Putting Our Defender Camper Build to the TEST! Our First Night in Our Self-Built Overlander

Its time to test the build, and the question is will it be a great success... or epic fail! Come with us as we find out! In this episode we try green laning for the first time, taking the build off road to see how she holds up. We test the layout, and share perhaps a little too much information about using its features! Our first night in the camper leads us to a beautfiul wild spot, but, also a couple of issues. Jon gets giddy testing his new toys.... oh, sorry I mean tools and equipment and as always we have a laugh along the way. Lets do this!
You can also see what we are up to on:
📘Facebook: profile.php?...
📸Instagram: / trueblue_travellers
🛒We have an amazon associates shop where you can find all the things we buy from and recommend on amazon. Please note that if you buy using these links it does not cost you anymore but we earn commission on qualifying purchases.
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/trueblu...
🛠️You can get a 10% discount on all Shadow Foam products by using the code 'Trueblue' at the check out: www.shadowfoam.com/ref/True%2...
💙Support the channel. Buy Jon a tool 🔧 or Jess a cake 🍰: www.paypal.me/truebluetravell... or www.buymeacoffee.com/trueblue...
00:00 Intro
02:01 Green laning
04:33 Tyre pressures
06:24 First tests continue
07:49 First night in the camper
11:58 Day two
15:42 Winch workout
18:34 Lunch in the lanes
#vanbuild #vanconversion #selfbuildcamper #adventure #alucab #alucabadventures #overlandevolution #overlander #overlanding #4x4 #offroad #offroading #offgrid #camping #campingcar #campervan #campers #adventureawaits #tinyhomeonwheels #tinyhome #landrover #defender #expedition #defender110 #landroverdefender #4wd #expeditionvehicle #shadowawn #270awning #icarus #camper #vanlife #travelcouple #homeiswhereyouparkit #homeonwheels #vanlifestyle #coupleswhotravel #builttorove #alucabicarus #adventureisoutthere #overlandbuild #camperbuild #overlandbuild #landroverbuild #defendercamper #defenderconversion #adventurecouple #landroverjourneys #rooftop #rooftoptents #vanbuildseries #flatdoguk #greenlaning

[@arronjones6985]

This has been an absolutely brilliant series. You guys should be so proud of what you have achieved. The quality of the build is incredible too. I'm pretty new to the channel and Iv gone back a bit to catch up on previous builds. I'm also watching the 6x6 build at the same time. One thing I used to do when playing at the off-road game was open the bonnet while winching in extreme circumstances. If anything goes wrong it will normally be in the traveling line of the vehicle. Having the bonnet up will save the driver and also you won't have a broken screen to try and look through on the way home. Winching is at least a 2 person job so you should always have a spotter and a driver. Once again, great series and an awesome channel! You 2 are easy to watch 💪👍👌

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks ever so much mate that’s so lovely of you to say 💙 we really love the Landy and she did us so proud in Morocco and Spain. We loved it even more than we thought we would. Love the tip with the winching, thanks for that. Will always be the 2 of us 💙, well if he doesn’t get too annoying 😂😂💙

[@floatingfreedom6091]

Chuffed for you guys ; I’ve not the skill set to get where you are , I’m genuinely blown away by your diligence and skill levels . You seem a very humble and lovely pair of humans too. Thanks for sharing the journey . A beautiful functional utilitarian truck . Love it

[@truebluetravellers]

Ahhh thanks very much, thats lovely of you to say 💙, thanks for coming along with us 😁

[@mikereeler9021]

Looking good! Just an idea to open the bonnet (hood) during the winching operation. Could save the windscreen if things go pear shape.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much Mike. Nice one 👍 that’s a good tip thanks very much

[@dubious6718]

That's mainly when using steel cable and steel shackles. Synthetic rope will just fall to the ground.

[@amandaconnor142]

Just found you guys on you tube and it’s an absolute must watch. Keep the content coming- it’s great

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much Amanda 😁

[@user-li3un7jn7o]

As mentioned in the video, if anybody not from the UK is not familiar with Stinging Nettles, then whoa, be careful if you go near them. I know other countries have got huge crocodiles, and big grizzly bears, and all sorts of other dangerous and often potentially fatal animals and insects etc etc. But you should know that if you get stung by a UK stinging nettle, that they are often really Quite Itchy, and definitely Somewhat Annoying, for as long as several minutes. I don't know how we cope with them, to be honest. You have been warned.

