THE DN5 CAMPER
DN5 The Ducks Nuts - 5m long
It’s not easy to design and manufacture a camper that is both small, strong, light, yet full of luxury features. It all starts with a great ground up design, and good engineering practices, like double spaced out skins rather than one thick item, creating box sections, and correct material selection. After a close inspection of the DN5 build you will realise it’s not like the rest, that’s how the DN5 achieves its No. 1 Goal, (tough, light, and functional). No short cuts just excellence in design and manufacturing.
The camper with little compromise that has everything
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Kitchen and fridge accessed inside and outside for versatile living
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Extremely Light weight (1340 to 1480kg TARE)
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Small size, yet spacious inside living space
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Incredible off-road ability, toughness, and reliability
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Inside Shower and Toilet
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Push-button set up and adjustable air suspension
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Massive off grid electrical and water capacity
Innovative, new ground up design for durable full off-road, fully featured, comfortable adventure.
Australian designed, manufactured and tested
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7 years of design and engineering using CAD modelling software and finite element analysis
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5 years of factory and real-world testing over some of Australia’s toughest tracks
Small in stature, large inside living!
The DN5 is 5.3 metres long (tip to tail), 13.5 foot inside living, only 1.9 metres wide, 2.3 metres travel height and a TARE weight between 1340 to 1480kg, and has discrete innovative inside ensuite.
At Free Spirit Campers we innovate, not happy until we achieve a camper that simply ticks all the boxes... with features like inside/outside kitchen, under-seat ensuite, fully forward North-South facing bed, aerodynamic nose cone, huge storage and electrical capability, light and compact, large inside living, tough and durable. This is a package that you can take to remote places with confidence in comfort and style.
Design brief
Develop a tough, durable, insulated, safe camper you can take to remote off grid areas of Australia with confidence, or take down that small steep goat track to find that private camp site, whilst retaining the luxuries of a modern large caravan”.
No 1 on our priority list, the design brief was to “develop a tough durable camper”
Starting with 3d Cad modelling from the ground up, FEA analysis, in house testing then 7 years or real world testing over some of Australia's toughest tracks. We learnt lessons on our prototype, then developed the DN5.
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Excellent underbody protection and
off-road ability
Flexible, long travel suspension, huge ground clearance and well-built toughness.
D035 tow hitch.
The best places are the toughest to reach!
Chassis
Look closely and you will see the chassis is in a class of its own, with the airbag shock and axle mounts forming a box section from one side to the other, its design oozes strength. Made up of 89 different Laser cut components creating box sections that are strong yet light, then hot dip galvanised for total rust protection.
Suspension
Side by Side heavy duty duel axles, sitting on 7" air bags.
12 years of design, engineering, in-house testing and real-world testing over some of Australia’s toughest tracks.
This style of suspension saves weight and space allowing for safer towing as front and rear water tanks are placed close to the axle.
Allows height to be lowered at camp for good accessibility, easy leveling at camp, making the rear door entry low and you can lower it to fit into low garages/carparks.
Fully tested for extreme durability and functionality.
The results
When towing you don’t have to worry about your camper it simply follows, and stays on track sure footed. Most users comment they forget its behind you, as it does not affect the vehicles handling, even over rough terrain, this is not only due to great suspension, other factors influence this as detailed next.
Size and Weight, key to off road ability, and safe towing
“develop a` tough, durable, insulated, safe camper you can take to remote off grid areas of Australia with confidence, or take down that small steep goat track to find that private camp site, whilst retaining the luxuries of a modern large caravan”.
With a body width of only 1.9m (including protrusions 2.06), total length of 5.3m and travel height of 2.3m the DN5 footprint is similar to most 4WD’s, so negotiating a tight track into a secluded campsite should not be a problem (if your 4WD fits down then so should the camper). The DN5 has a wheel track width of 1610mm being close to most 4WD’s ensuring that your camper wheels run in the same tracks as your vehicle. This will reduce the risk of staking your camper tyres on roots or snags just outside the wheel tracks and creates less load on your vehicle when traveling through soft ground. Excellent ground clearance due to drop down axle, axle angles, 23 degree departure angle, trailer stabiliser legs being mounted on rear of camper (not underneath) and water tanks being mounted high hard against the camper floor, reduces the risk of the camper bottoming out. If you are pulling your camper over sand, soft ground, mud, up a steep hill or down a steep hill, having a light as possible camper helps your vehicle immensely. The DN5 as base model being 1340kg dry topping out at 1480kg for all electric package, still retaining all luxury features, is class leading in this category.
Our manufacturing processes and built in dust filter (which also pressurises the cabin whilst driving) has proven to work exceptionally well in regards to dust ingress. The filter allows filtered air to move freely in and out of the cab, preventing cabin vacuum thus reducing this risk.
Towing a lightweight tough camper and living in an insulated space, makes life on the road a breeze.
A design obsession in regards to weight and strength, along with research and development has created a body manufactured out of a combination of materials used together to create a very strong insulated structural body that is extremely light.
The body is manufactured out of a combination of 30mm thick polypropylene insulated sandwich panel, 30mm thick rigid foam core gel coated skin panel and fibreglass outer skin. Wrapping everything together we use inner and outer aluminium powder coated foldments along with modified polymer glues and rivets, creating a structural insulated frame that will last for many decades. There is no timber used throughout this camper, all cabinetry is manufactured out of light aluminium foldments, with stainless steel bench tops.
The Unique Nose Cone and Chassis Stone Deflectors are all coated in an engineered, rubberised protection coating system that deflects stones away and protects the front of the camper and the rear of your vehicle.
Layout
Amazingly large internal living space, magnificent outside kitchen plenty of storage, internal ensuite!
We have achieved this though smart innovative design, starting from the ground up, the layout is what has made this camper so user friendly small and light.
