Bare Camper targets budget campervan buyers
Turn-key ex-Japan, high-roof Toyota Hiace camper base available from around $38,000East coast business Kombi Life isn't the only Aussie RV operator offering a cut-price solution for campervan buyers on tight budgets.
Queensland-based Bare Camper which is an offshoot of Dream Drive Australia, is offering a professional 'DIY' service which involves sourcing a cheaper second-hand Toyota Hiace from Japan, before fitting a pop-top roof in Australia and any other camping kit as required.
"Most people think buying a campervan means dropping $110k-plus on a finished rig — or spending two years in the garage figuring it out from scratch," explained Bare Camper's Jared Campion.
"There's a middle ground, and it's what we built Bare Camper for."
Campion said his team in Tokyo takes all the stress and extra costs out of importing and converting an "auction graded" Toyota Hiace van from Japan.
"Our team of 20-plus in Tokyo handles the bidding, export, shipping, and Australian compliance. You see the van on our site, you reserve it, we deliver it to Brisbane," he said.
Bare Camper then gets its fibreglass partner, DIY RV Solutions in Capalaba, Qld, to cut and fit a suitable 'standing room' roof, using similar moulds used by fleet operators.
Campion says the whole process to delivery can cost a buyer as little as $38,000, with ex-Japanese vans available from $25,000 and the professional roof fit-out (fixed hi-top or pop-top) available from $13,090 plus GST.
"Want to DIY? Go for it. Want us to handle the full fit-out? We do that too. Or just spin up our 3D van designer and plan your layout before you commit to anything," he said.
Bare Camper on its website says its import and delivery service can save buyers up to $9000, compared to buying a similar van from a local dealer.
Bare Camper currently has around a dozen 'bare' vans available for purchase on its website, including a 2010-plated Hiace with 35,000km priced around $26,500, and a 2020 Hiace with 74,000 clicks from $39,100.
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