[@truebluetravellers]

Oh yes your so right stingers are lethal 😖

[@craigwarden6630]

I totally forgot about them ... Loving the vids

[@paulmcneill2692]

I really enjoyed watching you two guys building this landrover, keep up the good work

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Paul 😁 thanks for watching 👍

[@teneretraveller8980]

Dry runs before the off are essential, I think. Do most of the fine tuning before the day of proper departure. The main thing I tried to do was shed weight, because it affects everything. Been a few years since I did this but I'm really enjoying these vlogs. Great conversion, good work. Safe, happy travels 👍

[@truebluetravellers]

Yeah that was the nice thing about changing vans we got rid of loads of stuff we never used and saved loads of weight, it’s like a house I suppose you end up with all sorts u don’t need hey Thanks for watching 👍😁

[@judithgreen3689]

Good to see you on the road again! - almost! Fun watching you put the defender through her paces. Good idea to take a trial run. Love watching wherever the road takes you. But, am looking forward to your eventual African trip.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Judith 😁, yeah we can’t wait to get going on the road fully again, although I think jon enjoys the building as much as he does the traveling 🤦‍♀️😂

[@keithturnbull4854]

Awesome guys 😁 see you at the show,we are leaving thurday night as we are coming from oban🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and a long slow drive for me with my 110 😊 .catch you there 😎❤

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Keith, ur comment on the last video sold it to us as were only an hour away and it would be rude not to if you can make it all the way from Oban 😁 see you there 👍💙

[@keithturnbull4854]

@@truebluetravellers im looking forward to seeing you guys 😁 in fitting heavy duty drive flanges to mine today and a general check over and prep ready for the long drive 😊

[@goexploremore]

Hey guys great to see you out and about in the Landy. She really is a beauty. Hope to catch you at LRO 👍

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers James, your rig is looking 👌 on point, loving the all black stealth look 😎, hopefully see u there 👍

[@stevestott1514]

All way fun doing that first little break in trip . Learning the new gear and fixing and tightening all the rattles up . Fun video again you two . Hope to meet you all on the road some day , think it would be loads of fun 😂 . Cheers from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A. :) :) 🍻👍🏼😁

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Steve 👍 we have fixed all the little niggles (for now anyway 😂) so looking forward to the next trip out, unfortunately won’t be America just yet 😂 but one day soon hopefully 👍 😁

[@stevestott1514]

@@truebluetravellers 👍🏼😁

[@survivalzoneswitzerland6697]

Life saver tip when winching, put the bonnet up to shield you from the cable end should it snap otherwise you could really loose your head, yes the drivers view is restricted but the passenger can give instructions

[@truebluetravellers]

Brilliant bit of advice that, thanks very much 😀

[@dubious6718]

Looks like they have synthetic rope, so its not needed.

[@survivalzoneswitzerland6697]

@@dubious6718 believe me if it is synthetic or not and with or without a shackle on the end it will hurt if you get it in the face through a windshield - best be safe rather than sorry

[@GigaWorks]

Awesome awesome awesome. Nobody is perfect and no one knows everything. But you guys are doing great. For the milk, you can use small glass bottles milk containers. For winching, use always gloves. Cheers.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much for the tips 😊👍

[@TheOneNOnlyChubnut]

Love the vids and have built up a list of "things I need to do" as a result. You guys crack me up and are a perfect combo. Keep up the good work

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate, a camper is never finished hey 😂

[@roberttreloar4554]

Keep engine running whilst using winch or it will flatten your battery, fit bush cables for laneing it will save windscreen damage.😊

[@truebluetravellers]

👍 yeah I started winching without it running and quickly remembered to start it, and also put Jess in it too incase the rope broke 🤦‍♂️ oh and to steer 😂schoolboy error, I’ll check out bush cables 👍 cheers

[@Steed171]

Love the vids. Just a quick piece of advice about the tent. I would suggest cracking open the sides slightly at night to allow air flow otherwise you may get a lot of condensation. I have a defender 90 with tentbox cargo and tried that out the other day.

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate 👍 yeah will give that a go as I think it will help with jesses odours too 😂😂 wish it was ever warm enough to have the sides fully down 🙄, thanks for watching

[@marcdewilde518]

In his last video 'Simon a bloke in the woods' mentions his mould issues with the Alu cab due to the wet English weather

[@truebluetravellers]

@@marcdewilde518 thanks I’ll check it out 👍

[@keithsav72]

Great video, and slightly surreal seeing me and my mates appear in it going the other way. We all commented on how cool your 110 looked!! Happy travels.

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much Keith! We love it 😀 We thought you guys were looked so cool we included you in the video! Thanks very much and the same to you.

[@keithsav72]

@@truebluetravellers - I should have said before, and I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re going to do green laning in England, buy lots of T-Cut as scratches are almost inevitable!

