Altitude Campers Classic Off Road: Review

Altitude Campers might be a relatively new name with just over two years in the camper trailer business but owners Brian and Julie Johnson’s experience in manufacturing and the camper lifestyle goes back much longer than that. That’s clearly demonstrated in the range of hardfloor and softfloor camper trailers they have available. This is why I decided to take a closer look at one of Altitude’s moderately-priced models, the Classic Off Road hardfloor.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

During our test, CTA photographer David Vayro and I pushed the suspension on a few rough roads which the Classic Off Road handled without too much trouble. Observant readers might notice the mud-filled tyre treads, which were the result of a few ‘shortcuts’ across grazing country. Thankfully, the camper – including the 80L moulded water tank mounted between the rear chassis rails – cleared them with ease, cow pats and all.

Made from 12oz canvas for the roof and 10oz canvas for the walls, the Dynaproof tent offers a generous living area, even on the hardfloor, and it has large screened windows all round. I particularly liked the latter. Although it’s nice to have the under-awning area open, annexe walls are supplied as standard, if the weather isn’t quite good enough. Like any good camper design, the main tent comes with a tropical roof that just folds in and out with the tent.

INTERIOR

In the tray of the trailer, the queen bed fits very snugly on its ply timber and aluminium framed bed base. It is hinged for full access to the aluminium drawer underneath, which is handy if the hardfloor area gets a bit crowded. The drawer can be pulled out without lifting the bed.

I did wonder about the lack of ventilation holes in the timber bed base but that’s easily remedied if condensation becomes an issue.

LED reading lights are supplied on either side of the bed and a 240V power outlet is fitted at the bed base.

KITCHEN

Built from stainless steel, the kitchen bench contains a sink and three-burner cooktop. Both have smoked glass lids with the sink also having a flick mixer tap. A diesel hot water system is optional with this trailer.

THE WRAP UP

Altitude’s camping experience certainly shows and, in my opinion, the Classic Off Road in its base form is equipped with just about everything needed for remote, offroad travel. It doesn’t take long to set up and is quite easy to use, with plenty of storage in a hardfloor configuration. There is an extensive options list as well, which will hike the price up, especially if items such as the diesel hot water heater are optioned.

It’s comforting to know that Altitude stands by its products, with a 24-month warranty on the trailer, chassis and body, as well as the canvas, and 12 months for the accessories and appliances.

HITS & MISSES

Pros…

• Well put together trailer
• Just about all the basics supplied
• Kitchen easy to set up and use
• Generous storage capacity

Cons…

• No 5V USB sockets
• No ventilation holes under bed
• No 12V fuse circuit labelling

Check out the full feature in issue #93 October 2015 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine.