A Dual Cab Classic
Slide-on campers, or ‘truck campers’ as the Americans would call them, are gaining an increasing foothold in Australia’s RV backyard. They are compact, practical and provide a measure of camping versatility not seen in most RV types. Certainly they don’t provide as much interior space as caravans or motorhomes, but not every RV operator wants or needs a 5-star luxury retreat on wheels.
Slide-ons are the ideal way to convert a ute or tray back into a mini-motorhome. Most are designed for the flat alloy tray vehicles, and others for standard utes, but there are few like the Northstar Offroada 6. This compact rig is designed to suit the very popular Japanese-sized dual cab utes.
The rig we looked at was fitted snugly in the back of the popular Mazda BT50 dual cab ute. The combination presents an extremely versatile option for short term campers, as well as being capable of doing the long range stuff.
There is a couple of prime reasons for this versatility. The first is that the ute can be used as it was designed, as a work ute or mum’s truck during the week, but also as a getaway rig on the weekends. The camper is relatively easy to get on and off the ute using the Happijacks. These jacks can be wound up or down using a battery drill, and the ute simply backed in or out under the camper.
The turnbuckle-style tie downs are the Fast Gun linkages – much easier to fit and tighten than the old manual turnbuckles.
The ability to unload the camper from the ute really makes life easy for longer term camping. Taking the camper off and lowering it closer to the ground is the way to go when you’ve found that beaut campsite and want to stay for a while. It also frees up the ute for running around sightseeing or finding those special fishing spots.
The second key to the rig’s versatility is that you can tow a decent boat or a trailer full of bikes or other activity items behind the rig. This is particularly handy for those who like some offshore fishing, or have a nice trailer sportfisher set up for estuary, bay or freshwater lake fishing.
Then of course there’s the 4wd factor. The BT50 we saw was a 4wd rig, and getting into those out of the way fishing or fossicking spots is made easier by the low profile of the camper. The pop top presents a very low profile, making it easy to manuever under and around trees.
The Northstar campers provide some added confidence for those going off road. Northstar’s campers carry a five year structural guarantee for off road use. The key to this is in the structure, with premium plywoods used and pine framing in the cupboards. Every joint in the camper is glued and reinforced with hardened steel screws.
Inside the Offroada 6 is compact, but the use of available space is practical and clever.
This is a rear door camper, with the dinette space on the kerb side and the kitchen on the right. The bed is up forward above the cab.
The dinette features a shallow U shaped lounge with padded backrests along the walls, and a swivelling rectangular table in the middle. The dinette is backed by a wide window with an additional window above in the canvas pop top walls. There’s plenty of room to stretch out or to dine in comfort. Stereo controls are within easy reach on the forward bulkhead.
The kitchen area is compact yet practical, with a combination three burner cooktop (all gas) and sink in the driver’s side corner. Forward of the cooking area is a Dometic 110 litre compressor fridge. Beneath the cooking area are cupboards and a drawer, and there is additional storage space between the fridge and the forward bulkhead. As with the dinette, a wide window, plus another window above, provide plenty of light and air.
The bedroom features a north/south bed with shallow storage lockers on either side. There is also storage space under the bed. This bed configuration is only practical because of the use of structural plywood in the construction.
The pop top provides adequate space above the bed and is lifted via an easily operated wind up system. The roof is strong enough to carry a couple of solar panels and with an on board 78 litre drinking water tank and battery there is a considerable degree of independent camping capability in the Offroada 6.
Incidentally, there’s a neat trick to prevent the canvas skirts from poking out at the sides when lowering the pop top. Close the doors and windows, turn on the roof exhaust fan and lower away. The fan ‘sucks’ the canvas sides inward, allowing the roof to seat easily into travel configuration.
The Northstar Offroada 6 is a really viable option for the many Aussies who operate a Japanese dual cab ute. You can operate your ute during the week, and with the Northstar you can convert that vehicle into a versatile mini-motorhome for the weekend. It’s a really clever system for getting the best of both worlds.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Northstar
Model: Offroada 6
Base price: East/west bed – standard $26,990, north/south bed – $27,990