Rollavan RV180i slide-on camper 2006 Review

By Doug McIvor

Following the success of its unique trayback unit, Rollavan has headed towards the mainstream with its next offering – the RV180i slide-on, pop-top camper.

While the original Rollavan has its pull-out sides and promoted outdoor living and cooking, the RV180i has everything contained indoors, including a kitchen and general storage facilities created by associate WA company Distinguished Cabinets.

What hasn’t changed is its go-anywhere ability, as it slides on to the flat tray of your typical 4WD ute. The unit is suitable for any flat tray, so if your ute can go offroad, so can the RV180i.

The fibreglass body of the RV180i has tapered sides rather than being a box, so there is less chance of bushes or branches catching. It is also easier to get around tight bends because you are not towing anything.

Country cruise

Rollavan designer-builder Dave Debono set CW up with the RV1080i and his Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series for a day’s outing to a farm in the Avon Valley, an hour’s drive east of Perth.

The aerodynamic construction, plus a low profile with the roof down, meant it was like driving the ute with a 520kg load.

Accordingly, fuel use probably bumped up a bit (it was too short a trip to obtain accurate figures) but being diesel-powered, it didn’t lead to unreasonable consumption.

It is relatively easy to get inside the camper when stopping along the way – simply drop the steps and open the back door.

Rather than go to the trouble of popping the top, you can reach inside to access the fridge, and the checkerplate floor, which is a little above waist-height, serves as a meal or cuppa preparation area.

A cross-bar locks up the steps when in transit and forms a handrail when set up for camping.

Easy setup

Once at your destination, ideally somewhere far from the crowd (made easier by your vehicle’s bushcraft ability), drop the steps, unclip the four corner latches and push the roof up.

Stepping inside, there is a full-height sink and cupboard, two-burner cooker, 4kg gas bottle, 60L fridge, benchtop and a small seat to the left.

On the right is a long padded bench which lifts up to reveal a big storage compartment. The bench also forms a slim single bed should the need arise.

A small table lifts up from the centre of the facing wall, forming a dining area, and various locker doors provide access to a 71L water tank, 12V self-priming pump, the electrics and more storage.

When your ready to hit the sack, the base of the double bed – which sits over the cab – slides towards the back, and two covered pieces of foam form a 5ft 1in (1.55m) x 6ft 4in(1.95m) sleeping zone.

Four screened openings allow good cross-ventilation and there is room to sit up under the insulated fibreglass roof.

Electrical components include two 12V exterior lights on either side of the camper and one over the back steps, a 12V roof light inside, a 240V powerpoint and a 240V plug for appliances, circuit breakers and a battery charger.

Other thoughtful provisions are an external shower, two levelling blocks and a fire extinguisher. The unit is lockable, has dust and weather seals and carries a 12-month warranty.

Options include a roll-out, bag-style awning which extends 2.7m on the passenger side of the ute (poles and pegs are stored in a poly-pipe across the back of the ute), with three canvas walls and a PVC draft skirt that can form a 6sqm annexe.

Also on the extras list is an auxiliary power system comprising a 115ah deep cycle battery, box and harness kit.

The bottom line

The Rollavan RV180i can be placed on parking jacks for longer stays or storing at home, freeing up the vehicle for other purposes.

It would make an ideal second car for a family, especially a tradesman, because even with the camper attached, it is compact enough for everyday use and allows the ute’s tray to be fully utilised when removed.

Unlike a caravan or camper trailer, the slide-on RV180i doesn’t need to be registered and it would be ideal for such out-of-town recreational activities as boating and horse-riding.

Provided the parent vehicle is powerful enough, such as the LandCruiser diesel CW used, a boat or horse float could be towed behind with the accommodation taken care of piggyback style.

For more information contact Rollavan, Unit 3, 21 Malcolm Road, Maddington, WA, (08) 9452 7536, web: www.rollavan.com.au

We liked:
• Easy access to fridge without lifting the roof
• Fantastic to carry – don’t even know it’s attached
• Good cross-ventilation

We would have liked:
• More internal storage – limited by camper’s size