Achtung Nature Lover 2020 Review

Like many Australians, my wife and I dream of one day setting off on the great 'Lap of Oz' – that epic post-retirement road trip that begins with our (adult) kids waving us off to destinations unknown.

Choosing a suitable RV for such a journey isn't easy, but for us that question has largely been answered after a long weekend in a 2019-model Achtung Camper based on a Volkswagen Transporter.

Comfortable and well-appointed, this compact campervan is packed with features that make it a tempting proposition for short escapes and long-haul tours alike.

Our 'Big Lap Dream' is a long, long way off – probably a good 20 years off, in reality – but after spending time in the Achtung Camper, it makes a lot of sense on many levels.

Firstly, the Volkswagen Transporter is a medium van and even in this long-wheelbase form it's as easy to drive as your average car. At 2040mm high it can still enter most multi-storey car parks and U-turns aren't any drama, while setting up is at worst a 10-minute process.

At $97,240, the bells-and-whistles version reviewed here is also more affordable than a good many new car and caravan combinations, and certainly cheaper than most larger motorhomes, while it's also relatively cheap to run – we achieved an average fuel economy of 8.8L/100km over the course of 500-odd kilometres.

Finally, with its 55-litre water tank, hot water system, rear shower, rooftop solar panel, dual batteries, functional living space, well-equipped kitchen, impressive storage and many smart touches, it will take longer trips in its stride.

We were so impressed, after returning the van to Achtung Camper's Geelong factory we opened a new bank account to start saving for one. For us, spending $100k on an RV is a stretch but saving a little bit each month over 20 years isn't – compound interest, work your magic! And based on what we've seen from this company, I'd say there's every chance Achtung Camper will stand the test of time.

This isn't our first experience with this Geelong, Victoria-based company's products. A few years back we spent time in an earlier iteration of the Achtung Camper Social Butterfly, which was based on the Hyundai iLoad.

That was a great showcase of the then-fledgling company's conversion prowess, but plenty has changed since. While still owned and operated by Tania Differding and Ronny Probandt, Achtung Camper no longer works on second-hand conversions, opting instead for new Volkswagen Transporters sourced through Geelong's Rex Gorrell Volkswagen.

Achtung, however, is a one-stop shop – customers specify their base vehicle and then Achtung Camper takes it from there, sourcing the donor vehicle and carrying out the conversion, with the time from ordering the new Transporter to delivery of the finished campervan around six months.

The company offers three main conversion packages: the entry-level Long Weekender; the mid-spec Social Butterfly; and the top-spec Nature Lover (as tested).

Reviewed here is a long-wheelbase, standard-roof 2019 Volkswagen Transporter TDI340 with 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (103kW/430Nm) and seven-speed auto, also fitted with VW's Interior Comfort Package (including front seat armrests, auto lights and wipers, A-pillar grab handles and more) and side glazing.

It comes in at $49,750 drive away, while the conversion to Achtung Camper's 'Nature Lover' package (with all the cabinetry plus solar power, Thetford Porta Potti and Dometic Awning) adds $26,230, with options like the colour-matched Euro-style pop-top roof ($9850), the 'Rock and Roll' bed with road-legal seating ($2500), and the hot-water system ($2000), among many others, accounting for the balance.

As far as the donor vehicle goes, the full gamut of Volkswagen Transporter options and accessories are on offer, including a choice of drivelines, wheelbases and roof heights. To this Achtung Camper adds an impressively long list of extras of its own, with long-wheelbase and higher-roof models affording greater flexibility in terms of layouts and features, for obvious reasons.

We took the Achtung Camper to Mount Franklin in central Victoria, while our kids enjoyed some 'quality time' with their grandparents. Yes, with the seat belts in the back we could have taken the kids along – the upper bed on the pop-top base can handle up to 150kg and would sleep two kids easily – but we wanted this short getaway all to ourselves!

The Volkswagen Transporter drives well, and without any squeaks and rattles coming from the cabinetry. A slide-out table did spontaneously eject a couple of times over big bumps, but that's nothing that couldn't be fixed by adjusting the securing mechanism, I'm sure.

For what is essentially a light commercial vehicle it's reasonably quiet, with only a little bit of wind noise from the leading edge of the pop-top the biggest intrusion upon an otherwise peaceful cabin.

The setup process was swift and simple. Wind out the Dometic awning, open up the rear top-hinge tailgate and nearside sliding door, and clip the external Thule bin into place. A couple of folding chairs, a couple of beers from the fridge, and we were done.

The standard of this conversion is commendably high. Ronnie, who hails from Germany, is a cabinetmaker by trade, and a stereotypically German level of precision and care can be found throughout.

The company itself sprang from Tania and Ronny's own passion for campervans and the great outdoors – they 'road test' every aspect of their vans themselves, these days with their toddler in tow, and have a deep knowledge of what works and what doesn't for both couples and young families.

The layout comprises a swiveling front-passenger seat that turns to face the living area. The AGM battery and battery management system lie behind the driver's seat, ahead of the offside kitchen that makes way for general storage as it extends back past the 'Rock and Roll' bed. A spring-loaded lever sees the latter switch between a spacious bed and seating (with removable backrests) for two, either facing forwards or back.

With the tailgate up this rear seating area is a pleasant place to read, aided by two LED reading lights on bendable arms at either side, although it could do with a rear scuff plate to prevent marking from dirty shoes. The beige carpeting featured in this particular van shows dirt readily, although customers can choose from a range of other colours.

