Arctic Frost 13 reviewed at Australia's Best Hybrids 2024 presented by Tough Dog 4WD Accessories

JOHN FORD — CARAVAN WORLD EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Build quality

With a body length of only 4m (13ft 12in), the Arctic Frost 13 was the smallest hybrid at Australia's Best Hybrids 2024 presented by Tough Dog 4WD Suspension, and it's tempting to suggest it was one of the coolest. Despite its diminutive size, the new team at Arctic Campers packed a lot into their entry and took advantage of the popular fold-out rear bed to augment the camping footprint.

The little Frost is built on a hot-dipped galvanised steel 120mm x 50mm x 3mm chassis with plate reinforcing at stress points, and it's sprayed with rubberised paint for added protection. Imported as a basic rolling body and chassis, the local team completes the fit out and electronics package in Arctic's Melbourne factory. Pedders shock absorbers are also locally fitted to the robust-looking trailing arm suspension (with an optional upgrade to Lovells suspension for an additional $1500) and the floor is ply sheeting that feels solid underfoot.

Unlike some similar imports that use steel in the frame, the Arctic chooses aluminium to reduce weight, and it's clad externally with composite aluminium panels and a single-piece fibreglass roof. Internal walls are a bamboo-based lining. I like how timber has been kept to a minimum in the internal joinery, where cupboards are also aluminium. They seem robust and are neatly finished in epoxy paint. Latches and other hardware seem engineered for durability rather than weight-saving. At 2100kg empty, the Frost is relatively heavy for its size, suggesting it's built to last and made to cope with the rigours of rough road travel.

Value for money

In today’s market, the Frost’s starting price at just over $50,000 is going to attract a lot of customers looking to experience the towed RV lifestyle. As well as new customers, I bet that price point will convert some looking to upgrade from a camper. And you get a lot of bang for your dollar because, despite the compact size, the interior is practical and roomy enough for couples to enjoy time on the road. Including a roomy ensuite in a van this size is clever and adds to the value proposition.

The appliances are well-known brands and I’m told the company includes a free starter pack with a removable step, wheel chocks, strip lighting for the awning and a barbecue hose. I suggest an electric lifting roof could be an option for many buyers, and at around $2000 extra it still leaves the Frost as good value.

An aspect of the buying process that will impress many buyers who are shopping around is the keenness of the company owners to allow significant customisation within the design often without extra cost to the customer. 

Customer care

As a new company, the Arctic team is out to impress, and customer care is a priority. It has a dedicated staff member assigned to any warranty problems, a web portal for lodging claims and a growing network of repair agents. The company website lists the warranty but does not reference Australian Consumer Law as required. There is lifetime cover for the chassis, five years for the structure and battery and one year for the parts, all of which applies to the original purchaser only.

The document states that: “Warranty for fridges and hot water services is provided by the appliance manufacturer and not actioned by Arctic Campers Pty Ltd. The appropriate manufacturer's warranty paperwork is supplied with the appliance." While in practical terms, it is sometimes more accessible for a customer to go directly to the appliance supplier, but the retailer is responsible for all items in the van and must take overall responsibility for faulty products.

And there are exclusions for wheel bearings, batteries and shock absorbers as consumable items.

While a one-year warranty is typical across the industry, it doesn't reflect consumer sentiment or the reality of Australian Consumer Law, so we would prefer to see a more inclusive and longer cover, especially for a new company breaking into the local market.

MALCOLM STREET — CARAVAN WORLD FIELD EDITOR

Innovation

It's not precisely innovation but the colour scheme and the name of the hybrid get the attention for incongruity if nothing else. The van is an overall dark grey/black colour, and the Artic Frost name conjures images a long way from the Australian outback, which this hybrid is very much designed for, especially as a standard feature is the Dometic Harrier roof-mounted air-conditioner.

