I have to confess I’m a big fan of slide-on campers. Sure, they are limited in a few areas, but they carry advantages that most other RV types can’t match. I guess I just like a bit of versatility in my RVs.
Slide-ons are not all that common on Aussie roads, but those who have them, swear by them. Their major advantage of course, is that you can take them off and and have full use of the ute, or when on tour tow a decent boat or trailer full of toys.
The Ozcape Optima is a classy new slide-on built on Queensland’s Gold Coast. It’s designed to suit single cab utes and the model we looked at sat snug as a bug on the back of a Mazda BT50.
The Optima is built around a box section alloy frame, with insulated aluminium external panels. It’s a rear door camper, with good storage space in the forward locker, a pole locker in the brow up forward, and external lights, power and water points.
One good accessory on the Optima is the Supa Wing awning. It’s mounted on the kerb side, but extends right around to cover the rear as well.
Corner mounted electric legs make life easy when it comes to lifting the camper on and off the ute, and therein lies the versatility of this type of RV. You can remove the Optima in camp, and use the ute to run around, go shopping, launch the boat or go sightseeing.
The forward legs are mounted externally, under the brow by the ute’s headboard. The rear legs are positioned internally, but don’t take up excessive space, since they are tucked into the corners. The camper is secured to the ute by four corner tie-downs locking to the chassis, and an alloy ‘pin’ located in the middle of the tray that is designed to centre the camper on the tray.
Inside, the Optima is surprisingly spacious. As you enter the rear door you’ll find the kitchen area on the kerb side, the shower/toilet console and dinette opposite, and the bed up forward in the brow.
A wardrobe is positioned adjacent to the entry, with the kitchen area forward of that. A 90-litre three way fridge is fitted beneath the kitchen bench, with a recessed sink above, beneath a glass cover. Beside this is a four burner (three gas and one electric) cooktop with grill beneath, also recessed under a glass cover. A flip-up section at the end of the kitchen provides extra bench space if needed.
A utility drawer and storage cupboards are fitted beneath the kitchen bench, with lockers, a rangehood and microwave fitted above. A large curtained window and alloy splashback are fitted behind the kitchen area.
Opposite the kitchen is a shower/toilet console, with a cassette toilet, a narrow sink/vanity unit backed by a mirror and a shampoo/bodywash unit installed on the rear wall. It’s a compact unit, but practical for all that. Just remember to pull up the screen on the window above the loo before you have a tub.
Forward of the shower/toilet is a narrow dinette. The rear seat of the dinette backs onto the shower unit, with the forward seat formed by a bench seat that runs the width of the camper. This could well be used as a lounge where you could stretch out and watch the cricket or footy. A removable table has room enough for two to dine, and the dinette is backed by a curtained window.
Above the dinette is a nest of two quite spacious lockers, with a stereo control panel alongside a TV. There is a storage drawer beneath the rear dinette seat.
The bed section up forward holds a 2.1x 1.4m east/west bed flanked by a pair of curtained windows, with reading lights and stereo speakers above. At the forward end is a pair of narrow shelves and above is a skylight. The lounge backs at the foot of the bed can also be elevated to form a pair of north/south single beds if that’s your preference.
Independent camping capability is enhanced by the on board 120a/h battery, with a 9kg gas supply and 86-litre fresh water tank. A 40 litre grey water tank is also fitted. In camp the set up is enhanced by the all-round awning, and with a 4WD ute as the base vehicle this rig can be set up in some of the more remote areas as a base camp.
The Ozcape Optima is a comfortable and well finished camper that’s ideal for those who want the versatility this type of RV provides.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Ozcape Campers
Model: Optima
Tray length: 2.6m
Width: 2.26
Priced from: $56,400
Find Out More
Joe Ried
Ozcape Campers
72-74 Dover Drive,
West Burleigh Qld 4219
Tel (07) 5520 7388
Fax (07) 5520 7888
E: ozcape@ozcape.com.au