RAPTOR TESTED OUT ON THE TRACKS
SETTING UP THE RAPTOR 13
Maverick Camper’s Raptor 13 came into my life
in mid-March. With its composite aluminium
cladding over an aluminium frame, 16in alloys
wheels and high black checkerplate protection,
I was immediately intrigued. The Raptor 13 has an extendable bed area
that takes a couple of minutes to set-up. It’s a
matter of lowering the dual spare wheel
carriers and unlatching the rear wall, which
folds up to become a bedroom roof.
The Raptor range is built overseas and
imported for the Australian market. There are
five models in the range, starting with the
diminutive Raptor 11. Behind the rear wall, you’ll find two doors.
Unlatch them and fold them outwards so that
they become the bedroom’s side walls. Another
section folds down to become the floor.
Our Raptor 13 was one size up from the 11
and packs a pretty decent punch. Hitched to
Maverick’s company Ford Ranger, we hauled
it through bushland in northern Victoria, along
tight gravel tracks, through deep ruts and up
treacherous embankments. The pop-top roof raises in the conventional
way – undo four over-centre catches, step
inside and lift both ends. You can then
position the bedroom’s mattress.