Offline Domino 2022 Review

Adelaide's Offline Campers hit the ground running a couple of years ago after breathing new life into the premium hard-floor canvas camper market with the introduction of its innovative Raker model.

More recently it launched another eye-catching, all-Australian designed and built off-road model; this time tapping into the growing hybrid camper market with a fixed-roof, caravan-style version of the Raker that incorporates many of its user-friendly features including a power-operated tent set-up.

On a recent trip to the Adelaide Hills we spent a few hours with the latest Offline Domino compact hybrid camper, to get an idea of how it shapes up against some of its main rivals including Track Trailer's Tvan and the Ultimate X25.

Compact hybrid alternative

Offline Campers' founder Sam Reynolds didn't start from scratch when it came to designing the Domino, with the Adelaide-based mechanical engineer turned camper trailer manufacturer essentially borrowing the hard-body platform of the Raker as the base for its first hybrid camper.

"The Raker was born from us wanting a trailer for ourselves and not being happy with the market offerings at the time, and this is just an evolution of that," Reynolds explained .

Whereas the Raker tent trailer is pitched at young families, he said the Domino hybrid is "more suited to an older couple post-kids, who will also be more able to afford something at this end of the market".

Pricing for the Adelaide-built Domino hybrid starts at $66,400 for the basic package, although Reynolds said many buyers end up paying around $80,000 or more once they tick a few desirable option boxes like hot water, airbag suspension, space heater, lithium batteries and solar panels. (Our optioned-up review camper retails for around $85,000).

Off-road ready

Like the Raker, the Domino features an Offline-built hot dipped galvanised chassis and comes standard with an ARK off-road jockey wheel, Cruisemaster XT suspension, D0-35 coupling and 12in electric brakes. Our review van had the optional adjustable airbags instead of the standard coils, while wheels and tyres are usually matched to the customer's tow vehicle.

The fully insulated body construction combines fabricated marine-grade aluminium sheeting with 30mm thick fibreglass composite sandwich panels, and 10-12oz Australian-made dynaproofed canvas is used for the fold-out tent section.

The review camper was also fitted with the optional longer drawbar, as well as the smaller 300 litre toolbox with top-mount wood rack, to allow room for two exposed jerry holders on either side. The other option is a 400 litre toolbox that's big enough to carry jerries as well as other gear inside.

As well as ample underbody armour, more vulnerable body sections including the front toolbox, stone deflector, rear end corners and flip-over top lid are protected by a Raptor coating alongside a tough, two-pack paint finish.

Easy set-up and pack up

The Offline Domino's main party trick is its very user-friendly dual-mode set-up. If you arrive late to camp or just want to pull over for a nap, it's simply a case of raising the rear top-hinged, two-part tailgate, lowering the in-built step and hopping into the cosy but inviting interior bed space.

There's no Tvan-style clip-on canvas wall or privacy screen for the entrance, so you just close the doors from inside to complete this 30-second 'Travel Mode' set-up.

You can also pull out the awning and erect the optional external shower tent while in 'Travel' mode, and access the external kitchen and all internal and external storage areas including the two large under-bed slide-out drawers.

For longer, more comfortable stays, there's the 'Camp mode' set-up which involves hitting a switch in an offside locker to activate the ingenious mechanism for the auto-opening hard-floor tent section, which relies on twin electric actuators as well as gas strut assistance.

The two-minute set-up (see the speeded-up video below) also requires a few minor manual jobs including tensioning the inside of the tent with the built-in side supports, and winding down some rear stabilizers to take the 'bounce' out of the rear section when moving around inside.

All up it shouldn't take much more than five minutes depending on how many hands are involved, including setting up the Darche 180 side awning and external shower tent.

It's certainly a quicker canvas set-up than some of its rivals, although unlike the Tvan's better located tent storage 'pouch' any wet canvas packed away in the Domino is likely to drip over the mattress, so you'll probably want to put down a protective sheet.

Shorter people might also need a step ladder to reach a few things when setting up and packing down, but otherwise it all seems fairly stress free. Getting the camper level on uneven ground is also made easier by the optional airbag suspension, with the controls located in an offside locker.

Outside storage

Offline Campers has also maximized storage options within the compact Domino design, with multiple external options includes a carpetted locker on the offside wall, with a pull-out drawer and ample space for a portable toilet or small BBQ.

Next to it is another locker containing the main unit for the optional Webasto diesel air and water heater, with just enough space at the front to slot in a fold-up camping table. Another locker on the onside wall opens up to reveal the 'buffer' tank for the heater unit, and the two external slide-out drawers towards the front of the camper are also accessible from inside.

Other offside lockers contain plumbing and valves for the two fitted underbody water tanks, along with the hose for the external shower and the aforementioned control panel for the Cruisemaster airbag suspension.

Outside cooking

While not quite as stable as Tvan's premium kitchen, the Domino's self-supporting stainless kitchen is a quality unit and ready to go as soon as you pull it out, with a permanently plumbed gas line to the three burner cooktop (two burners are standard).

There's also a sink with hot/cold taps, and both sink and cooker have glass lids to extend an already expansive food prep area which includes another large section that folds out behind.

The slide-out fridge/freezer is a 95 litre Dometic model, so one of the bigger units on the market, and there's plenty of kitchen storage including a drawer above the fridge, a pull-out pantry between the fridge and cooker, and three cutlery and utensil drawers.

