Melbourne’s Royal Flair has jumped on the hard-core, hard-roof camper bandwagon, revealing a new Raptor model at this year’s Victorian Caravan Supershow. It’s also one of the most versatile, with the display model sporting a large rear platform extension, big enough to carry a quad bike, three motorbikes or even a small jet-ski.
A 10-point roll bar encasing the body can be customised with various roof rack options to carry kayaks, dinghies and fishing equipment, while a loading tray above the drawbar-mounted toolbox can support more bikes as well as a loading ramp and cargo baskets.
The body of the tandem axle prototype was 11ft 5in (3435mm) long by 2010mm wide, but there’s also a smaller 10ft 4in (3100mm) by 1490mm wide single axle version available.
Protected by plenty of aluminium checker plate, the Raptor’s body comprises Alucabond composite panels for the roof, floor and walls, with the extended galvanized chassis sporting a Hitchmaster DO35 hitch, Control Rider independent coil suspension, 12in electric brakes, and 16in alloys with off-road tyres.
Other standard features include an external shower, a slide-out kitchen with two burner gas cooktop and sink, external 65 litre fridge, twin 9kg gas bottles, 95 litre water tank, front and rear spotlights and a winch.
The cosy interior is mostly taken up by an east-west double bed (smaller north-south facing double in the 10ft 4in version), along with storage cupboards, 24in TV/DVD, and a CD/radio/MP3 player with speakers.
The Raptor’s 12V electrical system includes two 100Ah batteries with charger, 130W solar panel and regulator and 12V and USB sockets.
Also included in the price are internal and external LED lights, a roll-out awning, double glazed windows, and a 12V pump and hot water system.
The model on display had a Tare of 1396kg, 50kg ball weight and $51,990 pricetag.