Remember touring Europe in a VW Kombi - mattress in the back and your crazy friends up front? All you needed was a map, sunglasses, camera, and lots of beer. Life was simple - it was one big party. Then came the wife and kids.
Now you can relive those carefree days exploring New Zealand in a new generation Volkswagen campervan. Built on the VW Crafter van, the Base Jumper 4 campervan is a revolution in vehicle design. We've taken New Zealand's most popular campervan design and stretched it out to 6.9m so it's big enough for four. Now you can take the kids can come too. The Base Jumper 4 shares the sleek and nimble profile that the smaller Base Jumper 2 campervan is renowned for with the addition of two more beds - without sacrificing living space. The unique bunk bed design means the kids can sleep up front at night and also sit up front while travelling. Since the kids won’t be stuck down the back as in many bigger motorhomes, you’ll be able to talk and pass through the essential snacks en route. The passenger seats are comfortable and safe (shoulder seat belts) as well as having great viewing both out the windows. It'll be like Europe in the Kombi all over again - except for the comfort, space, storage, warmth, speed - the list goes on.
Top Performance on New Zealand's Demanding Roads
The design of the VW Crafter was a joint project between VW and Mercedes Benz. If you’ve ever driven a Mercedes, you’ll appreciate that the drive and performance of this vehicle is second to none. It's as functional and driver-friendly up front as it is spacious and versatile behind.
The cab has plenty of room for your documents, drink bottles, as well as shells and other treasures you will accumulate on the way. The ergonomic design as well as the height and angle adjustment of the driver's seat ensures optimal usability and relaxing, fatigue-free driving whatever the shape and size of the driver. This means you feel better and concentrate better - a critical safety factor. The generous cab size, armrests for both front seats, and cruise control deliver top-level comfort which pays dividends on long journeys in particular. That’s right – cruise control which is virtually unheard of in a rental campervan. The additional sound deadening, climatic air-conditioning system with outside temperature display and stereo with CD player further add to your comfort.
The Base Jumper 4 is as comfortable and confident on rough country roads and hilly terrain as it in the city. In the engine room, the advanced 2.5 litre, 5 cylinder common rail Turbo Diesel Injected (TDI) engine pumps 100kw of pure power and a hefty 300nm of torque.
Despite its size and load capacity, the fuel consumption figures in the Base Jumper 4 are surprisingly low ensuring that it’s as frugal as it is practical. And what's more, it’s also has the lowest carbon emissions of any of the vehicles in the Wilderness Motorhomes’ fleet.
Designed for Exploring the Wilderness
Just like the Base Jumper 2 campervan, the Base Jumper 4 is specifically designed for seeking out remote places and staying a while. It’s for travellers who want to have a real ‘Wilderness’ experience. If you’re planning to hop from one holiday park to the next then the special features of the Base Jumper campervan will probably be lost on you
It shares the same unique long life energy system as the Base Jumper 2 campervan which will give you sufficient power to last up to four days without starting the engine or hooking up to mains power. The combination of a 600w 12V inverter and two 220A/H 6V batteries means you can use all your equipment and appliances anytime, anywhere. The batteries supply the power and the inverter transforms it into the current you need to run the appliances and equipment. So you don’t need to find a busy campground at the end of the day to hook up and use your appliances. Now that’s freedom.
A Kitchen for Connoisseurs
If you’re used to eating at restaurants every night, you may find the Base Jumper 4 kitchen a bit over-the-top. But if you’re a connoisseur of well-considered design and good quality equipment whatever your cooking skill or interest is, then you’ll appreciate our efforts to kit out the campervan kitchen. From the chef-quality knives and utensils, to the spacious bench and compartmentalised drawers, to the roomy fridge with separate freezer compartment, this is no basic rental campervan.
The spacious bathroom with hot shower and toilet will be a welcomed feature after a big day of exploring. You may be in the wild but there’s no need to ‘go native’.
Play Hard Then Relax
Other than the kitchen and bathroom, the biggest difference between camping in the wilderness and ‘campervanning’ in the wilderness is the lounge and entertainment system. Once the sun sets, you’ll find yourself stretched out the wraparound couch, remote control in hand, watching your favourite DVD, viewing your photos on the 15" flat LCD screen, or listening to your music (CD/MP3/MP4 or radio) in 4-channel surround sound.
The spacious bathroom with hot shower and toilet will be a welcomed feature after a big day of exploring. You may be in the wild but there’s no need to ‘go native’.
Four Season Camping
You don’t usually see rental campervans on the road in the New Zealand winter because they are usually designed for three seasons. But not the Base Jumper. This fully insulated camper has thermal backed curtains plus a diesel heater ensures the whole vehicle stays toasty, day and night, without the need to towel off the moisture build up on the windows. Don’t be surprised if the only campervans you see on your winter road trip are Wilderness Base Jumpers.
The Base Jumper is ideal for an extended road trip because of the extra storage space, in fact, more than you’ll in a much bigger motorhome. The overhead lockers and cupboard with hanging space in the living area are best for the gear you use every day while extra-large storage area under the rear lounge (accessed from interior or exterior) works well for bags and other items. There’s plenty of space to store snowboarding gear in the rear storage compartment so you won’t have to trip over them in your living area.
Here’s what kate frood had to say about her family holiday in the Base Jumper 4:
We just had an amazing holiday exploring New Zealand made perfect by our Wilderness Base Jumper 4. Knowing the traditional VW campervan well, the Base Jumper 4 felt palatial (no need for an awning) and the 3 of us had PLENTY of space for clothes, food etc. We chose Wilderness because of the personal and friendly response (and the lack of hidden add on costs) and this was evident at both pick up and drop off.What we loved most were the big doors (side and back), the incredible detail in terms of equipment and extras and the driving experience. It was fun to be unique as we passed Britz, Maui vans etc and our Base Jumper was routinely admired by others in campsites - we were very proud! We were well aware it was a more expensive choice but if it becomes your 'home' for 3 weeks plus, it really matters that you're happy and relaxed in the space. We were really sorry to say farewell to our beautiful van at Auckland (NB Base Jumper 4 is a beautiful grey with a unique map of the Coromandel Peninsula on the side!) Thanks to everyone.
Reviewed on Rankers, 09 January 2011