Alu-Cab Icarus Tour & Honest Review After 12-Months | Land Rover Defender Camper | Africa

We thought it was about time we shared our thoughts on our Alu-Cab Icarus Roof Conversion.
We have been living out of our Defender camper for a long time now, so feel we have a pretty good idea of the pros and cons of the Icarus.
Have you got a question for us?
Leave us a comment and we will get back to you!
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00:00 Intro
00:34 Exterior
01:10 Opening The Roof
01:42 Inside The Vehicle
02:23 How We Access The Bed
02:54 Is It Comfortable
03:37 Surprise Visitors
03:48 270º Shadow Awning
04:31 Shower Cube
05:26 Considerations
06:02 Installation
06:12 THE VERDICT
07:42 Outro
07:53 Packing It Away
#overlanding #africa #landrover #defendercamper #alucab #alucabicarus #travelcouple #defender110 #camperbuild #honestreview #review #travel #travelling #expedition

[@Funder-Mairver]

Thanks for a very informative video, I'm getting very keen on the Alu-Cab canopy camper for my Hilux, I believe that it will make a massive, positive difference to overlanding trips. I'll be following your channel now!

[@TheLandyExpedition]

It’s the best thing we’ve ever done to our landy

[@justinstark3504]

I love watching your travels I am based in Cape Town and Planning a permanent Overlanding lifestyle .

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Awesome! Make sure you make your vehicle as hassle free as possible. It’s not easy living out of a vehicle! H

[@JuanDurandt]

Thanks for the quick review. I have found that Alu-Cab products in general are very good and durable all round. I am very interested in your starlink setup and would love a dedicated video about that in terms of realworld coverage, how you integrate it with your vehicle setup and so on.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

We can do that for sure! We will try to get onto this soon lots of questions about the starlink. H

[@b89103d]

VERY HELP FUL INFO WE LIKE YOUR VEDIO USA

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Great to hear 🙌

[@divdevilliers9199]

Thanks for the info.Gives us peace of mind as we are having Icarus fitted in 2 weeks time at Alu-cab Cape Town after our meeting with you guys at Swakopmund...Green Landy old Folk

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Ah nice guys! Enjoy it! H

[@rudivonstaden]

We have the Land Cruiser Canopy Camper and our experience is much the same. Being able to stand up inside and climb into bed without going outside is a game changer (especially if it’s raining). I’m also curious about the Starlink and look forward to hearing more about that.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

They are such great products must admit! Ok starlink video coming soon!

[@gabrielekomann1510]

Hi guys, we got the same setup and we definetly agree! The Icarus and the awning are great products and make living on the road really much more comfortable!

[@TheLandyExpedition]

100%! Couldn’t really do it without the setup we have now

[@b89103d]

VERY HELP FUL INFO usa

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Great to hear it ☺️

[@LoremIpsum1970]

Great channel, so glad I found you! 👍

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Thank you so much! That’s so awesome to know ☺️

[@VaughanMunro-js4nr]

Hi Harry and Chloe. Frontrunner products are also sold in Australia. However, they are expensive to buy over here. They are highly recommended by those who have them.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Yes they are expensive everywhere but I must say the quality it’s exceptional

[@Laps9]

You guys are awesome

[@TheLandyExpedition]

So kind thanks

[@clarkr7]

Really appreciate this review, helps make our decision on what is a big investment. Ty ty.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

It absolutely is! But we can safely say it’s been one of the best purchases we’ve ever made

[@grahames9228]

Obviously a good investment.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Absolutely!

[@rodrigomf2492]

This is a great video, I am looking into investing in replacing my defender roof with an icarus roof top. I wanted to ask what has been your experience driving the vehicle at freeway speeds with the roof rack? Also did you guys have to add any additional changes to the engine or suspension for the vehicle to hold with the roof rack and the icarus roof weight? I currently have 275x16 tires and a 2" old man emu suspension upgrade, I notice you mentioned wider tires in the video, what tire setup do you guys have? Cheers!

[@stevestott1514]

Great review .We had a alucab pop top on are defender also , was a came changer as for comfort in over landing camping . Great set ups for over landing rigs . Great reviews on your total alucab set up . Like how you set up the inside to work with this set up . Thanks again for sharing your wonderful journey with us your over landing friends . Cheers from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A. :) :) 🍻👍🏼😁.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

They are perfect for the defender! Cheers Steve! H

[@stevestott1514]

@@TheLandyExpedition ..🍻👍🏼😁

[@VaughanMunro-js4nr]

Great Review guys. Alu-Cab Conversions are also available in Australia. They are fitted to Toyota Troop Carriers as the roof is permanently cut off. Land Rover is no longer a popular travelling vehicle over here, mainly due to its age and parts supply. Toyota landcruiser or Nissan Patrol most popular now.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Yes Alucab are pretty world wide now such a great success story from South Africa! Props to Jeremy!

