Ford 4x4 Suncamper Adventures

At the Covi Supershow in March, Levin RV Centre revealed an exciting range of Australian-built Suncamper motorhomes. Adding the Suncamper 4×4 Motorhomes and Suncamper 2WD IVECO/Mercedes-Benz based models to the range of RVs available from their site in Levin is a new distributor deal for Levin RV Centre owners Brian and Varee Anderson.

At the show I had a short time to check out the range on display and met Michael Spencer from the Suncamper Australia sales team. He gave us a tour of the fully optioned Suncamper Sherwood Conqueror 2024 model. Based on the Ford Ranger 4×4 cab chassis and packed with all sorts of extras for the off-road traveller: an integrated ‘bullbar’ and ‘brush bar’ set up, the snorkel set up for minor water crossings, and an impressive array of spotlights across the front that any hunter would relish, are just the obvious ones. I liked the rear ladder hooks and the fact you can walk on the roof for maintenance if necessary, or perhaps to carry a kayak or two.

Our tour with Michael at the Covi SuperShow piqued my interest, and a few weeks afterwards on a beautiful Saturday morning we travelled across the Remutakas to visit the Levin RV Centre.

We met Brian Anderson at the sales yard and chatted about the different models of Suncamper that were on order, and changes coming for the 2025 models

I jumped in the Ford Ranger cab, keen to have a good look at this cab-over motorhome style RV, on the 4X4 Ford Ranger cab chassis option. Brian commented on how easy the vehicle is to drive, the great rear viewing with the rear-vision camera’s, smooth 10-speed auto transmission with the latest-technology turbo-diesel engine – I was certainly happy on my side, and the big infotainment screen screamed the latest tech.

Customers have several options in the cab chassis: you can have a 2WD or full 4X4 in both the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger models, with GVMs ranging from 3180kg, 3500kg and up to 3650kg when a bigger payload is needed. The model viewed was the 2.0L twin-turbo diesel Ford XL 4X4 Ranger with 3650kg GVM. The base model starts at $234,000, and additional accessories on the model viewed brought this Demonstrator unit to $245,000. If you went with the petrol 2X4 Toyota Hilux base model the prices start from $182,000 as at April 2024.

Both vehicle ranges are fully spec’d with all the latest driver-assist programmes including ABS braking, EBD, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, collision forward warning, cruise control and more. Just as importantly the Apple Carplay/Android Auto Smart Infotainment system is the latest tech as well.

We parked up in a picture-perfect spot and Brian showed me over the vehicle. It is super compact at 5800mm long but is packed full of everything you might want.

A look around the outside reveals the standard toilet cassette hatch, mains power hatch, gas bottle hatch for 2 x 4kg bottles, water tank filling and a mains water hook-up are all on the right (driver) side of the vehicle; a dual reverse camera on the back, and Brian advises a bike rack can be fitted to the rear as well; the generously sized windows are all double-glazed acrylic with fitted fly screens and privacy blinds. On the passenger side, there’s a rear hatch to exterior storage space (under the rear dining seat), and further forward the diesel filler, and the habitation entry door. The door is a fancy European-styled door that splits out with a ‘Crimsafe’ fly-screened security door when needed.

The two-step electric entry is great, as this vehicle is nicely high off the ground, especially at the back as I found out when I easily got down for a look at the undercarriage of this wee beast. A wind-out awning extends from the rear to just over the habitation door, and a checker plate finish along the base of the body is a great idea, as is the exterior light under the awning and on the exterior handle.

Stepping up inside there are grab handles on the outside and the interior. The inside step is generous in width. On the immediate left of entry are the wall-mounted monitors and controls for heating, water, lighting and battery information. The Luton bed area above the front cab is a generous queen bed size at 1900 x 1500mm, the mattress in this model is innerspring with the mattress aerator system underneath. Windows on each side and a generous 400mm x 400mm roof hatch opens wide – if you want to you can actually climb out onto the roof to clean the solar panels as the roof is walkable.

