D4 Camping Setup with Rooftop Tent

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Originally Posted by 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]

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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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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

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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

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Originally Posted by Naps

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

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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

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Originally Posted by Naps

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

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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.

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.

Attachment 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

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

Attachment 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

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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

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Originally Posted by Turtle60

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

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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

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.