An electric pop-top roof (an option for $2k) would certainly aid the setup process, which isn't very complicated. Artic has worked hard on the external storage capacity of the Frost 13. At the front of the hybrid body, there are two tunnel storages, one above the other. In addition, the drawbar box is shaped to fit in with the overall shape of the camper rather than just look like an add-on. It has a 4.5kg and 9kg gas cylinder bin on either side, a central storage compartment and a firewood rack. The only caution would be to be aware of excessive towball weight. 

I like the sideways kitchen design that meshes well with the built-in pantry above it. It offers enough shelf space for all the cooking essentials including space for your barbecue. The stainless-steel kitchen bench itself has two inbuilt drawers and hinged flap extensions.

Because of recent changes to electrical standards, particularly relating to batteries and inverters, the location of the former has become more critical for all RV manufacturers. In the Frost 13, Arctic has opted for an underfloor location using floor hatches to give the necessary access.

Internal storage is always a critical feature in an RV of this length, and the Frost 13 is certainly well fitted out with plenty of cupboard and drawer space. Although the hybrid has an internal bathroom, it also has an external shower, complete with a tent that attaches to the rear offside.

In many ways, the Frost 13 is quite an appealing hybrid. It is quite a compact unit, yet one with multiple features. 

Self-Sufficiency 

The Artic Frost 13 is well designed for off-grid travel. Two 120L freshwater tanks provide the necessary drinking and washing capacity, and a 75L grey water tank is fitted at the rear of the chassis. All the polymer water tanks have some form of mechanical protection. Off-grid travel is restricted to some extent by the capacity of the Dometic cassette toilet. Two 9kg gas cylinders are fitted on either side of the drawbar toolbox. They can supply more than adequate LP gas capacity, the only LPG appliances being a Truma 14L gas/electric water heater and a Dometic two-burner hob. An Australian diesel heater supplies heating — the 10L fuel tank for which is mounted on the drawbar toolbox.

Two 135Ah LiFePO4 batteries supply the 12V load and four 100W solar panels charge them up. In addition to that, a Projecta PM400 battery management system ties the electrical system together. It has a 20A charger and an MPPT solar input. 

A water tank level and pump control is also a feature of the PM400 system as well as controlling the van's lighting and media functions via your phone. The electrical package includes a Projecta 25A DC to DC charger to provide the correct charging voltage to the hybrid batteries and a 2000W Renogy inverter. Connected to all the 240V power points, the inverter is good for maintaining an AC supply for an extended period. Arctic also offers a power pack that consists of 400Ah lithium, 500W (600W for 15ft models) solar, 3000W inverter which will allow the air-conditioner to run for up to five or six hours in sunny conditions. A second Anderson Plug is also included, offering users the ability to add another 400W of solar. The all-round electrical system package is very good and should suit most users.

It’s not usually an off-grid feature, but the drawbar storage box includes a firewood rack for cold winter nights and campfire cooking. The electrics might supply the mostly unseen power requirements but there’s no doubt a decent campfire offers a great atmospheric touch. 

ALLISON WATT — CARAVAN WORLD DEPUTY EDITOR

Liveability

The Frost 13 is a couples van with a king size fold-out bed with memory foam mattress, with fans, reading lamps, USB points and shelves for those who like to sit up in bed to read or watch TV. 

There is no internal kitchen in the Frost, however, just inside the front entry door is a handy bench space with cupboards and drawers that could easily accommodate a kettle, toaster, air fryer or induction cooktop. There’s an overhead cupboard here too and space for a microwave should you wish.

Directly ahead of the main entrance is the spacious ensuite which is a shower/toilet combo with a vanity basin, a spacious storage space tucked away behind a canvas opening with a zip to prevent your things from getting wet. There is an impressive full-width gutter/grate-type drain in the shower for the quick getaway of grey water and a simple, yet effective, toilet roll cover to keep loo paper dry.

