D4 Camping Setup with Rooftop Tent

[Naps]

The setup of the D4 for camping has taken a number of steps, but it has proven to be pretty practical on the extended camping trips we have been on thus far.

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The Bush Co Clamshell roof top tent (https://www.thebushcompany.com.au/product/clamshell-roof-top-tent/), Ostrich Wing 270 Awning (https://www.ostrichwing.com.au/), Full Boar Fourbie Drawers (https://www.fullboarfourbiedrawers.com.au/) and Extreme POD Trailer (https://podtrailer.com.au/) provide all of the necessary storage and camping facility for extended trips.

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The first step was installing the Rhino Rack backbone rails for mounting the tent. While I could fit the backbone myself, I needed the assistance of Mark from Tough Touring (https://www.toughtouring.com.au/) to provide the bespoke install rails for attaching the Camp Co tent securely. To enable removal and adjustment at home I have installed a 500kg electric winch in the carport.
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The Roof Top has been pretty straight forward to setup. We just leave the bedding setup while travelling and just have to crawl in once we make camp. There is an anderson plug connection to the tent to power the interior light and a ciga 12v plug that we use to charge up phones etc while up stairs. You can also use it to run a Sirocco fan that we have installed for the hotter weather. It stays warm in cold weather under the doona and there is plenty of air flow in the heat.

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The Ostrich Wing gives extra cover and with the side wall annex a reasonably protected area in bad weather or for extended stays. The only down-side is that when you are setup....you are pretty much anchored to the campsite.

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The draw install was the next big install, but we are very happy with the work that the Full Boar team came up with. I had previously removed the 3rd row seats as we rarely used them and they weigh about 45kg. It does free up some space but only for things that you can slide under a false floor and keep in reach... eg tyre jack.

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Once the seats are removed, you can then set about insulating and sound deadening the exposed floor metal.

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Clark Rubber have dense rubber that can be cut to size and bolted down using the existing 8mm bolt holes.

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Then you are ready to have a false floor installed to provide a solid base for the sliding drawers. We had Full Boar install the lot.

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The false floor needs to account for the challenge of retaining access to the spare wheel crank... which LR have made even more difficult to remove now that they have a hook and eye cranking mechanism.

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Fortunately you can get a machined fitting from Tuff Ant (https://www.tuffant.com/product-page/discovery-4-late-model-1-4-wheel-winder-adapter) that enables you to attach a 1/4" socket attachment to the wheel winder.

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The cargo barrier from TravAll (https://www.travall.co.uk/travall-guard-1509/dog-guard/luggage-barrier/land-rover-discovery) in the UK fits really easily and is solid. We did however have to get a local engineering firm to make a slight adjustment to allow room for our larger than expected EvaKool fridge [bighmmm] the top of the drawers securely mounts the The Lithium Box (TLB - 100Ah ) from RV Lithium Systems (http://rvlithiumsystems.com.au/Portable-Power/portable-power.html) in WA. A great product and Paul provides excellent after sales service. We have installed a 12v water pump and really handy flexible hose joiners that enable us to pump from a 20lt plastic jerry can that stands snuggly up against the drawer back and wedged behind the seat. The pump has an isolator switch from JayCar and all of the required fuses are already built into TLB along with heaps of anderson plugs, ciga plugs, usb and engle plugs. We keep the seats right down flat to give us extra storage. The Disco is great in the way that you can get the seats all the way down to provide a base.

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The draws can be removed, but to date we pretty much keep them in place... the fridge with anderson plug and slide out table are really handy.
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Getting access to the spare wheel is via the access hole that the Full Boar team provided and I purchased a 150mm 1/4inch socket shaft so that I can use a rachet socket set to lower and raise the wheel by connecting into the Tuff Ant adapter.

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The auto elecs at MontEltham did a great job of connecting up TLB. The RED socket in is for the solar blanket feed. The BLUE socket is the charging battery / alternator feed. The multiple anderson outlets supply power to the fridge, water pump, roof top tent and UHF radio in the front cabin so that the radio is still on when you pull up at camp or into town (beats the problem of pulling into town and the rest of the convoy has gone radio silent because they have turned their vehicles off). An inverter installed onto the top of TLB is perfect for charging up the Milwaukee batteries for the chainsaw, blower, drill and Dremmel. A 200W solar blanket keeps everything charging up on longer camps.

