As fun as big, luxurious, well-appointed RVs are, there’s something beautiful about the simple, lightweight mid-size truck camper, loaded with modular components for backcountry camping. It’s light enough for off-roading and camping anywhere before turning back into a daily driver. Isuzu UK showed off one of our favorite AT35 Basecamp show trucks a year ago, highlighting such great components as ARB’s Swiss Army Knife galley and iKamper’s collapsible Skycamp Roof Tent (RTT). Now, it’s teamed up with ARB UK to make this type of campervan a dealer-ready reality. The new D-Max V-Cross “Expedition Edition” touts another fast and light camper pickup possibility.
The AT35 Basecamp is an arctic-style model based on the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35, while the new Expedition Edition is based on the more basic, everyday-style D-Max pickup. As a camper, though, it’s pretty similar, combining a folding hard-shell roof tent, extended kitchen, drawer system, and truck enclosure into a modular truck camper that can be easily dismantled back into an empty, everyday workhorse.
The AT35 Basecamp uses an iKamper Skycamp 3.0 folding monocoque RTT, but since Isuzu now exclusively uses ARB components, this model will have to be replaced. Fortunately for both parties, ARB introduced its own expandable hardshell tent last year. The ARB Esperance is a low-profile monocoque weighing 123 lbs (56 kg) and 13 inches (33 cm) tall that folds down to a more spacious three-person shelter at camp with a stargazing sunroof panel.
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On the downside, the Skycamp 3.0 sleeps up to four people, while the Esperance is only designed for two adults and one child, offering a queen-sized sleeping area of 60 x 79 inches (152 x 200 cm), compared to the 83 x 77 inches (211 x 196 cm) area of the Skycamp 3.0. The Esperance is just over £1,400 less, though, and comes with some thoughtful extras, including a sunroof, dimmable interior LED strips, exterior LED strips and shoe and organizer bags.
The Expedition Edition’s color-matched “Valencia Orange” ARB Ascent hardtop pickup shell holds the Esperance high off the ground with ARB’s versatile modular BASE roof rack, providing hardshell security for the full slide-out galley below. Isuzu installed the ARB Sliding Kitchen, a quick-expanding design that slides and swings out into a spacious L-shaped outdoor kitchen with a full-length countertop that can hold up to 66 lbs (30 kg). The swing-out section of the kitchen features a three-burner gas cooktop and a collapsible sink that can be used with a basic pitcher or a compact powertrain such as the Dometic HYD.
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The slide-out pantry stores inside ARB’s Outback drawer system. The opposite side of the unit features a pull-out drawer topped with a 60 liter ARB Zero 12V refrigerator, completing the kitchen space.
The Expedition Edition will debut at the Games Expo in Warwickshire at the end of this month. While the Expedition Edition follows the AT35 Basecamp as a show vehicle, D-Max buyers can actually build it as a truck that can drive out of the parking lot. Select UK Isuzu dealers will stock ARB parts and buyers will be able to purchase fully fitted vehicles directly. Isuzu UK says approved accessories have been rigorously tested and meet the quality, safety and performance standards set by Isuzu and the ARB.
British Isuzu
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 4×4 starts at £34,279 (approximately $44,075) including delivery but excluding VAT, and Isuzu prices the ARB package for the Expedition Edition as follows. For those who like the bottom line, the extras will set you back a whopping £48,009 ($61,725) before the government’s 20 percent VAT.
Complete Accessories Price List*
Isuzu Below is the full price list of ARB components that Isuzu will be offering through selected UK dealers:
- ARB Ascent Hardtop Gullwing Remote Lock £3,097.50
- Esperance Hard Shell Roof Tent £2,384.00
- ARB Awning with Lights 2000mm x 2500mm £364.00
- ARB Baserack Awning Mount Quick Release £96.00
- Narrow base bridge for roof tent fittings £82.00
- ARB Outback drawer set with pantry and trundle floor £4,420.00
- ARB Zero Refrigerator 60 Liters 12V DC – 240V £1,012.50
- ARB Refrigerator Zero Tie Down Kit £51.25
- Folding Anchor Kit (set of 4) £58.20
- ARB Recovery Point Red LHS £260.00
- ARB Recovery Point Red RHS £260.00
- Tailgate Assist £271.25
- ARB Heavy Cargo Extraction Organizer £56.50
- ARB Heavy Cargo Draw Organizer £42.50
- ARB Heavy Cargo Draw Organizer £28.50
- ARB Kitchen Bag £51.50
- Kitchen Buddies £92.00
- ARB Weekend Recovery Kit £125.00
- ARB BASERACK Rising Roof Kit 1835mm x 1285mm £977.50
- ARB Outback Drawer Refrigerator Cable Conduit
*All prices shown are suggested retail prices and exclude taxes. VAT.
source: British Isuzu