[@vantabulouslife5704]

Love you guys :) My wife and I travel with 2 single quilts and 2 single electric blankets, problem solved! :) Love the build, fecking awsome!!

[@truebluetravellers]

I said this to Jess that we should get two sleeping bags, she was having none of it 🤦‍♂️😂, thanks for watching guys 😁

[@Hamfistedturner]

We've just discovered you two and are loving your videos ❤

[@truebluetravellers]

Glad you did 💙 thanks very much for watching and your kind words 😊

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Yes please 🤓💰🏷🛠 A build cost breakdown would be very cool. Even though I live in Florida it's interesting to see how folks use their resources mental and fiscal. 👍🌞🤔😉 Plus YT loves cost breakdown and build time-lapse vids. Two viral vids for you right there...😊 ✔️ ✅️

[@truebluetravellers]

Brilliant, glad it will be helpful, we’ve done one for tomorrow 😀

[@squibitbessy7382]

I’ve lived in thetford my whole life, I was watching thinking that looks like thetford forest and then you guys said that’s where you were lol.

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂 yep it’s a beautiful part of the world is thetford forest hey, I used to mountain bike there allot a few years ago, loved it 😁

[@arboorman]

Excellent work guys - I've really enjoyed following the entire build :-) Another great show to concider is the Adventure Overland Show (in 2 weeks time) Loads of different vehicles to look at and lots of like minded folk to chat to :-)

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Tim 👍 yeah we have been to that show a few years ago and it’s great, but it makes me want to build a truck 😂😂, maybe after the sprinter 🤔 We went to the big German one a few months ago and that was incredible, the more people mention the uk one the more I’m thinking about going, always good to see some different ideas 👍

[@glennharvey5100]

Defo agree join GLASS, and the Thetford lanes are very overgrown and scratchy, other places such as Dales and Yorkshire are better, yes you can go laning alone if you're just sensible but more fun with a group and if you do have problems there's help to get you out or home. Brilliant for giving it a go and trying things out 😀

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Glenn, our membership has come through now so looking forward to trying a bit more. We were thinking of heading to the dales actually, is there anywhere in particular you’d recommend? It would definitely be fun with a group 😀

[@keithlivingstone2525]

Only a recent subscriber but flying through your vids. Two things resonated with me in this one. 1. Hard to beat an Apple Crumble. I was actually eating my wife’s crumble (stop sniggering in the back…😁) made with my home grown Bramley Apples while watching this. So, question for you guys, crumble with custard or ice cream? 2. I still help my wife with pulling off her wellies….and we will be married 35yrs next May so be prepared for the ‘long haul’ 😂

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 made me laugh out loud this one, what a great question but it’s such an easy answer Hot crumble and ice cream 👌 can’t beat it, the hot and cold mixing together 😋 keith 😡 u have made me want some crumble now 😂😂😂

[@traceyhill7784]

Great watch, well apart from the loo bit 😂 as an older, hopeful van/ traveller great tips about try before you buy as it were. We want to do some US, Europe and UK travelling when we retire so these videos are giving me a good insight into what might/might not work for us . Happy travels x

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Tracey, hopefully you haven’t got too long to wait till you get on the road, the US is on our bucket list too for sure 😁

[@davidgilmour5555]

What a fantastic film...so enjoyable to watch..

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much David 😁

[@scottcain1903]

Love it waiting for the next one and you should definitely go round Scotland and wales would make great vlogs. Keep em coming. Love and blessings ❤️ 🙏 Safe travels

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Scott, yeah it’s a must to get to Scotland and wales, it would be rude not to in the Landy hey, thanks for watching 👍

[@scottcain1903]

@truebluetravellers always, love it when I get a notification from you guys cheers me up no end ❤️🙏

[@Two-Bods]

Well done, guys, as always, you've outdone yourselves. Comments from the couch: Me, ooh, I like that, or great idea, that's right Jess don't blow up the defender, Leanne: ooh I like that jumper I love the colour It's Defender green Poor little muffin ( Jess) he's so mean 😂😂😂😂

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂😂 love it, this might have to be a new feature, comments from the couch 😂

[@kizzyp2735]

Great video ... Enjoyed that with my morning tea and toast !...... Hopefully see you both at Belvoir 😄👍

[@truebluetravellers]

Tea and toast first thing 🤦‍♂️ u and Jess are gonna get along that’s for sure 😂 Hopfully see you there mate 👍

[@mendozaconsultation]

Those Stinger Nettles are supposed to be the healthiest weeds used for Thousands of years for food n medicine. Look into it...

[@truebluetravellers]

See so in her sand which is good right ?

