Lifestyle counters Chinese knock-offs

Queensland’s Lifestyle Camper Trailers has registered a patent on its latest, off-road hard-top model, to deter rivals from introducing cheaper, imported copies.

Lifestyle’s production manager - hybrids, Steve Gaeth, said it’s the first time the Slacks Creek, Queensland-based manufacturer has applied for a patent, in an attempt to prevent a knock-off of its latest hybrid camper model from entering the market.

“We’ve applied for a patent on it to try and stop the Chinese from copying it, because the Chinese have copied everything else that we’ve made here,” Gaeth explained.

“They bought one of our previous models second-hand from a customer, and shipped it to China, and they have a Chinese made version on the market now, so we’re trying to stop them doing it this time.”

The Reconn Off-Road Boss is the fifth model in Lifestyle’s hard-bodied Hypercamper range. Unlike its other pop-top models though, the Reconn doesn’t feature a slide-out section.

It’s also more compact in travel mode, to better follow a large four-wheel drive down tight off-road tracks.

Gaeth said the pop-top caravan is being pitched as an alternative to a premium, $50,000-plus hard-floor camper, but without the hassles of a canvas tent.

“You can arrive at your destination and within a couple of minutes you’re ready to go, and you don’t have wet canvas to deal with,” he said.

The Reconn (short for reconnisance) is 1.95m high, 1.86m wide and 5.1m long (overall) when travelling. The body is 4.1m (13ft 8in) long, with a 2.05m high interior with the roof raised. Tare weight is 1050kg, with a 950kg payload.

Like a hard-floor camper, the interior features an elevated queen sized bed, with limited floorspace taken up by a fixed cassette toilet, sink, cupboards, and a small fridge.

Two layouts are available, with the option of either seating and a table or a toilet/shower module (there’s also an exterior shower).

Cooking is done outside on a three-burner cooktop located under a large external storage hatch, or on a slide-out Weber bbq in another locker.

Another large driver’s side locker has room for a separate tent and mattress, to sleep an additional two to three people.

Another unique feature of the Lifestyle Reconn is its smooth, checkerplate protected underbody, with the 300 litre water tanks and various plumbing, wiring and services tucked up neatly out of harm’s way above the chassis.

“If you were towing it through the bush there’s nothing under there that can get hung up,” he said.

Tough, lightweight construction is similar to Lifestyle’s other hybrids, including a combination of aluminium and steel framing, galvanised chassis and aluminium body sides.

Lifestyle has built around 4500 soft-floor campers over the past 13 years, but Gaeth said the manufacturer is now concentrating on premium hybrid models, due to increased competition from cheaper imports and demand for mid-sized rather than larger off-road caravans.

The Lifestyle Reconn is priced from $39,750, with full details and specifications to be revealed in time for its public debut at the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow from February 11-16 at the Melbourne Showgrounds.