The interior layout of the North Coast Campers new Titanum camper provides space to walk around one side of the north-south bed, for easier access to make it up. The combined corner shower-toilet cubicle is larger; there is more interior storage space with five additional drawers and extra room on the kitchen bench.
Outside, while its overall dimensions remain the same, the Titanium gets a full tunnel front boot, supplemented by a large, full tunnel checkerplate storage box with fridge-slide and wood rack on the A-frame. The slide-out stainless steel two-burner barbecue, sink and separate stainless steel prep benchtop are also larger and offer more storage space.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
The most important item of standard equipment on the Titanium, in my view, is the scissor-lift pop-up roof. Although a luxury item, electric lifts are almost essential on some pop-tops, considering the bench-pressing power required to elevate one fitted with air-conditioning and a large solar array — particularly when you’re kneeling on an innerspring mattress.
The Titanium roof has a very effective power lift mechanism, with two 12V-driven stainless steel rams rising unobtrusively from the mid-section of the vehicle’s bodywork, controlled via a rocker switch to the left of the entry door footwell.
You can still manually operate the roof — if you somehow manage to deplete the twin 120Ah deep-cycle batteries to 8.2V or less — or, better yet, tap into the tow car’s battery via an Anderson plug. The Titanium, however, comes with 400W of solar power: 100W more than the XLT’s meaty 300W array, so the chances of encountering this issue are pretty small.
INTERIOR
North Coast Campers takes a proactive approach to climate control. The company designed a door with a side-hinged, wide-opening window to channel cool air into the camper. Combined with the six generous zip-down sections in the pop-top roof and three large, double-glazed windows in the walls, it’s little wonder only three per cent of XLT and Titanium purchasers tick air-conditioning on the options list.
There are plenty of cupboards and drawers for everything. Moving the bed not only grants easier access for one occupant, it also accommodates a roomy bedside cupboard and two drawers under the right-hand side of the mattress, supplementing the two deep and large drawers under the foot of the bed.
The Titanium on review featured a compact café-style dinette and swivel table but other interior layouts allow for an L-shaped lounge or even double bunks to be fitted if you prefer.
KITCHEN
The kitchen is in two halves, separated by the rear corner combined shower-toilet ensuite, but this doesn’t hamper its usefulness. Thanks to the under-bench 130L Vitrifrigo 12V compressor fridge/freezer next to the two-burner Smev cooktop, there is plenty of plate-up space near the entry door, and more to the right of the large stainless steel sink and drainer.
EXTERIOR
Outside, the Titanium is very well-equipped for the sort of rough road travel its owners are likely to subject it to.
The hot-dipped galvanised 150x50mm A-frame extends all the way back to the Titanium’s axle line, where the test camper was fitted with the aforementioned, optional independent airbags and North Coast’s own trailing arm independent suspension, with twin shock absorbers per wheel.
Under body protection is excellent, with the Titanium featuring full aluminium under-floor sheeting, while all vulnerable pipes and wires are tucked well out of the way.
The exception is North Coast’s own rotor-moulded poly water tanks that boast 10mm walls, so they are probably tougher than any stones that might impact them.
And with its overall dimensions of just 1950mm (width) and 2100mm (height), it will follow a large 4WD like a LandCruiser 200 Series fitted with a roof rack as far as most owners’ courage will take them.
THE WRAP UP
It’s easy to be impressed by the North Coast Titanium. Although not as glossy as some of its pricier competitors, it is a solid, well-engineered hybrid camper with a high level of standard equipment, a very workable layout and offroad credentials for its size.
We recommend you include it on your short list of luxury offroad hybrid vans.
HITS & MISSES
I liked…
- Functional, compact design
- High level of standard equipment
- Value for money
- Suitability for remote area living – in comfort
I would have liked…
- A solution to the door window hitting the bodywork if left open
- Easier access to side under-bed drawers
Check out the full feature in issue #87 April 2015 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine.