Follow-up projects (courtesy of COVID isolation) has also added a Safari Snorkel (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/280264-install-safari-snorkel-d4.html), APT Front/Sump/Air Compressor Guards (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/278996-installed-apt-front-guard-air-compressor-guard-d4.html), Oricom UHF Radio (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/278676-installing-oricom-dtx4200-uhf-radio-antenna-d4.html), APT Rock Sliders and Carbon 12K Discreet Winch (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/280236-install-carbon-12k-discreet-winch.html).
Next is to get a good set of off road AT tyres. Open to recommendations. Will probably stick with the 19" factory alloys unless convinced otherwise.

Naps

[W&KO]

I like the lithium box...pretty much plug and play.

Quality components as well, redarc and Victron.

[Naps]

I like the lithium box...pretty much plug and play.

Quality components as well, redarc and Victron.


Yes, the Lithium Box has certainly proved to be very reliable and functional. Fortunately the D4 has the room in the back and ceiling clearance to allow us to mount it vertically and to have the Victron inverter on the top of the box. I doubt it would fit in the new D5 series. Hats off to Full Boar who bench folded a metal bracket that wraps around the box to ensure that it is well secured to the drawers. You might note that I had to rig up a small mirror attached to the top of box at the back so that I can easily see the charging lights on the RedARC DC/DC charger... handy as we had an issue on one camping trip where the battery wasn't charging from the crank battery. We could only diagnose a loose anderson plug crimp connection when we could see that the lights went on and off as we wriggled the feed in cable. Lesson, be sure to solder those anderson connections where you can.

Naps

[loanrangie]

Nice setup, you must be local to me.

[Tombie]

Looks good. Have you had a chance to weigh it (the vehicle) yet?

Yikes. Just read the specs on the tent - that things nearly 100kg [emoji2957]

[Turtle60]

Really good job. Now to put it to work! Comment on tyres. If you want genuine LT construction then you only have one choice and that’s the maxxis. Judging by your rig that would be my go to. Plenty of threads on this.
But on weight and I faced this issue and I’m guessing you’ve removed all your seats to counter some weight and offer space. Hope to see you outback one day.
cheers
Turtle

[scarry]

Looks good. Have you had a chance to weigh it (the vehicle) yet?

Yikes. Just read the specs on the tent - that things nearly 100kg [emoji2957]

So plus the awning,and rack,it will be over the specced roof load

But thats not an issue,ours has been over for the last few years,no issues at all.
Tent 65kg
Bedding 15Kg
Awning 20KG
Roof Rails 12KG

[biggrin]

I didn't fit draws to our because i was worried about total weight.
Amazingly we picked up some plastic ones years ago,been all over the countryside,still going strong.Very light.
We thought they would last one trip.
My bad memory these days has forgotten where they came from.[bigsad][biggrin]

[Tombie]

Roof load limit on a D4 (excluding Rails and Cross bars) is 71.8kg. [emoji6]

I have an acquaintance who is now employed as an Insurance assessor. His job - assess towing accidents, rollovers etc at the respective remote locations.

All contents are weighed, tow weights calculated etc. if anything isn’t in spec - bye bye cover. Exceeding roof loading, ball weight and GVM are the primary ones.

Tipping it over in an evasive manoeuvre would surely get their attention.

Be careful!

[Narangga]

Roof load limit on a D4 (excluding Rails and Cross bars) is 71.8kg. [emoji6]

I have an acquaintance who is now employed as an Insurance assessor. His job - assess towing accidents, rollovers etc at the respective remote locations.

All contents are weighed, tow weights calculated etc. if anything isn’t in spec - bye bye cover. Exceeding roof loading, ball weight and GVM are the primary ones.

Tipping it over in an evasive manoeuvre would surely get their attention.

Be careful!

My D3 manual says max 75kg (including roof rack system) on road and 50kg off road. In case I unfortunately happen to meet your acquaintance I keep under those figures.

[Tombie]

And potentially it doesn’t end there...

Hurt somebody and Civil suits are a very real thing.
I’m not prepared to lose my house (WCS) or be broke for decades.

[Naps]

Looks good. Have you had a chance to weigh it (the vehicle) yet?

