Islander Mersey 2022 Review

At first sight it's hard not to be impressed by the Tasmanian-built Islander Campers’ Mersey 2.4 slide-on camper, with its combination of durable, lightweight composite construction and an impressive list of standard features that allow luxurious off grid camping with a compact footprint. 

The Mersey 2.4 slide-on camper fits neatly on most single and space-cab utes, and there's a shorter 2.0m version to suit dual-cab utes. Additionally, the Mersey model requires minimal set-up time. In fact, if you manage to find a flat spot to park for the night, you only need to open the door and unfold the steps, and you’re set for the night. 

Beyond the stylish design

However, to fully appreciate the inherent structural strength that is an integral part of the lightweight composite construction of the Mersey slide-on, it’s well worth looking into its pedigree, and what better place to start than at the Islander Campers' factory in the tiny Tasmanian town of Penguin. 

Initially based in Devonport, Islander Campers was acquired by Penguin Composites in 2009 and integrated into its Penguin manufacturing facility. Today, in addition to the manufacture of caravans, motorhomes and slide-on campers, the business also offers repair and refurbishment services. 

But here is where it gets interesting. Penguin Composites designs and manufactures specialised products for a diverse customer base, some of which are expected to endure the harshest conditions on the planet.

For instance, Penguin's Polar igloos used by Antarctic researchers for over 35 years are capable of withstanding wind blasts of over 300km/h. The design of the assembled igloos enables transport to remote and isolated research sites by helicopters travelling at speeds of 70 knots.

Cold climate technology

Then there's Penguin's Polypod snow-camper sledge which is built strong enough to travel at 50km/h behind snowmobiles, while carrying 500kg of research equipment and supplies, and also provides insulated shelter for Antarctic researchers.

The Tasmanian manufacturer also builds composite bonnets for Elphinstone mining Haulmax 3900 equipment, and vehicle components and panels for the Thales Group, which manufactures the Hawkei protected tactical vehicle for the Australian Army. 

It’s reassuring to understand that the same technology employed to manufacture equipment that survives in some of the harshest working conditions around the world is also used in the Mersey 2.4 slide-on. 

The fixed hard roof virtually illuminates set-up time on this model. At the same time, all the windows are double glazed with fly screens and block-out shades to further aid the insulation properties of the camper. The roof also includes a hatch with flyscreen and shade to allow for increased ventilation when required. 

Clever touches

Entry into the camper is via a set of fold-out steps at the left-hand rear of the camper. Each step’s leg features adjustable height feet, locked and unlocked by a pull-out release pin. The safety grab handle folds rearward and acts as a secondary security lock for the door while travelling.

In addition, the clever design of the safety handle allows it to swing shut in the unlikely event you’ve forgotten to close it before driving off. 

Other features on the left-hand side of the camper include a sturdy fold down bench, which is very handy for cooking on something like a portable BBQ. It also provides a wide access point to the left-hand storage locker, which incorporates a drain hole so if any liquid you’ve stored in the locker accidentally leaks while travelling, the spilt liquid can drain away quickly, preventing additional damage to other items stored in the locker.

Incidentally, access to this locker is also possible from inside the camper by lifting the left-hand seat cushion. Finally, at the rear on the left-hand side is the access point for the pull-out toilet cassette.

Our review camper was fitted with an outside LED light, along the user-friendly and ($1650) optional 2.3-m Fiamma roll-out awning.

Quality electrics

There are two weatherproof lockers at the rear of the camper; one providing easy access to the main electrical components that control the camper’s off grid power systems. It’s worth noting, too, that the electrical components include quality components like the Victron Energy SmartSolar Charge Controller for the 290-watt roof mounted solar panel, Victron Energy DC/DC charger and Narva 12-way fuse box with isolator switch.

The right-side door provides access to the 14-Litre Truma gas hot water heater with a 12-volt, 11-litre per minute pump. An optional gas and electric water heater are available for an additional $390.

Above the hot water system is a generous storage shelf, and a grey water outlet is located at the right-hand rear. The outlet hose is purposely left open to allow the user to connect an extension hose to drain the dirty water away from the campsite or connect it to a portable grey water tank (not supplied) depending on camping requirements at the time.

Indoor and outdoor showering

The right-hand side of the camper boasts a very neat outdoor shower with both hot and cold water, and above the outdoor shower locker is a mains pressure water inlet if you’re camped up with town water availability. The mains power inlet is also conveniently located nearby.

If you’ve specified the optional gas heater ($2950), the inlet vent is located next to the 70-litre fresh water tank's lockable filler cap. The gas storage locker has space for 2 x 3.7kg bottles. (It’s worth pointing out here that there is no industry standard for gas bottles, and sizes will vary depending on the supplier. For instance, 3.7kg Supagas bottles are 340 x 265mm while 3.7kg Origin QuickSwap bottles are 310 x 260mm, and if you use SwapnGo, then it’s a lucky dip as to what size bottle you’ll get!)

