Construction: Eclipse Off Road

EXCELLENCE BY DESIGN Very light weight – only 1300kg but fully off road Independent trailing arm coil suspension and dual shocks for ruggedness and reliability in all conditions Simple to operate – no complex mechanisms to break down in remote areas Effortless set-up. The gunya style awning system can be operated in minutes – whether overnight or for roadside stops External kitchen with optional internal cooking when required Access to full kitchen, pantry and fridge while on the move Ability to access all internal storage without popping the top 180 litres of water storage including 2 x jerry cans, plus River Access System; second 140 litre tank available Insulated internal space and double glazed windows Generous internal and external storage Large windows and fly-screen security door for great ventilation Superior suspension – independent coil sprung trailing arm with twin External shower
FEATURES Chassis Constructed from high tensile Supagal steel. Being twice as strong as hot dipped galvanized chassis thus achieves a lighter, stronger chassis. All suspension components are laser-cut for accuracy.
Suspension Independent trailing arm coil suspension, adjustable for camber and toe-in – an advantage in eliminating tyre wear. Twin EFS offroad shock absorbers on each wheel provide ultimate control in extreme conditions, resulting in less stress on each shock and extending the life of all suspension components. This suspension is based on the legendary Odyssey suspension proven in extreme conditions throughout Australia. It has also been proven on previous prototype models for distances over 80,000km.
Water Storage The ECLIPSE OFF ROAD comes standard with a 1 x 140 litre water tank. A second 140 litre tank is optional. These are extremely tough food grade poly with armour-plated sides, front, bottom and back, providing peace of mind that they are protected from damage. This large water capacity enables you to camp in remote areas for an extended time. A River Access System is also fitted, allowing you to pump from a stream through the hot water system, for a long hot shower.
Body Floor being aluminium is impervious to moisture and rust. Light weight hardwood ply is used in walking area, with a quality vinyl floor covering. Side walls are welded 25 x 25 RHS aluminium tube frame and 50 x 25 aluminium tube. Top edge sections are aluminium extrusions. External cladding is aluminium composite 4mm thick, powdercoated both sides. Lower cladding is chemically shined 1.6 ml propeller plate. Internal cladding is Duralite™, providing a totally waterproof and insulated interior.
Roof Welded aluminium side section and central panel is a one piece composite light weight fiberglass unit specially moulded for the ECLIPSE OFF ROAD. Internal covering is a specially melded fabric velour in subdued tone.
Roof Actuation Mechanical internal over-centre catches and 4 x external scissor lifts provide the power to support and lift the roof. The Roof section is made vibration proof by using a 3M EDPM hollow section dust seal and 6 x stainless steel adjustable over-centre catches. This is an extremely easy, quick system and negates the need for complex mechanical/ electrical mechanisms and provides and totally dust and water-proof top.
Windows 2 x large Dometic windows, double glazed with integrated roller blind and flyscreen and 7 x windows in the poptop skirt enable excellent ventilation. The door is a dust proof Trilock with a full Amplimesh security screen and locking mechanism for your safety. Access can be gained without the need to pop the top or extend the awning so the entire internal section, can be used while travelling. Even the toilet can be accessed en route, obviating the need to use questionable public toilets or go into the bush.
Internal Comfort Step into a dust free environment with an elegant European styled interior.
Bed A full queen size high density foam mattress is standard, with an 8” inner spring optional. The sleeping area has large windows for cross ventilation and there are 7 windows with fly screens in the pop-top area. The totally dust and water-proof interior ensures total comfort at all times. There are six (6) individual LED lights including 2 reading lights.
DINETTE The dinette has two single seats upholstered in quality fabric for maximum comfort in hot and cold weather, and a table that can be removed when not required.
EXTERNAL STORAGE An easily accessed front boot has 340 litres of storage, and the rear boot 250 litres, a total of 600 litres.
INTERNAL STORAGE As with all our models, storage space is very generous. The large multi-drawer cabinet provides lots of convenient space for clothes (220L) Under bed storage is 420 litres and under seat storage 120 litres. A large bench top with vanity basin and tap add to the luxury of the stylish interior. A hot water system can be optioned to give hot water to the vanity, kitchen and shower.
EXTERNAL SHOWER The rear external shower cubicle hangs from two stainless steel poles that prop from the camper body. The cubicle is large and well ventilated and connects to the main awning for comfort in all weather.
LIGHTING 6 x individual LED lights around the internal perimeter make for a beautifully subdued but practical lighting source. Each light has its own switch.
Cooking The ECLIPSE OFF ROAD has been fitted with a state of the art external stainless steel kitchen. Benefits of having the full kitchen and pantry outside include: Cooking inside is very hot and can be extremely unpleasant in hot weather. Cooking outside under the large awning is much more pleasant Cooking odours and airborne fat are problematic with internal cooking – like cooking in your bedroom. Cooking outside is much more sociable and the cook is not excluded– chat with your friends while you prepare meals Everything is in one place i.e. drinks, nibbles etc so your kitchen is not half inside and half outside. Creates much more internal space and allows for much greater privacy with distinctly separate zones for bathroom/toilet area and kitchen. A small cook-top with a glass lid can be fitted in the rear vanity bench if required. This enables the lid to be used as bench space when the cook-top is not required. The 80L Vitrifrigo 12V fridge/freezer, being located near the door, is accessible from both in and outside the camper. This fridge is very efficient and cools efficiently in the hottest environment.
Heating/Cooling Insulation is optimised in the ECLIPSE OFF ROAD with modern composite wall and roof materials. Heating and cooling can be achieved with the use of an under-bunk reverse cycle air-conditioning unit which can be powered either with 240V or with a 2KVA generator. This system is totally silent and does not detract from the total height of the vehicle or increase windage. The air-conditioner operates with the touch of a button. Diesel heating can also be installed and does not require 240V or a generator, so can be used in remote areas and national parks where generators are not permitted.
Weight/Height/Width The ECLIPSE OFF ROAD has been designed as your extreme off road escape machine. Just 1800 wide, it is narrower than your 4WD and the same length as our ODYSSEY off road camper, with the same 30 degree exit angle. These dimensions ensure the ECLIPSE will follow anywhere your 4W drive will go.
Electrical The ECLIPSE has a state of the art 12 volt system. 2 x 100 AMP deep cycle batteries provide 200 AMP hours of power, enough to power the 80L Vitrifigo fridge/freezer for up to 4 days. A solar panel can be added if required. The 240V system charges the batteries through a 25 AMP C-Tek 5 stage Swedish battery charger. This charger is widely considered to be the best in the world. The 12V Flojet pump draws from either front or rear water tank or through the River Access system. The gas hot water system, if fitted, has a 12V Piezo ignition and there is no pilot light for safety reasons. The hot water heater is a very efficient gas operated German made Truma unit that is plumbed to both shower and kitchen. The benefit of this system over diesel systems include: Much quicker to heat – just 10 minutes gives you enough for a couple of hot showers and a hot wash up. Because it heats so quickly the system can be simply turned on just before use. Very efficient on gas. Supplier of this unit, Dometic indicate consumption figures as follows: with 15 minutes useage daily one (1) 4 ½ kg gas bottle would last an extraordinary six (6) months. Whereas the gas hot water system is completely odourless, diesel systems are smelly and waft noxious diesel fumes through either your own or your neighbour’s camp site depending on wind direction. Being a single stand alone unit it makes more economical use of space whereas diesel units typically use 3 sepatate components which take up more space inside the camper body. Safety is also a consideration. The LPG system is used by 99% of the caravan industry and has been proven over many years to be safe and reliable. When hooked up to the river Access System you can enjoy unlimited hot water showers pumping from a creek or lake.
AWNING & ANNEX Set up is effortless. The gunyah style awning remains attached. The awning is 3.7 metres long and 2.3 wide. A full wall set is available with windows and doors, all fly-screened for your comfort. The shower cubicle similarly props from the camper. Being one piece it is very easily erected.
OUTSIDE COMFORT Stop, roll out the awning and pull out your gourmet kitchen and everything is ready for a great evening under the stars. The luxury of the ECLIPSE can only be experienced to be believed!
ECLIPSE OPTIONS The rugged little ECLIPSE is a great camper in its standard format but can be upgraded with some great options. The German made Truma hot water service is a popular addition providing hot water to kitchen, vanity and shower. The luxury of a hot shower at the end of a long day is sheer luxury. Solar power provides the ultimate in camping experience. The inner spring mattress makes for a great night’s sleep, and a full annex wall set will exponentially extend your living space for extended stays.

BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC DRUM BRAKES

There is ongoing debate about the virtues of electric drum brakes versus over-ride hydraulic.  We consider that the over-ride mechanism is not suitable for extreme off road conditions and as a lot of our trailers are used in this manner, to use anything but an electric brake would be irresponsible.

The over-ride mechanism works when the brakes are applied to the vehicle, but in a reactive manner.   While this may sound OK the problem comes when you do not want them to work, or you want to be able to adjust the braking on the trailer specifically for high speed dirt road driving,  or for wet or very steep conditions. In this case we increase the trailer braking above normal so the trailer is actually assisting the 4WD to pull up.  This ensures the trailer brakes are activated in a straight line in emergency situations, i.e. unmarked drainage dips, animals on the road or even a puncture at speed.  The over-ride brake cannot be adjusted in this situation and its on-off actuation can actually tend to throw the car about and cause possible roll-overs of car and trailer.

The only advantage of the disc brake is that it dissipates heat more quickly than a drum brake.  The only situation ever encountered where this is an issue is on a long downhill descent on sealed roads.  Most of these descents are signed for trucks to use low gears,  thus using the engine as a brake.  Regardless of your braking system, if you are towing up to 2000kg of trailer down a steep, long incline, you should be in as low a gear as possible and applying the brakes only intermittently.  This is responsible driving.   Only when the over-ride mechanism is electrically controlled  is it acceptable and this becomes a very expensive option.

Australian Off Road Campers have up to 320 litres of water storage which means if you are travelling with empty tanks the unit is 320kg lighter than it would be with full tanks.   If you are travelling in the rain or in sand, it is much safer to be able to electrically adjust the trailer braking to suit the trailer load and track conditions.

In extreme off road situations such as the Victorian High country or the tracks of Cape York, adjustable braking is essential.  If you are traversing a muddy or slippery track with little traction and a steep incline an over-ride brake will lock up completely and pull you into a gutter or worse – off the side of a cliff.  The electric brake is adjustable to prevent this scenario.

If you wish to reverse up an incline to do a 3 point turn the over-ride brake will again lock up, causing more dangerous problems.  When backing down an incline the over-ride brake does not actuate, whereas the electric brake works normally and is still adjustable.

When driving through water or mud the electric drum brake is self cleaning and self draining.  It is used by 99% of the caravan/camper industry, both off road and on road.  When coupled with a digital Teconsha Prodigy brake controller they are very reliable and extremely safe to use.

If you wish to reverse up an incline to do a 3 point turn the over-ride brake will again lock up, causing more dangerous problems.  When backing down an incline the over-ride brake does not actuate, whereas the electric brake works normally and is still adjustable.

When driving through water or mud the electric drum brake is self cleaning and self draining.  It is used by 99% of the caravan/camper industry, both off road and on road.  When coupled with a digital Teconsha Prodigy brake controller they are very reliable and extremely safe to use.