Timber treat from Room 48 Campers

Most RV manufacturers use timber to some degree in constructing frames and furniture, but a new Queensland business is taking wood as a manufacturing material to a whole new, stylish level.

Room 48 Campers based in Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has released a retro-style teardrop caravan built almost entirely out of wood.

Inspired by 1950s teardrop campers, which typically relied on plywood for the body rather than today’s preference for aluminium or fibreglass, the so-called Soul Camper is built from 40mm thick strips of Western Red Cedar, a lightweight, weather-resistant timber normally used for saunas or outdoor furniture.

Despite having no frame, Cameron Bolt from Room 48 Campers says the tongue and groove joinery combined with adhesives and stainless steel fasteners, nuts and bolts ensures the monocoque, solid timber shell is “built like a tank”.

The outer surface is finished in a durable, two-pack clear finish, while the interior is kept raw or lightly oiled, for an aromatic, Swedish sauna-style effect. ??

The underbody is protected by a two-pack, ute liner finish, while a mesh stone guard up front should keep dings to a minimum.

The richly textured timber body sits on a powdercoated Supagal steel chassis, with off-road leaf suspension designed to cope with some rough terrain.

With a Tare weight of just 550kg and around 200kg payload, it should pull easily behind most vehicles.

Measuring 3.7m long in total, the Soul Camper is well-equipped for some free camping, at least for a tiny, teardrop van,, with standard features including a 96 litre water tank with 12V pump, 100aH deep cycle battery with charger, 12V/240V outlets, 9kg gas bottle and quick-connect fittings, 18inch alloy wheels, two security doors with flyscreens and double locks, jockey wheel and jerry can.

The cosy interior is taken up completely by the double mattress (1.88m x 1.37m), with LED lights, two overhead cupboards and a 16inch smart TV with internet access for entertainment.

Lifting the curved, gas strut-assisted timber rear door, reveals a mini-kitchen complete with stainless steel sink and pressure tap, more shelving, LED lighting and a 50 litre Evacool fridge/freezer attached to a sturdy swing-arm. ??

A single burner stove and instant hot water heater – both portable and running off gas – are also included for cooking and washing.

Bolt, who has a long career in RV manufacturing including previously working for Australian Off Road Campers, has teamed up with a professional carpenter and joiner to create the Soul Camper, which he describes as a “labour of love” as each unit takes around 100 man hours to build.

Using the marketing slogan “Against the grain”, Bolt hopes to convert RV owners to the all-round benefits of using cedar, which also include minimal body flex, good thermal insulation,  and strong resistance to insects, decay or warping.

“We just want to offer something different, classy, well built, something that’s a piece of art but still practical,” he explains.

“Why would you have a standard sort of aluminium product when you can have something that’s beautiful, that does the same thing?”

Priced at $26,000 (towaway Qld), the Soul Camper (pictured at the 2012 Melbourne Leisurefest) can be custom-built to individual preferences, and there are plans to introduce a full-sized, family van version in 2013.

Visit the Room 48 Campers website for more info.