Untitled - Ultimate Campers

Off The Road
XUltimate
Ultimate Campers X20
The Anniversary
For 20 years the ultra tough bullet shaped Ultimate X-series
has had its special place in the camper trailer world.
I
know it’s hard to believe, but the Ultimate X-Series camper is 20 years
old this year. Still turning heads, these
ultra-tough campers look so modern
they could have first rolled out of the factory yesterday and still wowed the hardnosed camper trailer world.
To celebrate the occasion Ultimate
Campers have released an anniversary
model that is full of features many new
buyers will appreciate.
A special colour scheme and black
chrome wheels shod with Cooper off
126 ON THE ROAD November 2014
road tyres give a fresh look to the camper
and keen observers will notice a new rear
carbon fibre spoiler to help prevent dust
settling on the rear steps.
To get an up close impression of this
flagship model in the X-Series fleet we
hooked one, fresh off the production line,
to the back of our Cruiser for a tour of the
Eurobodalla Coast for a couple of days.
As we headed out we were told to put
it through the wringer and bring it back
dusty and muddy.
This latest example is an evolution of
many ideas that have gone into improving the camper over the years. Refinements have made the camping side a bit
softer, and perhaps some early Ultimate
owners who eschewed such comforts in
their younger days may now think that
things like hot water and optional heater
aren’t a bad idea after all.
To backtrack a little, the Ultimate came
from Michael Hackett’s boat building experience (see story attached) in which he
formed the body from fibreglass because
of its inherent strength and almost unlim-
ited potential to form intricate shapes.
All fibreglass mouldings, chassis construction, tent and furnishings are made
in house and where possible Australian
fittings are used to ensure quality and
serviceability.
Many other campers share a similar
look and it’s often difficult to tell one from
another at a distance. That’s not the case
for the Ultimate. Their streamlined shape
is unique and stands out in a crowd, to
the extent that people still come along
www.ontheroad.com.au
and ask about it at campgrounds. And
while the immaculate fibreglass might be
attractive, underneath it’s all business,
with a proven chassis and suspension
designed to go anywhere a tow vehicle
can.
After stocking up with provisions we
headed to the coast to set up the camper
for the night. With it’s light weight and sophisticated long-travel suspension soaking up the bumps the Ultimate tracks well
and is easy to tow. Over long distances
I have no doubt the aerodynamic shape
would significantly cut down the fuel bills.
Having reviewed a number of models
over the past few years we have mastered the setup of the X-series and can
get it ready for relaxing inside five minutes, but like everything it might take new
owners a bit longer the first time.
Our routine is to choose a site, remembering that the bed folds out to the
driver side, so space is needed including
the need to clear any overhanging trees.
ON THE ROAD November 2014 127
The dinette is very comfortable.
The X20 is a true offroader.
The iconic bullet shape
of the Ultimate X20.
Then unlock the lockdown clamps, lift the
top sideways and out to its horizontal position on its single gas strut. Open the door
and go inside to lift the tent supports and
install the spreader bars before setting the
three mattress sections for the bed and fitting the bedding. With sheets already fitted
and a special X20 doona it’s easier than
ever. Tidy up the canvas by attaching the
elastic straps to the body and insert spars
into the two awning ends and clip them
onto the camper to add shade and weather protection.
If anything, there could be a criticism
of having to make the bed at each setup,
but we have never found it an issue and as
with all campers there has to be a compromise somewhere to achieve a usable level
of interior space and simplicity of setup.
The wedge shaped body integrates a
monster 1340L nose cone storage space
that is easily accessed from side opening
hatches. It’s a weatherproof, secure place
that will absorb most of the things we find
essential on our travels. To the driver’s side
the anniversary model has its water heater
Steps up to entry.
and brackets for two jerry cans, satisfying
various state laws that ban external carriage of fuel.
In the corners of the body are additional lockable hatches that accommodate
a pair of gas bottles, a portable toilet (that
can be accessed from inside) and twin
110ah house batteries with a 40amp Redarc charger and a Sinergex 700w pure
sine-wave inverter that can run computers
without fear of damage.
A recent innovation on the Ultimate is a
stainless steel picnic table that is stored in
the nosecone and clips onto the kerbside
body. It has a wind guard, and room for a
gas cooktop or small BBQ and would be
handy for both quick stops along the road
as well as for cooking outside when camping.