There's a plywood floor base with a tough and dark vinyl covering and, stowed behind the driver's seat, a quickly assembled three-piece Fiamma table. This complements the offside slide-out table just ahead of the seating and the bench space around the Smev stainless steel sink with flick/mix tap.

The UK-sourced pop-top is secured easily at the front of the van with two straps and lifts up with little effort on external hydraulic arms, while the wooden pop-top base lifts on internal struts. This allows two adults to move around in the living area with relative ease and heaps of head room, while the base can be lowered at night for extra sleeping capacity above.

Night-time privacy is assured by blockout curtains and insulated privacy mats, the latter sticking to the front windscreen and front side windows with suction cups.

For meals, our test vehicle came fitted with a portable induction stove for use inside the van and a Primus Kinjia two-burner portable butane cooker for outside. Both are stowed in a dedicated drawer at the front of the kitchen, with the induction cooker sitting in a slide-out base above and plugging into the (slightly awkwardly positioned) double power point just behind the driver's seat.

There's a 65-litre Waeco fridge and room further back for a microwave, or in this case more storage room. All the cupboards have quality push-lock mechanisms and we love little touches like how the shelves are slightly angled and lipped to prevent loose items from falling out.

Having the bed set up obstructs access to the main kitchen cupboard while having the seating in place obstructs access to a large cupboard at the rear but, considering the large cupboard is for bedding and that generally you don't need to access the kitchen cupboard when in bed, this isn't a major concern.

Beneath the bed/seating are forward storage compartments and a hot-water system, while from the tailgate there's access to cavernous storage in the form of two slide-out drawers, plus an offside compartment for other longer items.

In addition to washing up in the kitchen, the hot-water system supplies the portable rear shower. Simply plug in the flexible hose at the rear of the van, beneath the vanity mirror and shelf, and hook the shower head onto the raised tailgate. Privacy curtains pull out of the tailgate and are secured with magnets around its perimeter. It's a nice feature for when you're free camping.

As for electrics, the hot water, fridge, and single-touch LED strip lights are powered via a deep-cycle AGM battery with a Powertech battery management system and 12v/240v inverter. Battery status can be monitored remotely via a smartphone app or on an LCD display.

The house battery seems to drain fairly quickly but then we were camping 'off grid' and running the hot-water system and fridge constantly. Using a low power setting on the fridge helps, as does the 180-watt rooftop solar panel, and the system charges quite quickly when driving.

We got through a full day without needing to go for a drive to recharge, and that was in cloudy conditions and without the fridge being on its lowest setting. Of course, in tourist parks you'd simply plug into mains power.

There's a neat LED water tank indicator near the LCD battery status display, and provision for mains power and water when in tourist parks.

We really enjoyed the Achtung Camper. All the major features – the well-appointed kitchen, the comfy and easily convertible bedding/seating, the pop-top – work and work well, but it's the smaller details that add to the enjoyment.

Things like the custom-made side-door insect screen, the convenient external rubbish bag, the USB/12-volt charging points and how the front passenger can easily access the fridge when on the road…

The van's fresh feel is accentuated by things like the Dinosaur Designs pot plant and soap dish (with Velcro bases!), the light and airy living space, and the wide choice of interior fabrics and colours to make it your own.

And did we mention the optional cinema? Our van came with a roll-down movie screen for the pop-top and a Nebula Capsule projector that fits into the pop-top base. Via a Bluetooth connection you can stream movies via Netflix and more from your smartphone as you watch from the bed (or couch).

It's clever tech that will keep the kids (or adults) entertained long after the sun goes down.

Then there are all the options this van doesn't have, like air-conditioning, privacy screens for the awning, a tailgate insect screen, TV with DVD – the list goes on.

It's great to see a smaller local campervan conversion specialist like Achtung Camper thriving, and it's no wonder when it's turning out quality products like this.

If you favour road-going mobility over outright living space, the Achtung Camper Volkswagen Transporter is a well-thought-out and well-executed campervan worth  serious consideration.

Base vehicle: 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T6 TDI340
GVM: 3000kg
Licence: Car
Occupants: Up to four
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power/torque: 103kW/340Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed DSG automatic
Wheels: 17-inch alloy
Brakes: Discs all round, ABS and ESP
Travel length: 5290mm (17ft 4in)
External body width: 1904mm (6ft 3in)
Travel height: 2040mm
Main bed size: 2050mm x 1170mm x 130mm
Fresh water: 55L
Battery: 1 x AGM
Solar: 1 x 180 watt
Air-conditioner: Optional
Gas: N/A
Hot water: 12/240v
Cooking: Two-burner Primus Kinjia portable stove / ECOheat smart touch induction cooktop
Fridge: Waeco 65L 12v/240v
Microwave: N/A
Toilet: Dometic Porta Potti
Shower: Rear tailgate, drop-down curtains and plumbing point
Lighting: 12v LED
TV: Nebula Capsule projector with streaming capability (optional)
Price (as tested): $97,240 (drive away, Victoria)
Options fitted: Nature Pack (rooftop solar panel, Thetford Porta Potti, Dometic awning); Bluetooth projector; side door insect screen; swiveling passenger seat; induction cooktop and more.
Supplied by: Achtung Camper, Geelong, Victoria
More info: Achtung Camper