Yikes. Just read the specs on the tent - that things nearly 100kg [emoji2957]

Thanks Tombie,
Yep, well aware of that and I do take things carefully. I have had it over the scales... it is sitting at around 3.1t with full tank of fuel. So under the 3.24 GVM and the ball weight for the POD trailer is low. Roof load rating is actually 75kg on the LR D4 and yep it is over by about 35kg and I'm mindful of that out on the track and cornering, but no issues thus far it drives and maneuvers well. One of the reasons we went with the POD Trailer is that it has the capacity to install a roof top tent... which is something we are considering. Not just because of the load issue on the D4, but to provide more flexibility when you get to base camp to be able to decouple and explore in your 4WD without having to pack up the tent. However, if I was going to have a roof top and reliant on structural soundness I wouldn't want to be in anything other than a D4. Interestingly, our vehicle insurer has provided us with comprehensive cover for the vehicle and all listed accessories, including the rooftop, winch, sliders, drawers etc. without question. But I do recognise that all insurers do strive to avoid meeting any compensation commitments where possible... and one of the biggest outs is if you are in an unroadworthy vehicle. Oh well, I am always looking for the next weekend project :-)

Naps

[Tombie]

They will cover almost without question. There is always a line in there though “vehicle must remain legal/roadworthy”.

They won’t look up the weights until such a time it becomes a factor, if you know what I mean. And you’re in a world of hurt - once people etc are in that vehicle you’ve blown GVM.

Please take super care - they’re known as accidents for a reason - and that tent - in an evasive move I did a while back I’m pretty sure that weight would have almost put the vehicle on its side (was doing 112km/h and had to avoid an errant driver coming into my lane).

I agree the D4 platform is a bloody good one. [emoji41]
Safe travels.

[Naps]

Really good job. Now to put it to work! Comment on tyres. If you want genuine LT construction then you only have one choice and that’s the maxxis. Judging by your rig that would be my go to. Plenty of threads on this.
But on weight and I faced this issue and I’m guessing you’ve removed all your seats to counter some weight and offer space. Hope to see you outback one day.
cheers
Turtle

Hi Turtle, we have had quite a number of trips with the D4 + rooftop and more recently with the POD trailer and it is all working pretty well for us... but tyres are absolutely next step and the 19" rims with the extra large disc brakes poses some limited options. I have been considering the Goodyear Duratracs but will have a look at the Maxxis, which as you say come up a lot in the threads.

Naps

[Turtle60]

Hi Turtle, we have had quite a number of trips with the D4 + rooftop and more recently with the POD trailer and it is all working pretty well for us... but tyres are absolutely next step and the 19" rims with the extra large disc brakes poses some limited options. I have been considering the Goodyear Duratracs but will have a look at the Maxxis, which as you say come up a lot in the threads.

Naps

Hey Naps. If like myself you thrown a fair sum of money at setting up your Disco then a set of Tuff ant 18” rims would be well worth it. Spoilt for choice in tyres then. Either standard size or slightly bigger both in LT construction.
Theres plenty on here too about the compo rims and the new MOAB copies.
Cheers

[dukemasterpro]

Hi Turtle, we have had quite a number of trips with the D4 + rooftop and more recently with the POD trailer and it is all working pretty well for us... but tyres are absolutely next step and the 19" rims with the extra large disc brakes poses some limited options. I have been considering the Goodyear Duratracs but will have a look at the Maxxis, which as you say come up a lot in the threads.

Naps

Maybe not the Maxxis LT980 as they are discontinued shortly and the replacing model isn’t coming in the same 19” size. One less option till that’s released.

[Naps]

Thanks for the feedback on roof loads and tyre options.

On the rooftop front, we have moved forward with our options. The Rooftop has been winched up into the rafters in preparation to move onto our POD trailer. The POD Extreme was purchased with this in mind as it has all of the mounting capacity and options needed ... so we will move forward with that approach sooner than originally intended but best to do it now while we are isolated before our future trips. Will post once complete.

Having the electric winch certainly makes these types of adjustments easier to achieve, even single handed ... just need to be sure you have all the steel work securely braced and spec'd for the load which took a bit of work some months back. Very handy to have now. BTW, the BushCo crew promote that you can hoist the roof top up from the roof rail eye bolts. DO NOT do this, they will buckle and you risk a pretty nasty 'gravity wins again' failure experience, secure the load with appropriate weight spec strapping.

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We already have the Rhino Rack Backbone rails in place, so dropping a Pioneer Platform on top is pretty straightforward. The Ostrich wing awning will be attached to the Platform when required.

On the tyre rim front... thanks Scott, Turtle et al., for your advice. The options narrow to Tuff Ant and MOAB .... of which I do like the 6 spoke alloy MOAB 18" set. Once I absorb the $$ shock... then it will be choosing a set of tyres, possibly in the 265/60 R18 size as a sweet-spot for improved tyre wall height without rubbing and easier rear underbody storage. Looking at BFG KO2's , Goodyear Duratracs or <....> that will be next :-)

Naps

[Naps]

The Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform has arrived for the D4... along with the Bush Co rails that will allow the transition of roof top to POD Trailer. So switcheroo is about to happen this weekend :-)

Naps

[Turtle60]

Thanks for the feedback on roof loads and tyre options.