Underneath its rugged go-anywhere
suspension supports a proven Duragal
chassis, engineered to be lightweight yet
strong enough to keep the fibreglass body
from twisting. Ground clearance is an impressive 570mm and the off road drums
are electrically operated. The sturdy trail-
ing arm independent suspension has class
leading Koni adjustable shocks and locally
made Lovell coil springs.
Inside the camper is a surprisingly
roomy space where the wide windows
can be adjusted on quality zips to let in as
much, or as little of the surrounding view
and airflow as desired. Running along
the nearside and around the front in an
L-shape, the very contemporary looking
carbon fibre benchtop is a new addition
for the X20, as is a storage shelf above the
bench. Set into the bench are a two burner
gas stove and Smev stainless steel sink
with lid to provide more preparation area. A
handy storage pantry is incorporated into
the corner of the bench and many drawers share space with an 110L compressor
fridge below the bench.
Also built into the bench are a bluetooth
Fusion MP3 radio for entertainment and a
funky looking panel for water level and battery condition. In total I found seven 12V
plugs for charging phones and batteries
while the inverter can power a 240v television or other small appliances.
Large lockable hatches
for storage.
The very comfy bed is king size.
128 ON THE ROAD November 2014
Adjacent to the galley is a comfortable
dinette with a U-shaped lounge in special
X20 colours and removable table in black
carbon fibre to match the galley. The table
fits into a floor socket and comes with a
stand so it can also be used outside.
With the large king size bed there is
space along the side to store luggage
without compromising sleeping space and
the high density foam mattresses are extremely comfortable. Individual LED reading lights are a nice touch and can be directed in any direction to minimise glare on
a sleeping partner.
As the temperature dropped on the
late winter night it was time to head inside
and fire up the heater. With the roos and
wombats shivering outside we were snug
and a little smug as we sipped our cocoa.
Luxury.
Packing up next morning was an easy
task and pretty much the reverse of the
setup and if anything it seemed quicker.
Everything was stacked away inside the
camper but there is even more room on
the rooftop rack for extra luggage or even
The kitchen is well appointed.
a small boat or a couple of kayaks.
In search of a road to get the camper
dirty we headed into the hills north of Batemans Bay and along forestry tracks to the
Big Bit where we found sweeping views
back down to the blue outlined coastline
and west to the mountains. While it’s not
strictly speaking four wheel drive country,
we got to put the camper over some rough
side tracks, steep pinches and through
tight turns to confirm the off-road ability and articulation of the 360 degree Treg
Coupling.
At Shallow Crossing the rubber seals
on all the openings proved to be watertight
and they told us later at the factory that,
in keeping with the camper’s nautical heritage, it would have floated if the water was
deep enough.
The latest version of this inimitable,
locally grown camper hits a new level
of comfort that many will find attractive.
As more and more people come into the
market and as innovations are introduced,
the public’s expectation of what a camper
should be has changed. While diehard
Strong offroad
suspension.
campers will belittle such things as a hot
shower and a heater, many expect such
comforts and it can make the difference
between a happy time on the road and a
never to be repeated experience for some.
It is testament to the original design concept of the Ultimate that it remains fresh
and relevant twenty years on. The company
has avoided change for change sake and
has chosen to offer refinements to the XSeries, based on owner feedback and their
own experience in ongoing testing.
Naturally the new additions come at a
price and, starting at $58,920, the X20 is
the most expensive model in the range.
It’s also one of the most capable all-terrain
camper trailers on the market, able to get
into extreme locations with an experienced
driver at the wheel of the tow vehicle. And
the value of getting home without worrying
if the trailer is going to fail? Priceless.
John Ford
FACT FILE
Manufacturer: Ultimate Campers
Model: X20
Country of manufacture: Australia
Overall length: 4.25m
Width: 2m
Travel height: 1.8m
Tare weight: 850kg
Gross weight: 1300kg
Ball weight: 45kg
Price from: $58,920
Contact:
Ultimate Campers
39-41 Shelley Rd, Nth Moruya NSW 2537
Ph. 02 4474 4410
www.ultimatecampers.com.au
ON THE ROAD November 2014 129
Off The Road
Industry Profile
Michael and Wendy
Hackett from Ultimate
Campers talk with
John Ford about their
twenty years making
one of Australia’s best
respected off road
campers.
L
ike many successful ventures Michael and Wendy Hackett didn’t start
out with a particular goal in mind but
twenty years down the track they are at the
helm of a thriving business in their hometown of Moruya on the NSW south coast.
