Travelander goes gas free

Travelander has given buyers a sneak peek of a new, gas-free version of its unique side-fold, slide-on camper, due to go on sale in the second half of 2015.

A prototype for dual-cab utes has been on display at the Melbourne and Adelaide caravan shows during February, showing significant changes to the electric-opening fibreglass camper, including the use of an alcohol-fueled portable cooker and diesel-powered air/water heater.

The Webasto diesel heater runs off a 12 litre on-board diesel tank, and replaces the existing Truma gas heater. While the three-burner gas cooktop has made way for a marine-style Dometic two-burner stove that runs on methylated spirits.

“We’ve done away with gas completely due to the gas compliance issues being different in every state, and by removing the gas bottles we’ve freed up more storage space and reduced weight,” said Travelander’s general manager, Daryl Sleeman.

Sleeman said based on field testing, the alcohol cooker offers similar cooking performance to a gas burner, and provides up to a month of cooking (one meal a day) on two litres of fuel. It’s also portable so can be moved around the campsite.

Removing the gas bottles has also freed up storage space under the bed, with two bigger slide-out drawers now accessible from each end.??

The remodeled kitchen is a work in progress, with Travelander working on a separate enclosed compartment for the metho cooker and replacing the existing 40 litre fridge with a bigger 92 litre fridge/freezer.

The external shower is relocated to a new external ‘ensuite’ area, while two-tone LED lighting, moulded fibereglass steps to the raised queen-sized bed, and a porta potti compartment, have also been added.

Like an increasing number of local manufacturers, Travelander will also offer a lighter and more efficient lithium battery system as a $2500 option. ??

The ‘latest generation’ 240Ah set-up will feature a 600W invertor and specially-developed Redarc battery management system, for a 60kg weight saving over the current AGM batteries.?

“Our lithium batteries will be able to have a lot more fluctuation in temperatures and voltage (than some other lithium batteries), and will be non-volatile,” he said.??

The Queensland manufacturer is also looking to make some parts from carbon fibre for further weight savings. All up, it’s hoping to shave more than 100kg off the overall weight of the dual-cab camper, for a proposed Tare of 500kg.

The new model will be $1300 dearer, from $33,800 for the dual cab slide-on. The changes will also be rolled out on single cab ute versions in due course.