Folks, the machine we have before us today is known as nothing more than the X30. It's a family-ready travel trailer that's been designed and crafted by none other than Australia's Ultimate Campers, a crew whose work we've covered before. Considering they've been supplying Australians with campers that can handle the toughest terrain out there for 30 years, it makes them one of the teams to keep an eye on.
Well, the X30 before us today is considered this crew's newest version of an already-loved lineup, and this anniversary edition has it all. Oh, and just to be clear, these ones are selling in limited quantities - only 30 will be built - so once they're gone, they're gone for good. Let's see what we can get our hands on.
Now, what makes this puppy so important in my book is the fact that it's built to handle the worst that Australia can throw at its occupants, and to do that, composite materials are king. With them, Ultimate gives rise to a side-fold camper that can easily accommodate a family of four (king-size bed), keep them warm, cool, and dry, and allow them to bring along all the essentials needed to spend time away from the quotidian.
Starting things off with the exterior of the X30, Ultimate designed the unit upon an independent trailing arm suspension with long-travel coils and off-road shock absorbers. With a DO35 coupling, wherever your truck or 4x4 can venture, so can the X30. All that's attached to a Duragal chassis. What's important is the overall weight of this beast, just 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs), and it can be loaded up to 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs).
From here, we arrive at the shell; the one I mentioned is crafted from composite materials. This means a unit that can stand the test of time, especially with love and care; fiberglass and composite campers have been found in working conditions decades after sitting around in a garage. This one's no exception. Be sure to take a good look at that stone guard wrap on the body.
But wait, there's more. One thing I love about Australian machines is the way they've heavily aimed at outdoor living and enjoyment. That said, for any cargo and systems you may need, the storage bins at the front - 1,340 liters (only nose cone) - and all along the sides, even the rear of the X30, are there to help you get the job done. Bring tools, clothing, water, gas cans; you name it. That's not including anything else you can think of adding onto the roof or on top of the rear storage box.
A few other exterior features include the outdoor shower, mounting pints for a tent annex, lighting, a drop-down table and wind guard, and, my favorite, a 360-degree awning that covers the entire unit from tip to tail. Oh, and all the canvas we see is crafted hand in hand with Wax Converters Textiles Australia, a crew that's been in the textile business since 1991.
This last feature requires us to help the X30 evolve into its final form. To do that, you just have to unfold the redesigned and lighter roof (compared to previous X30 models) and rear staircase, and you're done; enjoy the afternoon siesta.
Now, once the bedroom is in place - it's what we find mounted on the underside of the roof - you'll also be able to access the living space found integrated into the X30's body. Along the port wall, we find a large L-shaped countertop with a sink, cooktop, a 130-liter fridge, and tons of storage. Along the starboard side, a U-shaped dinette offers a place to eat for all guests included in the roster and even a few friends you may make along the way. It also looks like this feature is modular, coming across as perfect for the kids.
The interior also gives us access to essential systems, such as any heating or cooling you may have added to your setup, plumbing, and the electrical setup that Ultimate has in place. I'm talking about two batteries managed by Redarc, the inverter, 140 liters (37 gals) of fresh water, and a filtration system. What I didn't see in the spec sheet were solar panels, but you can bring along a couple of portable panels, and that's that.
Suppose you're someone who loves the outdoors and looks to connect with it as often as possible, then the X30 is a travel trailer to consider, but there is one major downside in the X30's story, and it has nothing to do with the unit itself. Anyone outside of Australia can't get their hands on one, and if they do, you'll need to invest a ton of time, energy, and money to make it suitable for the road laws and regulations in your nation.
So, how much is the X30 going to cost interested buyers? Here's where things get very interesting. According to Ultimate, this version of the X30 is valued at $95,000 Australian ($64,300 American at current exchange rates), which is quite a bit, but to spice things up a bit, Ultimate decided to start an auction for the #1 X30 from the anniversary lineup, and the current bid on this unit is at $88,000 Australian, so folks clearly see value in the build. Just something to consider if you're an Australian looking for the "Ultimate Camper."