All-new AOR Sierra from $42,500

Australian Off-Road has gone back to its roots by introducing an entry-level camper -- but this time instead of a canvas hard-floor camper-trailer like the Odyssey which it phased out in 2016, the Queensland off-road specialist has come up with a new approach to entice new buyers with its Sierra fibreglass box camper.

Speaking to caravancampingsales at the unveiling of the AOR Sierra at the Sydney Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo last week, AOR’s Russell Evans said that AOR wanted a contemporary product that would engage younger buyers as the Odyssey once did.

“The Odyssey was our main product for many years, and a lot of our customers got involved with us with that product," he explained. "They’ve stayed with us for years [30 per cent of buyers are existing AOR owners] and we’re at a point now that our main market is grey nomads.

"We felt we needed to generate some interest in the brand again at that younger age and get people to start coming through the models again from there. We wanted something that was more appealing and competitive for younger buyers and that’s the basis of the Sierra.”

The Sierra is competitively priced from $42,500, and while at first glance it would appear that you need to delve into the extensive options list to make it a decent camping proposition, some of its base features are sophisticated.

The Sierra’s key party trick is its Finscan Nucleus RV automation and battery management system, incorporating a 12volt 30amp charger, MPPT solar regulator, 240volt AC charger, 3.5inch touchscreen and mobile connectivity.

The mobile connectivity feature allows lights to be switched on and off, and levels of battery and water capacity and battery usage levels to be checked on a phone app. The app monitors wheel drum temperature, alerting owners to excessive temperature that may indicate brake drag or wheel bearing failure.

A 150amp lithium battery also comes standard with the camper, and an external Anderson plug for solar is optional.

The chassis, body and suspension are all well set-up for remote country touring, starting with a Supagal high tensile steel and powder-coated chassis with a 100x50mm drawbar and D035 hitch.

There are four heavy-duty stabiliser legs and two rear recovery points while underbody protection is covered off with triple front mudflaps, rear mudflaps and stone protection for the plumbing and water tank.

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AOR uses its own independent trailing arm suspension with coil springs and double shocks per wheel (although optional airbag suspension was fitted to the display unit), while brakes are 12-inch electric.

Wheels are 17x8in steel rims with Cooper Evolution MT tyres, with the spare fitted under the floor.

The fibreglass body construction (including 23mm thick walls) should provide good insulation, with the nosecone made of aluminium. The swept up rear allows a 41-degree departure angle.

The body is coated in Raptor urethane to give protection against stone and other damage.

The two-berth box camper weighs 950kg (Tare) with the 850kg payload giving an ATM of 1800kg. Total length is 4300mm, height is 2150mm and width is 1950mm.

There’s a triple-lock rear hatch with flyscreen to access the sleeping area, which includes a queen-size bed with six-inch multi-memory foam mattress, LED reading lights, a Sirocco fan, under-bed storage and hatches to the front storage areas (also accessed from outside hatches).

The large double-glazed side window (with privacy screen and fly screen) can be opened up to give additional access.

The AOR Sierra comes with an outdoor kitchen with a slide-out bench, with a recess in the body accessed via a large hatch that reveals a stainless steel sink with mixer tap (fed by an electric pump and 60-litre water tank) and splash-back, overhead cabinets, bench space and dual-colour yellow/white LED lighting.

AOR expects many buyers will bring their own fridge and cooker or they're available as options.

The camper on display in Sydney was loaded up with a few options and came in at around $48,000 (without the airbag suspension fitted, which AOR believes won’t have a big take up).

Among the many items on the Sierra’s options list are fridges, roof top tent options, rear entry canvas room, inverters, solar blanket, bike racks, kayak racks, firewood rack and even a $3600 Webasto heater.

Full details: AOR Sierra