Opposite entry is the bathroom with the bench toilet system, electric flush with large 19L cassette, a corner sink unit with shower head fitting, one drainage point, a clothes drying rack fitted at the top and a 12V exhaust fan hatch with light above. The door is aluminium framed with frosted glass.

To the right of entry, we have a surprisingly long bench on the right wall, home to the inset three-burner gas hob with a rangehood and cupboard storage above. Below the bench, a cool pull-out pantry and spice rack to one side, the 105L compressor fridge with internal fixed freezer box in the middle, and a drawer and more storage on the right – no sink on this side. On the left wall past the bathroom is wardrobe storage, a shelf above perfect to fit the Smart TV system and a second kitchen bench unit with a round stainless steel sink with a fitted lid, a water filter tap separate from the swivel water tap, a microwave tucked in underneath, and Brian tells me that with the 2000W inverter in this unit, you can run the microwave off-grid. I’m not surprised actually with the grunty 240Ah Lithium house batteries and 390W solar panels you can do anything you like off-grid. Finally, a kitchen that is different from all the rest – I like this layout a lot.

The rear of the vehicle is fabulous with its leather seating, big windows for brilliant views outside, and an excellent-sized table that simply tucks away into its own storage space as desired, and for when you convert this area to a big second berth for visitors. You don’t have legal seat belts for travelling with extra passengers, but those who pop in to visit with you can certainly stay over. Plenty of storage around the roof line in this area with locker storage with shelves within.

It was a pleasure to be with Brian and to share his enthusiasm for this cool brand. The 4X4 market in New Zealand is limited, and seeing Levin RV branch out into this market with multiple options for 2X4 and 4X4 as well as standard motorhome options for clients, we are excited for the company, and the lucky clients moving forward. There are very few compact motorhomes (or caravans for that matter) in which you can climb into a big comfy bed for a snooze during the day while your family relaxes at the opposite end of the RV in the living area playing games, eating or watching telly.

There are a lot of options available for these vehicles – start with a basic model and spec’ it up as much as your individual needs may require, as with the model viewed at the show that was set up for off-grid hunter-gatherer use. Alternatively you can just head out in the basic off-the-floor models, which will tick the boxes for most of us anyway. I can’t wait to look through the larger motorhome options as they arrive in NZ. Unfortunately, the one at the show, which I didn’t get to photograph or video, was sold and has already been picked up.

Suncamper History

Suncamper started in Balgowlah, NSW Australia, in 1977 as a two-man operation that fitted pop-tops to vans, and shortly after started producing 4WD campervans. The business changed hands in 1980 and 1986, and in 1990 Keith Harrison purchased the Suncamper business. Design and development took off from this point, with pop-top Toyota Hi-Ace campervans, Coaster buses and a Fiat six-wheeler just some of the innovative designs along the company’s path, and in the late 1990s, the first aluminium-framed Sheffield over-cab camper was built on a Holden Rodeo Ute.

Research and development have continued with new models launched through the years. In 2017 the new Saxby model was launched. 2018 was a winning year for the company with Best of the Best and Best NSW Motorhomes, Caravans and Fifth Wheelers awards being won. 2023 saw the company again nominated in the NSW Manufacturer of the Year category. The company is proud to be 100 per cent Australian-owned and feels that its five-year 100,000kms motorhome warranty is the best in Australia.

Construction

Fully welded steel base, solid steel frame serving as the RV base.

Sculpted and assembled through 40+ years of R&D, the exterior shells are designed to keep water and dust out no matter the environment. Strong 4S composite constructed fibreglass walls, sandwiching in the fire retardant insulation, are cut down to the millimetre on a state-of-the-art CNC machine.

A rust-proofing and sound-deadening agent is applied under the floor to protect from noise and road damage. With various anchor points throughout, the interior cabinetry is strong enough to be self-supporting, but partners comprehensively with the 4S walls. The plywood cabinetry has been glued and screwed together for maximum strength.