Thread: Ideas to setup a 130 HCPU for travel

We have started to get ours kitted, and this is work in progress so far.





We have a drop down fridge, slide, as we found the normal slide in the rear tub, too high....

Nice truck Juddy...looks great

We recently completed a year around Australia in 130 HCPU. We fitted out the rear tub with a removable set-up as shown in the photos below. It was simple, versatile and cheap to build . And it worked really well for us. There was no side access with our canopy so everything went in and out the rear door/tailgate. This helped with security, the less that opens and shuts the better I think.

We had thought about putting some drawers in the large open space to the left of the fridge slide but they were quite expensive so we just bought some plastic containers that fitted nicely plus used the space for heavy jerry cans of fuel. We put a piece of plywood the width of the space under everything so that you could slide the whole lot in and out to get easy access to the full length of the tub without having to go crawling. The kitchen from our Trak Shak could slide in here too if required.

There's a storage cavity forward of the fridge that was accessed by lifting a "trapdoor" on the top surface. We used this for longer term storage items like spares, empty jerries, dive gear etc. The "wings" on each side to the rear of the spare tyres could be lifted to access more storage space at the sides. Under the one on the left was the auxiliary battery. The top surface was carpeted with timber edges and straps that limited the movement of stuff staked in the back while driving.

The tyres were relatively thin so could fit OK in the position shown. Positioning them here meant the weight was low (better than on the roof) as well as kept the weight forward which was an advantage because we towed a camper trailer. It took a bit of muscle to get them out but fortunately we didn't have to do it very often.

The sliding windows at the rear of the cab were used to access the shelves at the front. This worked really well as the kids could keep their stuff up out of the way as well as guide book etc but could still access it whilst on the road.

If you have any other questions just ask.

Cheers, Landieman

Suppose this is not you are thinking of, but you did say..

"or possibly have other ideas and suggestions?"








Our tourer

Mrs hh

You could always replace the tub with a flat top and get yourself a Carry Me Camper or similar.





Sorry - no experience with the tub - mine came with a custom tray.

i'm setting up my 130 HCPU to do the big lap next year.
my plans for the tub is similar to yours.

a canvas canopy will cover the tray which opens at both sides as well as the back.
i will have a 150L poly tank up the front of the tray (900x600x300mm)
i will the have the back of the tray (rear of car) free to install 2 draws side by side. each draw about 500W x 1000L x 300mm high.

then on top of the two draws and tank, a false floor will level everything out.

waiting for one of those full length Hannibal roof racks b4 i can start building it though =[

We're heading off around Oz in our 130 HCPU in a few weeks.

I went with a lift off canopy, fitted with 2 drop-down fridge slides. One will be for the fridge, front left of canopy, the other with be modified - thanks Harry - to accommodate a kitchen like the one I designed in the attachment. The kitchen will contain a pull out stove, Coleman HWS, food, utensils and gas bottles. This will go on the left behind the fridge.

Drop-down slides were essential, as the wife and I are both shorties!

Down the middle will be JetTent with 2 double swags stacked on top.

Right hand side will have storage for clothes, portapotty and miscellaneous stuff.

Dual deep-cycle batteries wiill sit at the front of the canopy.

I like the idea of everything being lockable, the caopy easily removable when camping or at home, thus freeing up the Defender for other uses. Saves packing up camp if I want to go for a drive. When I get home, I can take the camper off and I have a usable tray again. Also saves packing and unpacking the canopy each trip.

]BTW - we're also taking a little poptop caravan to use as a base station.

Originally Posted by Ranga

We're heading off around Oz in our 130 HCPU in a few weeks.

I went with a lift off canopy, fitted with 2 drop-down fridge slides. One will be for the fridge, front left of canopy, the other with be modified - thanks Harry - to accommodate a kitchen like the one I designed in the attachment. This will go on the left behind the fridge.

Down the middle will be JetTent with 2 double swags stacked on top.

Right hand side will have storage for clothes, portapotty and miscellaneous stuff.

BTW - we're also taking a little poptop caravan to use as a base station.

Your fridge slide was chopped up yesterday off to harry's work to work magic, we hope

Mrs hh