Every Tommy Camper has a story. From tackling remote 4WD tracks, off-grid camping, clever modifications and builds, and hard learned lessons along the way. Every second month, we highlight the story of one of our legendary owners to hear how they’ve built their setup and where they’ve taken it.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this month’s Tommy Tracks & Tales.
Would you like to be featured in next month’s Tommy Tracks & Tales? Fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch!
Meet Alex & James’ Ultimate Tommy Camper Setup
If you’ve ever dreamed of calling the open road home, James and Alex are living proof that it’s possible! And… that a Tommy Camper can take you just about anywhere. Literally anywhere.
James and Alex have turned the dream of off-grid touring Australia into everyday life. For the past 18 months, they’ve been travelling full-time in their 79 series single-cab Land Cruiser with a Tommy Campers S6X on the back.
Their Tommy Camper isn’t just part of the setup. It is their home. From exploring remote coastlines to off-grid bush camps, they love knowing that wherever they pull up, everything they need is already with them.
“We’ve been able to reach some of Australia’s most remote places, and when we arrive, we have everything we need.”
Why a Tommy Camper?
From the very beginning, James and Alex knew one thing for sure: towing a boat was non-negotiable.
They searched high and low for a canopy setup that would suit their needs, but nothing quite worked. Until they found Tommy Campers.
Straight away, it ticked every box:
- Easy and quick to set up
- Built in Australia with quality in mind
- Compact enough for serious off-road travel
- Plenty of storage and internal space
- And, of course… a queen-size bed.
It was the perfect match for how they wanted to travel.
Tommy Campers S6X #723
When we asked Alex and James how they’ve set up their Tommy, they laughed that this answer could easily turn into an essay. And they weren’t wrong. So enjoy reading all about their clever Tommy Camper setup.
They ordered a Tommy Camper S6X with:
- Tommy Kitchen
- Internal couch
- Spare wheel on the rear
- 23Zero shower tent
- Heavy-duty springs
- Roof racks
From there, things really started to evolve.
James, an electrician by trade, decided to get a little fancy. Their Tommy Camper now features:
- Redarc RS3 3000W inverter
- Redarc Manager 30
- TVMS Rogue (allowing full control, including dimming ALL the lights, and there are a few!)
- Redvision system
- 2x 200Ah Century lithium batteries (400Ah total)
- 1x 380W solar panel on the roof
- LED strip lighting in gullwing doors and cabin
- 1x Sirocco fan
- 6x external Rock flood lights
- 2x LED reverse lights
- 3x double power points and US charger points throughout
- 130L Bushman upright fridge
They’ve also added roof rack storage for surfboards, a 270 Darche awning, and a retractable clothesline. A small addition they now couldn’t live without.
Their V8 Single Cab 79-series build
The LandCruiser started life completely stock, but that didn’t last long.
Initial upgrades included:
- Bull bar, scrub bars, side steps
- Safari snorkel
- Winch
From there, they invested heavily in reliability and safety, opting for a DMW 4495kg GVM upgrade, which included:
- Chassis bracing
- Hydraulic brake booster
- Braided brake lines
- 2” Dobinsons MRA suspension and steering damper
- Handbrake upgrade
- Boss airbags
- Cat 6 indicators
- Dwiz diff with track correction
- 79 Comp shock radius arms
- Load-rated ROH wheels and tyres
“The upgrades seemed like a lot; however, we knew we would now be compliant and safer on the roads, but additionally, the difference in how the car drove and handled the weight was phenomenal! In our opinion, it was worth spending every cent.”
And after a stop at Just Autos (aka the smile factory) on the Sunshine Coast, their Cruiser now drives like a proper V8. With noticeable improvements in fuel economy, too.
Why the s6X?
They chose the S6X for their single cab for a reason. It allowed space between the cab and camper. Space they wanted to use wisely, even when the camper was not being used.
“We wanted to have a toolbox in this space so that we had storage with the car, even when the camper was not being used.”
They worked with Pro-Fab in Hobart, who helped turn their ideas into reality:
- Custom coloured-matched toolbox
- Weber BBQ on a slide
- Storage for Tommy legs
- Plenty of room for James’ tools
- Under-tray storage
- Extra 80L water
- 110L fuel tank
- Second spare wheel under the tray
“The toolbox has been a game changer. Quick and easy Weber set up for breaky on the go, and a place for tools and firewood without needing to compromise our camper space.”
Over time, they’ve continued refining their Tommy Camper setup, adding:
- Duetto MK2 hot water system and shower (which was amazing after six months of cold showers)
- More LED strip lights
- Additional 100Ah iTech world lithium battery with Redarc BC-DC 1225D battery charger
Weight, Water & Fuel
All up, their Tommy Camper setup carries:
- 160L of water
- 240L of fuel
- 500Ah of total lithium battery
This allows them to stay off-grid for up to two weeks at a time comfortably.
“Total vehicle and camper weight sits around 4.3 tonnes, with tyre pressures adjusted constantly depending on terrain. The rear will be anywhere between 12 – 64 psi and the front 8 – 41 psi, depending on how bogged we have become.”
advice for new Tommy Owners
James and Alex have two pieces of advice they would like to share:
Follow their journey!
James occasionally shares updates on their Instagram account @Offroad2Ocean. Although they admit they’re usually too busy having fun, they forget to share their adventures.
And honestly, we think that says it all!
A massive thanks to James & Alex for sharing their journey with us. We hope their story inspires fellow travellers dreaming about their own Tommy Camper setup. And if you have any questions about the Tommy Camper, get in touch here.
More owner stories & Builds
Read more stories from Tommy Campers owners, from custom builds to real experiences travelling around Australia.
Tracks & Tales – Meet Michelle and Michael, From Switzerland to Australia
Tracks & Tales – Meet Matt & Ursula, 2024 Hilux and Tommy Camper S6X
Tracks & Tales – Ford Ranger Camper S8 Tommy Campers
Tracks & Tales – Shaina and Stewart, the slowest lap of australia
Tracks & Tales – Wendy and John
