Ozcape Optima

WE LIKED
>> Hassle free and quick to load and unload from ute
>> Off-road ‘flex’ construction
>> handy gas/12V fridge operation

NOT SO MUCH
>> Limited storage area for groceries
>> Pricey with a few options

The versatility of carrying your camper on a utility back cannot be underestimated, particularly when compared to towed camper trailers which give new meaning to four wheel driving when faced with adverse conditions.

With towed campers the extra weight not to mention the increased drag from having to get another set of wheels, lazy ones at that, pushing through mud and sand will dampen the performance of the best off-roaders... no matter how many modifications are made to the tow vehicle.

As well, a towed trailer can limit access through the bush, when negotiating tight situations like getting in and out of creek beds and around timber too large to drive over.

Situated on the Gold Coast, Ozcape Campers has been manufacturing slide-on units for tray back utilities for six years and has put enough technology into the design of its campers to lighten the work load when it comes to setting up and packing away.

And there are enough comforts of home to warrant leaving a trailer behind...

FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENT

One of five layouts available, the Optima (with bathroom fitted) model has a base price of $54,000, although our review example, fitted with optional air conditioner, entertainment and hot water system, awning, north/south bed option, pantry slide out package, fishing rod compartment, extendable table, upgraded fridge and external 240v outlet, came in at a more substantial $63,600.

The skin of the Ozcape camper is sheet aluminium, with three-ply interior wood panelling and styrene sandwiched in between.

The 30mm thick external shell should provide ample insulation from the elements, while the aluminium framework is joined together with nylon elbows and securely pinned.

The advantages of this joining system over welding, is that a certain amount of flexing and racking can take place without breakages, particularly when put through the rigours of off-road travel.

The Optima is lifted off the tray of the vehicle (in our case, a Mazda BT-50 single cab chassis) with remote-controlled electric legs. Reloading is a similarly simple task with a pair of aluminium spikes that line up with holes in the tray for an exact fit.

A chain dog with a camber-locking lever on each corner keeps the superstructure anchored to the vehicle tray.

Once the camper’s raised off the vehicle’s tray and then lowered it may be brought down close to the ground to offer more stability and to alleviate the need for a step of sorts to access the rear entry door.

Walking around inside whilst it was lowered on its legs failed to show any instability; it was rock solid.

FILL 'ER UP!

The filler for the 86 litre water tank is located in the wall of the front near-side of the camper, along with the plumbing so that mains water may be connected directly without putting it through the storage tank.

A water level monitor and a 12 volt pressure pump services the galley and bathroom, and a 9kg gas bottle also lives in the near side behind a hatch along with two safety valves.

The 110Ah deep cycle battery is housed opposite and the usual earth leakage detectors are fitted to the AC power circuit.

A tube that runs through the cab-over section has a screw lid on each side wall for storage of awning poles and fishing rods. The awning (supported with poles that could be roped down if desired) attached to the nearside wall opened and swung around the back so that both could be sheltered from the elements.

In fact, it’s advisable to do so due to the amount of square metres of awning cover involved here which will catch even the smallest of breeze; potentially damaging the railing system.

MAXIMISING SPACE

The large double bed is found in the ‘cab over’ section of the super structure; facing east/west with a lounge down in front of its rear edge.

Lifting a timber hatch under the lounge gains access to the storage compartment below, which is also accessible from one of the hatches on the offside wall.

The back rest of this lounge is divided into three sections and all hinge off the bed base individually; allowing one side or the other to be used as a north/south double bed while allowing the occupants to easily step down using the lounge base.

A couple of apertures in the forward wall of the sleeping section serve as the bed side table for goods and chattels.

The offside wall features a removable, dining table that extends from a coffee table to a dining type using the three leaves of its top. The lounge services one side with an individual seat with storage drawer in its base opposite.

Cross-flow ventilation is excellent, aided by a window at each side of the double bed and a larger window above the dining table with another one on the opposite wall. All windows feature pull-up heat reflectors, fly screens and tinted bubble acrylic covers.

Storage is available at head-height in sets of cupboards that have lift-up front doors; convex in shape to keep sharp bottom edges away from the through-traffic area.

INDOOR COOKING

The kitchen on the nearside wall features a fridge and freezer under the bench top in which a single bowl sink is installed. It has a flat covering lid as does the cooker next to it which offers more food preparation space when required. There’s also a lift up extension that hinges at the end of the galley which covers over one end of the lounge when utilised.

Worthy of further mention is the fridge; a Dometic AES model in gas and electric format. When it detects the vehicle’s engine running it operates on 12-volt, but when the host vehicle is shut down the fridge continues to run on 12 volt for 15 minutes and then fires up the gas format.

This means you can refuel at service stations without manually shutting down the gas; providing of course you’re not going to take more than 15 minutes to refuel in which case the system must be manually shut down.

A neat splash back is installed in the sink corner of the bench while the cooker lid provides protection to the large window over the galley from food splatter.

Below the four-burner cooker (one electric, three gas) and front opening griller is a drawer large to accommodate pots and pans, while over the galley is a microwave and a couple of cupboards divided by the rangehood which vents externally.

Another tall cupboard features a slide-out pantry rack suitable for vegetables, and there’s enough room above this rack to install a hanging frame or similar. The electronic monitor for the house power is also mounted here.

The outer wall of the bathroom cubicle (located in the rear offside), has the flat screen television mounted on it, viewable from the bed or dining area.

The small ensuite includes a Thetford cassette toilet, vanity basin and shower rose that retracts into the basin top. The rose can also be passed out through the open window for beachside wash downs or to get rid of sand before coming inside.

There’s also a Dometic reverse cycle air conditioner installed in the roof, which can be powered by a 2kVa Honda generator located in the outer storage compartment.

VERDICT

In days of old the hassle of getting this type of accommodation off the ute tray was just that; a hassle. What we see with the Ozcape is a quick and easy system that frees up the host vehicle in around 10 minutes.

Certainly the prospect of getting home without then having to service an extra vehicle such as a towable camper is very attractive, and is something many would contemplate once they’ve seen this unit.

OZCAPE CAMPERS OPTIMA (WITH BATHROOM)

Overall length: 4.5m               
External width: 2.26m             
Internal height: 1.90m   
Weight: 795kg (approx.)                       
Cooktop: Dometic four-burner cooktop/ griller                    
Fridge: Dometic AES 90 litre fridge/freezer
Gas: 9kg                                 
Freshwater: 86 litre                  
Price (as reviewed): $63,600
Supplied by: Ozcape Campers, West Burleigh, Queensland.