Queensland’s Altitude Campers has certainly lifted industry standards to new heights — in fact, its new model is the “Pinnacle”.
Construction and offroad ability
From top to bottom and front to back, this camper impresses. It is definitely an offroad camper with its strong chassis and body. However, it uses the time proven simplicity of Al-Ko eight leaf eye-to-eye springs with a 45mm solid square axle and 10in electric brakes.
There's a full chassis construction with a very strong frame supporting the box, culminating with 100x50x4mm Duragal chassis rails (yes, 4mm not 3mm) extending right through to the drawbar and its Hyland offroad 50mm ball coupling.
Up front, there’s a solid jockey wheel with 10in solid rubber wheel making manual manoeuvring easy. Up on the drawbar, there is a removable and replaceable soft stoneguard on a solid steel support frame with twin gas bottles and two jerry can holders.
Storage
Open the hatch on the driver’s side to reveal cavernous storage, with a top recess for the 140W solar panel that is supplied as standard. Behind that is pole storage accessible from both sides. The first hatch houses the optional Thetford air conditioner. It’s a great addition to the accessories, especially when things get hot and sticky in the top end. The unit sits neatly in the compartment, and from the inside the compartment becomes a handy seat for putting on your shoes. It also supports the LCD television mount.
Electrics
The electrical cabinet is compact and well equipped with a 25A Projecta charger, 600W inverter (pure sine wave) and full fused circuitry including VSR monitoring. There is also a compliant 240V electrical circuit for external power or generator supply.
Kitchen
Around the back of the trailer a spare wheel carrier pivots out of the way, revealing the hinged tailgate. Once opened, the stainless kitchen slides out easily, as does the standard 80L Waeco fridge-freezer.
The older model camper had a combined pot and utensil drawer, but the new design features an even better design with a large separate drawer for the knives, forks and cooking accessories. But wait, there’s more to this kitchen than meets the eye! Pull on the slides at the end and out pops a quite long stainless bench and a separate marine-grade barbecue. It’s a great idea, especially when you have the whole tribe to feed.
The Tent
The added length of the walk-thru has given much more internal space yet it is still easily constructed. The top is 15oz and the sides 11oz Bradmill canvas, with an optional tropical roof that pops up of its own accord. There's a sewn-in PVC floor, easy-access zips, quality midge mesh flyscreens and tough YKK zips. It’s light, airy and open with a tonne of doorways, windows and ventilation, most with inner and outer awnings that supply extra shaded awnings to keep your toys and accessories out of the elements.
Weight
Overall, she weighs in at a sensible tare of 1060kg and gives plenty of loading capacity with 1600 ATM. And don't forget the weight of the twin 80L food-grade poly water tanks that are securely shrouded under the trailer.
The Verdict
Altitude is doing a special introductory price on a very complete unit for $29,990. That's outstanding value for money for a unit that should retail at $35,000. We reckon we'd be jumping in pretty quick if you want one as Altitude want to remain a small but professional operation with limited availability and national service.
Liked
- Value for money
- Appearance
- Selection of options and accessories
- Set-up ease
Would have liked
- Less drawbar weight (due to 30hp generator in front box)
This review appeared in issue #77 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine, June 2014. Why not subscribe today for all the latest camper trailer news, reviews and travel inspiration.
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