Arctic Frost 13: Australia's Best Hybrids 2024 presented by Tough Dog 4WD Suspension

We're continuing our series showcasing the 10 innovative hybrids entered into the inaugural Australia's Best Hybrids 2024 presented by Tough Dog 4WD Suspension, and in this bite-size review we're shining a spotlight on the Frost 13 by Arctic Campers.

It might be small, but the Arctic Frost 13 was one of the coolest hybrids in this year’s competition and punches above its weight in fit out and features.

To find out more about the Australia's Best Hybrids 2024 event and what makes a hybrid, head here.

Build quality

The Frost 13 is built on a hot-dipped, galvanised steel chassis and sprayed with rubberised paint for added protection. Imported as a basic rolling body and chassis, the local team completed the fit-out and electronics package in Melbourne. Pedders shock absorbers are locally fitted to the trailing arm independent suspension, and the floor is ply sheeting.

The aluminium frame helps reduce weight. It is clad externally with composite aluminium panels and a single-piece fibreglass roof. Internal walls are a bamboo-based lining. Timber has been kept to a minimum in the internal joinery, where cupboards are also aluminium. At 2100kg empty, the Frost is relatively heavy for its size, suggesting it’s built to last and made to cope with the rigours of rough road travel.

Liveability

This is a couples van with a fold-out king-size bed with all the accessories for those who like to sit up in bed to read or watch TV.

While there’s no internal kitchen there is a bench space beside the entry door that could accommodate a kettle or toaster and a cupboard that would fit a microwave.

There’s a shower/toilet combo ensuite with a vanity basin and spacious storage behind a canvas opening with a zip to prevent things from getting wet. There is an impressive full width grate-type drain in the shower for the quick getaway of grey water and a simple, yet effective, toilet roll cover to keep loo paper dry.

The lounge and table is big enough for two, the TV is standard and there’s an audio system with internal and external speakers, diesel heater, LED strip lighting, ample space for storage and an optional internal fridge.

The external stainless-steel kitchen has a sink, two-gas burner stove and slides out parallel to the hybrid rather than at a right angle for better protection under the awning. An additional bench folds up on each end and there are four built-in pantry shelves as well as a picnic table and slide-out for external fridge.

Self-sufficiency

The Frost has two 120L freshwater tanks and a 75L grey water tank available, but off-grid travel will be restricted to some extent by the capacity of the Dometic cassette toilet. There are two 9kg gas cylinders for the Truma 14L gas/electric water heater and the Dometic two-burner hob. For heating there is an Australian diesel heater.

Two 135Ah LiFeP04 batteries supply the 12V load and four 100W solar panels charge them up and there’s a 2000W Renogy inverter, 20A charger and an MPPT solar input. A Projecta PM400 BMS ties the electrical system together.

Towability

We towed the Frost with a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the vehicle you’re more likely see in front of the Frost 13 is a modern ute or SUV and given the Frost’s 2990kg ATM it’s what we recommend if you want to fully load the trailer.

Being a single-axle, it was easy to manoeuvre and while not lightweight it felt nimble with very little movement at the Cruisemaster DO35 hitch. The suspension felt well balanced and the Pedders shocks hid the trailer’s weight well.

Value for money

The Frost’s starting price of $50,990 is going to attract a lot of customers. And you get a lot of bang for your buck because, despite the compact size, the interior is practical and roomy enough for couples to enjoy time on the road. The build is on par with its competitors and the fit-out is impressive from the near top-of-the-range Projecta power system to the Harrier Lite air-con, diesel heater as standard and Truma UltraRapid hot water system. For the cash-conscious, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better.

For more information head to the Arctic Campers website.

To read the full review of the Arctic Frost 13 by the Australia's Best Hybrids 2024 presented by Tough Dog 4WD Suspension judges, head here.

Or watch the video review here: 

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