Built For Convenience

[ CAMPER REVIEW ] KAMPER 2+2

- Francois Huysamen

The first time I met Henk Blaauw, he pulled into the parking lot in front of our office, his camping unit loaded onto the thundering V6 Hilux Raider.

After a firm handshake and a quick introductory chat, he asked if I wanted to see his custom creation in action – and less than 10 minutes later, the unique Kamper 2 + 2 was set up.

Although at first glance you might expect the Kamper to be something similar to a rooftop tent, it’s not. Henk’s unique slide-out bed design allows easy access to a four-sleeper area in which you can actually stand upright.

“I started designing the Kamper when our family’s camping excursions started becoming more long distance, nomadic and rough – especially in Botswana and Namibia,” says Henk.

“The inconvenience of our four sleeper rooftop tent did not work for us anymore; particularly the climbing in, crawling around and getting dressed while lying down.”

The Blaauws then started looking for a camping setup that met certain requirements: it had to sleep four, have enough room to stand up, a quick setup time, easy access, had to go anywhere, and had to be affordable.

Henk continues: “Off-road caravans meet these requirements, but although many of the bush caravans are mouthwatering products with wonderful advantages, the main considerations which prompted me to design my own setup on a double cab pickup were financial − related to initial outlay, storage, fuel and maintenance; as well as about manoeuvrability: a towing setup limits 4x4 driving in rough terrain, as well as parking, overtaking and U-turns.