[@mld8]

I love how Jess has picked up all the British lingo in your banter 😄 Great trial run of the Defender!

[@truebluetravellers]

13 years of living with this goon wears off on you 😂😂 thanks very much 💙

[@setildes]

You might want to try some Staun deflators, you can preset them and do 4 tyres at once, without undoing the valve core reducing risk of dust ingress.

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Simon, I’ll definitely take a look at these, would be so much quicker, 👍

[@setildes]

@@truebluetravellers Anytime, I am picking up quite a few tips from your videos which is great, I love the look of the defender and hope your adventures go well. With luck, we will get our highly modified AWD Hiace by the end of the month and I can start testing my own winch 🙂

[@truebluetravellers]

@@setildes can’t wait to see this awd hiace, she is gonna be a beast 👍

[@TheCamelz]

It looks amazing.

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Richard 👍

[@paulredfern4933]

Watched the whole build, sooo many ideas to adapt and try. Tickets booked for lro show hope to see you there.

[@truebluetravellers]

Good man Paul, never been to a lro show before so hopefully will be fun, thanks for watching and see you there 👍

[@MikeMakesUK]

About the nettles. If you learn their uses, they cease to be an enemy and become a lot more friendly (though not entirely 😄).

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 yeah I heard they use them for remedies etc

[@MikeMakesUK]

@@truebluetravellersRemedies, food, tea, making string. It's amazing how useful they are for something that is just an annoying weed to most people. They're still firmly in the check for before you squat category though.😆

[@truebluetravellers]

@@MikeMakesUK 😂😂😂

[@vono1919]

thank you for all the great tips. I want to build the inside of my 2012 GMC Denali with a Lone Peak Camper top

[@truebluetravellers]

No worries, sounds cool, good luck with the build 👌

[@MrPubman84]

Love my little guest appearance in your great video! We all said as we passed you what an awesome truck!!! Love the channel and video! Don't know if you have thought about having a Jetboil for quick meals and brews? I wouldnt be without one now. Also check out a portable stove like outbacker stoves. Great for those cooler evenings under the awning! Little blue defender!

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 What a small world! Thanks very much 💙 I just googled the jet boils and they look brilliant, we can use our cooker in the drawer it’s built into inside for making a brew or something quick and it can also come out and sit on the worktop inside with an extension gas hose. The outbackstove is so cool! I hadn’t seen them before I was saying to Jon about maybe getting a little fire pit but this is even better!

[@MrPubman84]

@@truebluetravellers Both are great bits of kit, take my jetboil everywhere. The Stove is great, you can cook on it and leave the kettle on them but the best bit, the smoke taken up high and out of the way. Good luck with the new camper and your adventures, look forward to following the channel. Next time we see you we'll stop and say hello.

[@truebluetravellers]

@@MrPubman84 I absolutely love having a fire but hate smelling of it so this sounds perfect! Just have to find somewhere to put it 😂 thanks very much that’s lovely and please do stop and say hi 💙

[@whippetsadventuresandoneman]

Amazing first night in the defender 😊 Stinging nettles are horrible 😢 totally agree

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 they are not pleasant hey 😁💙

[@whippetsadventuresandoneman]

@@truebluetravellers there not especially the itching for hours after 😂

[@snoman1999]

Always fancied a "Landy" 🤔 but not so sure The Wifey would compromise on the space we have now tho! Another great build out and video 🤙🏽 🚐💨❤

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks mate, whilst we love the Landy, a van to a Landy is just night and day different, how people use them in cold places I’ll never know, full respect to them 👍

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome video

[@mrlupus]

For sleeping, I'd go with a down quilt from Cumulus, Thermarest or another good company. Pack down to nothing and keep you toastie even at -4 in a tent 😊

[@procta2343]

Class little series! Mud-uk do some rear window blanks, Just in case you have a miss hap with the gas bottle, a long with a few little storage items, Also you can convert the passenger dash into a glove box too, on your defender too. But i am going to stress to the pair of you, Security. Removerable steering wheel and security hinges on everything. Also HD wheel flanges too, for an upgrade, a long with Vented front discs and callipers if yours has the solid disc setup at the front.

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate 👍, I’ll have a look into them, it’s never ending spending with this thing 😂

[@procta2343]

@@truebluetravellers defenders are like that lol, pop onto the defender forum for info and advice, also a few of the lads on there have campers too.

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate 👍

[@richdudester]

Great video again guys! Just signed up to green lane association myself - cheers for the recommend

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much Rich 💙 glad it was helpful! Hope you enjoy it 😁

[@giuseppedicarlo5576]

😂 la vostra simpatia supera ogni limite....complimenti..

