4X4 CAMPERVANS
A campervan can be a compact and capable home on wheels. In this section we review off-road campervans available in the Australian market.
Bus4x4 HiAce
Bus4x4 – best known for its 2WD to 4WD conversions for mining company transport – has introduced a high-ground clearance version of the HiAce range that’s also fitted with a two-speed transfer case and full-time 4WD.
VW-Jayco Kampervan
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced a collaboration with recreational vehicle manufacturer Jayco to create the Crafter Kampervan lifestyle vehicle.
Trakka Akuna 4Motion
Trakka has built the Akuna campervan on VW Crafter medium and long wheelbase vans for some years, but until early 2022 didn’t make a version on VW’s 4Motion model.
Bus4x4 Coaster 4WD campervan
4×4 Motorhomes Australia is part of the Bus 4×4 Group, the Brisbane based secondary manufacturer of 4WD Toyota Coasters and 4WD Toyota Commuters, in addition to coach building on Iveco 4WD models.
Jacana Hiker HiAce-based campervan
Taree-based Jacana Motorhomes is best known for its conversions to 4×4 trucks, but the company is now employing its expertise in smaller vehicles. The Hiker is based on Toyota’s new HiAce van and can be ordered in 2WD and 4WD configurations.
Volkswagen Caddy campervan
We didn’t think the VW Caddy light commercial van would be a candidate for a camper conversion, but the VW factory thought otherwise. The end result was a surprisingly useful little travel machine.
Trakka Trakkadu All-Terrain
The Trakkadu All-Terrain model has an automated transmission that we reckon many buyers will want. We checked out three of them, on- and off-road.
DIY campervan conversion
An Australian manufacturer and tradesman – and also a grey nomad – is demonstrating that fun and comfortable family life on the road doesn’t have to be expensive.
VW’s upgraded Transporter range
With the release of the pop-top-roof ‘Beach’ variant and the availability of after-market campervan furniture for the Transporter there’s renewed interest in the Crafter’s smaller sibling.
DIY RV Solutions HiAce door and roof kit
This Queensland company is best known for its hinged security door kits for popular vans, but also produces FRP shower modules; portable toilet, gas and battery boxes, pop-tops and high roof conversions.
Jacana Envy Sprinter-based campervan
The Jacana Envy fit-out is available on medium-wheelbase and long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, with four-wheel-drive available as an option.
Jacana Seeker VW Crafter campervan
The Jacana Seeker fit-out is available on medium-wheelbase and long-wheelbase VW Crafter vans, with 4Motion four-wheel-drive available as a low-cost option.
Trakka Buro Kamp campervan
Trakka’s mobile office conversion on the VW Crafter 4Motion isn’t your normal campervan, because it’s designed to sleep only one person. However, we reckon Trakka’s inventive designers could widen the bed or add an upper bunk.
Horizon Waratah
This Horizon Motorhomes’ Waratah 4×4 is the personal rig of Horizon’s founder, Clayton Kearney, It’s the second Waratah 4×4 Clayton has had custom-built for personal adventures and he doesn’t spare any expense.
Enduroco 4WD conversions
This Melbourne-based company has specialised in converting mainly Toyota vehicles from 2WD to 4WD for many years. All conversions are engineered and tested to gain Australian Government Federal IPA or secondary manufacturing approval.
Bonetti Cruisinator
This pop-top conversion on the ubiquitous LandCruiser Troop Carrier was the brainchild of Stefano Bonetti, who upgraded it for 2021.
DIY campervan
Many tradies and handy-folk have built their own campervans and motorhomes. Here’s a guide to the process, so you can see if such a project is right for you.
Toyota Trakka Bushman
One of Trakka’s earliest camping conversions was done on the LandCruiser Troop Carrier, more than 30 years ago. The last development of the Bushman pop-top was a new design.
Trakka Jabiru AWD models
Trakka has expanded its Jabiru range with the introduction of two upgraded 2020 variants that are based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4.
Volkswagen Trakkadu ORP
Many outback travellers are looking for a go-anywhere campervan. Is Trakka’s Trakkadu the solution, Allan Whiting asks.