ARB adopts Zone RV canopy

Coinciding with the opening of its new and much larger Coolum Beach factory, Zone RV has launched its new Z-UEV (Zone Ultimate Expedition Vehicle) range of lightweight, high-quality canopies for industrial and recreational applications.

Built to suit all popular single and dual cab-chassis vehicles sold in Australia, each features timberless, full-thickness composite wall construction with the fit-out to the customer’s individual spec.

This spec can include ‘gull-wing’ top-hinged side access doors to access tools, storage, or a camp kitchen, with the structures designed to accept a wide range of popular roof-top racks and carrying systems, that can includes tents, spare wheels, fuel and ladders.

Zone RV’s first commercial application late last year was for a pair of custom fitted-out, canopies on Toyota Hilux dual cab-chassis for the sales staff of its lithium battery supplier Enerdrive.

Now, Zone RV has built a Z-UEV in conjunction with ARB Maroochydore, which has been mounted on an ARB-enhanced Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series dual-cab-chassis, complete with a range of off-road equipment designed to make it a turn-key expedition vehicle.

Buyers will be able to order similar vehicles with the vehicle project managed through Zone RV.

One-stop shop

In a move not unlike Patriot Campers' PCOR division, vehicle modifications can include an ECU re-map and an upgraded exhaust system, a snorkel, a suspension lift and fitting an airbag or a steel spring and shocker upgrade, a winch, extra lighting, a long-range fuel tank, larger wheels and tyres and a Rhino Rack roof platform and accessories.

The base price for the ZN-C-DC two-metre long 79 Series dual cab canopy is $22,500, which is at the top of the canopy market, but its empty weight of 235kg is substantially less than its framed and fibreglass or aluminium-clad rivals, meaning its payload can be higher and the vehicle’s bush-ability is improved.

The front-hinged rooftop bed slightly overhangs the rear of the canopy, sheltering the rear-mounted spare wheel.

The display vehicle at Zone RV’s new factory was fitted with a 100AH Enerdrive lithium battery, with a 2000 Watt Simarine inverter, a DC/DC charger, a solar regulator, a roof-bonded 110W flexible solar sheet, 80l of fresh water capacity and an entertainment system.

Combined, these added about $4000 to the canopy’s cost, bringing its total to $26,479, plus the cost of the ARB-accessorised Toyota.

Zone caravans upgraded for 2020

Along with the new Z-UEV canopy, Zone has also made a series of upgrades to its caravan range for 2020, with improved solar panel, fresh water, fridge and front storage-box capacities.

The front stone-shield is now angled to fit around the front A-frame box to improve articulation, while the new box also incorporates pole storage.

Inside, the Evakool upright fridge-freezer is a larger, twin compresssor model; there is a new benchtop wireless phone benchtop charger and there is a new remote digital switching system that is repeatable on your phone or tablet and eliminates lots of heavy wiring.

Zone RV also now uses Camec’s new 2.5kg front-loading washing machine mounted on the rear wall of its family models.

The interior appearance of all 2020 Zone RV caravan models has been enhanced with a new perforated leather pattern on Summit models, while double-stitching in a diamond pattern is now used on Off-Road and Venture models.

Zone RV’s new Expedition box campers have also been up-specced for 2020, with the larger 12ft model with its internal combined shower and toilet now the clear favourite – outselling the more basic 10ft Expedition by about 10 to one.

Housing all production under one roof rather than six, has also reduced waiting times, with Zone RV now quoting a reduced six-months for caravans and four months for Expedition models.