[@truebluetravellers]

Grazie Mille Giuseppe 💙

[@ashleym4887]

Fun day testing things out guys. Well worth doing first rather than later. By the way Jes, what made you decide to leave Jon at home and take Arthur Shelby instead? 😂🤣👍🏻

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 absolutely dying at this 😂😂😂 she says to me all the time “fix your Arthur Shelby will you” 😂😂😂 love it 👍

[@paulsmart7564]

Nice one guys. Looks like you’ve learnt so much on that short trip. Jess you should’ve dropped a log in the dunny 😂💩 cheers 🍻

[@truebluetravellers]

😂 she did paul don’t worry 😷 we thought vanlife was close and personal, defender life is on another level 😂😂

[@chriswebster1228]

Gotta get some safari strips on the landy

[@markbunyan9092]

Great video and looks like a decent Landrover you have, my top tip, do come to Scotland, especially the islands.

[@truebluetravellers]

Sounds like the best tip we have had yet 👍, we will definitely get up up there in the next few months

[@alanedwards6491]

Do a pay and play off road day, talk to others, watch vehicle recoveries, what works and what doesn't

[@Professionalmoochers]

This is a dream for us but, we couldn’t give up our campervan so we’ll have to try to find a way to have both 😂

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 I know what you mean 😁👍

[@RichFlynn1]

Re the winch, if someone has mentioned this before sorry, have you thought about using kevlar? No risk of it snaking off if it breaks as it doesn't stretch at all 👍 👍

[@truebluetravellers]

No never heard of this so I’ll look into it, thanks for the tip 👍

[@RichFlynn1]

@@truebluetravellers Jon you'll definitely rewind that winch with a kevlar cable before you go 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@RichFlynn1]

Also did you say you had a snatch (no innuendos!) rope?

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂 yes mate got a snatch strap 👍

[@olliesgarage]

I live about 10 mins from thetford forest, hopefully bump into you on some green lanes!

[@truebluetravellers]

It’s a beautiful part of the world 😍 but a small world so I’m sure we will one day 😁

[@shaladdis]

That defender would be 100k in NZ haha - amazing build!

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much, we love it. Can’t wait to use it properly!!

[@davidchase7166]

Hi, found your channel recently as we're looking to build a 110 camper. You guys would enjoy the Adventure Overland show that's on in a couple of weeks. Plus if you like blackberry's have a go at making them into jam, super simple.

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi David, welcome to our channel 😁, you will have fun building the camper, probably my most enjoyable build to date, yeah we went to the adventure show in the uk a few years ago and it was great, the only bad part is it makes me want to build a truck 😂😂 we went to the big abenteuer and allrad show in Germany this year, that was insane, so many overlanders over there, I’ll let Jess know about the jam 👍 she will be excited to hear it 😂😂😂

[@davidchase7166]

@@truebluetravellers Thanks very much, We've owned quite a few Defenders over the years and have also built 3 camper vans (current van is a T25 Syncro) but never a Land Rover camper. Hopefully that will change imminently. Really appreciate your videos for ideas and inspiration.

[@mathewsmith3294]

I live near Spalding, got a 110 Td5 be good to have a day out laning sometime...peddars way up to Hunstanton and Thetford are your local ones.

[@truebluetravellers]

Sounds good mate, I don’t think we will get out again this year as thing are a bit manic at the minute but would be good to get out with a few others, I could learn a thing or 2 😂😂

[@susululu72]

Brilliant work, guys . You two are so inspirational. We love watching your videos . Please can you tell me which brand of gas struts you used for holding up the wood in the shower and where you brought the shower curtain from ?? Much appreciated ☺️

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi sue, thanks very much, that means allot and we are glad your enjoying the videos, the gas struts were from Screwfix www.screwfix.com/p/lid-stay-244mm/71151?ref=SFAppShare And the shower curtain was just 2 cheap curtains from wilkinsons and Jess just sewed them together www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-functional-white-shower-curtain/p/0083998 😁

[@susululu72]

Sorry is me again , I meant the shower in your white sprinter . Many thanks 😊

[@truebluetravellers]

When you say wood sue do you mean the kitchen worktop yeah not the top cabinet door ?

