Time to Roam Magazine Issue 5 - October/November 2013 | Page 37

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tried + tested camper review

formaldehyde emissions.
There is a wide range of models in the
Northstar range, designed to meet a wide
range of customer requirements and
vehicles. The low profile pop top designs give
good clearance in wooded areas, but the
solid sided vans require less set-up and have
greater room inside.
The interior layouts also vary widely, but
all come with inner spring mattresses, hot
water system, fresh water tank, mains water
inlet, two-or three-burner glass top stove,
sink, fridge, C-Tek charger and battery(s), 4
or 9kg gas bottle, grey water tank, screened
entrance door, porch light and assist handle,
fire extinguisher, one 12V and two interior
240V power outlets, exhaust fan and LPG,
carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Layouts can include east-west or northsouth beds, all have interior eating nooks
which can be adapted as lounges and/or
additional bedding, some have showers and
many have toilets. All beds are located at the
front, above the vehicle cab.
All models also come with manual corner
jacks, but these can be converted to power
units that can be operated by a portable drill
and all come with fitting kits to adapt them
to your vehicle.
The models are variously designed
to match the vehicle, and can vary from
smaller, light weight models to larger
roomier layouts intended for heavy duty
vehicles. All popular ute and tray back
models are catered for. There’s also a huge
range of optional extras.
All Northstar units come with a five-year
offroad warranty on the basic structure
(all appliances carry their manufacturer’s
warranties) so you will at least know that if
you want you can undertake that Gibb River
Road or Cape York adventure that you’ve
always dreamed of in complete confidence,
even if all you end up doing is cruising up and
down the motorways near home.
Slide-on campers fit on a utility or
tray-back vehicle and are held in place
by restraints. The Northstar range come
with spring-loaded Happijac or Torklift
turnbuckles, which are designed to permit
the vehicle’s chassis to flex as it was

designed to without strain on the camper’s
mounts or the vehicle’s chassis or body.
Freedom Off Road will set up your vehicle
with detachable underbody chassis mount
kits to enable easy installation and removal
at home or away on camp.
About the only other adaption that
might be necessary is the fitting of set of
air bags (available for either coil or leaf
spring suspensions, which will assist in the
vehicle’s ability to carry the load safely and
comfortably. If desiring to carry a camper

that might exceed the GVM of the basic
vehicle Freedom Off Road can advise you on
upgrading the vehicle’s rating.
Since their introduction to Australia,
Northstar slide-on campers have won a
number of underlining their quality.
Price $27,990 plus fitting kit
Warranty Five years (structural)
Full details and specs
www.freedomoffroad.com.au

Freedom Offroad Director Ian Swallow and Sales Manager Steve Tanner
Below: Inside Freedom Offroad’s massive new complex at Penrith NSW

Issue 05 Oct/Nov 2013

37