back to Coeur d'Alene where my wife did a full ironman triathlon, it has been her goal for a few years and she managed to finish. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mie bike ride and 26 mile run. Easy right.
My son and I did some more exploring on the back roads of Vancouver Island, where we had our only mechanical on the 2,200 mile round trip. Very rough gravel road, the new rubber support for the muffler broke. We fixed it with some wire and run great the rest of the way. I also discovered right before the trip that the secondary on the carb was either not opening or not opening all the way. We found a few extra ponies right before the trip, which was very helpful, as the troopy was really loaded.

We found a friend in Youbou, Vancouver Island.

And he was big.

From there we went up to Whistler, BC for some downhill mountain biking and to watch the pros do their thing. Impressive.

 

[gmac]

After Whistler we worked our way back through Canada, with a bit more driving that I cared for.

About to board a ferry for a river crossing.

On the ferry.

And on another ferry crossing a lake. Can you spot the troopy?

 

[gmac]

After a short visit to Fernie, BC for more biking, we crossed back to the US, and through Glacier National Park.
There we found another friend, this was a bit more pale.

It was a great trip and a great way to spend time with my 15 yr old son. 2,200 mile and only the only issue was the muffler support. The rest of the Troopy ran great. On average we got about 13 mpg with the thing fully loaded with the paddle board, the bikes, full fuel at times, about 13 gal of water and all the camping gear. Also 4 of us at times in the car.
Thanks for following along.
Next trip will hopefully be Baja, Mexico this winter break. This was a warm up for that trip.
Guy

 

[boozewz]

Awesome trip report! And what a site that troopy is fully loaded!

 

[gmac]

Heading out to Baja Mexico next week for the holidays, with our new addition. With this set up, the whole family can sleep comfortably. Two in the trailer and two in the Troopy. Trailer is from Vintage Overland, the build quality is incredible, and the customer service is exceptional. Very happy with it. Hope the roads are not too bad when we leave and that we warm up a bit in Baja, will be -24 here in Montana tonight. Any advise about traveling through Baja?

 

[SportsmanJake]

Wow the troopy looks great. I am impressed that you made it through the trip with only one small issue.