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NEWS
Cruisinator broadens Troopy appeal
Novel new rooftop camper conversion for Toyota Troop CarriersThe very thing that works for Toyota’s much loved and durable Troop Carrier – its slim-waisted ability to slip lithely through the bush and along tight tracks – works against it on most hard-lid camper conversions.
The problem is human: it’s too squeezy for some people to sleep side by side within its confines and – if they do – there’s little room to do anything else.
Maroochy River, Queensland-based Bonetti Campers displayed a unique solution at the Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow in Brisbane with its ‘Cruisinator’ conversion for existing ‘Troopies’, or they’ll find you one and convert it, if required.
The conversion initially involves your Troopie getting a fairly drastic ‘scalping’ by removing its entire roof section and replacing it with Bonetti Campers’ extended fibreglass module.
Unlike traditional hinged roof conversions, it flares from the bottom to the full exterior width of the Troop Carrier at the top, with the tent section rising on two scissor lifts and four telescopic struts at both ends to provide a significant increase in internal living space.
Four simple rubber strap latches secure the top against dust-proof seals when in transit.
The beauty of this camper roof is that it extends about 30cm forward of the Toyota’s windscreen to the rear barn doors, allowing Bonetti to fit a large 1.45m x 2.1m foam mattress bed into the cavity at roof level.
The roof’s insulated sandwich construction helps avoid condensation and keeps the sun’s heat at bay in the tropical north. Large windows with strong magnetic externally-fitted flyscreens provide good cross-flow interior ventilation.
When travelling, the two-section bed slides forward over the front driving compartment and is front hinged to allow storage of items like clothes and bedding below.
Before you set-up the bed, the rear of the Troopie is the lounge/kitchen and incorporates a built-in sink and a portable two-burner cooker. Alternatively, the cooker can be positioned on a table that drops down from the right hand rear door and the optional Foxwing 270 degree awning can be deployed to deliver outdoor cooking.
When bedtime beckons, you pull the foot of the bed rearward and reposition the two-part mattress. To access the bed, simply step onto the left-hand bench seat and the fixed kitchen bench.
Big fridge too
Refrigeration is supplied inside a two-part cabinet underneath a left-hand lounge seat cushion, while fresh water is delivered via a two or three-tank system – one in the rear chassis area and the others mounted low on the floor within the cabinetry.
Bonetti Campers owner Stefano Bonetti, who previously worked for the KEA camper rental business and set up Bonetti Campers about four years ago, says the roof was engineered to incorporate minimal structural changes to the Troop Carrier and its overall strength far exceeds that of the original vehicle.
The conversion, with the fibreglass roof system and bed with mattress, starts from $10,965 when fitted to your own vehicle.
Add full electrics, interior cabinetry, marine grade 15mm flooring, a 15L hot water service, a pressurised 80L fresh water system, a 100AH AGM battery, a 140W Solbian CP flexible solar panel with 15A solar charger, seat cushions, curtains and flyscreens and you can easily spend double that.
For further cost Bonetti will also add a French-made Lavieza 130Ah lithium battery system with a DC/DC fast charger, a solar controller, inverter and all the bells and whistles that go with it, including Bluetooth connectivity to your phone.
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Written byMichael Browning
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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