Frontline Renault Trafic – le camping car

Bonjour mes amies! C’est le moment pour le camping car review. If you are wondering about the Français introduction, I’ve been getting around in Frontline Campers’ latest pop-top campervan based on a Renault Trafic van.

I have some fond memories of the French vehicle manufacturer. On a visit to France some years ago, our hire vehicle was a hot little Renault hatchback with a manual gearbox. I’m okay with driving on the left but getting my right hand to do what my left hand has been doing for nearly 45 years took a few days.

Frontline’s new Renault Trafic is based on plenty of years of experience in the campervan conversion business, which Frontline certainly has. When I first checked over the Trafic, several features looked familiar – but the Renault added a new dimension. Frontline distinguishes its various models by the base vehicle, so there’s the Frontline Toyota HiAce, the Frontline Volkswagen; and, ta-da! the Frontline Renault Trafic.

LE DRIVE

When I picked up the Carmin Red (a very striking colour) Trafic, Frontline’s Gordon Galloway was enthusiastic about driving it, and I soon discovered why. It has frontwheel drive, is powered by a 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine and has a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The idea of a dual-clutch transmission in a van seems odd, given they’re usually used in high-performance cars … but does this camper fly, or what? For the enthusiasts, a six-speed manual gearbox is also available. I didn’t have the vehicle long enough to get any fuel economy figures, but the Frontline team reckon it’s considerably better than the Hiace. On my little sojourn around the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, I had no reason to doubt that.

In the driver’s cab, all the controls and instrumentation were close to hand; even the sound system volume controls, once I discovered where they were. The centremounted touchscreen panel has the expected Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® software and is very userfriendly. Around the cab, there are door pocket holders and cup/water bottle holders on top of the dashboard, but not much else apart from the good-sized pocket on top of the dashboard. It is large enough to hold a tablet or two and has two USB charger points for that very purpose. However, those same devices will be under the hot sun when driving along.

LE INTÉRIEUR

There are three layouts available with the Renault Trafic: The Vacationer, a two-seater with a walk-through; the Adventurer, a four-seater; and my review camper, an Adventurer Full Width, a four-seater with a full-width bed. The van itself has a sliding door and a rear lifting door. It’s also a flat floor layout, with easy access to and from the front cab seats. Adding to the rear layout is the passenger seat that swivels around. The rest of the layout is quite simple. There’s an offside kitchen bench and a day/night lounge seat that seats two when travelling and folds down into a bed.

Like most campers, the Trafic has a pop-top roof. It’s quite simple to elevate: just release the four corner
straps and push up. When the roof is raised, a removable shelf can be fitted across the air space in the rear. It’s a convenient feature for gear that might otherwise be stashed elsewhere when travelling. Large plastic boxes with lids are almost de rigueur in this style of camper.

There’s plenty of headroom and screened windows in the front and side walls of the gusset. In the van itself, there’s just one opening window on the offside. A couple of options fitted to my review van were zipped flyscreens for both the rear and sliding doors – an asset for sure. To get a bit more insect-free living space, there’s also the option of a flyscreen room for the Fiamma awning.

The plywood cabinetry in the Trafic is amazingly simple. Most of it in the Adventurer Full Width is fitted
along the mid-offside wall and forms up the kitchen cabinet. In addition to the induction hob, small stainlesssteel sink and 90 litre compressor fridge, there’s a range of small drawers and cupboards. There’s also a drawer under the rear seat for additional storage.

In the rear area, the platform and cushion form the bed at night but can be used for storage by day. Under the platform, the battery and battery management system take up part of the storage space.

LA NUIT

The rear seat folds down very quickly and what this layout has is a bed with a length of 1.85m (6ft 1in). It’s 1.6m (5ft 3in) wide at the rear (pillow end) which narrows down to 1.17m (3ft 10in) at the foot end. The downside is the loss of offside cupboard space, which is a feature of the Adventurer layout. It means a narrower bed – but given the minimal storage space, I know what I would be opting for. A great feature of the rear seat is that it can be folded to face the rear. With a couple of cushions, it makes a great place to kick back and enjoy the view outside.

LE POWER SYSTÈME

The Trafic has a 100Ah AGM battery with a 25A charger in standard form. However, my review Trafic came with a 200Ah Lithium LiFePO4 battery, a 100W solar panel and a Victron Multiplus 2,000VA inverter/charger. This electrical package is designed to easily cope with the induction hob, compressor fridge, water pump and LED lighting. As long as some basic amenities are nearby when camped up, the Trafic is quite well equipped for off-grid travel.