[@susululu72]

Hi John , thanks so much for the info . The gas struts for holding up the worktop covering the shower pod and what metal frame u used to attach the shower curtains ?? Thanks John & Jess .😊

[@truebluetravellers]

@@susululu72 no worries, yep so that’s the strut I used from screwfix and the frame for the shower is just a length of aluminium which I just bent into a u shape, I then got some short draw runners (again from screwfix) which was the width of the cupboard and fixed the u bracket to the runners, really cheap and easy 😁

[@susululu72]

Thanks, John. I brought a ready made shower pod, but after watching your white sprinter van build , I decided to go with your brilliant idea of a flexable shower solution instead of having full on shower pod which takes up the valuable space of the van . Have a fantastic adventure ahead , looking forward to your new videos .😊

[@truebluetravellers]

@@susululu72 that’s lovely sue and I’m so glad the video was of some use to you, thanks for following along 😁

[@jonathanevery6157]

When you open the milk up only open the seal a little bit and when finished , push the seal flat again and put the lid on tight. The foil seal will act like a gasket and should stop the milk from leaking when storing the bottle on its side

[@truebluetravellers]

Now you are a genius, loving the gasket talk, now why didn’t I think of that 👍😂👍👍

[@jonathanevery6157]

We only learnt this from when our son was a baby. Used to put all his ready made bottles on the door and our milk on the shelf and as the shelves on an undercounter fridge aren't high enough we had to lay them on the side . Open the handle side of the seal and store the bottles with handle side up

[@davidgilmour5555]

I'm from Leeds and I now live in chester and everyone loves my accent..lol.

[@truebluetravellers]

Kant beat it, a flower 😂😂😂

[@allegrosotto2126]

I know if a bloke who sent the missus under water to attach the winch and also wade thru the water to a tree! In Oz of course 😁 I currently using Wellies in summer to avoid grass seeds, invaluable piece of equipment.

[@truebluetravellers]

Yep the aussie women are tough hey allegro 💪😂, you brought back nightmares about them bloody grass seeds 💙

[@lewisjudd1153]

🫎 you guys always make me laugh, something i would like to keep seeing is the map when you move because when you were in Australia the names are not exactly easy to spell or even say 😂 just like here in New Zealand 😂

[@truebluetravellers]

👍 totally forgot to put the names of English places, didn’t even think, need to remember to do that for every country 😂

[@equinevoicesuk]

You guys made me laugh 😊

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂 thanks 😁

[@dieselsubmariner1639]

If its a TD5 I hope you weighed it after completion? They normally have a front axle max load of 1200kg (Standard not heavy duty) and its really hard to keep below that max! Apparently Land Rover forgot the extra weight in the TD5 engine and gearbox when they brought it out - and I am not joking. I worked for someone who had a whole fleet of TD5 landrovers and we got rid of them all (Even after Land Rover sent out a man with new vin plates with uprated front axle loads on! and fitted them in the yard)

[@truebluetravellers]

yep comes in at the 3tonne mark so all good, no it’s not the td5 it’s a 2.2 puma engine 👍

[@coadyg]

You going to need some side protection if you worried about scratches. Good luck in Africa

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Gary, 👍

[@louisvorster3355]

Thanks for the video. How do you get from the defender's load bin onto the sleeping deck, do you have a ladder or step?

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi Louis, it’s quite easy, we just step on the seat in the living space and just hop up like that, 👍

[@louisvorster3355]

Thank you! @@truebluetravellers

[@Dackdrillsvanlife]

🎉

[@truebluetravellers]

😁👍

[@markhoijtink8507]

I am impressed! How do feel the roof weight is affecting your driving in curves etc. How heavy does it feel driving in general? Many thanks!

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks very much Mark. To be honest we aren’t the best to answer this question as we haven’t driven any defenders before and barely drove it (and when we did only on the road) before we did the conversion. It handled brilliantly on the tracks though and felt really stable and balanced 😀

[@marcdewilde518]

Again a lovely video people and plenty of good ideas! I wish I had known about the soft shackle before I tried to pull my Sprinter out of the mud with the 110 Defender.. The strap broke and the D shackle went of like a rocket into the back door of the Defender. Did you have any problems with water ingress via the windows or the foot wells because I have and it is driving me insane.. ATB from Flanders

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mark, blimey that sounds a bit scary, I’ve never seen one break personally but like I say seen on KZbin and look lethal, no thankfully we haven’t got any water ingress 🤞 but funnily enough when we bought it we did, the front floor matts were constantly wet underneath, so all I can think is that it must of been the roof seal at the front maybe, could u get someone to spray the outside with a hose whilst u check inside ?

[@marcdewilde518]

@@truebluetravellers So first remove the soaked insulation mats then find a victim to help me with the garden hose and then try to get my athletic body upside down into the foot well. Again something to look forward to. Anyways, thanks for the advice John!

