The corporate has an unlimited vary of trailer campers, every with totally different out there configurations– I’ve even lined one right here on autoevolution: the Raptor. However immediately, I’d wish to give attention to their sustainable transport answer, the Eco Mate. Even its title screams Australia – however that’s good, as Australians are likely to make sturdy and qualitative campers to deal with their nation’s difficult atmosphere. The Eco Mate is a reinterpretation of one other Royal aptitude caravan, the Aussie Mate, but it surely places extra emphasis on sustainability.
I might like to begin by mentioning the worth, because it’s a big shopping for issue for many clients. We will sometimes count on the next price ticket when speaking about eco-friendly autos, be it an e-bike or an electrical automotive. This is applicable to cellular houses and the Eco Mate as nicely, which is priced round a hefty A$190,000 ($125,376). Understand that Royal Aptitude at the moment solely has dealerships in Australia and New Zealand, so it’ll be robust, if not not possible, to get your arms on it should you’re from one other a part of the world.
Three ground plans can be found for the Eco Mate, however immediately I’ll be wanting on the 18-foot, two-person configuration, which is the smallest within the vary. Should you’re seeking to hit the street with your loved ones, the opposite two choices are far more accommodating, as they function double and even triple bunk mattress setups and more room.
Photograph: Royal Aptitude Caravans
The Eco Mate AM18’-1E model is 4,334 millimeters (171 inches) lengthy and a couple of,325 millimeters (92 inches) extensive, with a top of three,070 millimeters (121 inches). The automobile suggestions the scales at 2,929 kg (6,457 lbs.) tare, with an ATM (Aggregated Complete Mass) of three,748 kg (8,263 lbs.). Certainly, it’s fairly heavy, so that you’ll want an applicable highly effective automobile to tow it.
Royal Aptitude prides the Eco Mate as the right companion for an off-grid, distant journey. Earlier than we get into the options that make it able to holding you snug wherever you’re, let’s see what parts allow it to be pushed off the overwhelmed path.
The trailer camper’s physique is constructed out of aluminum composite panels, with honeycomb composite panels for the ground. The physique sits on an aluminum chassis related to Management Rider S Tandem air suspension. It would soak up most bumps on the street, particularly because it’s paired with devoted off-road tires. What’s extra, there’s a spare wheel bolted onto the rear bumper, and also you’ll additionally uncover a motorbike rack.
Most campers have two jerrycan holders on the entrance, and the identical goes for the Eco Mate, with two 9-kg (20-lbs.) canister holders. You’ll additionally discover a large pull-out storage field that may home mills. Different storage choices on the trailer’s exterior are a tunnel trunk, which is at all times helpful, and different small container bins.
Photograph: Royal Aptitude Caravans
After all, you’ll additionally discover connections for water and electrical energy, in addition to an out of doors bathe. Should you take pleasure in cooking outside, relaxation assured; you’ll uncover a BBQ slide-out with a gasoline bayonet. Moreover, an awning covers the facet of the camper, so that you’ll be protected against harsh climate situations.
However now, let’s transfer on from the rugged exterior to the comfortable, luxurious inside. It follows the identical association and styling because the Aussie Mate. As quickly as you enter, you’ll be greeted by an imposing fridge/freezer with a substantial 274-liter (72-gallon) capability. Simply above is a microwave; proper beside, you’ll discover a spacious wardrobe the place you possibly can retailer a few of your garments.
Earlier than I present the remainder of the kitchen, I’d like to the touch upon the utilities of the lavatory, an space typically missed in campers’ designs. Though the Eco Mate’s toilet doesn’t take an enormous chunk of area from the inside, it’s greater than sufficient to care to your day by day hygienic wants. You’ll uncover a reasonably spacious bathe, separated by the remainder of the area by a glass door. Different notable options are a small sink, a bunch of storage areas within the type of cupboards and drawers, a rest room, and a washer.
The kitchen has sufficient utilities to fulfill primary cooking wants – there’s a sink, an honest quantity of counter area, a gasoline/electrical range paired with a tiny oven, and a pantry. In spite of everything, that is the Eco Mate, not the Cooking Mate, so that you shouldn’t count on a complicated kitchen setup.
Photograph: Royal Aptitude Caravans
Towards the rear, we’ve the seating space, which doubles because the bed room – that’s potential resulting from an electrical drop-down mattress. Setup is simple – merely decrease the swivel desk, clear every thing out of the way in which, and drop the mattress. This manner, area is maximized, and there’s nonetheless a bunch of sleeping area. The rear window is flanked by six cabinets.
What I like in regards to the inside is the massive home windows, which let loads of gentle shine inside. All of them include screens, so if you wish to spend a lazy morning in mattress, they can help you make the area pitch black.
And at last, let me inform you in regards to the Eco Mate’s electrical tools, the ace up its sleeve, which allows you to have a stress-free journey, whether or not it’s off the grid or not. First, you will have the important camper tools, resembling plugs and a roof A/C. However what makes this trailer stand out is an Enerdrive 2600 W bundle, which incorporates a 60a AC charger, a 40a DC2DC charger, and a battery administration system. Moreover, you’ll discover two 300 Ah lithium batteries related to 4 210 W photo voltaic panels situated on two patented electrical slide-outs.
These utilities can help you camp in distant places with out the necessity for hookups or mills. The battery pack can assist cooking, heating, and local weather management. Pair these with the opposite utilities, resembling two 95-liter (25-gallon) freshwater tanks, one 62-liter (16-gallon) gray water tank, and a 12 V pressurized water system, and you may hit the street and revel in.
Photograph: Royal Aptitude Caravans
Digital methods aren’t missing both – there’s an leisure system with 4 audio system (two inside, two outdoors), a 24” television, an exterior TV field console, and Wi-Fi, so you possibly can keep related to the remainder of the world if you want.
Royal Aptitude presents model customization choices, resembling the colours for the entrance, again, and facet paneling, checker plates, and stickers. Relating to the inside, you possibly can go for totally different colour counter tops, splashbacks, and cabinets. You will discover out extra in regards to the Royal Aptitude Eco Mate on the producer’s web site. All in all, it’s an excellent automobile to hit the street with, particularly should you’re into distant places, however its luxurious options additionally contain a quite excessive price ticket.