LA CONCLUSION

latest is built very much in the accustomed style. Undoubtedly, the Renault Trafic adds a new dimension and is a fun vehicle to drive. Designed for lightweight travel, the Trafic camper is highly manoeuvrable. It travels well on the road and fits easily into supermarket parking. Being a campervan, some set-up is required – but it can be done in less than 15 minutes. Ideal as a weekender and for longer-term travel. Très bien!

Source: The Wanderer
Written by: Malcom Street
Photography by: Malcom Street

4Motion Adventures road test the Toyota HiAce rear diff-locker

We met with Alex and the team from 4Motion Adventures to test and discuss the latest Frontline Toyota Hiace campervan with a rear diff-locker for off-road terrain.

Frontline Toyota HiAce H30 6 Gen Campervan 2022 Review

User-friendly compact campervan is perfect for first-time van lifers

User-friendly and compact, this Toyota HiAce campervan is perfect for first-time van lifers.
First-time RV buyers have flooded the market since the pandemic began, drawn to road-going holiday escapes by repeated lockdowns and travel restrictions.

For those new to RV travel, nothing could be easier or safer to drive long distances than a compact Toyota HiAce camper, especially one based on the popular medium van that doesn’t take up much more road space than a seven-seat SUV and is just as stress-free to drive and park.

Sydney-based Frontline campers were among the first to convert the latest HiAce and remain one of the few Australian specialists offering full ‘turn key’ production versions of this top-selling Japanese van. For nearly 35 years, Frontline campervans have been built with expert craftsmanship at the company’s Brookvale factory in northern Sydney.

Currently, the company builds around three vans per week, based on either the Toyota HiAce campervan or the more premium Volkswagen Transporter. Frontline camper conversions focus on simplicity and quality, offering just a few smart layouts and limited accessory options perfect for first-timers seeking ease and reliability.

Ready to roll

Pricing starts at $85,500 for the Frontline camper, with our Melbourne-based ‘try before you buy’ demo model priced at $87,500. It features a six-speed automatic transmission paired with the standard 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

This demo is a base model, representing what you get before ticking any of the 30+ optional extras.
“As a van aimed at people just trying out campervanning, we’ve kept this van very simple and haven’t added any options at all,” explained Jason Magee, Frontline’s Melbourne manager.
“But it also shows off the standard inclusions that go into every Frontline campervan, even before customers browse the options list.”

The van reviewed here features the ‘Adventurer’ layout, one of five available floorplans. It includes a compact kitchen, external shower, and forward-facing rear bench seat with two seatbelts. The rear seating quickly converts into a double bed at night, with the option of a pop-top rooftop bed to make this a compact four-berth camper.

Our black-bumper van is based on the entry-level HiAce LWB, though the GL version featuring colour-matched bumpers, fog lights, and a second rear camera is available for an extra $1000. Custom touches like roof racks, front nudge bars, and side stripes are optional. Still, Frontline camper conversions are known for maintaining the factory look, including flush-mounted pop-top roofs and tinted side windows.

SUV-Like Driving

The previous generation HiAce wasn’t a fan favourite, but this latest bonneted model is a big step forward in comfort especially for taller drivers. It delivers SUV-like drivability, with a clear forward view, good cabin ergonomics, and smooth gear transitions.

At 2450kg unladen, the Toyota HiAce campervan offers confident highway cruising, strong low-end torque, and good fuel efficiency. Not much larger than the latest LandCruiser, It’s quiet on the move, with only minor rattles from the cabin. Thanks to its compact footprint and tight turning circle, it’s easy to maneuver and park even at home, with a travel height of 2065mm.

Creature comforts include a leather steering wheel, air-conditioning, cruise control, and a touchscreen with sat-nav and smartphone mirroring. Safety-wise, this new Toyota HiAce campervan is equipped with disc brakes, seven airbags, stability control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

Fuel consumption during testing averaged 12L/100km, giving a 600km range from the 70L fuel tank.

Simple Setup & Functional Layout

A standout feature of the Toyota frontline campervan for sale is its walk-through flat-floor layout, allowing access from the cab to the living area great in cold or rainy weather. The pop-top roof is manually raised from inside using simple straps. Entry is through the sliding door on the passenger side, or via the tailgate, which doubles as a shade awning. The Fiamma side awning provides further outdoor shelter.

