REVIEW CAMPERVAN | FRONTLINE T5 ADVENTURER Saw that coming WORDSAND PHOTOGRAPHY BRENDAN BATTY The new Frontline T5 has some welcome improvements – even a few that AC+RV suggested www.caravanandrv.com.au || 53 REVIEW No cabinet rattles, no doors squeaking – just the normal road noises we expect 54 || AUSTRALIAN CARAVAN+RV STORAGE WARDROBE STORAGE REAR BENCH CONVERTS TO BED REMOVABLE TABLE ROLL OUT STOVE SWIVEL SEAT A bout a year ago, we took Frontline’s VW Adventurer camper across the NSW outback and down the Cobb Highway. Fitted with Volkswagen’s most powerful van engine and its most sophisticated off-road, all-wheeldrive transmission, it was an exercise in excellence – even if the van was boring white. Frontline has traditionally fitted its specified off-road models with the biggest engine and opted for the 4Motion transmission – but it does get rather pricey. Could a less powerful, less able, two-wheeldrive van still offer as much freedom? What if it was bright orange? Turns out, it doesn’t much matter what colour it is – the Frontline is still a good van – even with the less powerful 103kW diesel engine and limited off-road ability. Packed up for a week at the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) Rally in Port Stephens, we also got a chance to see if our suggestions to Frontline after our last review had actually been helpful. One of those was rewiring the Baintech battery meter so that its infuriatingly bright backlight on the LCD screen didn’t stay on all night like some distant supernova. Another was updating the fluoro lights with LEDs to maximise battery efficiency. We thought that our ideas were splendid and are very pleased that Frontline agreed. As always, though, we are continually impressed by the fit of the Frontline conversion. The Adventurer Pack layout features a small kitchen with 90-litre 12/240V compressor fridge (Engel ST90F) which is, if we’re honest, an overly noisy appliance. There’s a metho stove that slides out from under the bench, plenty of storage (including a wardrobe), an external, tailgate-mounted cold shower and a second row of seats and seatbelts that when folded down make a flat bed. It’s cosy, convenient and comfortable. The best thing about it, though, is that there is very little noise as a result – no cabinet rattles, no doors squeaking – just the normal road noises we expect in a van, and occasionally the clatters of the mug we left unwashed in the sink. We think this is the result of the CNC-cut cabinetry that’s so well put together, combined with just how solid the small vans are. We really can’t fault the Frontline product. It continues to combine comfort and value in very attractive packages. You’ll be sure to see us travelling in one again. FRONT AND BACK The fit of the Frontline is exemplary and allows generous storage space. FRONTLINE T5 ADVENTURER VERDICT + Orange paint job, noiseless cabinets, updated features - Noisy fridge = The van for those who like attention FAST FACTS 1 MANUFACTURER: Frontline Camper Conversions MODEL: Frontline T5 Adventure Pack CHASSIS: Volkswagen Transporter T5 ENGINE: 2.0 TDI103, turbo diesel POWER: 103kW EXTERNAL LENGTH: 5290mm WIDTH: 1904mm HEIGHT: 2060mm BERTH: 2 TARE: 2200kg GVM: 2850kg TOW CAPACITY: 2000kg WARRANTY: 12 months PRICE: $79,200 as tested, drive away MOD CONS TOUR A dinky kitchen with metho stove (1) impresses us and the van’s poptop (2) gives ample head room inside, but the Engel fridge (3) is a little too rowdy for our liking, even if it is very well stocked. 2 CONTACT Frontline Camper Conversions 36 Cross Street, Brookvale, NSW 02 9939 0600 FRONTLINECAMPER.COM.AU 3 CAMPERVAN | FRONTLINE T5 ADVENTURER www.caravanandrv.com.au || 55
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