[@maxencelezaack1032]

Great set up and awesome editing, thanks for the content ! Can you share with us the price difference between the pop top installed in Europe versus South Africa ?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

It’s around half the price! 🫣

[@calsurflance5598]

It looks like it really transformed the ability of your vehicle. Landy Andy 4x4, stopped by a couple months ago on his around the world tour. I took a picture of my Series 2A next to his Defender with a similar roof. My S2A looks like a toy in comparison. Lol. I must say, a built out Defender is a beast! I love it.👍 After Africa, what are your plans? Love your channel! 👌🙏 Be safe and stay well. Cheers.😀

[@TheLandyExpedition]

An awesome! Yeah they do become quite large vehicles 😂 cheers H

[@MyOverlandDream]

Cheers guys, It's what I'm wanting to install on my next build... I'm selling my big truck and looking to build a Defender with the iCarus conversion, so really interested to here some real world feedback.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

You won’t be disappointed!

[@mikewho9964]

Thanks - a great honest review - the layout is very user friendly and i see you have incorporated a good full height backrest when you are seated - Alucab really has changed camping and overlanding - did you ever consider a folding working surface on top of the fridge for more working space ?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Yes we have built what we think is perfect! 😛 we did think about more workspace. But then didn’t want to complicate the build too much. H

[@eburn71]

great video, i also have the Icarus and a Starlink that i plan to mount on the roof. When you pop the roof, does the starlink still work for you, or you put the roof down for better reception?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

I have noticed the last few days actually that the signal is effected when it’s mounted flat and the roof is popped definitely works better pointing straight up.. something I need to rethink

[@eburn71]

@@TheLandyExpedition, thanks for your reply. i have 2x star mount cradles, so i could put it either up on the roof (out of general sight) or on the bonnet when parked up. Not sure if the windshield will influence the signal, but i have it seen mounted like that on other vehicles.

[@retnav92]

😎👍

[@TheLandyExpedition]

💪🏼😛

[@SpokyDoodles]

Love it guys and the inside interior looks awesome.

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Thanks so much glad you like it 😂

[@geoffkingsmill4127]

I am also interested in Starlink in Africa. Did you buy in Mozambique or Zambia from a shop or online? Do you have roaming for all of Africa?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

We bought it in the UK and shipped it over.. but it is available in many countries in Africa now. It’s been great!

[@philpryor3152]

I have the icarus, mostly uk camping is the intention. Have you camped jn cold weather? I’m trying to decide if I need to route the diesel heater to feed the pop top, its not easy!

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Nice! Yes we drove up into the Arctic a few years ago. We had a diesel heater for this. You could pipe the heater up if you wanted to. I’m sure down by the feet you could make a hole and route the pipe up.. we will be testing this when the vehicle returns home

[@philpryor3152]

@@TheLandyExpedition Agreed. I have looked at both feet and head ends. My heater is under centre console but routing it up the B pillar and along works for both cab heating and pop top. Its definitely tighter at the feet/hinge end but as fixed easier to lave in place. Probably what I will do ultimately.

[@LoremIpsum1970]

@@TheLandyExpedition Eva zu beck has just done this, have to see how she gets on with it.

[@mart9999999999999999]

How do you manage with the limited packing space ?. I look at me vehicle when fully loaded for a long trip and wonder how on earth could i walk around inside all the stuff . Is it something you get used to ?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

When we are driving our car is pretty full of bags in the back, when we arrive at camp we put all of our bags on the front seats and then have the whole of the back as our living space. We have definitely packed too much on this trip and could do wi the cutting down on luggage but we are used to it! We have a system of how we pack everything in the back of the car. Hope that helps 😊

[@Abraracourix]

How much weight does the Alucab roof setup add to the roof weight? I think the LR Defender TD5s have a very low roof weight maximum of 75-85 kgs ( I can’t remember the exact number but it is pretty low). How does the top weight affect the balance and center of gravity of the vehicle? And how about if you have to carry 5 or 6 Jerry cans ( 20l) if you are going into places where there are gas stations like say CKGR in Botswana or several tracks in Australia? I w as s curious how it’s mounted and whether they cut open your factory roof and replace it with the Alucab and distribute the weight to the frame? I am thinking that set up is at least a couple of hundred kilograms. Do you have an Aux tank on your Defender? I have a 200 series LC and it has a 40 US gallon Aux tank I installed in addition to the almost 100 l main tank. I think the Australian models of it ( they are diesel though) has 80+30 tanks standard and you can add the 150 l or 40 gallon Aux tank from LRA. I wonder how you guys manage long drives without petrol stations. With the setup I have, I could go 1200-1500 kms depending on the terrain ( The LC 200 is a bit of a pig when it comes to fuel consumption with the 5.7l engine so you definitely need aux tank) I have a rooftop tent on a Prinsu roof rack and I am not a long term camping type person. I could do 2 days at a stretch before I need a proper hotel room with a bed and running water and a shower lol That’s cool you bought a Starlink. How is the service in Africa?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

The Icarus weighs 125kg - that’s the weight they say on their website. Harry did mention about how the weight affects the drive in this video. We also say how the roof is mounted in this video. Yes, we have an additional fuel tank. We have been fine with our additional fuel tank and our extra 20L jerrycan. We have been fine on long drives throughout Africa so far. The service in Africa is good. We are really pleased with our Starlink. Thanks Chloe ☺️

[@giofyotravel3637]

You might have mentioned this and I missed it, did you lift or uprate the suspension?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

We did yes.. I can do a video on our suspension setup if you like?!

[@giofyotravel3637]

Yes please :)

[@user-tv1yt5cx5v]

you took off the roof from the deffender?

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Yes, the old roof simply unbolted and the Alu-Cab Icarus bolted on. Pretty simple swap actually ☺️