I’ll stop short of pontificating that the Opus All-Road is a masterpiece…but it’s fair to say it’s a great piece of work.
The All-Road was a vision splendid on test at Flinders, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, camped on a grassy knoll towards a cliff face overlooking Bass Strait.
If the relentless waves crashing on the rocks below could have provided a reverberating opinion on the Opus, it would have been a synchronised echo – class.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Opus director Malcolm Hill was heavily involved in the All-Road’s development and is thrilled with what this camper means for young travellers and Aussie families.
“We’re trying to open up a new market. It’s easy enough to handle for a family who are not experts [in towing], and it’s quite affordable,” he said.
With a box size of 2.9x2m, the All-Road’s body is constructed of a five-layer sandwich composite panel (aluminium/plywood/insulation/plywood/aluminium) which, like the aluminium frame, is incredibly strong and lightweight complementing the galvanised c-channel drawbar.
Its Conestoga wagon-like curved shape assists with the way it handles windy conditions, and tie-down points are not required.
INTERIOR
I was rapt with the All-Road’s practical and luxurious interior, with the highlight being the classy convertible club lounge with demountable table and massive headroom of 2.28m. It was functional and accessible, and finished to the highest quality. And there was a huge emphasis on light – with windows, skylights and LED lighting (when connected to mains). There are six windows for excellent airflow, and you can zip-off the door-side panel. The All-Road also has an optional awning room with waterproof floor. Complementing the interior are three touch-on LED lights, five 12V sockets, two USB sockets, and three 240V sockets.
Fixed sleeping quarters come in the form of two fold-out double beds with under-bed support bars and inner privacy tents. The interior also adjusts if you need to sleep two more, with the club lounge providing another (quite small) double berth. The high density foam mattresses can be upgraded to a memory foam or innerspring mattress for increased comfort. I must admit, I found access to the rear bed a bit awkward. I also think a built-in step on entry would make it much easier as you step inside to admire the elevated view.
The camper tested, in the Classic configuration, had a sink plumbed to a hose connector and no cooktop displayed, but the kitchen can comprise an optional two-burner Smev stove, a 12V electrical tap, a cabinet-mounted Waeco 35L three-way fridge, and two 4.5kg gas cylinders located in a locker. There is also an option for a slide-out barbecue or a slide-out three-burner stove with sink, as well as a shower and hot water system and 61L water tank. Of course, any options you order will impact the All-Road’s 370kg load capacity, especially if the two 20L jerry can holders are utilised.
EXTERIOR
With a tent size of 5.75x2m, the All-Road’s canvas is 450gsm polycotton micro-weave that’s fully saturated rather than coated. And the stitching is waterproof and rot-resistant. In essence, the Opus is designed for the Australian elements – rain, extreme heat/UV and strong wind.
THE VERDICT
At $18,990 plus on-road costs in Classic trim, the Opus All-Road will be music to the ears of camping enthusiasts wishing to explore the great outdoors with a classy super-light camper hitched to their small car.
And tipping the scales at 680kg, this luxurious camper trailer is clearly a lightweight champ that punches well above its weight.
The Opus All-Road also boasts an intelligent design… if big is better, then small is smarter! It proves that good things do, often, come in small packages.
HITS & MISSES
Pros…
- Compact but spacious
- Curved shape when open
- Plenty of headroom
Cons…
- No in-built step
- No external storage hatch
- Awkward access to rear double bed
Check out the full feature in issue #94 November 2015 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest camper trailer news, reviews and travel inspiration.