[@truebluetravellers]

@@marcdewilde518 😂😂😂😂😂😂 had me rolling with this one 😂

[@mickblower9742]

Hi both,great channel. What make are the reverse cameras from Amazon please?

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mick, I’ll drop the link in below mate www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CCQFF8K/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_X1SDDZZE1V66V12QKV6E?linkCode=ml1&tag=truebluetrave-21

[@mickblower9742]

Thanks guys,I have one coming👍

[@mikemorris96]

You need to try apple and blackberry pie

[@truebluetravellers]

Sounds like a plan Mike, I’ll get Schwarzenegger 💪 on it, she’s not done me a pie for a while

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Reckon it won’t be long before you bin off that toilet in favour of more storage space, just go bushy bushy.🤷‍♂️

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂 I’m afraid there’s no chance that will happen, i’d be fine but Jess would then live in a bush, she’s got the bladder of a 90 year old 🤦‍♂️

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

@@truebluetravellers should have put the toilet on air suspension so she can sit there on long travel days😁

[@truebluetravellers]

@@Jabber-ig3iw 😂😂😂🤔….Hmmmm now there’s and idea 😂😂😂

[@nasseral-momen1463]

I've been in this dilemma for ages. Had few vans and now converting a troop carrier. I'm sure u guys seen them in austrailia. I just miss the space mind you the capabilities of the vehicles are miles apart

[@truebluetravellers]

We absolutely love troupes, stoked for you, and truth be told we would have bought one over the defender but the just don’t sell them over here. You’re so right. The capabilities are just so different, if we did Oz again we would 100% want a 4x4 the diff we put in our little Hiace got us lots of places a normal van couldn’t but still nothing like the places a real 4x4 could. Plus you can live outside so much more in Oz so the loss of internal space hopefully won’t be as noticeable for you. All the best for your build, love to see some pics when it’s done 👍

[@nasseral-momen1463]

@truebluetravellers cheers. The defender is definitely a better option in the UK for sure. Not to mention it has much better interior width. I tagged you on Instagram. At a festival once and it was muddy, the defender left nice and easy whilst my mates & I took almost 12 hours to get the van out. Safe to say we wish we had a 4x4 that day

[@truebluetravellers]

@@nasseral-momen1463 12 hours! Brutal! Very happy to have a 4x4 for sure 😁 Just saw the video on insta, she looks a big project but. Beauty! Wishing you all the best with it and the adventures to come in it!

[@OTRWA]

Learn about a flat battery...there seems to be some concern in the defender community about the new rigs flat battery problems...have fun in the new bus

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers mate 👍 we carry a tiny carry case jump starter with us when we go travelling, also the mppt/dcdc controller we have for the solar and battery charging also trickle charges the main starter battery so fingers crossed we should be all good but thanks for the heads up I’ll look into it 👍

[@joshuawilmot9747]

Only thing i will add is a spare wheel carrier that door wont last long with the constant opening and closing and african roads. An the heavy tire

[@truebluetravellers]

Yeah this is on the shall we shan’t we list josh, and I’m leaning to the shall, more money 🙄😂😂😂 thanks for the persuasion 👍

[@joshuawilmot9747]

@@truebluetravellers just speaking from experience I have a overland 110 hardtop and live if africa and the door frame actually cracked from the constant corrugations and the tyre weight... Now with the carrier door opens easier no cracked frame and door hinges last. Enjoy your travels

[@truebluetravellers]

@@joshuawilmot9747 cheers josh, ill get one ordered 👍

[@gredheim2979]

I’d add get an ORE one as they’re well known for being the toughest and the best powder coating.

[@truebluetravellers]

@@gredheim2979 cheers mate, will check them out 👍

[@Torus2X]

I wanted to see how you got a mattress in the upper area. All the videos I saw the upper mattress was never demonstrated.

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi torus, the mattress comes with the alucab, if you look at the first video where we install the roof it shows you up the top 👍

[@IamNasman]

Don’t forget to wave. 🙋🏼‍♂️

[@truebluetravellers]

😂 that’s all part of the fun 👍

[@tomjet1000]

Nice outfit guys 👍 question, what make is your rear door table? Looking for one for my 110, greets from Zurich, Tom

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Tom, it’s just from Amazon, this is the link amzn.to/3S8wI3n

[@tomjet1000]

@truebluetravellers Thanks guys and safe travels, will follow you, just found you today ✌️😉

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks mate 💙

[@wildsouloverlanding]

Where you guys going first? What’s the travel plan?

