Along with [some other competitors which we won’t give a free ride to on our website but that are mentioned in the online article], one of the most recognisable shapes in the camper trailer market belongs to the Ultimate, built in Moruya on the NSW South Coast.
And just when you thought the X20 model launched to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary in 2014 was the ‘ultimate’ Ultimate, it now turns out to be the ‘penultimate’ following the introduction of the new 2017 NEXUS model at the recent Sydney Caravan Supershow.
Taking the Ultimate range to five models, the NEXUS builds on a good, lightweight camper design by adding some new toys, new exterior and interior décor and lithium power, albeit for a premium price.
While premium hard floor camper trailers models and the range-topping [more mention of those damned competitors – enough already Michael!] models all top out in the low to mid-$60,000 range, the NEXUS pushes the envelope into the next bracket, with its pricing from $73,500.
So, what do you get for hard core hybrid pop-top money?
For a start, you get a new look, with the all-fibreglass NEXUS now even smarter with its two-tone white and charcoal body finish, topped with a new-look light grey canvas fold out tent section with a built-in safari roof.
Standard 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels shod with premium Cooper off-road tyres break new ground for camper trailers, which are rarely fitted with anything larger than 17 or 18-inch wheels — usually matched to the tyre size of their tow tug.
Inside, white leather is used for the U-shaped lounge/dinette seating, with timber-look features employed in the galley, which gets a new carbon fibre benchtop housing a lidded sink and a two-burner gas cooktop. This is matched by a removable carbon fibre dining table.
Cosmetics aside, the biggest change in the NEXUS is unseen and consists of dual 100A/H lithium-ion batteries (instead of twin 110A/H deep cycle AGM), controlled by a Redarc management system incorporating a battery-saving low voltage cut-off switch.
Twin 160W solar panels and a Redarc 1500W Pure Sine Wave Inverter are also standard on the NEXUS, providing enough electrical firepower to keep a coffee pod machine running hot for many days on end in remote areas.
A wireless reversing camera, built-in tracks for roof racks, a gas space heater, 110 litres of fresh water storage and a 110-litre compressor fridge complete the NEXUS’ comprehensive spec.
Apart from its added equipment, the NEXUS still ticks all the boxes that have made the Ultimate a popular hard-floor alternative for camper trailer buyers for the past 23 years.
These include its light weight (850kg Tare), massive 570mm ground clearance and long-travel coil spring independent suspension, which means it can go pretty well anywhere behind even a medium-sized 4WD.
Plus, with its cavernous 1230 litres of storage in its front boot, you can take a lot of comfort items like outdoor chairs, a Webber Baby Q, etc. with you.
Interestingly, the NEXUS displayed at the Sydney show was fitted with AL-KO’s new 3500kg capable 50mm off-rad ball hitch — the only caravan or camper trailer we saw at the show with this new extreme-terrain coupling