There are taps inside the gas locker to allow easy isolation of the gas feed to various accessories, and the Mersey 2.4 also boasts a sizeable forward storage locker for stowage of outdoor items like a camp table and chairs. The Mersey 2.0 model doesn’t have this forward storage compartment. 

Cosy interior

It's inside the Islander slide-on where the real opulence of the camper reveals itself. The entry is cleverly designed with a grated floor mat that serves two purposes.

Before we go on, I must point out that whenever I go camping, I place a floor mat outside to wipe my footwear, then remove them before entering my camper, and I’m pretty sure most people do the same. However, this particular entry mat acts as a secondary means to ensure that no dirt is trudged into the camper.

Its second function is as the shower base, and there's a water outlet neatly positioned in the corner, which can be connected to a hose or plumbed into a portable grey water collection tank.  

The ensuite with cassette toilet and shower is accessed by raising the bench top and swinging the cupboard door to meet the outer wall. The shower curtain stows neatly in the far corner of the camper and is easily pulled around to keep water in the shower area. Above the shower is an exhaust fan to get rid of the steam while showering.

Once the ensuite gets packed away, the relatively roomy L-shaped kitchenette has ample bench space to prepare a feast for two or more if you're having company over. There's no shortage of storage space either, with a four-stack drawer set, including a deep drawer for pots at the bottom and a cutlery drawer at the top.

Next to the 95-litre Evacool fridge is a generous three shelf pantry cupboard, and all cupboards and doors feature push-button lockable latches.

The stove top has two large burners, alongside the sink with hot-cold tap, and the splashback consists of a double 240-volt power point. All the electrical control and monitoring functions, along with two marine grade 12-volt cigar power outlets, are neatly located in the kitchen corner. 

The two-seat dinette features a slide-out table and, when the table is stowed, the cushions can transform this space into a single bed if required. Access to the 120aH AGM deep cycle battery and optional heater is located under the right-hand side seat cushion. 

Rest easy

Over time, the evolution of the sleeping area design has certainly moved living in the Mersey model into the ‘glamping’ arena.

The deep innerspring matters runs north-south and the curved roof design allows ample head room as you sit up to get out of bed.

There is a low voltage LED reading light on both sides of the bed, with the light bases also including a USB power socket for phone charging. A 360-degree Sirocco fan is also installed for those hotter nights.

There are also storage lockers on both sides of the bed, similar to your bedside drawers at home. The large cupboards at the end of the bed provide either hanging space when the top shelf is folded up or two sleeves when the top shelf is folded down. 

The camper is equipped with a roof mounted smoke detector, a floor mounted gas detector, and a recessed 1kg fire extinguisher. 

Hitting the road

Slipping the Mersey 2.4 slide-on camper on the back of the Isuzu D-MAX is a simple task, and even with the manual wind-up legs didn’t take much effort.

The Mersey-2.4 fully kitted out, including 70-litres of water, two full gas bottles, and enough tucker to last a week, tips the scales around 900kg. Islander Campers' Cassey Hiscutt wisely suggests that customers considering purchasing a slide-on get a GVM upgrade to their vehicle, which will improve the vehicle’s handling and safety.

Testament to Cassey’s advice was the way the Isuzu D-MAX with GVM upgrade handled with the Mersey 2.4 on the back. The ute was surprisingly stable while cornering, even through some tight Tasmanian bush corners. 

Performance wise, out on the Bass Highway the 3.0-litre diesel engined D-MAX cruised comfortably at 100km/h, and marched up and down the rural mountain roads without much fuss. But as you’d expect with many slide-on campers, the big box on the back certainly doesn’t slip through the air with the grace of a streamlined bullet train, and consequently, there is a slight fuel consumption penalty compared to driving with a lower comparable load out back.

Summing up

There is much to like about the Islander Campers' Mersey 2.4, apart from its impressive raft of standard features and robust construction. Realistically from a maintenance point of view, there shouldn't be much to do other than keep it clean. In addition, the Mersey 2.4 is quick to slide on and off the vehicle, and there is the option for fixed electric legs to make the process even faster. 

It's also surprisingly quiet inside with the door shut, thanks to the unique composite construction and double-glazed windows.

But if there’s one addition I’d make, it would be to fit LED lights in the locker boxes. 

How much does the Islander Campers Mersey 2.4 Slide-On cost?

Price: $57,160 (as reviewed)
Travel length: 4000mm
Body length: 2100mm
External Body width: 2050mm
Travel height:1620mm
Interior height: 2180mm
ATM: 900kg
Body: Composite construction
Fresh water: 70L
Battery: 120aH AGM
Solar: 290-Watt rooftop panel
Gas: 2 x 3.7kg bottles
Hot water: 14L Gas
Cooking: Two gas burner indoor cooktop
Fridge: Evakool 12V 95L
Toilet: Dometic flushable cassette
Shower: Internal and external
Lighting: 12v LED
Options fitted: 2.3-m awning and gas heater
Supplied by: Islander Campers, Penguin, Tasmania