The pop-top offers generous headroom, with great natural ventilation from flyscreened windows. Optional removable flyscreens for the tailgate and sliding door help with insect protection during warmer nights.

External features include 240V power hookup, a 50L freshwater tank, and an optional 22L grey water tank. There’s also a compact external locker for gas bottles to support both the standard portable butane stove and the optional 2-burner gas cooktop.

Storage is practical and ample in this Toyota HiAce campervan for sale, with space for camping gear in the rear boot and an optional under-bed porta-Potti compartment. The Frontline campervan includes a 100Ah AGM battery, Victron charger, and solar regulator with Anderson plug for optional solar panels.

The induction cooktop, 75L fridge/freezer, stainless steel sink, and multiple USB/12V/240V outlets make for a fully equipped compact kitchen. The dinette table stows neatly behind the driver’s seat and offers a swivel mount for flexible indoor/outdoor use.

The ‘Rock and Roll’ bed setup is fast and easy to convert and quite comfy, although the 1860mm x 1400mm bed may be tight for larger couples. A rooftop bed option is available for small children.

Lighting includes LED ceiling fixtures and reading lights, with ventilation provided by windows and a 12V fan. For extra convenience, a diesel heater, microwave, TV, and external canvas rooms are all available as options. Interior cabinetry offers six drawers, a wardrobe, and overhead shelving finished in classic beech ply with Baltic blue upholstery and sand curtains.

Other on-the-road comforts

Cold showers are outside, using the retractable shower hose with a faucet accessible from under the rear tailgate. If you plan to travel in cooler months, an optional ($2300) 240V heat exchange unit is available for warmer showers.

The interior also has a good array of 240V, 12V and USB sockets for powering a few gadgets, including a 12V socket in the control switch panel located under the kitchen bench. There are also some LED roof lights, flexible stork reading lights, and a single 12V swivel fan.

There are block-out curtains on all windows and the front driving cabin windows, so the swivelled passenger seat remains within the camper space once you’ve closed up for the night.

There’s no option to fit an RV air-conditioner, but buyers can add a diesel space heater, microwave and TV, and canvas outside ‘rooms’, although the more stuff you fit, the less dedicated storage space you’ll have. However, there’s more than enough payload at 850kg, and you can tow a trailer up to 1500kg with the auto transmission.

There’s a surprising number of (compact) storage options inside, built into the light ply cabinetry on the offside wall, including six small drawers and cupboards around the kitchen and a good-sized cupboard/wardrobe alongside the bed for clothes and towels.

Frontline offers a limited palette of interior colour options. The review van sporting a more traditional look of beech ply cabinets, Baltic blue cloth upholstery, sand curtains and pebble lino.

Summing Up

While it may lack flashy extras, the Frontline campervans stand out for smart design, ease of use, and durable construction. Marine carpet and moisture-resistant ply ensure long-term reliability. Whether you’re seeking a weekend getaway or an everyday driver with camping capability, the Frontline HiAce Adventurer delivers real-world practicality in a neat, well-priced package. This is an ideal Toyota HiAce campervan Australia buyers can trust for quality, backed by a company with decades of experience.

How much does the 2002 Frontline HiAce Adventurer cost?

Price: $87,500

Credit: Caravan Camping Sales
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/frontline-hiace-2022-review-134626

Toyota Hiace Campervan Review by Time to Roam

We’ve been waiting a while, but the new Toyota HiAce campervan from Frontline was worth it.

Toyota had 15 years of technology and consumer sentiment on safety to consider. The Toyota HiAce H30 6 Gen campervan is significantly better than the outgoing model. No more do you sit over the engine and rely on the slimmest of vehicle crumple zones for safety. With the engine out front and a slew of other upgrades, the HiAce camper attained a five-star ANCAP safety rating (the current VW Transporter the T6 hasn’t been tested, but the T5 was rated four stars). But it’s more than just a bit of extra cushioning. Each Toyota HiAce campervan comes with seven airbags for the two front passengers, a pre-collision safety system, blind-spot monitoring, and even road sign recognition. Above that, the model I tested has an active lane-keeping function that turns the vehicle back into its lane if I let it drift out. It feels like getting hit by a gust of wind, but it works.

There are two engine options: a 3.5-litre V6 with 207kW and 360Nm, or the 2.8-litre from the HiLux, with 130kW and 450Nm.

The latter is expected to be the more popular option, and that’s what I’m testing. It used just under 11L/100km while I had it.

