Tough as Titanium
The North Coast Campers crew has been producing off-road crossover-style campers and pop tops for yonks, and this latest Titanium 17-footer full van is a very classy little off-roader.
Crossover campers (or caravans) like the Titanium retain the essential advantages of camper trailers, in that they are all designed for off-road use, with beefed up suspension and good ground clearance. With their full van models however, the advantage of a camper’s lower height profile has been exchanged for a whole lot more internal comforts.
The Titanium is built on a hi-tensile, hot dipped galvanised chassis, with North Coast Campers’ own-design suspension system, featuring trailing arms with coil springs and twin shock absorbers. Water storage comprises 300 litres underneath in heavy duty poly tanks. The underside is well protected and pretty much snag free, which is what you’d expect in a decent off-roader.
On the A frame is a McHitch model hitch, forward of a mesh stoneshield. The shield protects the forward body of the van, with a pair of gas bottles forward of a large storage box that would suit a genny as well as a heap of other gear. Alongside the box is a pair of jerrycan holders, and a gas bayonet fitting to service the external kitchen. This fitting is protected by a chequerplate shield.
At the rear is a solid bar mounting two spare wheels. The Titanium panelling is composite fibreglass and aluminium, with protective chequerplate along the lower sides, front and rear, and a smooth fibreglass finish above. Up top are 3x150 watt solar panels, while inside are 2x 120 amp hour marine deep cycle batteries, with charger and inverter.
Being a crossover-style rig, the titanium has many external features. A through boot up forward has loads of space, accessible from both sides. Immediately behind the boot is a slide out external kitchen, complete with storage drawers, a sink and a two burner gas cooktop. A flexible light can shine directly onto the cooktop.
There is an external power outlet adjacent to the external kitchen, along with a narrow table that slots into a mounting above the axle to add to the food preparation space. The entire kerbside flank is protected by a full length Thule awning. On the driver’s side flank is an external shower and water fillers.
The entry is towards the rear, with a huge fridge and storage section across the back, shower/toilet opposite the entry, dinette midships opposite a sink/bench console, and the bedroom up forward.
As you enter the Titanium you’ll be struck by the array of storage cabinets almost surrounding the 130 litre two door fridge at the rear. These lockers, like the rest in this rig, are finished in a high gloss making for an easy clean.
The shower/toilet console is opposite the entry and is quite roomy, with even a towel rail inside the console.
Forward of the entry is the dinette, a comfy two seater either side of a swivelling table. Stereo speakers are fitted under the dinette, with a downlight above, under a long nest of storage lockers that run the length of the van. A wide window lets the scenery in while you dine.
Forward of the corner shower is the internal kitchen, featuring a long workbench in which is fitted a stainless steel sink, with a two burner SMEV cooktop forward. There is a huge nest of drawers and lockers beneath the benchtop, along with hot water controls and electrical monitors.
The kitchen is backed by a long window, with a full set of lockers above, running forward to the bedroom.
The bedroom features a queen sized bed mounted north south, with good access on both sides. There are storage drawers under the foot of the bed and personal reading lights are fitted over the bedhead. The overhead storage consoles extend forward into the bedroom, with shelves at the front to allow for the roof taper. A pair of wide windows allows plenty of light and air into the bedroom area.
The ceiling of the Titanium carries overhead lighting, a four seasons hatch above the bed, and an air conditioning unit above the main cabin.
The North Coast Campers Off Road Titanium 17-foot full van demonstrates how even a full height crossover-style camper can become more comfortable while retaining its off road capability. It had loads of internal and external features and good off road independent camping capability. For those more adventurous folks looking for some comfortable off road touring, this rig will do the job nicely.
Specifications
Manufacturer: North Coast Campers and Caravans
Model: Off Road Titanium 17-foot
Length overall: 7.00m
Width: 2.10m
Height: 2.550m
Weight (incl batteries and water): up to 1800kg
Price: from $92,000
Find Out More
North Coast Campers and Caravans
8 Bronwyn Street
Caloundra Qld 4551
Tel (07) 5941 2970
E: northcoastcampers@bigpond.com