A place for everything!
With careful planning and intricate design we have created space for an array of modern conveniences and a place for everything you might need.
Picture this, pull up, fold down the kitchen door, the main bench simply folds out, pull out the fridge draw, pop the sink in, and within minutes you will be lovingly creating gourmet meals, or preparing a quick lunchtime stop.
Check out this outside space
Outside Kitchen
Outside L-shape kitchen including induction cooktop, Slide the BBQ out to reveal the cook top. large stainless-steel bench with sink plus plenty of clever storage spaces and draws.
Unique BBQ draw with weber baby Q locators simply pick up and turn around your choice of cooking sides
An obsession with excellent design and quality ensures functionality and reliability!
Can be used for those quick stops, without setting up the camper.
Plenty of drawer space with access to drawers from the inside! And with access to the fridge on the outside too, there's no running back inside to grab the bottle of sauce you forgot!
The bush company 270 XT max awning
The DN5 although has a unique large inside living space, is predominantly about living outside in the great outdoors. We all know how important protection against the elements is, that's why we have selected one of the strongest awnings on the market, suited to our camper, which is easy to deploy covering the complete outside kitchen including the fridge draw and the back door in one go.
We then add magnetic flaps to the front and rear arms, this then helps further protect from rain and sun at the kitchen draw and rear door area
Add some simple but very affective mesh sides to give even further protection from the elements and privacy
Inside Living
Small on the outside yet surprisingly large on the inside (some have nicknamed it the Tardis).
We understand how important a good night's sleep is!
The DN5 boasts a full-size queen pocket spring pillow top mattress, plus massive amount of ventilation, windows positioned perfectly, bedside magazine racks, lights, and USB chargers, you’re not just getting a good night's sleep, this is a happy place where you can whittle some time away enjoying the great outdoors.
The bench seat with under-seat storage (which also doubles as a small single/child's bed, measuring 178cm x 67cm) can be utilised during those times when outside conditions force you inside. Appreciate being able to get up in the morning, turn the heater on, freshen up in the shower, make some breakfast and enjoy the spectacular view in your secluded bush track destination, all without going outside... Now that's DN5 versatility!
Further inside features include various hot water options with the abbility to pump from external water source, and an Ensuite.
Inside Outside kitchen!
Internal kitchen with inside and outside access to the kitchen drawers and fridge!
Ensuite - Internal Shower and Toilet
We get it, you want it all, small lightweight go anywhere camper, with luxury features.
The DN5 achieves this through smart design, bed all the way forward and a hidden Ensuite beneath the bench seat!
Hidden under part of the bench seat is space saving shower and Ogo composting toilet, that sets up in seconds. Simply remove the cushion, lift up the lid, pull the shower curtain around and turn on the tap (the adjustable tempering valve will keep the water temperature to your liking). The shower curtain circle being larger than the shower space allows for ample shower room. When folding back away, the bottom of the shower curtain hangs into the shower recess so it can finish drying with the seat down.
In a matter of seconds, your ensuite is ready to use, smart and versatile.
Electrical
“Develop a tough, durable, insulated, safe camper you can take to remote off grid areas of Australia with confidence, or take down that small steep goat track to find that private camp site, whilst retaining the luxuries of a modern large caravan”.
High quality, high capacity, reliable, efficient electrical system is paramount to ensure all your devices operate to make life on the road a breeze. After inspection of our electrical package, you will be extremely satisfied.
With capacity of up to 630AH of stored lithium battery power, plus up to 160 amps of charging at the same time, you shoulden’t run short on power
Water Heating and storage, and Cabin Heating
We fully understand Hot Showers, and Cabin Heating is a beautiful luxury, that's why we fit systems to meet your needs, happy campers love being fresh, clean, and warm.
Hot Water comes from 12/240v 10 litre storage hot water with auto change over
Cabin options is a 2.2kw Belief Diesel cabin heater
Water Storage:
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Up to two 125 litre high quality polyethylene (250 litres), totally separate to each other including two pumps, and ability to pump from external water source. Two filling options, high pressure quick connect with tank choice valves or through screw cap.
Grey Water Storage:
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50 litres connected to internal sink and shower.
Water & Heating
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Thoughtful well designed storage features, allowing a well sorted place for everything, the simplicity of having everything you need at hand, the DN5 has it in spades.
Inside:
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6 x drawers
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3 x cupboards
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Under seat storage, plus
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Two shelves
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A hidden nook
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Shoe rack
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Magazine racks
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Two towel rails; and
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A tea towel rail.
Everything within easy access!
Outside:
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Large front storage through boot (also houses the spare wheel and water heater),
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The kitchen drawer has space for your BBQ to be mounted saving space in your storage boot and allows for quick easy set up.
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Outside Front has:
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A 20Litre jerry can mount,
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2 x 5Litre fuel can mounts; and
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2 x 4kg gas bottle mounts; along with
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Two areas that can be used to store messy or wet items such as firewood.
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Storage
DN5 Wrap up
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Light weight, small stature and aerodynamically designed for fuel efficiency, safe, easy towing, and great off road ability!
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Quick set up and set down with electric-lift lid, Air suspension, 270° self supporting awning, quick and easy outdoor kitchen.
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Convenience with access to kitchen and fridge inside and outside.
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Luxuries including internal ensuite, North south queen pocket spring bed, large bench seat, large internal kitchen, large extenal L shape kitchen, Heating, ventilation.
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Durable, strong, insulated, no rotable material and all aluminium cabinetry.
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Massive off grid capacity, with up to 1075w solar + plug in, 630ah batteries, 250l water.
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Great looks and finish.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only, it is not an official quotation, and is subject to change. Free Spirit Campers reserves the right to change the design, dimensions, weights, options, specifications, and price without notice.