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NEWS
Wanderlust raises the roof
Lightweight Queensland campervan offers new side elevating roof for more interior headroomAnother manufacturer of compact campervans has entered the market, this time setting up base on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Established by Phil Patterson, who worked for major UK campervan conversion business Bilbo’s for 15 years before relocating to Australia, Wanderlust Campers brings some innovation to the relatively small Australian campervan market, including a locally-developed, side-folding, V-shaped pop-top roof as well as extensive use of lightweight composites.
Most Australian campervans come with either a rear-hinged or full ‘Continental’ pop-top roof, but Wanderlust’s T5 and T6 VW Transporter conversions feature a unique version of the popular, UK-style side elevating roof design that delivers full standing height along the length of the camper.
“This makes for a more comfortable travel experience and a greater feeling of space,” Patterson said.
“It’s similar to what we’ve done in the past (at Bilbo’s) but the big difference is we’ve used (custom aluminium) side extrusion rails… to break the roof down into components, which we haven’t done before.”
Other advantages of the side-folding roof, which was developed in conjunction with local specialists, is its lower roof profile when closed. It adds just 70mm to the van's overall height, making it easier to squeeze into garages.
The gas strut assisted, fibreglass foam composite roof is also said to be easier to raise and lower, while the use of canvas-style WeatherMax material for the roof sides, borrowed from the marine and building industries, provides “superior water and mildew resistance without compromising on breathability”.
The CAD-designed roof also features four large screened vents to encourage ventilation and natural light, while an optional roof bed is available to sleep the kids.
While the compact interior layout is conventional, including a small kitchen with fridge and sink, and seating that converts to a 185cm x 133cm double bed, the use of StyleLite ply panels with 1mm thick composite overlay for the furniture increases durability while further reducing weight; as does the custom 3mm curved aluminium composite panels for items like the wardrobe.
Patterson said the weight reductions allow a payload of between 900 and 980kg depending on options fitted.
The cost of a full campervan fit-out currently starts around $30,000 (not including the base vehicle) which includes front swivel seats, pop-top roof, 65 litre fridge, sink, storage cupboards, seats/bedding, battery system, and a 36 litre freshwater and 35 litre grey water tank.
Off the back of renewed interested in motorized RVs, Patterson sees a gap in the market for dual-purpose vehicles that can easily switch from being a fuel-efficient runabout or work vehicle during the week to easy-to-park family camper on the week-ends.
Wanderlust are currently looking to move into a dedicated factory, and have plans to offer a range of van conversions based on other popular vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The fledgling company is also trying to get a foothold into the rental market.
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Written byChris Fincham
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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