To drive, the Toyota HiAce campervan Australia spec is pretty impressive. Quiet and smooth in the cabin, with a modern dash and intuitive controls. VW still edges out slightly in seat comfort, but the difference is minimal now. And for those who are considering alternatives, Ford Transit campervan Australia models also offer a competitive ride and space, while Renault Traffic camper van designs continue to gain attention.

But let’s talk about camping. Frontline campers have made many layout changes to adapt to the new van, which is broader inside but slightly shorter overall. It also has a walk-through cabin, and the front passenger seat swivels. This small addition drastically improves the van’s usability.

The kitchen is a significant change for Frontline.

The kitchen is a standout. For years, Frontline camper conversions relied on methylated spirit stoves, but with the shift to a Truma two-burner gas hob built into the benchtop, it’s now a more efficient and elegant space. The fridge has also been upgraded to a Domestic 80-litre upright a quiet and high-quality unit, better than the older Engel options. Storage is a strength across all Frontline campervans, and this HiAce is no exception. Every bit of space has been utilized, with cabinetry that doesn’t rattle or squeak a mark of Frontline’s renowned craftsmanship. The bed setup, evolved from the Avalon layout, converts to a club-style lounge with a central table, and there’s ample space underneath for larger items like awning walls and camp chairs.

Typically for Frontline, the storage around the kitchen is excellent, with just about every available space used for drawers, cabinets, or hidey-holes.

It’s here you get to appreciate Frontline’s cabinetry work as it’s just behind the driver’s seat, but there was no squeak, rattle or annoying noise from it when I drove. The only noise from the back was the occasional slap of a curtain on the driver’s side sliding door, which I could have fixed if it was an issue. I did like that there’s a sliding door on each side, as opening it up behind the kitchen helped get a breeze through, not to mention the view.

The camper’s bed is an evolution of Frontline’s ‘Avalon’ layout, where the bed converts to a club-style lounge with a table that can sit in the middle. Given that the van is so much more expansive, it’s allowed the fitment of an extra cabinet down the side, seen in former Vacationer and Adventurer models. Keeping it all very simple, the table and an extra timber square are all needed to fill the gap to make a bed. And the ample, flat space is much longer than I’ve managed to make it seem in the pictures (it’s at least 6’4″ because that’s how long my surfboard cover is.

There’s plenty of storage under the rear bed. Two drawers slide out neatly into the main entryway while various cushions lift to reveal more cabinets underneath. The back half of the bed sits over a boot, the largest dedicated storage area in the van. It’s big enough for camp chairs, extra awning walls or other bulky gear.

Although simplicity is evident throughout the camper, it’s still fitted with all modern needs. 

The electrical system is straightforward yet capable. A 100Ah AGM battery sits under the bed, charged while driving, and expandable with solar. There’s a 50L water tank, LED lighting throughout, and multiple USB and 240V outlets. A cold-water rear shower is included, ideal for rinsing off after a beach stop.

Although simple in design, the Toyota Frontline campervan for sale today offers everything modern travelers want. Starting at $72,000 drive-away (as tested: $78,000 for the diesel auto), it represents strong value. Compared to a Frontline campervan for sale based on the VW Transporter, the Toyota HiAce camper for sale stands out in terms of safety and layout. And unless you specifically need AWD, the HiAce now leads the range.

Those considering alternatives will also find Ford Transit camper vans for sale or Renault Traffic camper conversion models worth looking into. Both brands offer great value and build quality – Ford campervans for sale especially stand out in the Australian market. Meanwhile, the Renault campervan’s new entries are proving themselves as versatile and comfortable contenders.

If you’re in the market, you’ll find various Frontline campers for sale, including Toyota HiAce campervans for sale, Renault campervans for sale, and Ford Transit Custom camper vans for sale, giving Australian travelers more options than ever before.

Overall, this is a great new camper. Too good, almost. For a few thousand dollars less, you can get a Frontline converted Volkswagen Transporter with the little 103kW engine. Unless you wanted a specific layout that’s not yet available in the HiAce, there’s no way you’d bother. Even the more expensive 132kW VW doesn’t look quite the value this new model does. The safety, comfort, drive, and layout of the new Toyota are just so good now that it’s a close game. For me, unless I needed AWD, I think the van from Japan is the best value camper in the range.

THE BASIC FEATURES

Frontline Toyota Hiace 6th Gen

From $72,000 drive-away. As tested
(diesel, auto) from $78,000 drive away.

Credit: Time to Roam