Ellis Force 220 heads upmarket

Australia’s most northerly camper trailer manufacturer, Ellis Recreational Vehicles, has released a revised and specced-up version of its entry-level Force 220.

For 2019, ex-patriate Welsh surfboard maker Paul Ellis has eliminated most of the aluminium internals and replaced them with moulded fibreglass components on his Moffat Beach, Sunshine Coast campers.

The 2019 F220 also includes a lot more storage drawers to make much better use of the available cupboard space, while the standard awning is now a Darche 270 degrees freestanding model with electric actuators that raise it to deployment height.

This makes it much easier to set up and pack away than the previous 270-degree roll-out Supa-peg version, according to Ellis. However, if buyers prefer, the Darche can be swapped for a Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform or any aftermarket tent.

The F220s shower has had a big upgrade and is now located behind the passenger-side stone guard.

EllisRV has also moved away from the portable-style cooktop in favour of a stainless steel built-in two-burner external kitchen, with Ellis saying he took customers’ advice and moved the cooker from the rear to the front, where there's less chance of it being knocked.

In in its 2019 upgrade, some previously optional items are now included in the standard spec of the latest F220, whose price has risen to $29,000.

For example, a 60 litre fibreglass cabinet-type fridge (was 45 litres) is now incorporated into the camper and the water tank is now a single moulded 140 litres fibreglass unit optimised to fit the F220’s available intra-chassis space, instead of the twin 60 litres poly tanks.

A 100Ah battery with a 15amp battery charger, a 12V tap, LED lights and both USB and 12V outlets, remain standard equipment.

Although increasing in its tare weight from 510 to 700kg, these spec changes haven't impacted on the F220’s overall 2200mm x 2430mm x 1800mm box size, tiny footprint and versatility that allow it to be squeezed into tight places that regular campers – or even tents– can’t access.

More info, click here.