New fixed-roof Toyota campervan entices buyers

Frontline's Toyota HiAce-based camper is already one of the easiest RVs on the market to drive, park and set up for a night's camping, but now buyers can opt for an even more user-friendly version with the recent addition of a fixed-roof 'high-top' option to the Frontline range.

The new 5.26m long, twin-berth Hi-Top model is based on the 37-year old Sydney-based campervan specialist's most popular Toyota HiAce van conversion, with its fixed fibreglass hard-wall rooftop designed to deliver similar standing room to the standard manual pop-top variant.

Jason Magee from Frontline's Melbourne outlet said not having to physically raise and lower the roof was proving an attractive option for some buyers.

"It's something that came about because we had a hire company chasing us to supply some vans and they always want a hardtop roof. So now we've done the work it's something we've just made available to other people..." he said.

"It's more labour intensive (to fit the Hi-Top fibreglass roof) so there is an additional cost to build it."

Another downside is it's less likely to squeeze under the carport at home, or be able to enter height-restricted city carparks, with the HiTop version standing 2600m tall compared to the 2065mm travel height of the pop-top HiAce camper. However, its solid-wall construction promises slightly better insulation, plus decent ventilation with five opening and screened windows located on three sides.

Frontline's turn-key Toyota HiAce campervan conversions start at $99,200 with the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission, with the HiTop option adding $3500 to the price.

A sporty-looking Hi-Top HiAce currently on display at Frontline's Sydney outlet, and fitted with optional diesel space heater, 200AH lithium battery with 170W rooftop solar and 200W inverter, and black awning, alloy wheels and exterior decals, is priced at $114,100 driveway.

Magee said there are also two HiAce HiTop campers currently in the Melbourne showroom, ready to be picked up by customers.

"One of these is a lady who doesn't have the strength to push the roof up and down, and other is a guy around late-40s with two teenagers, so I'm not entirely sure why he went with the hardtop..."

Frontline Campervans' managing director Peter Farrugia was not long out of high school when he co-founded the business in 1987 and since then, the Sydney factory has produced more than 4500 campervans, with the current range including Toyota HiAce, Volkswagen Transporter and Renault Trafic conversions.