WHY YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE A ROOF TOPPER ON YOUR BIG TRIP

Don't get caught up in thinking you absolutely must have a rooftop boat for your big trip, chances are you can't physically do it anyway, and even if you can will you use it enough? If you are ready to go and purchase your own roof topper after watching this, then you are the kind of person that should have one that's for sure. Hopefully this helps you make the right decision for you and your family.

[@samlewis4283]

Great, sensible advice. We've just done a 6 month half lap. Love fishing and would have loved a boat, but couldn't afford it and would have put us overweight. I was amazed at the amount of people with roof toppers who we saw regularly that never got their boats off the roof. Makes your last point ring true. Have to wonder whether it's all just for show for some of these people. In the end a peddle drive kayak was a good compromise and still caught some great fish off it.

[@SmartTouringSystems]

Thanks for tuning in mate.

[@Wilbargosh]

I don’t have a caravan, so I tow my 25 year old 4.35m Sea Jay tinny and 30hp 2stroke Yamaha outboard. Its light as a feather and a great place to stash all the addition gear you need.

[@stuartkcalvin]

Great piece, mate. If I was 20 years younger, I'd have a tinny on my rig; not now, too late.
Loved the bit over your right shoulder "you can go fast but I can go anywhere". I've seen another sticker on a van "tailgating makes me slow down"

[@michaelhermans4753]

Some great points I had not considered
Just got back from 2 weeks at Ningaloo station fishing out of my 5m boat, all the bulky light gear goes in the boat
I would never go back to a tinny, they are only usable in perfect weather which is rare in WA
Doing a lap I probably would get into drone fishing and an inflatable paddle board

[@Drdiesel.]

Hi,I have a 2.6 inflatable 6 hp motor fits in back of grand cherokee, only use on enclosed water, takes about thirty minutes to setup and dismantle but on very hot days in sun big effort. Only setup if use for three days at a time. Around sixty kgs. Very slow through water can walk faster.

[@raybourne5781]

I’ll be taking a boat… even if I only use it a few times… driving your type of Land Cruiser would be tiring just on its own let alone with a boat on top…. So yes… make sure you get the type of vehicle/ caravan that makes your trip worth it & comfortable

[@yusufsayed1583]

Awesome , sensible advice 👍 thanks for sharing 😊Greetings from south africa 🇿🇦

[@crusty181]

Youre clearly looking at this from a non fishermans perspective

[@grantbudd124]

Some great points but I would not be guessing the rear axle download nor fitting an GVM upgrade while pulling 3500kgs ++ of caravan with a family and all the othe crap in the ute. This sounds like a horrible accident waiting to happen. Everyone should know to the nearest kilo what their weights are. This is why there are so many accidents.

[@SmartTouringSystems]

Agreed mate. One of the big reasons we didn’t take a boat with us when we had a big van.

[@rossi0nsx]

I've always known I wouldn't be able to carry a roof topper so I was considering a small inflatable instead.

[@scottspitty8283]

Wouldn't travel without one. If your clearly not into fishing, its very simple not to take one, take a canoe & bikes Lolll.
Each to their own

[@mathewsnowden7742]

What’s your thoughts on inflatable boats. Up north in the croc areas ?

[@SmartTouringSystems]

Thanks for watching. Probably more about the size of the boat really.

[@adamnorton9701]

Have you looked in to a 300mm chassis extension and rear diff housing upgrade.. for your 79

[@SmartTouringSystems]

Yeah mate, I would love that. Gets pretty pricey

[@scottcox8559]

I have a Ram 2500, so have the capacity to bring one. But i calculated by the time i buy everything i wanted, it was going to be about 15k. Thats a lot of charters for the day, with a local guide who is going to get you on the fish.

[@SmartTouringSystems]

Yes absolutely mate, that’s a great point I really should have touched on. 👍🏼

[@CaptLonestar]

For me if it meant carrying it round for an entire year with all the negatives just to get that 1 magic day out there somewhere that most people can only dream about with the family then its worth it. I think there would be a whole lot of people that if they did really consider a lot of those issues they probably would reconsider taking one.

[@SmartTouringSystems]

Yeah we m not against it really, just a lot to consider. 👍🏼

[@pheonix1758]

My friend you are bang on

[@SmartTouringSystems]

Thanks mate.