We take a look at Active Campers’ Vantage 2.4. A slide on camper that is not only lightweight but manages to squeeze in a full-sized toilet and shower!
There’s a lot of reasons to love the idea of getting a slide on camper. I mean, you don’t have to tow anything, so parking is easy, and you can go places a trailer can’t. Slide-on campers don’t need to be registered, and you don’t get slugged with additional trailer fees when you’re on the vehicle barge to K’gari or heading over to Tasmania.
However, not many slide-on camper manufacturers get it right. They either lack comfort or they provide too many unneeded extras at the expense of weight. This is where Active Campers really shine. They’ve managed to manufacture not only a lightweight slide on camper that you can remove from your vehicle once you set up camp, but also one that provides the perfect amount of necessities and luxuries without going overboard.
The Vantage 2.4 is designed to suit single cab utes and the majority of 1 ½ cab utes. If you have a dual cab ute, take a look at the Vantage 2.1, as this will indeed fit some dual cab models. Constructed using modern fibreglass technology and honeycomb sandwich wall panels, the result is an extremely strong but also very light (as far as campers go) camper that weighs around 550kg. Surprisingly, this weight includes the legs and battery.
One of its most convenient features is that it can be removed from the car quickly and easily both at camp, so you don’t have to re-set up after a day exploring, and at home, when you want to store it and drive your ute around as your daily driver. It takes around 15 minutes at a relaxed pace to get it off your ute and set up. It’s not labour-intensive either, as you use a drill to work the removable jack-off legs up and down. Of course, you don’t have to take the slide on camper off your vehicle to set up camp if you don’t want to.
When you are ready to set up camp, it’s as simple as opening the door, pulling down the steps and pressing a button to activate the 12-volt actuators that open the roof.
In case you’re wondering, here’s how to remove it and re-attach it back to your daily driver.
Active Camper’s Vantage 2.4 slide on camper is tall enough to enter with the roof closed, and opening it (by the press of a button) provides you with 1.86m of standing height. More than enough to stand in the kitchen area and whip up a quick dinner. And although you can eat said dinner inside if you wish, alfresco dining is also an option thanks to the 3.8m x 2m side awning.
The kitchen and bathroom have everything you need without all those ridiculous extras that jack up the price. And let’s face it, if you can’t live without an excessive amount of extras, maybe camping and being outdoors is not for you.
Despite how I’ve made this sound, both are far from lacking. The kitchen features hot and cold water, a stainless steel gas cooker and sink, an internal rubbish bin, a 130L 12/volt fridge, and various hatches, cupboards and drawers. Located next to the kitchen is a slide-out table and seating for two people.
The bathroom uses a clever design that converts the hallway space into a full-size toilet (cassette) and shower. Of course, the necessary comforts are catered for, and you can still enjoy a hot shower thanks to the electric and gas hot water system. Two 50L fresh water tanks come standard for 100L in total, and there is even an on-board grey water system with 30L capacity.
The Vantage 2.4 slide on camper features an RV Queen-size bed (1.9m x 1.55m) and a mattress underlay. That slide-out table and seating for two people we mentioned earlier? Well, this converts to an extra bed.
In terms of storage, it’s never going to be amazing in a slide on camper, but the Vantage 2.4 has some surprising inclusions, such as an internal hanging wardrobe space. You’ll also find five drawers and a storage hatch under each seat, and overhead cupboards in the kitchen area. All your extra 4WD gear or camping kit can be stored in the large external storage compartment, which is accessible from either side of the camper.
A 120 amp lithium battery is paired with a Redarc BCDC charger and battery monitor to power all your necessities and comforts from home. There is also a 240-volt power supply, earth leakage, circuit breaker, double powerpoint and an onboard battery charger.
Although this slide-on camper comes with everything you need to get started, if you want to stay off-grid longer, it’s definitely worth getting some of the optional extras, such as the 350-watt solar system and a second lithium battery. In terms of comfort, you can also level up with a 12V 24” LED smart TV, gas heater, Sirocco fan and an external shower.
The Vantage 2.4 slide on camper from Active Campers will set you back around $79,500. Any optional extras are just that – extra.
