A COMMANDING PRESENCE
It’s most at home deep in the bundus, and the very latest version of Conqueror’s Commander only confirms that, says Leon Botha.
If you haven’t needed to change the basic concept of an off-road caravan in 16 years, you know you’ve got a winner. And now, judging by the Conqueror Commander’s new Stealth version, the next 16 years look equally rosy.
Conqueror built 10 Stealth units initially, and we had the opportunity to see this new caravan at La’t Wiel 4x4, Conqueror’s new dealer in the Cape Winelands.
There are currently three Commander versions available: the basic Classic, Platinum and Recce. The Stealth is priced between the Platinum and the Recce.
What’s different?
One of the most noticeable changes is the near black appearance, a first for Conqueror. The Platinum model already uses a charcoal colour, but it is a lighter hue. Against the dark bodywork, the red branding really stands out. Also, the badges – even the elephant logos above the wheels – aren’t stickers like on the other Commanders and Companions, but etches in the panels.
Up until now, the checkered aluminium tread plate of the Commander’s nose cone was unpainted. On the Stealth, the nose cone gets the same paint job as the hull, and pretty much only the coupler and the grid over the spare wheel are left shiny.
Besides the cosmetic changes, the Stealth comes with a few novelties and some extra items as standard. The stairs for both doors no longer fold inward, but are mounted under the door on the outside. Now you simply pull out the step to get in.
Next to the bed are two extra cupboards and you get a better mattress and two extra lights in the ceiling. The 270° swing-out awning and outdoor shower tent are optional
on the Platinum, but standard on the Stealth.
What stays the same?
The Stealth otherwise gets the same standard equipment as the Platinum. This includes the 150 ℓ water tank with a pump and plumbing, a 15 ℓ geyser, an aluminium camping table, a 20 A smart power system, two 102 Ah batteries and a 20 m extension cord, two fans, a two-burner stove and a stainless-steel basin.
Some of the optional extras include a number 10 Pabar gas cylinder (R805), jerrycans (the military type, R619), crockery and cutlery (R1 886), SnoMaster 82,5 ℓ or National Luna 90 ℓ fridge-freezer (R17 124 or R15 956 respectively); a Mojave 240 solar panel system with 20 A regulator (R16 845) and a battery charging system for the tow vehicle (R3 338).