New Isuzu ute-based motorhome arrives

Clontarf, Queensland-based Explorer Motorhomes is building what is believed to be Australia’s first motorhome built on the latest Isuzu D-MAX 4WD chassis.

On public display recently at the Caravan, Camping and Lifestyle Expo at Canberra’s Exhibition Park, the new Explorer Xtreme Isuzu off-road campervan costs the same ($220,000) as other fully-equipped Explorer Xtreme motorhomes built on a Mazda BT-50, or Toyota cab-chassis, and similarly is targeted at adventurous couples.

Featuring Explorer’s leak-proof one-piece fibreglass body that comes with a five-year structural warranty, the Isuzu Explorer Xtreme has been designed with beach driving and remote Outback travel in mind.

The D-MAX Xtreme also comes with a full-colour cab and custom paint to give it a rugged look and feel.

Included features specifically tailed to off-road exploration include a six-speed automatic transmission, bull bar, snorkel, long-range diesel fuel tank, and three rooftop-mounted solar panels to keep its long life lithium battery fully charged for remote area camping,

The off-road camper also gets all-terrain tyres fitted to alloy wheels, a UHF radio, a towbar for a jet ski, boat or bike trailer,  2000 Watt inverter to power domestic appliances such as a coffee pod machine or a portable induction cooktop, an onboard tyre monitoring system and large retractable exterior rear view mirrors.

A slide-out aluminium step, a sturdy entry door with a large fold out exterior grab handle, a large roll-out awning and a drop-down body-mounted external picnic take are other standard Explorer features.

Like all Explorer motorhomes, the Isuzu Xtreme is custom-built at Explorer’s Clontarf, South-east Queensland headquarters with a current delivery wait time of around 12 months.

Using the D-Max cab chassis is in line with Explorer’s policy of giving its buyer's a choice over their motorhome base, particularly at a time when base vehicle supply shortages are the norm.

Toyota's HiLux ute is predictably the predominant choice because of its national parts and service back-up, but with COVID-induced shortages, other brands are proving increasingly popular.

Explorer says it has completed seven or eight Isuzu D-Max based motorhomes so far since introducing the option last year and has experienced positive customer feedback.

The latest Ford Ranger is another popular motorhome base despite it having a $3500 price premium in ‘Xtreme’ spec form.

Like many Australian RV manufacturers at the moment, business is booming with Explorer recently celebrating the construction of its 400th motorhome -- just 18 months after the 300th was built.