Chris Fincham•21 Apr 2017

REVIEW

Air Opus Ready to Roll

Is the world’s first inflatable camper a game-changer or just hot air?

Truth be told there are quite a few gimmicks and gadgets now available on the RV market. Some like the caravan spa or this telescopic tiddler, are more likely to generate Youtube views than direct sales for their inventors.

However, there are some innovations like electronic stability control for caravans, that are genuinely useful if not life-saving, must-have items for RV travellers.

One of the latest techno trends in the camping market is inflatable tents and swags, which swap the traditional metal frame for built-in ‘air poles’, so it was only a matter of time before this potentially time-saving trickery made its way onto the RV market.

However, unlike the tents and swags, which require a foot or hand pump to inflate, the Air Opus requires the flick of a switch to activate an on-board air compressor, that blows up the canvas living quarters in next to no time.

Opus displayed its latest ‘party trick’ at this year’s Victorian Caravan Supershow, and a number of videos have already gone ‘viral’ on social media. But is the ‘world’s first inflatable camper’ a passing fad or genuine ‘game-changer’ for the RV market?

To find out, we took away the Air Opus prototype complete with inflatable annexe for a week-end camping trip…

Pressure’s on

Setting up any RV at a busy campground normally attracts a few spectators seeking some free entertainment, but it’s rare to see around 20 fellow campers gathered around to watch the action as we prepare to inflate the Opus for the first time.

If you enjoy being the centre of attention, an inflatable camper could be for you!

With all eyes on us and the cameras rolling our first attempt proved a bit of a flop (we forgot to close off all the valves along with the water pump!) but the second attempt was much more successful, and with a bit of practice we’d be confident of getting the overall set-up time down to seven minutes, as was demonstrated by Opus back at their Melbourne head office prior to departure.

There are a few steps but all it’s relatively easy: simply drop the four Al-Ko corner jacks (if unhitched), release the four over-centre latches holding the bi-fold metal bed bases, fold the bases out to each end with the assistance of their gas struts, resting one on the front stone shield and the other on the fold-out metal supports after dropping down the rear-mounted spare tyre.

The bottom, solid half of the entry door with built-in, drop-down steps swings open, after which the sides of the main tent, as well as the attached annexe, pull out while ensuring all five external valves on the annexe and three on the main tent are closed. Then reach inside and hit the switch for the built-in compressor that inflates the main tent.

A separate, portable compressor also running off the house battery is used to inflate the annexe at the same time, although Opus is working on a better system where the in-built compressor inflates both the main tent and annexe, for the production versions due soon.

Blow the house up

Inflation only takes around two minutes, and the annexe is rigid enough so it only needs to be pegged down in windy conditions. Once up, there’s a separate PVC floor 'tub' and side flap that attaches to seal off the annexe area, as well as two dividing walls to create separate bedrooms at each end.

Being dry, we didn’t use any of these but imagine they would add another 5-10 minutes or so to overall set-up and would be a handy option when it’s muddy or raining.

However, one of the best aspects of the annexe and another great time-saving feature is that it can remain attached to the main camper in transit. It can also be easily removed and left at home if you want to travel light, with a small conventional awning with support poles available for some outside cover instead.

Deflating the air poles is super quick, after opening all the valves, with the biggest effort required to fold and pack away into the main body all the heavy 260gsm poly-cotton canvas before squeezing the two bases shut. It requires some muscles, depending how neatly you pack away the canvas inside the aluminium/composite body.

Light-filled living

Entry into the annexe is via one of two, full height screened doors, and like the main tent on any Opus camper, it’s a very airy, light filled experience with a total of eight side and roof-mounted ‘windows’, some of which have insect screens.

There’s decent headroom throughout much of the annexe, adding to the feeling of spaciousness, as well as providing enough room to set up a picnic table and chairs around the slide-out external kitchen and fridge, if the weather turns bad.

The stainless kitchen is a good sized unit with four-burner gas cooker, benchspace and a sink and tap connected to one of the 12V pumps (the other pump runs an external shower). A portable hot water unit is a $500 option, and the slide-out Waeco 40 litre fridge costs another $1249.

Also located in the annexe area is a gas bayonet for the cooker (there’s another gas bayonet on the other side for a portable BBQ) and a locker with various ‘power’ accessories including electrical switches, 12V socket and gauges for the two 80 litre water tanks.

