Quantum Off Road ZS

Straight to the Point

People searching for the perfect recreational vehicle (RV) are spoiled for choice in Australia. There is a plethora of manufacturers coming up with new designs every year aiming at different markets.

One of the newest and most exciting markets to emerge recently is that of crossover trailers - RVs that deliver the luxury and comfort of a caravan with the agility and durability of a camper trailer.

On the vanguard of that movement is the team at Australian Off Road Campers (AOR). Already a household name in the RV world, AOR has been perfecting the design of a new kind of RV over the last couple of years, applying new materials, build techniques and ideas to the problem of a true offroad caravan. The elegant result is the Quantum Off Road.

DESIGN
The Quantum is the result of a design brief Steve and Rhonda Budden at AOR created in conjunction with their customers. The new camper had to be compatible in length and width with touring 4WDs. The 2.15m (7ft) height is equivalent to a raised 4WD with roof rack, and the width is only 1.95m (6ft 5in), allowing the trailer to track perfectly behind most full size 4WDs.

It also had to be light, which, together with its short stature, should help to offset rising fuel prices. A full aluminium frame, composite walls and a SupaGal steel chassis are used to achieve an empty weight of just 1350kg while retaining strength and flexibility where it counts. Let's face it, 1350kg for a trailer this big is an achievement.

"We were looking everywhere for the right materials to use for this trailer," says Steve Budden, "and that's when I turned to the building industry and found these composite walls being used in skyscrapers. They look fantastic, deliver the strength and insulation we need, and are extremely lightweight."

Taking points from the Odyssey, Quantum uses twin Trak Ryder foam shocks from Pedders on each wheel, splitting the absorption between four units for better performance on corrugations over long periods. A 10in solid swing-away jockey wheel is mounted up front, alongside an AT35 coupling. Twelve-inch electric brakes are fitted to 15in offroad wheels and AT tyres.

LIVING
The living area in the Quantum is spacious and modern, with a queen-size bed in one end and a vanity and full shower/toilet in the other.

AOR decided with the Quantum to keep the kitchen outside, which separates this top tier camper from some of the company's competitors.

"Our customers like to cook outside when they're camping," Steve says, "and so do I, so we decided to leave things just like they were on our Odyssey campers, except now the shower and toilet are inside."

Walking through the nearside triple-lock entry and security screen door, you'll see the dinette for three with velour seating and vinyl flooring on your left leading to the bed. The table stows away under the bed. On your right is a bank of storage compartments topped by a sink and bench, and the shower cubicle.

AOR has done a good job of tackling the shower problem in a pop-top camper. Hard moulded fibreglass walls extend up to the top of the camper walls, and a vinyl extension attached to the roof keeps everything sealed up when you're not using it. And you won't run out of hot water with the 140L food grade poly water tank.

A vacuum flush marine toilet with removable cassette is located in the shower compartment, which is great for green-conscious buyers, and it is septic-safe.

The hot water for the shower and both on-board sinks is gas-fired, which means instead of running a noisy diesel system, you can use your existing gas cylinders.

There's a radio/CD/MP3 player wired to two 6in speakers, powered by twin 120Ah marine deep-cycle batteries. A five-stage 20S CTEK charger is found near a 150W pure sine inverter with two remote powerpoints. With the ZS package, along with an extra outside shower, additional 140L water tank and roll-out 4m awning and full annexe, you get roof-mounted 80W solar panels.

When it comes to lighting, it's difficult to surpass the Quantum's 16-light setup. Six strip LED lights are in the living space, three more LED lights are for the floor, two are in the boot and two are for the awning.

The external stainless steel kitchen slides from the front nearside of the RV. Shelves extend out down the side of the camper and over the back of the kitchen, providing more space to work on. A sink with hot water mixer tap, a three-burner stove with a glass splashback (which folds down for more working space) and a deep 220L pantry make for a great cooking setup. A wide drawer below slides out for cutlery and towels. Next to the kitchen is another drawer for the 60L fridge/freezer.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Australian Off Road Campers has outdone itself with the Quantum. It used the expertise it leveraged for the Odyssey and added a little bit of experimentation to create a luxury offroad camper that can go anywhere.

Starting at $64,000 ($70,000 as photographed with the ZS package), the Quantum delivers on its design brief, and looks sexy too. And it does what it is supposed to, which is get you to anywhere in Australia in luxury.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED

Australian Off Road Campers,
12 Daniel Street, Caloundra, Qld 4551,
(07) 5499 6606.
For more information, visit
www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au