There's also a drop-down locker door that can be used as a drinks tray, a dedicated freshwater drinking tap, various switches for lights, water, fans, etc and a collection of USB, 12V and 240V sockets.

Also worth mentioning is the tiny underbench LED light that provides a gentle night-time glow on moonless nights -- one of many thoughtful touches on the Domino that reflects Offline founder Sam Reynolds' extensive Outback camping experience.

Off-grid capable

Our review camper was also fitted in the kitchen area with a tiny Simarine Pico touchscreen battery manager to help keep an eye on solar and battery usage.

The Domino comes standard with two 105Ah AGM batteries and Enerdrive 40A DC-DC and 20A DC-DC battery chargers, but Reynolds says many buyers opt to fit lithium batteries and an inverter so they can run small domestic plug-in appliances like a coffee machine.

The roof-mounted 89W and 264W solar panels are other optional extras, with one of the rooftop panels replaced by an in-built canvas solar panel when set up in full 'Camp' mode.

The Domino comes standard with a 105L main water tank, with the option of an additional 75 litre tank so you can easily separate fresh drinking water from bore or creek water gathered for showers and general washing.

Interior living

The Offline Domino also sets itself apart from some of its rivals with its higher walls and roofline that deliver a more comfortable and spacious bed area. The extra headroom will be appreciated by taller adults who want to sit up in bed for changing clothes or moving around.

Offline has also addressed some other perceived deficiencies in rival campers by creating additional storage areas around the bedhead, as well as improving sleeping comfort by allowing customers to select any queen size domestic coil spring mattress of their choosing, up to 350mm depth.

The large, camper trailer style pull-out drawers (340 litres in total) should be enough for clothes, towels. shoes, etc for a big trip, while electronic devices, books and other smaller items can be stored in the bedhead compartments.

The review camper also came with another recently introduced ($1300) 'glamping' option called the 'club lounge' -- basically a padded, leather-lined bench seat that folds out in Camp mode for an additional seating option. Also located around the bed are twin Sirocco fans, various switches, USB sockets and a couple of flexible reading lamps.

Quality build

Attention to detail and fit and finish are top notch on the Domino, from the smooth, auto-style exterior finishes to the classy white walls, roof carpeting and leather-covered bedhead and drawers inside the main camper body.

The canvas 'living' section is very much like that on a hard-floor tent trailer, with its 2.0m x 1.7m floorspace sufficient for a camp table and chairs or a couple of small kids' bunks or swags. There's also extra headroom above the bed in full Camp mode, adding to the airy feel.

The 12V fans and caravan-style Dometic windows on three sides should allow for plenty of ventilation, with a built-in thermal roof blanket and large roll-up flaps and midge screens on all three sides of the tent section. Annexe walls and a kids' canvas room are other options.

Hitting the trails

While offering plenty of home comforts the Offline Domino is really designed for hardcore off-road travel, and while we didn't get to put it through its paces both Offline models were subject to a few shakedown trips during their development including trips through the Simpson Desert and Flinder Ranges.

At sub-2.0m wide the Domino is designed to follow your 4WD down overgrown bush tracks, although its 2.35m travel height (around 30cm higher than the Tvan) puts it at a slight disadvantage when the going gets really tough.

It's also getting on the heavy side for a compact camper, depending on how many options are fitted (fitting an underbed air conditioner for example adds about 25kg). Although the review camper's Tare weight of around 1250-1300kg, still provides a decent payload of around 600kg.

Otherwise, it offers excellent ground clearance including a short rear overhang and seems well protected if you do make contact with Mother Nature. While owners of 4WDs with barn doors will appreciate the extended drawbar and the prospect of easier reversing, the extra length will reduce your turning circle and increase the ramp-over angle.

Summing up

The Offline Campers' Domino is an impressive unit, and ticks many boxes for Outback adventurers seeking a quality compact camper, with its excellent storage, interior comforts, user friendly set-up, great kitchen and all-round off-roadability.

The premium pricing might put off a few buyers, but Offline appears to be doing the right thing by its customers, and recently moved into a bigger factory at the former Holden automotive manufacturing facility in Elizabeth where it's ramping up production from two to four units a month, many of which will be the range-topping Domino.

How much does the 2022 Offline Domino cost?

Price: From $66,400 (as reviewed $85,000 approx.)
Travel length: 5070mm
External body width: 1800mm
Travel height: 2350mm
Canvas floor size: 2000mm x 1700mm
Tare weight: 1300kg (approx.)
ATM: 1900kg
Ball weight (Tare): 150kg (approx.)
Body: Insulated fibreglass composite and laser-cut aluminium body panels
Chassis: Hot dipped galvanised steel, 150mm x 50mm with DO-35 coupling and ARK fold-up jockey wheel
Suspension: Cruisemaster XT independent trailing arms and coil springs with twin shocks per wheel (airbags optional)
Brakes: 12-inch electric
Wheels: 17in alloy with 285/70R17 all terrain tyres
Fresh water: 105L and 75L
Battery: Standard 2 x 105Ah AGM with Enerdrive battery monitor and chargers
Solar: Optional
Gas: 2 x 4kg
Hot water: Optional Webasto diesel
Cooking: Standard external 2-burner slide-out kitchen with stainless steel sink and pantry drawers
Fridge: Dometic 95L dual zone outside cabinet compressor fridge on storage box slide
Shower: External
Toilet: Portable optional
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: Offline Campers, Elizabeth, South Australia