On the rooftop front, we have moved forward with our options. The Rooftop has been winched up into the rafters in preparation to move onto our POD trailer. The POD Extreme was purchased with this in mind as it has all of the mounting capacity and options needed ... so we will move forward with that approach sooner than originally intended but best to do it now while we are isolated before our future trips. Will post once complete.

Having the electric winch certainly makes these types of adjustments easier to achieve, even single handed ... just need to be sure you have all the steel work securely braced and spec'd for the load which took a bit of work some months back. Very handy to have now. BTW, the BushCo crew promote that you can hoist the roof top up from the roof rail eye bolts. DO NOT do this, they will buckle and you risk a pretty nasty 'gravity wins again' failure experience, secure the load with appropriate weight spec strapping.

163499
We already have the Rhino Rack Backbone rails in place, so dropping a Pioneer Platform on top is pretty straightforward. The Ostrich wing awning will be attached to the Platform when required.

On the tyre rim front... thanks Scott, Turtle et al., for your advice. The options narrow to Tuff Ant and MOAB .... of which I do like the 6 spoke alloy MOAB 18" set. Once I absorb the $$ shock... then it will be choosing a set of tyres, possibly in the 265/60 R18 size as a sweet-spot for improved tyre wall height without rubbing and easier rear underbody storage. Looking at BFG KO2's , Goodyear Duratracs or <....> that will be next :-)

Naps
Hi Naps
I like your winch idea and will do something similar as I don’t want the tent on all the time.
On tyres I run the 265/65/18 ko2. Bulletproof and no rubbing. Storing the spare is a pain as it’s stored deflated. Next round might be 265/60 but will absolutely be the ko2. They beef up the look Heaps.
just run through the Finke river gorge track which while not challenging for the car I just don’t care what the tyres are put through as there up to it. But each to there own. That track BTW was one of the most enjoyable Short tracks we’ve done. The teletrack included. Love the freedom the NT gives you to roam around and free camp.
cheers

[Naps]

Hi Naps
I like your winch idea and will do something similar as I don’t want the tent on all the time.
On tyres I run the 265/65/18 ko2. Bulletproof and no rubbing. Storing the spare is a pain as it’s stored deflated. Next round might be 265/60 but will absolutely be the ko2. They beef up the look Heaps.
just run through the Finke river gorge track which while not challenging for the car I just don’t care what the tyres are put through as there up to it. But each to there own. That track BTW was one of the most enjoyable Short tracks we’ve done. The teletrack included. Love the freedom the NT gives you to roam around and free camp.
cheers

Hi Turtle, appreciate the advice on the KO2's and sizing... I am gravitating towards the 265/60/R18 with MOABs most likely. The Finke River track is on the bucket list when we eventually get up north... plans are for next year, but who knows. Agree, there is a lot to see and free camp in up north. Did you go it alone on the Finke River or part of a group?

As for the hoist to lift up the roof top into the rafters, yes it was an interesting project to install. Kincrome 250kg electric hoist does the trick, just be sure you have enough clearance to install some steel bracing underneath the tent that it will rest on... I only had a few cms to spare in the end, but it all works well. I level out the weight to have it lift truly by having a 10lt water container that I just slide into position on the top of the tent to balance things out.

Naps

[scarry]

I have the 265/60/18 KO2,and after 35 000Km,definitely getting up more of a drone than when they were new,and more than the old KO.

Sure, they are a very robust tyre,you will be unlucky to damage one.
I had them on my D2's as well.

[Naps]

Hi Naps
I like your winch idea and will do something similar as I don’t want the tent on all the time.
On tyres I run the 265/65/18 ko2. Bulletproof and no rubbing. Storing the spare is a pain as it’s stored deflated. Next round might be 265/60 but will absolutely be the ko2. They beef up the look Heaps.
just run through the Finke river gorge track which while not challenging for the car I just don’t care what the tyres are put through as there up to it. But each to there own. That track BTW was one of the most enjoyable Short tracks we’ve done. The teletrack included. Love the freedom the NT gives you to roam around and free camp.
cheers

A useful US Landrover forum post
18” rims | Land Rover and Range Rover Forums (https://www.landroverworld.org/threads/18%E2%80%9D-rims.42010/). And a link Wheels and Tires for the LR4 (https://troyangrignon.com/wheels-and-tires-for-the-land-rover-discovery-lr4/)

[Naps]

Hi Naps
I like your winch idea and will do something similar as I don’t want the tent on all the time.
On tyres I run the 265/65/18 ko2. Bulletproof and no rubbing. Storing the spare is a pain as it’s stored deflated. Next round might be 265/60 but will absolutely be the ko2. They beef up the look Heaps.
just run through the Finke river gorge track which while not challenging for the car I just don’t care what the tyres are put through as there up to it. But each to there own. That track BTW was one of the most enjoyable Short tracks we’ve done. The teletrack included. Love the freedom the NT gives you to roam around and free camp.
cheers

The rooftop has now moved onto the POD Trailer.