In the early 90s they were living on the
opposite side of the country enjoying an
idyllic lifestyle on the WA coast with Wendy working as a teacher and Michael as
a boat builder and PADI diving instructor,
taking tourists out to Ningaloo Reef. They
needed a trailer to transport all the equipment as well as their camping gear so Michael put his skills to use to make his first
trailer.
This led to him experimenting with various camper designs, including a front fold
version, before settling on the now famous
side-fold. By this time, with children on the
20 years at the helm
way, the couple moved to back to NSW
and before long, friends were asking him
to make them a camper like his fledgling
design.
They decided that building campers
could turn into an ongoing business opportunity and, without the internet to help,
Michael started researching products and
materials that would be compatible with
his designs. He even managed to teach
himself the fledgling computer design programme AutoCad.
Combining his boat building skills and
theories of suspension and, he drew up
his first Ultimate using the principles of the
Sugarglider independent suspension but
with modified spring rates and trailing arm
angles. With Wendy supporting the family
as a teacher, they rented a factory in Batemans Bay to build two prototypes from fibreglass moulds and chassis jigs Michael
made himself.
The first camper was put through
thousands of miles of tortuous testing to
the point of destroying it to see what sort
of punishment it could take. (A lot by the
sound of it). The second one went to the
Rosehill Caravan and Camping Show
where it was such a success, orders started flowing in. As an aside, Michael told me
that the original camper is still on the road,
having been through four owners who
have clocked up over 200,000 km with it.
From the single factory, production
spread across five locations before moving in 2007 to the purpose built facility still
occupied today in Nth Moruya.
The original concept of the camper,
which has come to be known as the XSeries, has remained constant with refinements along the way to accommodate
special requests or modifications owners
have tried themselves.
So good is the original design and ongoing quality control that there have been
minimal warranty issues and very few failures in the suspension or body, despite
many trailers being put through hell. Even
campers involved in fairly serious accidents can often be returned to the factory
on their own wheels for repairs.
Changes have included a redesign of
the entry steps to a new Australian Design Rule compliant, lightweight fibre-
glass moulding that is easily deployed and
stored. Provision for a portable toilet was
made when a couple refused to buy an Ultimate unless it could be included.
Innovations have included the Safari
Roof, the first double-skinned roof in the
industry, which allows airflow over the top
of the tent to minimize heat transfer and
reduce condensation inside.
Gull wings in the nose cone have allowed easier access, and are available
on premium models. As new products
come along they have been included in
the campers. Improvements in technology
have brought better LED lights and more
efficient refrigeration, while battery and solar technology have also come a long way
in the last 20 years.
Right through Ultimate’s history, Michael and Wendy have endeavoured to
use the best quality Australian products in
their campers, while employing the besttrained workers to complete the task.
Their company is one of the biggest
employers in the area with a staff of over
70 including some 30 apprentices, for
whom they have pioneered a trade training course in camper trailer building, which
takes in all the various components of
manufacture.
To celebrate twenty years in business
the new X20 joins the existing XPLOR and
base model XTRK for those who already
have their own camping and cooking
equipment. But the flagship of the Ultimate
fleet is the Nautilus released after years of
testing.
Not keen to rest on their reputation with
the original camper Michael and Wendy,
with typical enthusiasm, embarked on the
Nautilus project to satisfy the demand of
customers requesting more comfort and
space than the X-Series could offer. Their
aim was to produce the best camper trailer
possible and it could be argued that the innovative monocoque result fulfils that goal.
Not only does it look extraordinary, it’s as
tough and innovative as the original Ultimate but with a permanent bed and unique
ensuite.
For Michael and Wendy their success
has hinged on being fanatical about quality
and listening to customers. Their web forum gives the 1700 X-Series and growing
number of Nautilus owners plenty of opportunity to express themselves and share
ideas and destinations with fellow Ultimate
owners.
Ultimate musters have been a successful way of getting owners together in
the past and plans are underway for a big
twenty-year celebration on the NSW South
Coast later this year. Michael and Wendy
look forward to meeting with the many
owners they have come to know over the
years and the On the Road crew will be
coming along to help mark the occasion.
John Ford
Simpson Desert
Be there. See that. Do that.
Buy an Ultimate.
130 ON THE ROAD November 2014
www.ontheroad.com.au
www.ultimatecampers.com.au
ON THE ROAD November 2014 131