A lounge and table inside are large enough for two people to sit and eat a meal or watch the TV, which is a standard inclusion. There’s also an audio system with internal and external speakers, diesel heater, LED strip lighting, lots of cupboard and drawer space and an optional internal fridge.

Ease of use

As with many hybrids, there is a little bit of work to do to get them set up once you reach camp. The Frost 13 is no exception, but once it was set up, we were amazed at how much Arctic has managed to fit into this 13ft space.

The Frost is a pop-top. As with a few hybrids at ABH, I struggled to be able to lift the roof on my own. Solar panels and a rooftop air-conditioner add to the weight, so I’d opt for an electric roof. The king size bed folds down and the awning is electric so very easy to set up. The Frost 13 comes with a full annexe and shower tent at the rear.

The stainless-steel kitchen with sink and two gas burner stove slides out parallel to the van rather than at a right angle, offering better protection from the elements under the awning. Once it is out, additional bench space folds up at each end. Behind the kitchen, four built-in pantry shelves provide plenty of space for condiments and other food items. Next to the kitchen is a picnic table and the slide-out for the external fridge located at the front of the van behind the entry door. The 72L Kooltron fridge is not included in the price, but Arctic has been known to ‘throw one in’.

Adding to the ease of use of the Frost 13 is the Projecta PM400 battery management system which enables lights, water and the fridge to be operated via phone or tablet. 

TIM VAN DUYL — CARAVAN WORLD CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Towability

Once the darling of caravan owners around Australia, we had a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in diesel for our test vehicle. When they launched at bargain-basement prices with their six-speed automatic gearboxes, frugal V6 diesel and up to 3500kg tow capacities, they were snapped up in droves. 

Time has done them few favours, however, with a lot of stories of issues and failures but to this day, the supplied Grand Cherokee we drove proved reliable and comfortable. I rated it. It was silky smooth and quiet; capable and comfortable with all four of us onboard. Would I recommend it? Only if you had a very good inspection done by someone reputable. 

The more likely vehicle you’ll see in front of the Frost 13 is a modern ute or SUV and it's what I would recommend. With its 2990kg ATM, you will need a ute from the last decade or a large SUV if you want to fully load the trailer. 

On how the trailer towed, well, flawlessly. Being a single axle, it was a breeze to manoeuvre and although not a lightweight by any imagination, it felt nimble with very little movement at the hitch (a quality DO35 by Cruisemaster). Its suspension felt well balanced with its Pedders shock absorbers doing well to hide the trailer's weight. 

X-Factor

If I were to choose one thing as the stand-out X-Factor for the Frost 13, I’d be doing it an injustice. The two standouts are obvious, the exceptional near-900kg payload and the surprisingly low price. 

Having a payload as high as the Frost 13 opens up a lot of potential for long-distance and live-aboard travel. After filling the tanks to their 240L limit, you still have well over 600kg of payload, something rare in campers and caravans. Yes, you need to be sensible in loading and understand the limits of your tow vehicle as well as ask yourself if you need to take full advantage of it as the more you carry, the more fuel you’ll consume, but it is impressive nonetheless. 

Do a comparison like we have, and you’ll also see the value in the Frost 13 is a standout. The build is decent, on par with its competitors, and its fit out is impressive from the near top-of-the-range Projecta power system to the Harrier Lite AC, diesel heater as standard and Truma UltraRapid hot water system. For a gourmet pie under $52,000, it carries one of the lowest prices in its fiercely competitive environment without sacrificing a lot. For the cash-conscious, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better. 

ARCTIC FROST 13 SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Arctic Frost price from $50,990

MORE INFORMATION

Arctic Campers
19 Innovation Way
Pakenham Vic 3810
P: 0405 636 878 / 1300 792 806

THE NEXT STEP

If you need help choosing your first caravan or are considering upgrading your existing one, check out all Arctic Campers models available on TradeRVs today. 

The sellers will be happy to help and answer any inquiries you may have about the products advertised for sale.

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