Open all hours

Moving the kitchen outside has helped open up more lounging and storage space inside, including the massive, U-shaped leatherette lounge that converts to a double bed or turns into a dinette with the portable table provided.

The double beds at each end have foam mattresses and were just long enough to accommodate my 6ft 3in frame at full stretch. Adding to the Safari tent-style theme is an inner cotton liner including privacy curtains around each bed, that further sets the Opus apart from its Aussie made slide-out camper rivals.

We also liked the separate compartment near the door that contained a portable toilet – perfect for young kids at night.

One potential issue with the wall-to-ceiling windows, that let in huge amounts of natural light as well as offering star gazing opportunities, is the height of some them, so you might have to climb on upholstery to reach window zips, particularly if you’re vertically challenged.

Other interior features included a CD audio unit with two internal speakers, a USB socket for powering electronic devices, and LED lighting along the floor and at both bed ends.

There are quite a few storage areas under the seating, with many accessible through front hatches so you don’t have to lift up the cushions, as well as a few ledges to place miscellaneous items.

Outside storage is mainly limited to the front toolbox, with one side mostly occupied by the annexe canvas accessories while the other holds the portable fridge slide.

Let’s clear the air…

Now to the elephant in the room… punctures!

The air tubes appear quite sturdy and solid and Opus claims they offer excellent puncture resistance.

“Three layer construction means you'd have to try awfully hard to puncture it,” the company says. “If you did, you can turn the valves to isolate that section, repair it with the puncture kit (like a bike tyre), or replace the section in a few minutes.”

The air poles can also be inflated by hand or foot pump if the compressor fails, although be prepared for a work-out!

While we didn’t experience a puncture, there was some unwanted deflation of the main tent during our overnight stay, which Opus said was caused by a worn butterfly valve near the outlet of the main compressor. It’s an easy fix and can be put down to excessive wear and tear from being a well-used display model.

The other question mark is over its ability to stand up to windy conditions. While we didn’t get a chance to test this, the air pole structure is quite rigid when inflated to 7psi, with Opus recommending upping that to 9psi for additional stiffness in gusty conditions.

Also worth mentioning is that the new, inflatable tent and annexe can be retro-fitted to earlier, four-berth Opus campers, for owners who want to upgrade.

Based on the latest Aussie-developed MKII Opus camper, the Air Opus is equipped for some rough treatment with an articulating polyblock coupling, independent coil spring suspension, extra ground clearance, stone shield, and gal-protected water tanks, among the off-road features fitted.

With an unladen weight of just 1200kg, it also tows extremely well, particularly behind a torquey tow vehicle like a Mazda BT-50 dual-cab ute. It also looks the part, and is available with either an orange, blue, grey or black baked enamel finish.

We liked:

>> Annexe stays attached when travelling

>> Quick and easy set-up

>> Light-filled interior

Not so much:

>> Air pole system still needs some tweaking

>> Desirable options push price above $30K

>> Packing up annexe requires some muscle

Verdict

While still requiring some fine tuning before the production models arrive, the Air Opus is a genuine time-saver when it comes to the much maligned task of setting up camp.

The fact you can keep the annexe attached to the camper, and have the whole thing set up in around 10 minutes, really sets it apart from many other family-friendly tent campers.

Air Opus Four Sleeper ‘Ready to Roll’

Travel length: 5.6m (incl. spare wheel)

External body width: 2.1m

Travel height: 1.45m

Length (open): 6.5m

Height (open): 3.5m

Tare weight: 1200kg

ATM: 1800kg

Ball weight: 100kg

Body: Aluminium frame/composite panels, baked enamel finish

Chassis: Hot-dipped galvanized steel

Suspension: Independent coil spring/twin shocks

Brakes: 12-inch electric

Wheels: 15in alloy, 235/75R15 LT tyres

Fresh water: 2 x 80L

Battery: 2 x 100Ah and charger

Solar: NA

Gas: 1 x 9kg

Cooking: Slide-out kitchen with four gas burner gas cook top, sink with 12V tap

Fridge: Optional top-loading 45L portable 12v

Toilet: Yes (portable)

Shower: External hose

Lighting: LED

Options fitted: E-go Titanium mover, roof rack, Waeco 40 litre fridge

Price (Ready to Roll model, ex Melb): $28,990 plus ORC. As tested: $32,537 plus ORC

Supplied by: Opus Campers, Braeside, Victoria

Air Opus Ready to Roll

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