[@truebluetravellers]

So we are going to build a sprinter box van next, and we are going to take that to the Nordics before Christmas, then come back and take the defender to Africa in the new year, we will get some other trips out in the defender before this but probably just in the uk until the big trip 😁

[@wildsouloverlanding]

@@truebluetravellers that’s awesome, good luck. We have just built our defender too. Leave for round the world trip next month, we are still considering to upload vids or not 🤷‍♂️

[@truebluetravellers]

@@wildsouloverlanding 😂😂 so you guys are not messing about, sounds awesome, have u done KZbin before ?

[@wildsouloverlanding]

@@truebluetravellers very briefly only a few videos. My partner hasn’t at all

[@truebluetravellers]

@@wildsouloverlanding I see, so you know the pros and cons to it all then, where are u starting your trip from, the uk ?

[@Entertainedonlooker]

Your little “we’re on the road again”. Tom Dibb?

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂 yep, I started it in Australia for some strange reason and it’s just stuck 🤷‍♂️

[@Entertainedonlooker]

@@truebluetravellers he’s a mate of my mate @urbanmonkeyadventures. He does all of their camp outs. They would absolutely love to see you guys in one of your campers!! Top work btw on both!! If I buy a sprinter you doing the work? 🤔😁

[@truebluetravellers]

@@Entertainedonlooker 😂😂😂 cheers mate much appreciated 👍

[@samwoodfield8901]

Hi where abouts in Norfolk do you guys live.

[@truebluetravellers]

We are kings lynn way on 👍

[@dubious6718]

Dampener on synthetic rope is pointless.

[@truebluetravellers]

Oh really, good to know 👍👍👍 thanks

[@sandykunkle9466]

You said you couldn't cook until it stopped raining. You just pulled into the wrong spot. An open spot and put out your awning. I think you missed that opportunity to show off how that really is the thing to have.

[@truebluetravellers]

Hi Sandy 😀 your right the awning is great. Unfortunately nice wild camping spots are a bit few and far between near us. So we were lucky to have this one. I don’t think I explained myself very well either, sorry, our set up does allow me to cook inside but I wanted to test out the outside set up 😀 enter the wellies 😂

[@danielhines5698]

Great stuff..... "thanks sugar tits" 😂 ha ha

[@truebluetravellers]

Thanks Daniel 👍

[@jonnywilson6932]

👍🏼🛠🇦🇪👫🚙

[@truebluetravellers]

👍👍😁💙🙋‍♂️👫

[@stevenperrin6010]

You will soon adapt to the room in the Landy compared to what you did have. This year we downsized from an A class motorhome to a van conversion and soon adapted. Keep the vids coming

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers Steven, yeah like you say, will just take a little time to adapt, loving it tho 👍 thanks for watching 😁

[@kizzyp2735]

Highly recommend you give this a video a watch ...Very informative - 4X4 steel shackle Vs soft shackle - definitive guide to safe recovery | Auto Expert John Cadogan 👍

[@truebluetravellers]

Cheers kizzy, just checked it out, I’ll give it a watch later, thanks for the recommendation 👍

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

@@truebluetravellers Ronny Dahl has a great video on safe winching and a demonstration of what winches can do to a human body. His channel is well worth watching.

[@truebluetravellers]

@@Jabber-ig3iw I’ll check him out, cheers the Aussies seem to be best at the recovery 4x4 off-roading stuff

[@only-vans]

I went for synthetic rope on my winch for 3 reasons. 1. it doesn't rust 2. when ( not if ) it snaps, it won't come flying through my windscreen. 3. easy to repair. Self recovery is actually a kept quiet sport in UK. go out, get yourself purposely bogged and stuck, winch yourself out. winching perverts.

[@truebluetravellers]

Yeah I love the rope compared to wire, I always think when you hear a wire rope going that somethings breaking constantly

[@mikeboone4425]

I never like to be critical butttttttttttttt that hair does you NO favors it looks like your should be in line waiting for a haircut. It reminds me of the time my dad let me go to the barbershop for the first time with out him this is back in the mid 50s here in California I got a mohawk haire cut . Mom just sad geeeees when I came home dad took one look and said lets go get in the truck back to the barber and the hedge on my hedge was gone I looked like a peeled onion. Happy trails you 2

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂 brilliant, I know unless I style/put product in it it looks a right mess, but I can’t be arsed to style it😂 should just cut it off really

[@davidhollick5152]

If the MRS is still cutting your hair, stop being a tight arse, got to a barbers get it done properly. Love the videos, learning loads 👍👍

[@truebluetravellers]

No chance, he won’t even sit still for me to do it 😂😂

[@twoheadnorth]

Great LandRover, Ours is called Leaky Zahra and Paul @twoheadnorth

[@truebluetravellers]

😂😂😂leaky, love it, the little red beast 👌