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Rooftop securely attached to the trailer with Bush Co 'Z' Rails. Hoist taking the load while I install heavy duty lift struts so that we can raise and lower the trailer lid with the added weight of the tent. All worked out surprisingly well once the struts were in place.

Naps

[Naps]

The Roof Top Tent setup has changed...

Disco 4 and Stockman Off-road Extreme POD Trailer - with Bush Co Roof Top Tent. (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/trailers-vans-and-campers/281994-disco-4-stockman-off-road-extreme-pod-trailer-bush-co-roof-top-tent.html)

[coopers1969]

Hi Naps
great set up the false floor that is in your car how is that supported, are the rails it sits on or is there support from underneath which is added to the false floor to support the draws. any photos would be great.
Cheers
Coopers1969.

[Turtle60]

After much thought I finally took Naps lead and got the Bundutop off. Made up a 60cm high mobile rack and then wheel it away. Wife is happy as we can now make the rooftop bed up at waist height before its get lifted back on. The cross bars come with it and drop straight on the backbone system.
the winch was a double line pull 250kg electric hoist off eBay for $120. Happy days.

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[Turtle60]

It all just worked nicely. Bundutop, Darche on top. Fridge in back, 100lts of water in middle seat and all bits and pieces. 300 watt solar on the roof charging through VictronConnect Bluetooth 100/20 solar charging through rear Anderson plug and never a power issue. Hopefully Simpson in May
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[scarry]

It all just worked nicely. Bundutop, Darche on top. Fridge in back, 100lts of water in middle seat and all bits and pieces. 300 watt solar on the roof charging through VictronConnect Bluetooth 100/20 solar charging through rear Anderson plug and never a power issue. Hopefully Simpson in May
166285

That is a nice set up.

You are probably on or over the roof load limit, which I was nearly every time we went away as well.
Never had any issues.

[Turtle60]

That is a nice set up.

You are probably on or over the roof load limit, which I was nearly every time we went away as well.
Never had any issues.

By a fair margin (30kg?)but with the firm backbone system we had not a single squeak or rattle in 8000 klms.

[Naps]

After much thought I finally took Naps lead and got the Bundutop off. Made up a 60cm high mobile rack and then wheel it away. Wife is happy as we can now make the rooftop bed up at waist height before its get lifted back on. The cross bars come with it and drop straight on the backbone system.
the winch was a double line pull 250kg electric hoist off eBay for $120. Happy days.

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166282166283

Great job Turtle... I like the way you have used the chain rig under the bundu... it looks to be keeping it all level and steady... something that I grappled with. Very neat piece of work with the mobile platform as well. HWHL :-)

I have now moved the roof top onto the POD trailer and we had our first outing with it last weekend (finally out of lockdown).

Cheers
Naps

[Naps]

It all just worked nicely. Bundutop, Darche on top. Fridge in back, 100lts of water in middle seat and all bits and pieces. 300 watt solar on the roof charging through VictronConnect Bluetooth 100/20 solar charging through rear Anderson plug and never a power issue. Hopefully Simpson in May
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Great setup Turtle! Enjoy.

Naps

[Naps]

We made the change in rooftop configuration over the weeks of Melbourne lockdown, and finally had a chance to get away recently... a weekend camping alongside the Loddon River near Bears Lagoon with a group of friends. The Rooftop kit with the POD trailer comes with heavy duty gas struts to enable you to have a tent mounted and still lift the lid... but we found that the 420Nm rated struts were a bit underpowered for the heavier Bush Company tent... so had them regassed by the Struts Regassed 4U guys. 700Nm is the sweet spot.

It was great to get away again after an 8 month gap.


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Cheers
Naps

[Turtle60]

Great job Turtle... I like the way you have used the chain rig under the bundu... it looks to be keeping it all level and steady... something that I grappled with. Very neat piece of work with the mobile platform as well. HWHL :-)

I have now moved the roof top onto the POD trailer and we had our first outing with it last weekend (finally out of lockdown).

Cheers
Naps
Enjoy getting out of lockdown!